4 seat, RWD, MT, ~300hp, <$25k, convertibles

In reply to dyintorace:

Yeah, the ideal/target budget would actually be <$20k...But I don't want to totally count out interesting possibilities that might reach a little above that either.

I've been thinking about this same topic for a while, too, and I came to the same basic list. Fortunately I'm short enough (5'4") that the seat behind me is actually usable. The wife, kids, and I regularly go out in the '77 911.

I've been leaning towards the XK8/XKR for the relative rarity and overall nice looks, but its rear seats are on the small side.

Having never owned a convertible, I do have a question. Is it really viable to drive any distance or any speed with the top down and kids in the back seat? Or is it just too windy?

Backseat in a convertible on the freeway is generally only for tourist learning a lesson. Boulevard cruising of course is just fine.

Although, laying down in the backseat (no rear belts before 66) on the freeway on a hot night is rather nice.

SVT Cobra is out of the question?

Ferrari Mondial Cabrio? The last ones had 300 (Italian) HP.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrari-Mondial-1989-ferrari-mondial-37-k-low-miles-leather-manual-v-8-one-1-owner-clean-carfax-/171577208018?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27f2cc6cd2&item=171577208018&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

For a less reliable car than the Ferrari, if you dump the MT requirement, CLK63 AMG convertibles are getting into that price range, though they're going down and the Ferrari's going up.

The cleanest E30 M-Tech 2 you can find. Drive it, then flip it for more when you're done. Fits 4 people fine, and you get to drive a classic. Invest the other 8k in an epic family vacation.

Speaking of fanbois... I'm one when it comes to these. Some shaved 6x heads and a TBI and you're knocking on 20 mpg. LSx swap and you're mid 20s easy. I mostly suggest this because I don't have $25k to do it myself.

^ This is the right idea.

mkiv supra if amputees sit in the back.

pkingham wrote: Having never owned a convertible, I do have a question. Is it really viable to drive any distance or any speed with the top down and kids in the back seat? Or is it just too windy?

Depends on the kids in question. I loved it when I was riding in the back seat, ages 15-17. My little brother loved it too, 12-16. This was at freeway speeds. Around town, no problems with just about any age and a lot of fun.

I got a 2013 Mustang GT convertible this spring. Looked at the G37 and the trunk holds as much as the glovebox when the top is down. The rear seats were smaller then the mustang.

I have a 7 and 4 year old both in huge car seats and they fit with plenty of room. They also love the convertible. I was very worried as they both hated being in my MINI with the windows open. If you roll up the windows on the freeway then the mustang convertible is no big deal in the backseat. My daughter would put her hair in a ponytail, my 4 year old sons hair barely moved at 70 mph.

Dang this thread. I just posted a WTB 67 LeMans in the classifieds.