Manual, RWD, 4 seat convertible to replace a Twin?

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by bcj

I'd get the Touring before a 'vert.
Touring over the sedan too for that matter.

Sure, but I already have a utility car (Odyssey minivan). And I have a fun roofed daily (the BRZ). The goal of the convertible is to add something different. A sporty wagon would be worse than the BRZ for fun and worse than the minivan for hauling people and things. As much as I like sporty wagons (and owned a 2.0 EcoBoost Ford Mondeo Estate many moons ago) I'm not looking for one.
As an aside, I think about a BRZ replacement on-and-off all the time. The conclusion is a 2nd gen Twin, but even that is only if/when the current BRZ suffers a major problem, or if it becomes impossible to take the kids in it (as they grow).

[alex87f]

Originally Posted by alex87f

How about an F23 M240i convertible?

The twins are indeed in a class of their own. I've been looking for a 4-door equivalent to them but so far nothing gets close.

Coming back to that question, I'm leaning towards a supercharged Jag' XE.

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Sure, but I already have a utility car (Odyssey minivan). And I have a fun roofed daily (the BRZ). The goal of the convertible is to add something different. A sporty wagon would be worse than the BRZ for fun and worse than the minivan for hauling people and things. As much as I like sporty wagons (and owned a 2.0 EcoBoost Ford Mondeo Estate many moons ago) I'm not looking for one.
As an aside, I think about a BRZ replacement on-and-off all the time. The conclusion is a 2nd gen Twin, but even that is only if/when the current BRZ suffers a major problem, or if it becomes impossible to take the kids in it (as they grow).

It's a bit of an oddball, but how about a 996 / 997 convertible?
Great steering, can still be had for low $$$. Maintenance ain't exactly cheap though...

If you can afford it, a 997.2 would be the cat's pajamas.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by alex87f

It's a bit of an oddball, but how about a 996 / 997 convertible?
Great steering, can still be had for low $$$. Maintenance ain't exactly cheap though...

If you can afford it, a 997.2 would be the cat's pajamas.

Not an oddball at all, I even thought about it myself when starting this search. It would have been a great option if purchase prices were reasonable and maintenance was (relatively) cheap and easy. Instead these cars barely depreciate and everything holds a Porsche tax, even if you DIY. I guess it could be said that total cost of ownership wouldn't be that different vs. a 335i, but I still balk at laying $50k on a 13 year old car.

[alex87f]

And even $50k for a 997.2 'vert would be cheap. 60-70 is closer to what you need to buy a good one.

I doubt the 997.2 is ever going to depreciate beyond where it is now. Which as you say is both good and bad. And I would budget at least $2-3k/year on maintenance (my 996 cost me substantially more so far, in less than a year..).

Not all parts are terribly expensive, basic ones like coils can be cheaper than on an 86 for example. Some more specific or rare parts can be eye wateringly pricy though. But at least Porsche keeps them available.

[EAGLE5]

Since you're going to get an automatic, still go drive a Mercedes E Cabriolet. They truly are the best four-seat convertibles in existence. They're also total ***** magnets.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by EAGLE5

Since you're going to get an automatic, still go drive a Mercedes E Cabriolet. They truly are the best four-seat convertibles in existence.

Yeah, I remember your earlier recommendation. I guess your endorsement comes from personal experience? My main concern is steering - does it have any feel to it? Based on reviews I'd think not. Still, I might take one for a drive, I have a few options near by.

Originally Posted by EAGLE5

They're also total ***** magnets.

With 3 kids and a wife that's the last thing I'm looking for in a car.

[EAGLE5]

Yes, experience. Mercedes does make cars that are exceptional in every way.



And one never knows...

[Ultramaroon]

meh

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Ended up getting a 2011 BMW E93 335i automatic (ZF 6 speeed). The car has low miles, is in great condition and is optioned out exactly how I wanted, with the main compromise being the colors (black exterior with saddle interior, while I preferred blue exterior and oyster/gray interior). Drove a few hundred miles on it, mostly with the roof down.

The convertible experience is exactly as I was hoping, with the exception of highway speeds for the kids in the back (which they don't like at all), but that's not a big use case for the car. I'm also pretty happy with the driving dynamics (especially compared to some of the other convertible options I test drove), and am extremely happy I'm keeping the BRZ (vs. replacing it as was the original plan). The BRZ is still significantly more fun to drive, with the BMW being very isolated and heavy feeling (it does have 1,200 lbs on the BRZ).

Future mods for driving are xHP transmission tune and an M3 steering rack (going from 16:1 to 12.5:1).

[FR-S2GT86]

Is that one of those money pit cars with the plastic cooling tubes that once they start leaking you end up with an $8,000 repair bill?

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

Is that one of those money pit cars with the plastic cooling tubes that once they start leaking you end up with an $8,000 repair bill?

Yes. Yes it is.

But like the Twins valve spring recall or Porsches IMS bearing, BMWs don't explode left, right and center. Plenty of cars get to high miles (200k+) with little work outside of maintenance. I specifically preferred the facelifted (LCI) N55 engine which is known to be more reliable. There is a fairly long list of known weak points for these cars, but most are not sudden catastrophic failures. I hope low miles and staying on top of preventative maintenance will see me through.

[FR-S2GT86]

Let's hope you're right.

Too bad all the cool modern Lexus convertibles that are on the market are all automatic.