ROAD TRIP READY
Five cheap convertibles to buy this summer for under £5,000 – including ‘fun to drive’ Toyota
A hardtop BMW might be the best option for the unpredictanle British summertime weather!
PETROLHEADS looking for a drop top bargain this summer are in luck - as a car expert has picked out five convertibles that can be bought for under £5,000.
That includes an iconic Toyota model that's been described as "fun to drive."
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That's according to YouTube petrolhead Jonny Brighton of the much-loved channel CarsWithJB - known for expert car-buying advice on fun motors that can be found for great prices.
BMW 320I
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For car fans looking for something with a little bit of class, the BMW 320I is perhaps the best bang for buck convertible that your £5,000 can buy.
What's more, it might be perfect for UK drivers battling the unpredictable British weather this summer.
Jonny said: "It’s a hardtop convertible with a roof - which makes it better for our climate here in the UK.
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“And with the roof down, it looks so premium - especially in MSport spec."
However, the 320I boasts just 167 bhp which takes it to 60 mph in 8.8 second.
“Not quick at all,” Jonny adds.
“But at least you'll look good cruising along slowly.”
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This drop top BMW can be picked up for as little as £2,000, with £5,000 enough to get yourself a 2009 model with 60,000 miles on the clock.
Alfa Romeo Spider
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The gorgeous Alfa Romeo Spider, produced by the Italian brand between 2007 and 2010, was designed by the prestigious coachbuilder Pininfarina - hence its good looks.
It came with multiple engine options - including a turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel motor which makes 197 bhp.
Toyota MR2 rumoured to return
Jonny said: “It’s not fast, but what a lovely looking diesel to cruise around in.”
The motoring guru also noted that it won the Cabrio of the Year award at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006.
Today, these can be found for as little as £4,000, with £5k enough for a 2008 model.
Toyota MR2
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The most-recent Toyota MR2 is more about performance than luxury, and was seen as a rival to the iconic Mazda MX-5.
It packs a mid-engined 1.8-litre motor that hits 138 bhp - taking it to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
However, Jonny said: “Pace isn't the main point of this car; it's all about being fun to drive with more engaging handling dynamics.
“It's also super lightweight, coming in at 996 kg.”
These can be found for as low as £2,000, with £5k enough for a 2005 model with 80,000 miles on the odometer.
Fans of the MR2 might be excited to know that Toyota could be bringing the model back in the coming years - with rumours of a revival coming from sources in Japan.
Is the Toyota MR2 set to make a comeback?
Toyota is reportedly working on an affordable two-seater sports car to be released within the next two years.
The project is believed to be an attempt to rival the Mazda MX-5, which has had a stranglehold on the budget performance market for years.
In an exciting twist Japanese motoring magazine has reported that the new car could represent the relaunch of the legendary MR2.
Launched in 1984, the MR2 was the brainchild of the brand's design whizz Akio Yoshida.
It was eventually discontinued in 2007 amid falling sales, and Toyota remains tight-lipped on the prospect of its return.
But company chairman Akio Toyoda has done little to quell them, having previously spoken of his admiration for the so-called "Three Brothers" of Toyota - The MR2, Celica, and Supra.
Mazda MX5 MK3
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Perhaps the most iconic affordable convertible around, the Mazda MX-5 - specifically the Mk3 example - can be picked up for as little as £5,000.
Produced by Mazda from 2005 until 2015, the first and second-generation MX-5s were a great success for the brand and the third-gen certainly had its highlights.
A fresh interior and a new, simpler hood design were seen as improvements at the time.
It also came with a larger engine than the previous generations; a 2-litre inline four motor that produced 157 bhp that’s capable of hitting 60 mph in 7.6 seconds
“But again, it's all about handling with this car,” said Jonny.
Price wise, these come in at under £2,000 at the bottom-end with £5k getting you behind the wheel of a 2009-example with just 70,000 miles on the clock.
Volvo C70 T5
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For drivers looking for something they can fit a couple more people in, Jonny points to the Volvo C70.
He claims the Swedish hardtop convertible “kind of flies under the radar compared to many other cars.”
That’s despite the fact it boasts very good performance - coming with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine that makes 226 bhp.
The aggressive-looking drop top can be available for as little as £2,500 - while just double that is seemingly enough for a 2008 model that’s done 60,000 miles.
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Meanwhile, your £5,000 is could get you behind the wheel of a modern classic sports car that Richard Hammond once described as "sexy."
And elsewhere, a major British car brand has released the fastest charging EV ever made that can power up in less than 15 minutes.
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