In a couple of months I’ll be in the market for a car. My previous two cars were Volvos so I want something more fun and less practical this time. More specifically, I want an old, fun convertible. My budget is flexible, but preferably under $8000.
When I say “old” I mean anything made before the aerodynamic “jellybean” era. I also don’t like the enormous A pillar on the recent convertibles. I think that limits my choice to 1980s and earlier. It can be from as far back as 1960s. I don’t care much about performance. What I do care about are comfort and “character.” Also I want something with good availability of parts and ease of maintenance (i.e. something most mechanics can fix, if it breaks down while travelling.)
The ones that most appeal to me are Mercedes 450sl, BMW 3 series, Saab 900 and possibly the Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia. I’m not a big fan of muscle cars. (I might make an exception for the original Mustang but I don’t think I can afford a decent convertible of that vintage.) IMHO the most beautiful car ever is the Volvo 1800, but that’s not available as a convertible. What else should I consider?
Also, what’s the best way to find such a car? Dealers, private sales, eBay?
I’ve always wanted a large American convertible, a Buick or Olds, maybe a Pontiac, the only criteria for me being that it was big. I almost sorta bought a 67 Impala convertible when I was 19, but it was a heap. I obviously still think about it. $8K would get you a very servicable daily driver of that sort. My concern with Mercedes and Saab and the like is the repair expenses. Big ol’ Amurrican iron would be realtively easy to get serviced. An excellent second choice, IMO, would be the Karman Ghia. Also a car I have coveted for years. As Major mechanical parts and interior parts (trim pieces etc) are available, the more difficult parts are the detail pieces that you may or may not care about. Again, $8K should easily get a decent daily driver. And along those same lines, I’ve always liked Corvairs, but they aren’t as good service-wise.
My vote would be for a full size convertible from the Sixties. A good car, rewired and with a rebuilt or low mileage engine won’t have that much that could go wrong. I would convert the car to electronic ignition, but that’s easily done.
BTW, is your location bar up to date? I thought that Japan had punitive taxes on used vehicles.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. The BMW 2002 is a nice looking car, but it’s not available as a convertible, is it? (At least none I can afford.) If I’m going to go for a hardtop I’d rather get a Volvo 1800.
The Austin Healey is so nice… But you’re right, out of my price range.
So you think a 70s Mercedes would be significantly more expensive to maintain than a 60s American car?
I’m not too fond of the design of 60s and 70s GM convertibles - too macho, I guess. Though some of the Ford convertibles have a more businesslike and urban look which I find strangely appealing. What do you think of a Ford Galaxie?
I’m still thinking about the Karmann-Ghia too, such a cute car. Not the safest car around, but I’m more likely to be killed on my bike so I don’t think it makes a big difference.
Any others? I know we have an MG enthusiast here - how does it compare to the above nominations?
Thanks for your input. Any specific recommendations? Is there any significant difference between the different make?
Oops, I should have mentioned - “in a couple of months” is when I’m moving to the US. Not permanently, but long enough to enjoy a fun car (at least 2 years).
I doubt that make will really matter. These cars have been on the road or in storage for decades. I’m pretty sure that any differences in quality or reliability will have more to do with the previous owners and their mechanics than which company originally made the car.
You may want to wait until you return to the States before buying so you can see the cars firsthand and have a mechanic inspect whatever car(s) you finally decide upon. Alternately, you might be able to find a buyers broker who can search for a car while you’re in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to find or select a buyer.
Don’t get a Saab. I had one (1984 900). Horrible car.
The Ford Galaxie pretty much sucked. Felt cheap. How about a T-Bird? Or a Mustang?
The Karmann is just a beetle with a different body. If you want a beetle with a different body, I’d go for a Porsche 914. They’re crap, too, but look better than a Karmann. [Apologies to beetle lovers; I just can’t stand them).
The Triumph TR-7 was a pretty cool car.
I think there was a Dodge Charge convertible, if you want some muscle. Those old Chrysler cars needed a lot of maintenance, but it was mostly cheap maintenance, and they lasted a long time.
I think the winner is the BMW 2002, though.
I suppose so, but what about availability of parts and ease of maintenance? I hear Mustang parts are readily available? I just don’t have a good feel for how much more difficult it is to maintain, say, a Ford Falcon or Galaxie than a similar vintage Mustang.
You’re probably right. However if I can find a decent car before I leave, I’ll have almost 2 weeks free to drive from Los Angeles to Alabama, which is an attractive idea. (I’m visiting relatives in LA before starting work in AL.)
I had a 72 Buick Skylark for a couple of years, and I loved it. I picked it up for $1500 and kept it for 3 years with hardly any other investment. You should easily be able to find a daily driver for that. Good Luck!
But they are cheap and easy to work on, right? By the way I happen to think the Karmann-Ghia looks a lot better than the Porsche 914, sorry.
Triumph, eh? I used to have a colleague who had a TR-3, way cool. Aren’t they expensive to maintain though?
As for muscle cars, I don’t dislike them, I just don’t think it’s me. I’m a stereotypical science nerd. I just can’t pull it off as a Dodge Charger driver. :o
A '60s Mustang convertible would be sweet. The old Thunderbirds are great, too, but not as easy to come by and they tend to cost more.
While I like MGs and Triumphs a lot myself, you don’t want one if you want a reliable car. They aren’t, and parts would be more difficult to come by in a timely manner than for, say, a Ford.
Bah! You want impractical? Get yourself a Jeep Wrangler. It’s the singlemost impractical automobile ever built. Take it from me - I own one (and love it).
Impractical? Driving on the highway, topless, raining, people in other cars staring at you like you’re completely insane- what’s more practical than that?
Yes, I love mine, too, especially when it’s warm enough you’re wearing shorts but cold enough you need gloves while you’re driving. Fun stuff!
