Apparently, it is that time of year again – the time when readers’ minds turn to cars with a removable roof. Or, at least, one that can be tucked out of the way. This particular request was for something cheap and cheerful, and I’ve been given free rein as regards to character and performance. All our correspondent asked for is a reliable roof-free experience that, ideally, seats more than two.
One thing I noticed is the sheer number of Volkswagen Eos models around. This is in effect a Volkswagen Golf convertible, albeit a lot duller. It’s a rather complicated affair with a folding metal roof and sometimes sulky electrics, and all this means that a 2006 2.0 TSI example with 120,000 miles might be a worry at £1495, but it did at least have a full and fresh MOT, so it won me over. To be on the safe side, a 2011 1.4 TSI SE with 60,000 miles seemed like a reasonable value buy at £6000.
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If the whole point of a cabriolet is not just to get some wind in your hair but also to attract some attention (from anoraks), then what could be better than a Rover 216? I didn’t expect to find one, but there it was at a dealer: a 1998 example with 73,000 miles and an asking price of £2995. Some might think that’s the top end of things, but it could be a bargain given the way some 1990s pre-classics have been going.
When it comes to head-turning four-seat cabriolets, a proper oddity would be the Chrysler PT Cruiser. A 2007 with an easy-going automatic gearbox and in standard 2.4 Limited trim is around £3995. With a low, sub-50k mileage, it seemed to be well looked after. At times like these, though, a 2007 Saab 9-3 2.0T Linear in tip-top condition at £1999 is a far better and more subtle head-turner, and it has room for four.
When it comes to bijou four-seaters, everyone loves a Mini Cooper, and the one I spotted at a used car dealer seemed like a good buy with over 110,000 miles and at a tempting £2300. It had had three owners, but it was in Chili trim and there was nothing scary in the MOT history. Tight on space, though.
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£2,000 for a Mii with 144,000 on the clock? 2 years ago we bought a high-spec UP! with 35,000 on the clock for just £3,250 for my daughter to learn on. Yes, it was a Cat D - the dashboard has some damage - and needed some decent tyres like this reader's car, but it has been 100% reliable. Apart from flaky gearboxes, the other issue that seems to affect some of these cars is that the handbrake mechanism can seize up if it is not kept clean.
That Skoda looks like a nice clean car at a rock bottom price. It would be interesting to know how the running costs work out over the next year or so. It's amazing how many so called City cars you see doing astronomic mileages - but given the comfort and refinement most now offer, why not?
That Skoda looks like a nice clean car at a rock bottom price. It would be interesting to know how the running costs work out over the next year or so. It's amazing how many so called City cars you see doing astronomic mileages - but given the comfort and refinement most now offer, why not?