Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

[Noggin]

Ok, looking at the car threads on here got me all interested; I went and looked at small cars (not in the market at the moment, but hopefully by the end of the year).

Only thing I really want is a soft top (I had use of a Fiat 500 with a soft top - only the roof rolled back, so not a proper cab - but it was bloody lovely ) and an auto box.

So, chucked filters into Le BonCoin to see what's about - I did put automatic as realistically I think that will be a necessity, prefer petrol but diesel would be ok! I put the upper value of 15,000€ - way more than I'll spend, but interested to see what came up.


Is it really only Mini that come in a soft top auto version?? Even when I took the auto filter off, nothing else came up

I'm sure I remember lots of small cabriolets years ago. But it seems that now it's only big cars and or top of the range type models/marques.


What I really want is a Suzuki Vitara soft top - but they seem very rare in auto. And they are generally quite old (Suzuki don't seem to make them as a soft top anymore ) - don't really mind age, or mileage. And TBF, when I do get to buy something, it will be low budget and so I won't have many options (basically as long as it lasts the two years of the MOT, I'll just be happy to have transport again!). Ok, I REALLY want an MX5 - but I haven't worked out how to put a couple of sets of skis in/on one of those to go to other resorts!!


Anyway - what other small cars are made in soft top versions?? I may have to start planning to save up for one in a few years time!!

[KungFooBob]

SLK/SLC, MX5/124 the older 1er BMW.

[Ditchfinder]

Boot rack for the mx5 will take a couple of pairs of skis no problem

[Mr. Dazzle]

Mrs D and I used to take the MX5 to Snowboarding, carrying our boards.

It was 3 miles across MK to be fair . Sat in the passenger seat, one board vertically either side you and the roof down.

But yeah you can fit them cross ways on a boot rack no problem. The boot itself in an MX5 holds fuck all though.

[Noggin]

SLK/SLC, MX5/124 the older 1er BMW.

I was thinking more of a small hatch, like the old Golf soft tops - did Ford do a soft top since the Xr3 (or whichever!!) ??

The BMWs are too big for what I want - I drive LWB minibuses all the winter, and will be driving LWB Sprinters or a coach next year. REALLY want something small for me!!

[Noggin]

Mrs D and I used to take the MX5 to Snowboarding, carrying our boards.

It was 3 miles across MK to be fair . Sat in the passenger seat, one board vertically either side you and the roof down.

But yeah you can fit them cross ways on a boot rack no problem. The boot itself in an MX5 holds fuck all though.

I saw some racks that hold the skis width ways across the boot - think that'd be a bit risky with mine! Definitely with the skis of my tall mate!! LOL
But then I saw a pic of the skis going up over the roof from the rack and that looks better

Probably wouldn't be going far, none of the local resorts are 'that' far away!!

Doesn't look too bad!! - although, there weren't any MX5's on Le Boncoin either And probably wouldn't be in budget First pic obviously isn't an MX5, but shows the skis on the rack






A Suzuki Vitara softy would be better at the mo!! And if it only lasts two years that means I could manage a manual for that long (seems that the nerve issues are not carpal tunnel - need to book the test to be sure )

[Taipan]

My WIfe has a Mini Cooper SD auto which is a brilliant car. Really punchy with great torque from the turbo charged diesel engine and would be an absolute hoot to drive round the mountains and is even brilliant in snow. If they do a convertible version with the 2.0 diesel (never buy a petrol mini) , get one.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Mrs D and I used to take the MX5 to Snowboarding, carrying our boards.

It was 3 miles across MK to be fair . Sat in the passenger seat, one board vertically either side you and the roof down.

But yeah you can fit them cross ways on a boot rack no problem. The boot itself in an MX5 holds fuck all though.

I saw some racks that hold the skis width ways across the boot - think that'd be a bit risky with mine! Definitely with the skis of my tall mate!! LOL
But then I saw a pic of the skis going up over the roof from the rack and that looks better

"Crossways" just means you can still open the boot when they're on there. Not a big deal, until you open it without thinking and smash your skis into the roof.

[KungFooBob]

Triumph Spitfire

Alfa Spider

They did a Focus with a folding hard top, but it was fucking ugly.

Astra Twintop

Most small cars that weren't designed as a convertible from the start will be awful to drive, imagine the scuttle shake on a twisty mountain road!

[Taipan]

My WIfe has a Mini Cooper SD auto which is a brilliant car. Really punchy with great torque from the turbo charged diesel engine and would be an absolute hoot to drive round the mountains and is even brilliant in snow. If they do a convertible version with the 2.0 diesel (never buy a petrol mini) , get one.

Oh and it has Go Kart mode!

https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/exper ... -mode.html

[Mr. Dazzle]

Most small cars that weren't designed as a convertible from the start will be awful to drive, imagine the scuttle shake on a twisty mountain road!

MX5s have an enormous advantage over hatchbacks with the roof lopped off for this reason. They also have double wishbone suspension all around and RWD, aka "proper sportscar setup". Which is why they have a tiny boot.

Much much better to drive than Minis and the like IME.

[Cousin Jack]

Most small cars that weren't designed as a convertible from the start will be awful to drive, imagine the scuttle shake on a twisty mountain road!

MX5s have an enormous advantage over hatchbacks with the roof lopped off for this reason. They also have double wishbone suspension all around and RWD, aka "proper sportscar setup". Which is why they have a tiny boot.

Much much better to drive than Minis and the like IME.

Neighbour had a succession of MX5s, reckons they are a hoot to drive, all at speeds that won't lose your licence. Although you might collect some points on it.

[KungFooBob]

Fiat made a rag top that had Punto running gear called the Barchetta that looked quite cool.

Only available in LHD tho, but that's not an issue in France.

Audi TTs come in a convertible, but you lose the two rear seats... If you could actually call them seats.

[Ditchfinder]

Smart Roadster - Auto https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/voitures/2645890699

[Rockburner]

There's a ford Ka (they're a fiesta underneath), soft top, might be a CC, can't remember.

[v8-powered]

There's a ford Ka (they're a fiesta underneath), soft top, might be a CC, can't remember.

StreetKa

[Count Steer]

Triumph Spitfire

That reminds me (sort of), I saw an MG Midget a couple of days ago - it looked absolutely box fresh. In fact it probably looked better than when it rolled off the production line. Lovely little things.

[Ditchfinder]

Not a soft top but you win win an MG here: https://retroshite.com/2024/04/15/mgb-gt/

25mpg and a 13 second 0-60 .....

[Noggin]

Most small cars that weren't designed as a convertible from the start will be awful to drive, imagine the scuttle shake on a twisty mountain road!

MX5s have an enormous advantage over hatchbacks with the roof lopped off for this reason. They also have double wishbone suspension all around and RWD, aka "proper sportscar setup". Which is why they have a tiny boot.

Much much better to drive than Minis and the like IME.

I've ALWAYS wanted an MX5, but firstly I doubt I can get one for the budget I (might) have, and secondly there's a little devil sitting on one shoulder saying that I really ought to get a four seater

Not sure I NEED a four seater, and probably the only real time it would be an issue is visiting niece and nephew in the uk. But for now (with no budget available) I am leaning towards the MX5! (Sure things will have changed by the time I know what I can spend!! )

Smart Roadster - Auto https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/voitures/2645890699

I had a little SmartCar once and did really like it - but, whilst I do generally Love Fugly cars/bikes, but I can't quite love the Smart Roadster!!

Triumph Spitfire

That reminds me (sort of), I saw an MG Midget a couple of days ago - it looked absolutely box fresh. In fact it probably looked better than when it rolled off the production line. Lovely little things.

The Midget was the car I really wanted, with spoked wheels Well, I wanted a 1969 one, but think I need earlier for the spoked wheels!
It's the reason I think I fell in love with the MX5 - it really should have been the new Midget!

Not a soft top but you win win an MG here: https://retroshite.com/2024/04/15/mgb-gt/

25mpg and a 13 second 0-60 .....

Ooooooo - if I lived in the UK, I'd be really tempted, despite it not being a soft top

Triumph Spitfire

Alfa Spider

They did a Focus with a folding hard top, but it was fucking ugly.

Astra Twintop

Most small cars that weren't designed as a convertible from the start will be awful to drive, imagine the scuttle shake on a twisty mountain road!

First two appeal, but probably out of budget! Shame though. I guess the lack of being designed as a soft is the issue. I know I saw more small soft tops back when I was younger (probably MUCH MUCH younger!). I keep seeing Swifts about and really wish they'd do those as a soft top as well I do seem to like Suzukis!

I did see a relatively new Jimny soft top today - just wonder how bad they are second hand and how well they hold value! LOL Totally different to a Mini or an MX5 - but it would be fun out on the mountain trails

[KungFooBob]

Mk3 MX5's are affordable over here, no idea about Fronch. Look for a 2.0, it's vastly superior to the 1.8. the Mk3 is ALOT less prone to rust than the earlier models.

Many years ago I did all the research as I was looking to buy, when I went to go sit in one it just didn't fit.