Have had my SAAB 9.3 for almost two years. It’s a 2L Petrol Aero and has run faultlessly and the hood goes up and down like a dream. The only issue, if you do a heavy mileage, is the fuel consumption is not the best at around 27MPG.
Rod
Morris Minor convertable
Could take a look at a Mk 3 Ford Focus. I’ve had a few Focus’ and they have all been superb, never read much about these though. They handle really well and I’d imagine aren’t that expensive to buy and run. I used to work with a guy that had one and never had an issue with it, traded it in for a newer, low mileage BMW 320, petrol, cabriolet, and had nothing but grief with it. I believe it had timing chain stretch or something. He ended up trading that in for a Ford Kuga, just to get shot. For a cheaper alternative, I’d personally rather have one than an Astra any day.
You wrote what crossed my mind. One of these was fuelling up beside us a few weeks past in Falkirk.
It was surprisingly good looking, looked solid. The couple had been through a few alternatives ( had a 5 as well in the past…we got talking)
They had no issues, and had driven from Preston top down all the way.
I think it’s an American based Ford floor-pan/tub…not just a chopped Euro-Focus.
Any rate, OP has not posted recently so maybe the deal is already done.
The fords apparently suffer with roof issues. Has a habit of “If the roofs going to pack up, it’ll do it halfway up or down!”, didnt sell that well here but like Scottishfiver, I also like the look of it. Me dad has threatened me with removal of bodyparts if I ever bought one though, (Ex Ford Spanner Jockey).