Cars without a roof.

Does the SAAB have a metal roof? I had a SAAB 5 years ago and it had the most comfortable seats of any car I've owned. It broke down once in 4 years with a power steering fault, but that was all. The dealer was excellent. However, they may be off the pace a bit now - you need to book a few test drives.

If the roof lets go in an accident it will slide forward at great speed and "la lady guillotine" will arise from the ashes of western consumerism to finish "le revolution" at a stroke!

Not that one would wish harm to Lady Thrust herself for one moment, innit?

Is this much too non-PC? Not funny? Then you're not taking your tablets!

Where's me bike?

I would think a Mercedes SLK would be right up your street, Mick - folding metal roof as required, plus a solid marque too. Good resale value as well, which is nice for when you're bored of having your hair done every day.

I don't think either the Saab or Crossfire convertibles have steel roofs. If Mrs Mick is after a steel folding roof, the range is limited - Mercedes SL and SLK, Lexus coupe and Peugeot 307CC are the ones I can think of. Steel folding roof mechanisms are very heavy, so there needs to be a serious engine under the bonnet to compensate.

I have a Nissan 350Z convertible, but it's a soft top. Two-seater, no glovebox, tiny boot, but 206kW, 18in wheels and great handling. Considered a far better car than the Crossfire.

Steve

If you can stand a 2-seater (and want to spend the money), the new MB SLK 350.

SLK would be my recommendation if you weren't wanting to shell out on an SL55 AMG

Renault "big arse" Megane Cabrio has a folding metal roof. They must be good Guy Salmon have them in their exclusive range.

Howard

Chaps

Thanks for the replies. The choice looks limited.

Regards

Mick

Dear Mick,

If you want an inexpensive option, go for a solid saloon with a steel sliding sun roof. Solid cars like the ever dependable Volvo 240 can be had in super condition for as little as 300 GBP, and the servicing cost and reliabilty will be very pleasing compared to the exotica already mentioned. The Volvo has the advantage that it's sliding steel is manually moved with a little handle so you will never have that "hunt the fuse" moment when the electrics fail and Mrs Mick is getting soaked in a sharp shower! The model also has the advantage of being far stronger in an accident than any open top yet invented [or almost any closed bodied cas as well], and the thought that you walk away from a wreck rather than are carted off on a stretcher forever to use a wheel-chair is another bonus, IMO. I have run this model for the best part of ten years, and my splendid one is coming up to 17 years old and still flew the MOT emissions test (which actually does not apply because of her age, but was done because she has the cat and all, Sweden, being so green that it complied early!), and she still regularly does 40 mpg, which ain't bad for a 2.3 litre with the lugging power of a lorry!

Regards, Fredrik

new golf will be offered with just such a roof soon

Mick,

I think the forth-coming new Volvo C70 would please Mrs. Mick. Have a look-see here for details. Hard roof too.

Steve

SL/SLK without a doubt. If that doesn't suit then there's plenty more further down the list of 'inferior' metal.

Cheers

Harry

quote:

Originally posted by Hammerhead:
Mick,

I think the forth-coming new Volvo C70 would please Mrs. Mick. Have a look-see here for details. Hard roof too.

Steve

Don'tcha just love those empty roads?

Also notice the hood retract is not shown in real time.

Howard

Fredrik

I hate to break this to you after 10 years together but the Volvo 240 is a he.....

Regards

Jim

The Mercedes SLK was undoubtedly designed for people like Mrs Parry, so is the clear 1st choice.

Don't drive it yourself though Mick.

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
Fredrik

I hate to break this to you after 10 years together but the Volvo 240 is a he.....

Regards

Jim

Dear Jim,

She is called Henrietta! So not a he....

Also in terms of value for money, reliability, safety, and longegevity, the model was at the time unrivalled and certainly not matched by anything issued more recently. A classic she...., perhaps!

Fredrik

Chaps

Thank you for the advice.

Mrs Mick has always liked the VW Golf so that could be the answer.

Regards

Mick

Dear Mick,

Have you looked into the servicing and repair costs before you jump in. You may be very surprised by them. I only ask, because, once, I had a VW Golf [for four years], which I will only say was a prolonged and very expensive saga. Perhaps the newer Golfs are more reliable than of yore, but the servicing costs and general medium term repairs are no doubt, more expensive than ever...

I replaced it with a 100% reliable and perfectly servicable Meastro, which in five years cost less than half what the VW cost in its first year. Only when I got a really strong car did I really how flimsy were Meastros, and yes, older Golfs!

Fredrik

A Maestro?
Good Greif!
Regards
Jim

The open top Golf will be called Eos. From the phoos in the German press, it should look rather nice. UK availability some time in 2006, I should think.

Mick

The Mk5 Golf chassis is far superior to that of the Mk4. I can say that having owned both models.

Still go for the SLK though - if the budget stretches to it.

quote:

Originally posted by monkfish:
A Maestro?
Good Greif!
Regards
Jim

Jim,

Tumble-weed alert. Many years ago I spent Christmas and New Year near Edinbourgh with friends (pre-Meastro days, you see!), and we went to Crief Hydro, which is one of those teatotal place, and I let out an exclamation at the counter (well you could hardly call it a bar, could you), "Good Crief! No Scotch, here in Scotland!" My hosts suggested a sort of quiet exit, and a short adjournement to somewhere else. I don't know who was more embarrassed, them or me, as they were trying to entertain me, and I had reduced the whole of the 'room with the counter in' [in the Hydro] to stunned silence! So yes, you need a sense of humour to turn up in a Meastro (as in many things), but it was a splendid car in every way if you could get over the image. Far better than the VW of the day in my experience.

Fredrik

Fredrik

Volvos rust like everything made of old iron in a moist climate with constantly changing temperature and precipitation. Particularly where condiments are applied liberally to the road surfaces in winter.

Ah the subtleties of scottish culture! Blush ye not! There are similar jokes made about a visitor to The Pump Room in Bath. One old soak is supposed to have asked for a whiskey with the waters. I believe a poster is available and almost certainly a postcard of this great historical event.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik H:
Perhaps the newer Golfs are more reliable than of yore

From reviews and reliability surveys then apparently not. If you want a Golf underpinnings and engine with better reliability and value then you could purchase a Skoda.