sanman wrote: 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.
www.eeuroparts.com 
sanman wrote: 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.
www.eeuroparts.com
sanman wrote: xk8 would,be awesome, but I,have heard about Niksal engine issues.
Yes, it would be.
Between my dad, brother and me I am the only one without a Jag convertible (E type and XJS V12).
So, I researched the XK8 very hard (albeit several years ago so my memory may off). The nikasil issue does not affect all years and there is a school of thought that for the years affected if it hasn't been an issue yet, it won't be an issue.
I remember deciding that if I bought an XK8 I would buy a 2003 or newer as the issues of the early years were fixed by then.
A GT isn't really my thing so I ended up with a Miata and I'm still the outcast.
My wife's Solara has been dead nuts reliable needing only oil changes and tires. It's faster than you would think and has excellent brakes and top.
S197 V6 > SN95 GT?
Considering they have roughly the same acceleration but the newer one is less truck-like and gets better mileage? Yeah, i think so.
Well, not the 4.0 v6 in the early s197 motor
The jag looks good, but that charger is just ridiculous. Hmm, this is hard. The the xk8, the saab 900, the e30, and the mustang are still in the running.
R129? http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/5134166165.html
In reply to yupididit: That looks...shiny and it won't even cost me anything after I sell the pound of coke hidden in the trunk.
I wanted a grand touring convertible myself as my daily driver. Went 04 Saab 9-3 Aero, and so far am quite pleased with it.
Go drive some things to see how they feel to you. Start there and weed out the things that leave you going "ick". Then of those that did feel pretty nice, start researching.
One that hasn't come up is the likes of the Toyota Solara. Exciting it's not, but being a Toyota it's likely dead nuts reliable.
Solaras are old people cars. Every single Solara owner who graced the doorstep while I worked for the stealership was an AARP member. To me they are just a big Camry; horribly vanilla and dull.
Having just sealed the deal on a S197 Mustang (coupe) I can tell you that the "girly" 4.0 V6 model really isn't bad, especially with a 5 speed behind it. Nice low end torque when you pull away and 210 horses make it very tractable in regular driving. They are everything the earlier 3.8 was not. I suggest anyone contemplating these cars drive one before deciding they "need" the V8.
I've seen some higher miles S197 into the 10K range.
Personally though, I would go with something like this: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5083983602.html
It hits all of the button.
Adrift wrote:sanman wrote: xk8 would,be awesome, but I,have heard about Niksal engine issues.Yes, it would be. Between my dad, brother and me I am the only one without a Jag convertible (E type and XJS V12). So, I researched the XK8 very hard (albeit several years ago so my memory may off). The nikasil issue does not affect all years and there is a school of thought that for the years affected if it hasn't been an issue yet, it won't be an issue. I remember deciding that if I bought an XK8 I would buy a 2003 or newer as the issues of the early years were fixed by then. A GT isn't really my thing so I ended up with a Miata and I'm still the outcast.
I did the same thing, and more or less came to the understanding that the Nikasil is great for engine longevity, due to the added cylinder wall wear resistance, but there are specific fuel quality requirements that the US fuel supply just wasn't ready to satisfy when the car was released. Jaguar dropped the Nikasil, and the US improved the fuel. I've even seen the opinion that a Nikasil engine that is running well is preferable to the later non-Nikasil engines.
The main thing I'd worry about is managing the risk of a "green shower" on these cars. The hydraulic system plumbing is filled with a green fluid, and there is a significant weak point in a fitting located behind the dome light, in the windshield frame. There are improved fittings available. The failure finds the system spewing the oily green contents of the hydraulic system out of the dome light all over the interior and passengers.
I'd more or less decided that I wanted a late first generation coupe with black interior and silver or black exterior, because that had the least "rich old man going to play golf" air about it in my eyes.
I've been researching this same topic and came up with similar options. I personally lean towards the Saab, as I know from experience they are supreme freeway cars.
But what about the Infiniti G37? It was available in a power retractable hardtop and also with a manual. I'd think that would make an excellent GT and should be in the price range. Edit: apparently not. Cheapest I see is $20k
Well, not the 4.0 v6 in the early s197 motor
That's actually the one i was talking about. The 240hp 4.0/5spd Mustangs are as fast or faster than the old 215hp 4.6/5spd mustangs. The 300hp 3.7L Mustangs are faster than the 260hp PI 4.6s, too.
Once mods come into play, blah blah etc. I'm talking about stock.
I thought the 4.0 was 210hp... I had a buddy that had a 2005 mustang for a yr until it got totaled. Didn't seem bad, but not very exciting either.
I am going to have to read up on the Jaguar Nikasal issue. I am also going to have to uncross the f body off my list as I saw/heard a trans am yesterday and it takes me back to those knight rider days.
ddavidv wrote: Solaras are old people cars. Every single Solara owner who graced the doorstep while I worked for the stealership was an AARP member. To me they are just a big Camry; horribly vanilla and dull.
I'd rock a Solara and I'm far from AARP age. It wouldn't be stock after Im done with it but I wouldn't stereotype it like that regardless.
Driven5 wrote: S197 V6 > SN95 GT?
I'd go S197 with a V6 over the SN95 GT because, as mentioned, the power is about the same. The advantage of the S197 is better suspension front and rear (especially the rear) and the interior is a bit nicer. Not a lot nicer, but a bit. The V6 doesn't sound as nice. That's about the only downfall I can think of unless you want to modify the motor, at which point, the 302 SN95 GT probably wins out of all of the non-Cobra SN95's.
But then I shop around for 350Z convertibles under $10k and I find something like this; http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/640769141/overview/ and I start to wonder how much I really need that back seat...
I have a '99 M3 'vert with a manual that I am looking to sell in that price range. 65k miles. Great cars.
Try an A4. I have no idea how good they are.
http://onslow.craigslist.org/cto/5156827611.html
You want a touring droptop, so I would skip the performance versions of some cars, and get the regular droptop. You can also consider normal cars that happen to be made into droptops.
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/5145503507.html
http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/5154158868.html
http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/5131483064.html
http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/5159167388.html
I couldn't help it with the last one. 
How much bigger than a Miata do you need?
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/5171647067.html
Couldn't find any Redlines near where it looks like you are for your budget unfortunately...
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Try an A4. I have no idea how good they are. http://onslow.craigslist.org/cto/5156827611.html
...and neither does anyone else!!! I kid I kid
I'm in the same market for when I land out west in 2 months. Something topless, but also for commuting. I've owned a 2002 Saab 9-3 convertible, and also a 2003 E46 325 convertible and can say they were both fun in their own ways, as well as quirky. I'm definitely leaning towards another E46, but a 330. Or I could save $ and go C900 and pocket the additional money for future repairs, or just other endeavors.
I'm surprised no one mentioned the Solara's expensive cousin, the SC430. I've seen some high mile examples start to dip. Just as boring, but from what I've read they are extremely reliable, even their complicating hard top.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Try an A4. I have no idea how good they are. http://onslow.craigslist.org/cto/5156827611.html You want a touring droptop, so I would skip the performance versions of some cars, and get the regular droptop. You can also consider normal cars that happen to be made into droptops. http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/5145503507.html http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/5154158868.html http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/5131483064.html http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/5159167388.html I couldn't help it with the last one.
I'm liking that Saab. And somehow it is one owner, despite the guy saying he bought it a year ago from the first owner.
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