Suggestions Please - 4 seater convertibles?

[nate]

My wife is looking to get a convertible this spring (more likely now since deals can be found this time of year in the midwest) as an upgrade for her 2000 Taurus. The gotcha is that it must have a usable rear seat at least for kids (as my daughter says, "Where is the seat for the child?" [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]). Also, it can't be terribly expensive (less than 30k). We got down to either the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GTS or Chrysler Sebring with the Spyder being the HUGE favorite. Everything else seems to be either a 2 seater or well over 30k. We are also looking for Saab 9-3s and BMW 3 series convertibles used, but haven't found many.

Also, she is more concerned with style and a little sporty at a good price. Hence the Spyder looks better to us than the Sebring.

Any other options we should look at? Any comments about our current list?

Thanks

2003.5 Sedan Black/Black w/ sport, premium, aero, and winter packages. See my profile for updated mods list and pics.

[ryoken]

Well, if you can wait, the 2005 Mustang is due out this fall. Or, they're offering incentives on the 2004's now, I think.

The Chrysler Sebring and the Toyota Solara are probably your best bets for a useable back seat, though.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

[nate]

The Solara comes as a convertible? We had checked that, but didn't see it as an option.

2003.5 Sedan Black/Black w/ sport, premium, aero, and winter packages. See my profile for updated mods list and pics.

[JspecG35]

The other year Solara's where convertables. 04's are now just coupe, Pretty sweet reresign I might add...it's different

Go for the eclipse [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

How about a convertable PT Cruiser [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[JDMan]

MINI convertible! Not coming until the second half of 2004 though. Why would you wait until summer is mostly over to start selling convertibles?



-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532

[ABQ_G35]

Yeah, they are like giving them away, makes anyone with a used one loose money if they sell, geez!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT

[Micah]

'99 M3 cabriolet

[GeoBau]

The Sebring is a slug-- if you're looking for some fun, ditch it. If you're just looking for a useful backseat, get it. The Saab's your best bet for rear-seat comfort.

I'm sure you realize by now that making a convertible a 4-seaters is more for insurance purposes than practical ones, as they tend to be miniscule at best. We've got a GT convertible, and one person would fit comfortably in the the back. Two, maybe. With the top up, though? One again. The mustang is DEFINITELY a fun car (we shopped the same ones you're looking at), and we just got it to see if we liked having a convertible... just sort of a weekend, maybe couple times a month car. If it's going to be practical? Saab, purely for comfort.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

[JspecG35]

The sebring isn't a slug [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img] I've had fun with my moms [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I'm still saying going with the PT [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img] I honestly don't like SAAB, but the eclipse is a fun car and comfertable [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[GeoBau]

Sorry if I offend [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] My friend has a Sebring, and it just boooooooores the crap out of me, but most likely because none of my cars have had less than 250hp. A friend in Hawai'i loaned us his and we did the Road to Hana in it-- going up the mountain, it really wouldn't respond [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]. But like I said, I'm used to powerful machines...

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

[JspecG35]

Nope no offense [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img] car was a POS so we traded it in [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[nate]

Thanks for all of your input, especially for the heads up on the Solara. Because she is getting a car earlier than we agreed I think it will have to be used, so no waiting for the new 2004 which sounds pretty sweet with the increased power and torque (although no G) or the Mini (which she was against anyhow - too small).

We'll still do test drives of the 9-3, Eclipse, and Sebring, but the Solara is the winner on paper. I also checked with insurance and it's the cheapest (Eclipse is $200 cheaper a year more - 28%). Combined with price, looks (her call), room, safety, availability, etc, it's the best option at this point.

As for the PTs, yeach! [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 Sedan Black/Black w/ sport, premium, aero, and winter packages. See my profile for updated mods list and pics.

[JspecG35]

Good choice! [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

The PT was a joke [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img] haha

Edited - Oops lol

Edited by JspecG35 on 02/03/04 03:12 PM.

[FzyLgic]

Look around for a Volvo C70 of recent vintage. The back seat is more usable than the Saab's (I have friends with both and i hate to ride in the back of the Saab - the Volvo has much more room)

[GeoBau]

Forgot about the C70-- great car, but a little out of the price range new. Used, however, you could probably find one.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint