cheap touring convertible

Doing a little dreaming about my next auto purchase because the alternative is actually doing work. I'm looking for a fun vert for grand touring. Mostly used for weekend getaways with Mrs. Sanman. I rented an m4 convertible for our wedding and fell in love with the idea if rumbling around in something like that. Budget is $10K.

Needs to be bigger than a miata because at 6'1" 235 with broad shoulders I don't love the idea of being that cramped for 1-2 hours of driving. Fun to drive and easy to diy maintain in the garage.

I am seeing e36 m3 convertibles, sn95 cobra vert, e30 325 vert, etc in my price range. Suggestions?

In reply to sanman: Jaguar XJ-S. The six cylinders are almost as fast as the V12 and more plentiful. Not to mention fuel mileage can be in the mid 20's instead of high teens..

Nissan Murano.....bwahahahahahahahaha

Priced under $10k but it would still be wise to have the $10k available.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5164736994.html

Based on suggestions so far, I have addional criteria.... I would like to be able to reach my destination not on the back of a flat bed and not want to shoot myself in the face when I get out and look at the car (murano).

The ultimate middle aged woman from Arizona convertible. Friend of our has one, as much as I dislike them, hers has been bulletproof.

C4 or C5 vette?

Porsche Boxster

E46 M3 in my opinion is a much better and nicer looking car than an E36 M3 for a classy cruiser, but that is just my preference. The E36 or E30 might be a more GRM sporting choice, but for a comfy cruiser, something like this would be an awesome GT ragtop. http://york.craigslist.org/cto/5160390307.html

370Z. While not seasoned to my taste, it is a heck of a lot of car for the $$$

E46 330 ci not mine etc.

Fits the budget, nice place to be, almost M3 fast.

JohnRW1621 wrote: Priced under $10k but it would still be wise to have the $10k available. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5164736994.html

The reliability of these is measured with a stopwatch. Arguably nice to look at...wouldn't want to own anything to do with one.

The SN95 Mustang Cobra is the easy button IMO. The DOHC 4.6 is a very cool motor...

Z3s are getting very affordable. More room for big guys than a Miata.

Cobra is a good choice, Saab makes a fun vert, C5 vert. BMW vert would be my last choice.

C5 Corvette has probably dipped below 10k for a good convertible by now.

If SN-95 are in the mix, what about the 4th Gen F-Body? They seem like they would give a lot of bang for the buck with just a few basic upgrades. Admittedly, well maintained manual trans V8 convertibles are in pretty short supply if T-Tops won't cut it for you. I'm partial to the look of the LT1 cars over the LS1 cars, especially the LT1 Trans-Am, in addition to the LT1 cars being cheaper.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mustang-2-door-convertible-/221847206539?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33a71fba8b&item=221847206539

I prefer the newer Mustangs. We had a 'vert for a rental once- nice car.

If the Miata was too small for us, that's what I'd look at. But realistically, it's too big, and the Miata is our car of choice....

edit- here's a manual one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mustang-V6-/131568005386?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1ea210710a&item=131568005386

Man, I've really become a fanboy.

In reply to bgkast:

$50 will do that to you.

Mercedes CLK 430 (or 320) are pretty cheap-I've been looking at them myself. 4.3 V8 has plenty of power.

My choices for this category are my old Mustang:

(loved driving that car)

or an XK8:

The Mustang GT might be pushing your budget still, though a slightly older New Edge version would be in it, but the Jag is reliable enough and priced right these days (see GRM for a great review on them)

I second the XK8. Fantastic car.

My picks:

Mercedes

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5161947080.html

or

McLaren

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/5164176807.html

SN95 convertibles aren't awful but for a $10k budget I can't think of any reason to pick one over an S197 Mustang. Or a whole slew of other cars. I would, however, take an SN95 over an F-body simply because the doors aren't quite as long and the seating position isn't quite so on the floor.

But really get a BMW or a Saab or something else.

pres589 wrote: SN95 convertibles aren't awful but for a $10k budget I can't think of any reason to pick one over an S197 Mustang. Or a whole slew of other cars. I would, however, take an SN95 over an F-body simply because the doors aren't quite as long and the seating position isn't quite so on the floor. But really get a BMW or a Saab or something else.

I actually LOVE the seating position in my Camaro. I've found few cars that allow me to stretch my legs out so much and maintain a comfortable reach to the steering wheel and shifter.

To the OP, I've had some serious Jag lust today for some reason, so I'm gonna vote XK8 as well

So, to answer a few questions... no 4th gen f bodies because I hear they are more difficult to work on than the sn95 and the interior is more GM. Though a black trans am with a flashing red light will always take me back.

The saab 900 is a fun idea along the lines of the e30 and so is the xjs. My worry is parts availability for both and diy friendliness. xk8 would,be awesome, but I,have heard about Niksal engine issues.

Why sn95 over s197? I,have not seen many s197 v8s in my price range and I have a nostalgia feeling for the sn95. The new edge 99-01 cobra with the IRS appeals as well, but I like the looks less. I do like the sound of the 4v 4.6 with the right exhaust.

Keep the ideas coming as well as info on the classic 900 turbo and the jags. C4 corvette seems interesting as well, if I can get over the interior. C5 would be awesome.

pres589 wrote: SN95 convertibles aren't awful but for a $10k budget I can't think of any reason to pick one over an S197 Mustang.

S197 V6 > SN95 GT?