Which Used ~08 convertible? - Mustang, G6, Solara, or Chrysler

[santuitman]

Hello All

I'm getting the itch for a convertible again. I had a 1996 Sebring a couple years a go but had to let it go. I need 4 seats and automatic as this will be a family car as well. Other than that I am looking for opinions or problems with these models. I'm leaning toward the Solara as we've had a few toyotas and they hold up well however a hardtop Chrysler or the G6 look nice.

Any thoughts?

 

[phucheneh]

I don't know about the G6 (though I strongly suspect it is the same), but as for the Mustang...unless your children are very small (or amputees) there really isn't a backseat.

Solara used to be the same, but it may have gotten a bit bigger than I remember, since it follows the Camry (a supposed mid-size). So 'Solara' by default.

I am very, very sorry that someone sold you a '96 Sebring. I would think that would be enough to make most people never touch a Chrysler again.

edit: eh...the Solara is still riding on a 2002 Camry chassis, apparently. So it may still be a little cramped in the back.

 

[SandEagle]

Solara

 

[brainhulk]

nm didnt see 4 seats req

 

[santuitman]

too funny about the Sebring...
It was actually a nice car and we got a lot of use out of it. My boys loved riding in the back and my wife realized how nice a drop top is. It did have some problems and the last nail in the coffin was when it dropped a ball joint only going ~ 30 mph. I had just been on the highway at 70 mph about an hour before with my kids. Thank goodness it didn't happen then.

My boys are now 6 and 8 so still on the small side but we'll probly end up keeping for a while.

Im not tied to a 2008 year. that just seems to be a good used starting point.

 

[dawp]

I have an '04 solara coupe and the backseat is decent, big enough for an adult to sit, not sure if the convertible lost any of that space due to top stowage.

I'd suggest to try the backseat of each car you are considering.

 

[NutBucket]

If you're feeling adventurous you could look for Saab 9-3 convertible. Should have a usable rear seat and should be dirt cheap.

Personally I'd look for a 3-series 'vert. Not sure about rear seat size though.

 

[phucheneh]

I wasn't knocking your car or anything; the Sebring's just never been great, and IIRC there are two years or so in particular that usually showed up on 'consumer reports' type of lists for 'don't buy this ever.'

I think it was 95-96. Not sure what changed on the later ones. It was on some kind of DSM platform, which SHOULD have been a good thing, compared to 90's Intrepids, Neons, and other Dodge/Chrysler products that I'm certainly not a fan of.

My mom had a '96. The backseat was not bad at all for a coupe. The rest of the car...heh.

I would encourage you go shop around a little...don't even need to test drive, just find comfortable front seating positions and then see how much room you've got in the back. It's very hard to find a modern four seat vert that can actually carry people in the back.

Ironically, the ones that I can think of with good rear access and decent room are the smallest. Mini Cooper and Beetle come to mind...hey, at least when you have the top down on the beatle, the top kind of looks like a whale-tail Porsche spoiler...just squint...really hard...

 

[santuitman]

phucheneh... No worries. You weren't knocking the car, you were stating the obvious, Lol.

I believe the Solara's were made from the same body so the seatings should be the same so thanks for the info!

I would prefer the Boxster but yeah family car and out of my budget!

Kind of afraid of the Saab. Our friends has been in the shop for over a month as they can't find parts

Thanks everyone for the comments.

 

[NutBucket]

Like I said, adventurous

 

[Vetterin]

I would also consider the Solara as I've always liked that car. However, my daughter has an 04 Sebring I4 with 98K miles and that car still runs like a top and is a great highway cruiser. I'm just sayin!

 

[NutBucket]

Forgot, Volvo C70. I rather like that one myself.

 

[Throckmorton]

Buy the Mustang. Why waste money on a FWD chick car? The proportions of those FWD convertibles make them look ridiculous.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

A solara isn't bad, but it is just a camry convertible.

Personally, I would rather have a v6 mustang vert than a solara.

 

[NutBucket]

Buy the Mustang. Why waste money on a FWD chick car? The proportions of those FWD convertibles make them look ridiculous.

The only one that's truly terrible proportionally is the is250 'vert. The Volvo looks pretty good IMHO.

 

[santuitman]

I am afraid of the Solara being just another Camry especially as I drive a '96 for ten years. I need something reliable and family oriented too so that's a big factor... otherwise Id be getting a older Miata!

 

[NutBucket]

I'm pretty sure the Solara will be exactly as you describe unfortunately.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I am afraid of the Solara being just another Camry especially as I drive a '96 for ten years. I need something reliable and family oriented too so that's a big factor... otherwise Id be getting a older Miata!

So you want something somewhat sporty? That really changes things quite a bit.

 

[santuitman]

sigh... yes I want something sporty however that's just not gonna happen. Needs to have kid space and an automatic plus fairly inexpensive (~10-15K) and pretty mainstream as far as maintenance/repair. The four choices I put up seem to fit that bill but maybe I'm missing something. The Solara fits well with the current cars we have now and the dealer we use (two Highlanders) but the Mustang and the G6 are really tempting... The Chrylser well the name says it all. I like the G6 as its a hard top convertible. I'm a little worried the G6 will start being hard to fix but I guess most parts are generic GM.

 

[NutBucket]

G6 is not going to be any more sporty than a Solara IMHO.

 

[Ferzerp]

An '08 Sebring is just an '08 Avenger. That car is kind of a snoozer.

 

[Jumpem]

Miata hard top. I would never purchase a four seat convertible.

 

[phucheneh]

If my experience with pricier hard top convertibles is any indication, I would stay FAR away from cheap ones. The roofs are just too finicky and will wreck themselves if they don't get proper care. Then they still might wreck themselves, anyway. Also, you get no trunk (well, almost no trunk), and if someone does chuck something in there without you realizing it...oh shizzle.

If you think putting new fabric on a convertible is pricey, look at how much the hydraulic pump/line/actuator assemblies cost (it's generally all built as a unit). Also there's the potential for the roof to jam and damage the panels (usually just saw this when someone threw a lawn chair or something in the trunk, though).

 

[JulesMaximus]

Miata hard top. I would never purchase a four seat convertible.

My step dad had a 1971 Buick 2 door convertible with a generous back seat. That car was the shit. I'd take one in good shape in a heartbeat.

 

[hans007]

The only one that's truly terrible proportionally is the is250 'vert. The Volvo looks pretty good IMHO.

G37 vert looks pretty bad