Another 'what car thread' with some seeming bizarre criteria

I've done this to all of you before...but I just can't find the right car.

Must haves: Convertible power steering/brakes/seat automatic a/c tilt wheel

Wants: power top telescoping steering wheel

Needs: very narrow sills - seat base as close as possible to the outside of the sill seat base close to sill height - think sitting in as opposed to sitting on.

16-18" seat base height from ground

The weird requirements come from the desire to transfer into the seat from my relatively low manual wheelchair.

I drive my STS prepped Miata in the summer time now, but at 49, with 27 years of torturing my shoulders is time to get something A LOT easier to get in/out of.

Age doesn't matter, but it's got to be interesting, and an eye catcher. OK so I'm a little vain, so what?

I've looked at the SLK for one, but the sills are a little wide. Actually I've looked at anything I could think of over the last several months, but must be missing the 'perfect' choice.

My budget is @ $10k, fudgeable for the right car.

Help me brethren. I beseech thee.

mark

Just a thought, but would a seat mounted with a second set of tracks that let the seat slide out the door be a benefit ? It would negate your need for narrow sills if a car met all the other criteria. Could you simply grab the towel bar, tug the seat toward you a few inches over the sill ? I realize the regular set of tracks have to be even with the sills for this to even be a remote possibility.

oldtin, the 330ci has actually been one I've seriously been considering. I've even recently joined e46fanatics to learn all I can there.

DeadSkunk, if I could find an off the shelf unit that would work.

Oldtin's probably got the best choice for your budget that I can think of. Might also be worth looking at a Boxster, I see those regularly with a tiptronic but I don't know how they fare on the seat position for your (or the power top).

Yes I think you might be looking at mostly European rides here. Think MB, BMW, Audi, Volvo or a Saab 900T or VW Golf. Likely older to meet your price ceiling and I am not sure about the telescoping steering wheel on those models. As previously stared the BMW M3 Cabrio might work best. Didn't some Infiniti models come as drop tops too?

I've got a 3 series BMW convertible myself, actually giving some thought to selling it, although mine wasn't optioned with a tilt wheel. It's a pretty common option though.

The other thing that came to mind was a Mustang convertible. Your budget should get a nice SN95...

Dunno if the sills work or not (I've never sat in one), but how about an NC Miata with the PRHT? I'm pretty sure they (finally!) put a tilt wheel in it, although I don't know about telescoping.

codrus - I've given those a passing nod, maybe I should look closer.

To the boxsters - I, personally, find the styling odd, and a bit dull.

To the 330cic's, which is still a front runner - out of the box they look a little 'stodgy', nothing some BBSs and a mild drop couldn't correct though.

I had a beautiful E30 ragtop, but the steering wheel angle was torturous, hence the tilt requirement from here on out.

And my recent Conquest TSi taught me that the next car must have doors that open wide, the Conquest failed miserably there. That car also taught me that body cladding looks cool, but tends to get me further from the seat than I feel comfortable with for ingress/egress.

I'm not sure if it fits your criteria, but my dad has been looking at Solstices/Skies to upgrade from his NA Miata because they just sit too low for him to get in and out of. FWIW, he's also considering a Crossfire, which should tick most of your boxes, and look pretty cool too. Think they're cheaper than an SLK as well.

94-04 Mustang GT convertible would check most of those boxes too, except for the telescoping wheel.

psteav - Skystice's exceed my price range, around here anyway.

Racer1ab - Mustangs are like dandelions in central Indiana. I had an all original '86 notch 302 that I recently sold for that very reason.

I've had 2 e46 BMWs and love them. Another option might be an e36 M3 cab. I think some of those had power tops and an auto was an option too.

dyintorace - that's beautiful!!!

hmm, anyone know if the e36's had tilt wheel?

XK8? Post face lift XJS (91-95)?

I second the NC with PRHT. I miss mine, it was a fun car.

mthomson22 wrote: dyintorace - that's beautiful!!! hmm, anyone know if the e36's had tilt wheel?

It was an option - my E36 doesn't have one, for example, but there's clearly a cutout for the lever. If you find an E36 Cabrio for sale, you'll need to check it individually.

mthomson22 wrote: dyintorace - that's beautiful!!! hmm, anyone know if the e36's had tilt wheel?

Quick research points to no. I think my '95 M3s had it, but evidently the '96+ cars did not.

That said, it also seems to be possible to retrofit:

http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/tiltwheel.htm

Since I'm currently looking at Saabs as my potential next DD, it is at the front of my mind. I'm looking mostly at 9-5 wagons, but these are very tempting.... Not sure if the sills would meet your needs or not. But they're pretty loaded with features and have some personality to them. I'd also highly recommend an NC, having owned one before.

corvette?

Saabs look interesting, I've never even looked at on close, maybe I should give them a peek.

Vettes - wiiiiide sills, and no power top option, right?

Mark,

Whenever I think of Saab I think of John Smith's tired old 900 going faster than it had any right to

Jeff

C5 will do everything but the power top and do it well. Doors open to approximately 75 degrees and the sill is 9" wide from the outside to the start of the seat cushion, but completely flat with the seat bottom and low. There is approximately a 2" gap from the edge of the seat cushion to the sill.

C5s also have a manual tilt/power telescope wheel and memory seats and easy entry, so the seat rises/comes forward when you open the door and the wheel retracts, and then it goes back to the driving position once you close the door and turn the key.

$15k would get you a very presentable C5 convertible.

Another option would be a 2G GST Eclipse convertible. Turbo power, power seats, power top, tilt wheel, but FWD and most of the fun is had with the 5 speed unless you are drag racing.

I'm pretty sure the OP needs a power top as opposed to wanting one, though.

Is the "put the top up" sequence on the C5 as deranged as it is on the C4?

Jeff - me too on John's Saab. It had to be the green wheels

Tim - yes, if I do this a power top is pretty much going to be mandatory.

BUT, my FD is in the shop...and I just got 'the call' that both turbos are shot and the radiator is cracked beyond repair. My new car plans may now be 'back burnered' until the FD is repaired and sent packing.