"[i]It doesn't sound like it would be ideal for the OP...[/i]"
So it's irrelevant here.
"[i]...but I was just correcting your mistake - you can get Ferraris for £40k.[/i]"
Only if you ignore some of the OPs requirements. So maybe he could get an F50 - from the same shop that sells 4-seater 348s for <£40k 🙄
We got this for half your budget earlier this year … 2012 Merc E500 Cab, only 13,000 miles on it. Full 4 seater. Twin turbo 4.7litre V8, 410 bhp. Loads of options ticked - cost the previous owner £68k.
Not a real sports car but very comfortable, quiet and relaxing to drive in normal mode - and very silly with a more noticeable V8 rumble in Sport mode. You can chip 'em up to 550+bhp for not much money if you're that way inclined.
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The E500 bi-turbo Cab is quite hard to find though as only about a dozen of this particular model were ever sold in the UK.
Relative cheap to run. Lower tax bracket (£295 pa rather than £535) coz its a low emission v8 - don't know how that figures!. Does 25 mpg easily pootling about and does 35 mpg on a steady run. Normal price servicing - main dealer fixed plan at £35 per month, as it's not an AMG or exotica.
We had one before (but with the 3 litre diesel engine) with a removable tow-bar for the bike rack so they are quite practical bike carriers as well.
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Or bike bag on the back seat and wheels in the boot.
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We run it as a 3rd car alongside a 1.2 litre petrol Polo and an old E Class Estate. Despite having two nice Mercs in the household the Polo is the 'go to' car for most of our journeys!
Id get a classic or vintage any day!
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OP, by "fun" do you mean ostentatious ?
Because for me fun means "trackable", which eliminates the need for 4 seats.
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[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-404-CABRIOLET-By-Pininfarina-/302362768116http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-404-CABRIOLET-By-Pininfarina-/302362768116 ]Peugeot 404 Cab[/url]
It's fun to look at.
Lots of interesting replies thanks.
It's definately got to be 4 seats, the whole point is for the family to be able to go places together not for me to pick my favourite Kid and leave the other at home with the wife 🙂
When I said fun I suppose I should have been clearer. It's a car to use on the road which I want to look and sound nice and handle and go reasonably well. Also must be convertible because it's better for summer. .
I'm not after a track car. Also, I'm fully aware I won't be driving it anywhere fast on our crowded roads
I was thinking m4 and 911 because the running bills appear sensible whereas a db9 and the like sound like the costs could be a lot more for servicing etc.
I really like the look of that merc posted just above though.
Hmmmm.....
I reckon with a bit of haggling..... [url= https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/maserati/grancabrio/maserati-grancabrio-4-7-2dr/5782336 ]Mmmmmmmaserati[/url]
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I've seen reviews of the M4 suggest that the engine isn't as great as a true M car should be (they sound rubbish too), but an E93 or E46 M3 should be more exciting in that respect.
Edit to add: there's an Alpina B3 on Pistonheads if you fancy something rare that'll hold value well:
[url] https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alpina/other-models/2008-alpina-b3-bi-turbo-convertible/7304112 [/url]
me to pick my favourite Kid and leave the other at home with the wife
That sounds like the best option to me!
I've seen reviews of the M4 suggest that the engine isn't as great as a true M car should be (they sound rubbish too), but an E93 or E46 M3 should be more exciting in that respect.
They sound awful to my ears. It's an engine purely designed to hit numbers if that makes sense rather than to feel a certain way.
I never really appreciated the noise of the E9x M3 until the F series one was released - they now sound fantastic! My uncle has an E90 with the DCT gearbox and it's a great combination.
B7 RS4 Rag Top would be my pick. Great car although i hate myself for suggesting a rag top. Reliable if you pick carefully and go like snot, handle well and just awesome.
Example here - sub 20k, spend 2k on getting it properly carbon cleaned and fettled https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/rs4/audi-rs4-cabriolet-4-2-quattro-2dr/6766354
sure those maseratis look nice but their dash area looks so dated and cheap! not sure i could live with that.
NZ Col - i thought about the RS4 but dismissed them because of their age, they're getting on for 10 years old now and i wanted something with no problems (After the previous Porsche experience!) How reliable would they be?
Panamera isn't convertible unfortunately 🙁
The M3 is a potential, is the older E46 better than the newer V8 model then? Problem is that would be getting on a bit, much like the RS4 which puts me off again.
Golf r cab is only 2WD, gets the rubbish sat nav and seems a little bit "hairdressery" to me
it's much more difficult to get a good 4 seat cab than i thought.
oh and thanks for all the suggestions - much appreciated. Except for the stag that is 🙂
Except for the stag that is
Flounces away from thread kicking a stone feeling unappreciated. 😉
squealer - the RS4 isn't too bad really. There's nothing specifically reported on those B7 engines beyond carbon build ups. Brakes are expensive to replace but actually they aren't too bad. Its a monster car for the money and in terms of practical fun that sounds immense with 4 seats you have all that. Worth a look in my view, 40k is a lot of car to be sat doing not a lot most of the time, i reckon the Rs is close to the bottom of its curve (I'm in the process of buying an Avant for that very reason)
Sounds like you just want a normal car that happens to be a convertible!
#funnotincluded
Sounds like you just want a normal car that happens to be a convertible!#funnotincluded
Exactly what I thought too!
Ford Focus soft top ? Borrow my 7yr old if you want him to make v8 engine noise sounds
Squealer - the E93 is a high-revving V8 whilst the E46 is a straight six. Yes the E46 will be older, but it looks like it'll be the last M3 with a normally aspirated six and values seem to be rising again. Get a good one and keep it in good shape (both of which still keep it well within budget) and you should be pretty happy. Still take a look at the Alpina I posted above - a twin turbo 6cyl E93, and properly rare.
This Mustang could be an option!...
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nope, i definitely want a fast 4 seat car that is convertible, just trying to see if there was anything other than a 911 or M4 to tempt me.
ford focus soft top - do they even make that?
in a nutshell i want a top end model which has the good engine, all the nice kit on it and will then probably use it to drive the kids to school and back once a month. It doesn't make any sense and i know that.
Think i'm swaying towards either a M4 or a late model M3. Or a 911. Or possibly a mustang. or maybe an RS4.
I'll post a pic when i've decided.
Another alternative: [url= https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/6-series/bmw-6-series-4-8-650i-se/6963304 ]BMW 650i[/url]
Or if the kids are small, a [url= https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/jaguar/xk/xk-5-0-v8-signature-2dr-auto/7271943 ]Jaguar XK8[/url]
Styling by Pininfarina
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You will get more kudos in the school playground turning up in one of these
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That M3 E46 I posted ^^ is because I had one in that Laguna Seca Blue. Bloody loved it, so did the **** who poured paint on the roof 6 weeks in, and the builder who swung his forklift truck around into the drivers side door and rear quarter and took out the rear wheel writing the bloody thing off .. 3 months into ownership. TBH it was a fleeting toy, something I had to do. Then they were seen as ostentatious obnoxious oiks, now a classic... but unless it's been looked after I'd steer clear.. but you can get them reasonably cheap that's why I posted it.
But I have a soft spot for that black Merc convertible ^^ that's lovely.
I would have posted another toy I own but it's just a two seater... enjoy the search, sounds like a lot of fun.
NZ Col - i thought about the RS4 but dismissed them because of their age, they're getting on for 10 years old now and i wanted something with no problems (After the previous Porsche experience!) How reliable would they be?The M3 is a potential, is the older E46 better than the newer V8 model then? Problem is that would be getting on a bit, much like the RS4 which puts me off again.
The RS4 is immense, but the cab is a bit of a pudding to drive in the sense that they're a bit wobbly. The saloon / estate ones are fab.
The one big issue they can suffer from is the suspension failing which is pretty pricey to sort if you want to keep the OE set up. Discs and pads are pretty eyewatering - the parts alone last time I looked at EXP were the best part of a grand.
The V8 M3 is a bloody good car and one that is almost appreciated more. As the last of the N/A engines, it'll be sought after. It's also the last mental, high revving engine that BMW built. I always thought they sounded anemic when compared to a C63 or an RS4, but the new one made me realise that they make a fab noise, especially with the OE exhaust mode (sound deadening removed from the back box).
The E9x BMW is a big step up from the E46. I've owned both (although not M cars) and the E90 that I owned was a much less problematic car that was better built. The E46 is a bugger for rust too around the arches.
The RS4 is immense, but the cab is a bit of a pudding to drive in the sense that they're a bit wobbly. The saloon / estate ones are fab.The one big issue they can suffer from is the suspension failing which is pretty pricey to sort if you want to keep the OE set up. Discs and pads are pretty eyewatering - the parts alone last time I looked at EXP were the best part of a grand.
Indeed, the cab is heavier and on a track is like trying to tame a fast bit of spaghetti - but your man here will have passengers so i doubt thats a massive consideration. Brakes indeed, FASH and evidence of the DRC having been checked and or replaced, other things are active engine mounts but a goo dindy inspection and a strong service history will see you right. Genuinely would be a good option. The whine of the diff and the rort of the exhaust are all fading memories these days !
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You can even go to Death Valley in it.
Jaguar XKR-s might sneak into budget?
rort of the exhaust
Is bloody ace!
It seemed so naughty that a little grey saloon car could make such a noise!
Most of the cars people are mentioning aren't fun in the sense of a two seater track weapon but they're not designed to be.
I'd be putting my money against an S5, a merc E convertible or if a 3 series if there was enough room in the back.
All competent cars that will waft around, still have some practicality when needed but are capable of handling some B road blasting every now and again.
BMW 4 series convertible.
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upshift - Member
I've seen reviews of the M4 suggest that the engine isn't as great as a true M car should be (they sound rubbish too), but an E93 or E46 M3 should be more exciting in that respect.
I got overtaken yesterday by an F30 M3 yesterday...it sounded anything but rubbish.
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BMW M6 Convertible - the newest model.
560bhp V8, 4 plush seats and a DCT gearbox.
Toyota GT86
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Nice position to be in
If I had 40k to spend on a car just for fun
Would have to be a car from your childhood dreams, for me:
I would love to have a AC Ace/cobra.
As a kid I used to watch kit Cobra's race at hill climbs, where you could also walk round them in the pits.
I fear a AC Ace in good condition would cost you more that 40k though
Daffy - the newer M3's may sound ok at full chat but at the speeds and revs used in normal driving I don't find the sound particularly pleasing. The E93, or E46 with CSL airbox upgrade are glorious however.
Lotus Evora?
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The problem with an m3 cab is that even car guys will look at you disdainfully for buying the floppy one. Everyone else already thinks you're a nobber for having an expensive loud German car.
That Maserati looks cool but I'm not sure I'd be brave enough for that. So it's 911 for me if you want anything dynamic. I love the Mustang so that would be my next choice. Or just a standard 440i, or that Mercedes.
This was hardly full chat (not for the car anyway), I was pedalling uphill at 15mph...and he gave a little burst of acceleration to go past. It sounded ace.
I used to own an e86 Z4m coupe with the Gruppe M induction manifold from the CSL, so have a fair idea what a CSL sounds like and how it compares.
The best thing about the big 6 is its interior. And the M6, has the best parts of the M5 WITH the big 6's interior. They're such a nice place to be. I love that everything is aimed toward the driver, and the sweep to the console...lovely.
Jaguar XKR-s might sneak into budget?
You'll easily get an XKR for that. Lad at work has just bought a 5L XKR for £32k. He's very small (~5' 4") and his two kids are smaller still. They don't fit in the back.
Out of everything mentioned, the Maserati GranCabrio ticks almost every box. Slightly out of budget, but what's £5k when you're already spunking £40k?
You could get a brand new VW Beetle convertible and forget about running costs - just enjoy the convertible and avoid the expensive stuff and tricky
image of topless panzers.
I got overtaken yesterday by an F30 M3 yesterday...it sounded anything but rubbish.
I think it's awful. The sound is overly engineered and reminds me of a nasty cheap aftermarket exhaust. Not even Akrapovic can save it. I don't want understand how they got it so wrong because the 135/40 sound pretty good.
Op seems to like 911s.
Why not go for a late 996 convertible? You may even see it appreciate.
They are a good choice from the perspective of not having the bore scoring or ims issues as they have a metzeger engine.
Might not be the most comfortable in the back though.
My neighbour has the most shouty rs4 in the world and he is selling! Really excellent condition, really expensive exhaust and rebuilt engine. I had a go with huge grin on my face - couldn't beleive it was legal to have it so noisy.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-Morgan-4-4-4-Seater-/112458708007?hash=item1a2f0fb427:g:074AAOSwz71ZUVt1
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Coolest dad at the school gates! Not just another unimaginative nobba in a german tin box.
Or the Mehari. Whip out the 602 and replace with a 1220 and you'll have a riotous little pup of a car.
Why not go for a late 996 convertible? You may even see it appreciate.They are a good choice from the perspective of not having the bore scoring or ims issues as they have a metzeger engine.
I'm struggling to get involved, but no 996 convertible other than the turbo has a dry sump, & all convertible Porsches have limited rear room for anything other that those under 5' with flexibility & a penchant for sitting upright.
Now I'm involved I have to say I'm struggling to understand what the OP want's, I don't think he knows what he wants. (no offence)
Sorry my mistake was to omit the word 'turbo' to my post.
I would also divulge that I am following the long tradition of recommending what you have (non convertible)