Theo in your case it would need to be garage kept and used to cruise the strip at night :D

My first car was a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron convertible. She was white. I loved her.

Great thread!

I drive a BMW 2002 Z3, with 100K on it. I love that thing and plan to keep it forever. I only drive it in the spring/summer and store it for the winter. However, I did just pick up a hardtop and may use it for a couple of month in early spring (after I get it painted...wrong color right now).

TF will have to help me post a picture, but the car is my avatar.

For cleaning/protectant for my top I use RaggTopp. Here is a link. Autogeek is also the site I use for most of my car care needs:

http://www.autogeek.net/contopcleanp...FVCd4AodSF8A9g

I would never consider anything but a hand wash.

I have roll hoops. Some owners will fabricate a roll bar so that they can track the car. I don't track the car.

The other thing I love about this car, to be honest is that many parts are no longer available (like the hardtop). Subsequently, I like the search for the items that I want. I am a part of a Z3 community on bimmerforums.com, and I love the guys on there. They are so helpful. I have connected with a guy in my area and we work on our cars together.

I would love to hear what products people use for washing and detailing their cars. Will be back later to share.

I am in the process of saving up and planning for getting a new to me car and I want a convertible, I have narrowed it down to the following
1979 Mercedes 450 SLC
http://www.artvalue.com/photos/aucti...br-2817084.jpg

1993 Saab 900
http://imageonthefly.autodatadirect....JPG&HEIGHT=220

1984 Mercedes 280 SL
http://images.classiccars.com/classi...Benz_380SL.jpg

I can't wait, I have always wanted a convertible and damn it I live in Texas and I am getting one!

Of course my reality is more like a Saab and less like a Mercedes, but a girl can dream and I could, if I scour the earth find a stylish car in my price range, right, sure.

I love my convertible Beetle. I sold her to myself back when I was in car sales. (I got a great deal;) ) I drive her year round, and she does alright in the little bit of snow we get. We are having a cold snap right now but she's keeping me warm and cozy. :heartbeat:

I only hand wash, but I don't treat the top with anything.

In the warmer months, I'm topless as much as possible.

A convertible was the least practical yet most enjoyable purchase I have ever made! I don't ever want to drive anything else again.

They're nice, but I have never had the desire to own one. I know a few people that have and they have always had some sort of issue. But, I believe in never saying never.

Ok, so I have no idea what happened, but I wrote a post, and it is not here!

I just wanted to say that I love the above cars, especially the 1984 Mercedes.

If cars are taken care of well, they can really run into high mileage. I never would have been able to afford my car if it wasn't at 64,000 miles at purchase.

Look for a one owner car, as they will often be the most taken care of cars available. As long as preventative maintence has been done on these older cars (hoses and belts changed, etc.), I would seriously consider an car with high mileage.

Get a PPI (pre purchase inspection), for the car you really love and then you will feel safer in purchase. If you are looking to get a Mercedes, take it to a dealer you trust and get it checked out. Especially if you are buying privately. For my Z3, the going price for a dealer is $100. Worth the price, IMHO

I am hoping that I can find that, the one owner car, with good service records would be nice. I am willing to take my time to find the right car that I can afford. Thanks for the tips!

I love the styling of the older cars. I also like large convertibles. There really isn't much I like about newer cars as far as style goes that would be in my price range.

Same here (except the large convertible part..I like my two seaters!). I would never buy a Z4, which is the model roadster BMW started making beginning in 2003. Is just bland to me. I love the styling of my car (earlier model, Z3), which is more traditional looking roadster. You actually can get the newer Z4 cheaper than a Z3 with the same mileage...people have finally figured out the Z3 is cooler! KBB is actually increasing what my car is worth, and it is not like it is old enough to be a classic. Pretty cool, though!

you had asked make/model/year ~
 

Hey Dapper - I believe its a 2007 or '08 Pontiac Solstice..cant remember year and too tired to go to the garage to get it !!!

That is what I thought. I love the Saturn Sky that came out at the same time. I actually considered getting one of those.

I am happy with my choice (I have wanted the car since they first came out in 1996), but both the Solstice and Sky are gorgeous.

The biggest stopping point for me was the fact that the Sky (and maybe the Solstice?), has only 2 cubic feet of space in the trunk. Have never seen the inside of the trunk, but I believe this is what I read.

I actually have quite a decent amount of space in my trunk. I have a set of lugguage custom made for the Z3. Also, someone made an aftermarket garment bag that I can attach to the headrests for even more space.

My girlfriend and I can easily pack a week's worth of stuff in it, if careful.

Does the small trunk space impact your ability to do trips?

I looked for specs on the size of my trunk to share, but can't find it. It is easily at least 4 cubic sq feet.

ETA: Damn, now I am really missing my car. It is in my mom's garage, on a trickle charger for the winter (I don't have a garage). It is under it's new indoor cover (fleece like material against the paint), and then I have an outdoor cover on top (don't want to get the black indoor cover all dusty!).

Anyone on any car forums?

I am on bimmerforums.com

LOL, after travelling cross country, as well as upcountry, on a dual sport motorcycle this thing has ample storage for me.

But yes, the trunk space leaves much to be desired when the top is down.

Yes, that is what I meant, with top down. I do see what you mean though, in comparison to your bike!

I am fortunate that my top does not drop down into my trunk, so I have more room.

I own a British Green Mini Cooper Convertible...she's my baby!

That, along with the Sky is the only other car I considered prior to picking up my roadster!

However, I really wanted a convertible and the allure of the MINI to me is the hardt top. The British Racing Green is by far my favorite, but I would have to go with the blue or red as I would want to get the British flag on the top and the side mirrors. That is the most attractive thing to me on those cars! I drove my friend's S model (I believe that is what it is?), and it had some nice torque! <fast car icon here>

Add sunshine....ain't nothing like a roadster!
 

Before I left California, I owned (and looooved !!) a 1967 Datsun Roadster 1600. I actually still dream of that car...driving on PCH with the music blaring, my black lab sitting next to me....but facing backwards and her ears "flying" with the backdraft. San Gregorio, here I come....

Now I'm jonesing for a Porsche Spyder. Either black with red cockpit and top, or perhaps a Nordic ice blue with a darker blood red cockpit and top? Perhaps as a reward for some smart investing...it's going to be the "date car" considering I'll probably be driving something big and utilitarian for work lol--

Great thread, thank you!

This time last week I was up in Santa Barbara..altho it was a bit chillly the sun was out and so I dropped the top to go site seeing :) Had to put it back up tho when we went out to Neverland..even having the heat on..it was still too coldd lol !