‘It doesn’t get much cooler than that’ vows car expert sharing five ‘modern classic’ convertibles for under £5k
A PETROLHEAD has urged drivers to snap up some seriously cool convertibles – all priced at £5,000 or less.
A motoring expert at The Motor Grid listed five “modern classics” to add to your garage, including an iconic Nissan sports car.
BMW 6 Series 645i
Introduced in 2004 alongside the standard Coupe, the BMW 6 Series 645i convertible is a top down powerhouse that boasts a 4.4 litre V8 engine.
Or, as the car expert puts it: “This beast is a Munich Monster!”
With upgraded engine specifications and sport-tuned suspension for improved handling and acceleration, this Beemer is capable of hitting 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds alongside a top speed of 155mph.
Its power, coupled with its soft-top style – including a retractable rear windscreen – is certainly enough to compete with whips built by Mercedes and Jaguars of the same period.
Mazda MX-5 (Mk1, 2 & 3)
A staple of any “modern classics” list, the evergreen MX-5 will set you back less than £5,000 and is well worth a space in your garage – whether it’s the Mk1, Mk2 or Mk3,
“They are all fantastic manual cars,” says the car expert.
The MX-5 is widely adored by car fans as one of the first top-down motors to offer sporty looks on a friendly budget, and is perhaps best known for being repeatedly captured in plastic by toy makers Hot Wheels.
Audi TT Roadster (Mk1)
Another motor widely touted by enthusiasts as a modern classic, the Audi TT has previously been described as a sports car that will “go down in history.”
When it comes to driving performance and price tag, very little beats this German roadster – which is on its way to becoming a collectible after Audi discontinued the model last year following two decades in production.
The Motor Grid advises buyers to look for the Mk1 iteration, going onto say: “The one that you need to buy is the 225bhp with a manual gearbox – it doesn’t get much cooler than that!”
The Sun’s main man on Motors Rob Gill got to test drive the final Audi TT last year, describing it as “basically a Volkswagen Golf in a frock – nice to drive, stylish, and cheaper than a Porsche Boxster.”
Speaking of which…
Porsche Boxster (968)
While it might be pricier than the Audi TT, the Boxster can still be picked up for less than £5,000 and is perhaps the most affordable Stuggart-badged motor money can buy.
The Boxster’s reputation makes it almost depreciation proof while remaining a practical two-seater with plenty of punch – thanks to its 240 bhp and 2.7-litre engine.
Apart from being a great drive and good value for money, this motor is also highly reliable with a MOT pass rate ranging from 82.3 per cent to 91 per cent.
The Motor Grid added: “With a manual flat-six, what’s not to love?
“Everybody should have this sub-£5k in their garage.”
Nissan 350Z
The iconic 350Z – a two-door, two-seater sports car produced by Nissan from 2002 until 2009 – is certified modern classic.
The 3.5 litre motor, packed with a V6 engine, has 300bhp under the bonnet with a top speed of around 155mph.
A convertible iteration can be picked up for around £4,800 courtesy of Autocar, and is a much talked-about favourite of car buffs.
“That sounds pretty good to me for under £5,000,” adds The Motor Grid.
This comes as car-buying experts at CarWow exclusively gave Sun Motors five brilliant starter cars that new drivers can pick up for under £5,000.
That includes the Fiat 500 – described as a “staple of newly-qualified Brits for years.”
Elsewhere, Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer has shared a “sad and exciting” update on the “last filming day” of the show’s latest run, teasing new episodes.