Thank you, Good point, which I hadn't really considered.

It will be used for occasional blasts locally on sunny days, but also for linger trip to see friends. With the latter in mind, I guess I need to consider something that can carry a small amount of luggage. From what I've seen, this would suggest a soft top rather than a folding hard top.

I quite like the BMW 1 series, Audi A3 or TT, VW Golf or a Mini. We have a fantastic independent garage in my village and they would take care of it for me.

That's fine of course if it's just the open top you want, but something like an MX-5 is a very different car to drive to a family saloon or hatch. That's not to say you'd like it better of course, the opposite could be true.

The Audi, Golf and Mini are hatchbacks without the roof, front wheel drive, and presumably very similar to drive to the roofed versions. A second hand BMW 1 series (pre the current model) is rear wheel drive so might feel more distinct if like most of us you have been driving front wheel drive hatchbacks for the last 20 years. And you usually sit a bit lower in BMWs.

I haven't driven a TT which at least looks like a sports car - I have been told they drive like the Golf but that's hearsay. There are of course some quick ones, although I don't actually enjoy very fast cars myself.

Mk3 MX-5s can rust. If you look at any, just make sure they aren't completely brown underneath, I've seen even 5 year old ones in that condition, but garaged or rust-protected one do exist. My son has a fairly non-rusty 2010 2.0 PRHT that he paid £4,500 for (it has well over 100,000 miles but runs very sweetly).

I declare an interest as a Mk4 owner. MX-5's don't have big boots but we have done 10 day touring holidays in ours. Just use soft bags.

Edited by Manatee on 10/05/2021 at 16:14

Thanks for taking the time SLO. Interesting ideas there.

I found this, which fitted the criteria and caught my eye

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105092399210

I'm just slightly concerned about huge bills on a Merc and big BMW.

At the age I'm looking at, just wondering if they would he a money pit? We don't have an independent Merc specialist locally but the local garage is really good with most models.

As cars age, nearly all start to call for more expenditure - if that were not the case there might be some whose prices remained steady. There are other factors: going out of fashion, and owners getting bored and wanting a change - much the same thing I suppose.

At 10 years old, condition and history largely determine the wisdom of buying any vehicle - as is often repeated on here.

Thanks for your ringing endorsement of Mercedes convertibles.

Looking on Autotrader I see I could get a 2012 plate diesel E series convertible or a 2010 plate petrol SLK for the same price. Diesel has higher miles but not bothered about that. Just wondered why the E class depreciates so much?

At the age I'm looking at, just wondering if they would he a money pit? We don't have an independent Merc specialist locally but the local garage is really good with most models.

I would say with any of the "upmarket" brands, you should have an independent specialist nearby.

Your local garage, as good as they may be, will not have access to the Mercedes Star diagnostic equipment or the knowledge to work on these complex cars.

I have two older Mercs (pampered 2006 SLK350 and workhorse 2007 A180 CDi) and I wouldn't trust servicing and maintenance to a non specialist garage, obviously apart from things like tyres and tracking, maybe exhausts.

The E Class convertible and SLK are two very different machines but both have that Mercedes DNA running through them.

Go and see a few cars on your short list, have some fun driving them, and you'll soon know if you want a sports car or an open top cruiser.

Thanks for your ringing endorsement of Mercedes convertibles.

Looking on Autotrader I see I could get a 2012 plate diesel E series convertible or a 2010 plate petrol SLK for the same price. Diesel has higher miles but not bothered about that. Just wondered why the E class depreciates so much?

At the age I'm looking at, just wondering if they would he a money pit? We don't have an independent Merc specialist locally but the local garage is really good with most models.