14 replies to this topic

[Feeble]

Hey
I'm looking for a sub £1000 cabriolet for the Summer...
Probably not a Mini to be honest, as I imagine they go for a fair bit more than that with tax and MOT...
So far I've looked at Renault 19 and Escort XR3i and 205 CTi.
If you have any advice when it comes to cheap convertibles, please let me know...
If you just want to rip the XR3i for being a chav's motor then please dont bother...

[itscomealongway]

go for the escort, if you can get one that has not been hoofed then it should last for ages as they have durable engines. the thing to look out for is is the rust trap areas like battery tray, sills, chassis legs, boot well, front crossmember, rear valace behind bumper etc... if you look on ebay there are perfecly useable ones sold for around a grand. I suppose now would be a good time to buy a cabbie as no one wants one in the winter and you will be able to tell if it's a sieve.

[The Matt]

Sorry, but as a recent convert to French cars (well, I say recent, I've owned a French motor of some sort now for around 5 years) I'd say go for the 205 CTi. I have had a 1.9 GTi and it was serious fun. The CTi's not as quick as the GTi, but they're still not bad to be honest. I've always wanted one.

As for checking them over, I had an E reg 205 and there was absolutely NO rust on it whatsoever. They are bolted together badly, they can be a rattly little car, they can be a little tempremental, but they are fun and that's what you want!

XR3i cabby, well, I personally don't like them. It's not because they are chavvy as most people would say, it's because of the whole rot thing to be honest! I've failed some lovely looking Escorts for serious rot on the MOTs when they were only 5 or 6 years old!!

[Bungle]

my sister used to have a 205 CTI it was a very good car and not even my sister could break it

[Jammy]

Have you set aside some cash for a hairdresser's course?!

[minimarco]

Have you set aside some cash for a hairdresser's course?!

and who drove an MR2?

[Guess-Works.com]

I may be tempted in selling mine, mini cab unfinished project...

[Mini_Magic]

Have you set aside some cash for a hairdresser's course?!

and who drove an MR2?

It's not a MR2, it's a Mini with a MR2 bodykit!

Edited by Mini_Magic, 03 January 2008 - 09:23 AM.

[Feeble]

Thanks GuessWorks, but unfortunately I dont have time for a project or the space as the Mi16 is on the drive...

I would like a 205 CTi, but they're not quite as cheap as the XR3i, and a lot harder to come by.

So it's between an XR3i and the CTi. Is the Renault 19 not worth bothering with?

Any other good cabs I could look out for?

[Sam]

most xr3is are pretty rusty

cti is a good choice

could you stretch to an bmw e30 convertible?

[Feeble]

To be honest I dont really like them... But try talking me into it if they're really good...

[Bungle]

my sister ran her CTI for a month with a hole in the sump and no oil before she asked me the question "what does the red light saying stop mean on my dash"

after the sump was fixed and oil topped up the engine did another 20k miles before she sold the car

[miniT]

The CTis i thought were pretty poo unless you find one thats been sooooo well looked after.

I had a mk1 golf GTi Cabrio with a BBS kit on it (rare i believe!) lovely car!!

[adam25]

http://www.theminifo...x...c=68063&hl= Could be what your looking for

[Feeble]

Wee... That's got the same kit that my old 205 had!

I think he lives quite far away and unfortunetely, it is still a project!