Which of these five <$10k convertibles is most likely to last and be reliable? Which is the best va

[WhipperSnapper]

Just to add fuel to the (electrical) fire
http://repairpal.com/recall/16V396000

Affected vehicles: Solar 2006, 2007, 2008 (and a whole bunch of other Toyotas):

For vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters, the seat heater elements in the front seats may short circuit if they are damaged by the seat cushion being compressed over time. This could result in a fire hazard.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

These are kind of interesting, though I'm leery of the German ones and the increased cost of insuring / maintaining them. The BMW is kind of neat, but would you feel funny buying from a private seller?

2003 BMW 330ci, $5000, 112k (dude selling it on Craig's List)

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS, $5000, 78k

2003 Audi A4 3.0 Cabriollet, $6900, 68k

 

[Dr. Detroit]

There's no shortage of Sebrings and PT Cruisers, but I assume that they have poor reliability. Luxury name plates would be too expensive to insure and maintain IMHO.

PT Cruisers are rock solid. Polarizing looks but rock solid. The GT Turbo engine uses the same drivetrain as the SRT Neon and its an overbuilt monster of an engine producing only 220HP and ridiculously mod friendly.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2005-chrysler-pt-cruiser-gt-convertible-short-take-road-test

 

[Gerle]

The Sebring's 2.7 engine is terrible, sludges quickly, leaks coolant in to the oil. I think the 3.5 is similarly haunted.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

PT Cruisers, huh? Still kind of scary:

 

[repoman0]

These are kind of interesting, though I'm leery of the German ones and the increased cost of insuring / maintaining them. The BMW is kind of neat, but would you feel funny buying from a private seller?

2003 BMW 330ci, $5000, 112k (dude selling it on Craig's List)

I would only buy from a private seller, preferably one who knows what he's doing maintenance wise. That said, I've owned a 2003 330i (sedan) from 103k to its current 167k miles and all said and done, it's been a bit of a pain in the ass. I do my own work on cars for the most part so it hasn't been particularly expensive (parts aren't bad) but here are the items that have failed and left the car undriveable over the past ~5 years:

power steering pump (okay, could drive it if you're the hulk)
camshaft sensor (no start)
fuel pump (stalls, no start)
leaky water pump (can start and drive but need to add water/coolant every time until fixed)
thermostat (same deal, slower leak though)

The car is currently my beater badly in need of a suspension replacement, burns oil, one window and sunroof don't work, covered in dents, etc. I'm driving it until it dies or until I move out of the greater Boston area, whichever is sooner (hopefully moving).

All this said, I like the chassis and design enough that I have another E46, but it's an M3 coupe with low miles and only occasionally driven, not a daily. I like working on nice cars so don't mind the maintenance, but I'd only suggest it if you are similar in that regard. The M3 has never been to an actual shop since it's not a daily and I can take my time with maintenance, time it well, etc. but the few times I've had to take the 330 in for something due to my own lack of time it's been robbery cost wise.

 

[XavierMace]

Half of those are items that generally fail around your that mileage on most cars.

 

[repoman0]

Half of those are items that generally fail around your that mileage on most cars.

Forgot to mention I replaced the whole cooling system including water pump and thermostat when I bought the car, around 103-105k miles ... both were leaking again by 155k. And I didn't say it was terrible, just a bit of a pain in the ass and it would be too expensive to maintain for my taste if I didn't maintain it myself or look for fixes online.

 

[agent00f]

These are kind of interesting, though I'm leery of the German ones and the increased cost of insuring / maintaining them. The BMW is kind of neat, but would you feel funny buying from a private seller?

2003 BMW 330ci, $5000, 112k (dude selling it on Craig's List)

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS, $5000, 78k

2003 Audi A4 3.0 Cabriollet, $6900, 68k

At some point you should drive these various choices, preferably more than once, since shopping for a somewhat complex product is not best done on paper. Esp since this is going to be a toy, where your tolerance for hassle will be proportionate to enjoyment.

 

[Topless Jeesix]

Personnel experience with 2007 Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible: Great car easy to work on for me. Saved thousands of dollars doing repairs myself. The stress from the tight sport suspension eats up lower control arms. We got lucky with the auto/manual shift tranny going out under warranty and was offered a "new" tranny with 90 day warranty or reman with 3 year and 60,000 (i believe) we got the reman and it served us well. My wife drove this car so far 179,000 miles. The top still works. The big issue we had was power steering hose is routed over the cat converter and it is a rubber hose at that point. the plastics clips that hold it in place broke and it burn in two on a long drive. I was able to patch it back together until I got a new hose (odd ball 6 ft design that runs all the way around the motor, dealer est 2500, I did it for 100 and my free labor.) We had run flat tires put on it and used those up we now have goodyear sport tires on it (i went wider tires for a bit more traction) The gt convertible has a not so exciting manual shift option 4 speed, it came stock with heated seats, remote start, monsoon stereo, ac, cruise and other stuff I forgot. it has cool two tone seats. The issue now that we are getting close to 200,000 miles is electrical. It burns out headlights every6 months and melts the damn wire harness to the headlight. Easy fix I do it myself and put a fusable link in it, but now the cargo safety switch in the trunk has gone bad (the safety switch keep you from accidently storing the top in the trunk with items in the trunk) when you leave the cargo cover open it lock up the trunk (no key lock in the trunk only remote operation) so you cannot get in. You have to unplug the battery and let the whole system go dead to reset. It leaks oil like a harley leaving a spot. We watch it close so it does not run out. Seems that is the head gasket and I am not fixing it cause it requires the whole engine torn apart. Also had two throttle bodys replaced in 8 years. It is faster than my 07 v6 Mustang, my wife rags on me about it. Last thing is the paint clearcoat peel on driver side. I sprayed it with a rattle can clearcoat for the first 3 years but gave up now and it is spreading. Was quoted 600 to have it done by a pro. Recently replaced the front struts (50 buck ebay) and now need the front sway bar rubber bushing which have finally dry rotted and are crumbling. I found a set of new headlight 50 bucks ebay so they are clear and bright now again.

 

[mindless1]

It's not even close, the Camrys by a mile but which one is the better value has a lot to do with how they were maintained. If that is equivalent, newer with lower miles wins.

 

[rstrohkirch]

You can easily get a early 2000s Miata convertible with less than 100K miles for 9K out the door. Then you not only get a convertible but you'll get probably the best handling car you can find for your budget criteria. Plus they're cheap to work on if some maintenance was necessary.