2+2 recommendation?

Hi guys, New to the site and have been going crazy trying to decide what to buy as a first Classic Car. The clincher is that I need back seats (albeit small to fit one of my two young daughters) and I'm trying to stick with a convertible. I'm OK with buying a car in Avg. condition with intentions of moderate restorations over the coming months/years, but it has to run confidantly. My budget is under $20,000, which also hinders me with respect to Austin Healys. I'm very interested in British classics, but also may look at the Fiat 124's (or the version with 2+2 setup) and will entertain a non-convertable if I can't find a conv. that works for me and my girls.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Joe

Wow. You're going to be hard pressed to find a convertible that really has a usable back seat. I've owned Fiat 124s in multiples and the rear seat really is mostly a joke for anyone with legs, and it's probably the biggest one of any of the traditional sports cars.

You sure you wouldn't settle for a nice coupe? That opens up a ton of possibilities.

For family fun I honestly would probably not try to do a traditional sports car. When your only goal is to go for ice cream with the top down something like a Corvair, Mustang or Falcon is completely adequate. I don't have a burning desire to return to a rough riding, creaky, definately-going-to-leak typical sports car (guess that's why I have closed cars now). My next convertible, if I ever get one, will be a collectible domestic.

Yup, usable back seats in sports cars are pretty uncommon.

If a convertible is important, besides the Corvair (personal fave) and others mentioned above, maybe a Triumph Stag?

Definitely not sports cars, but you could also pick up a convertible Morris Minor or Triumph Herald for that kind of money.

Or, if you'll have a roof, the world is your oyster. Personally, I'd probably start my search at BMW 2002s, old Volvos, or a Mini.

For that kind of money, you could find an older Porsche 911 convertible or (cheaper) a Porsche 944 convertible (technically, they're "cabriolets"). Both have small back seats. Look on e-Bay for an idea of prices.

If you can do your own work and know what to look for, you're pretty safe. If not, these cars can be money-pits. The 944 has a galvanized uni-body, so rust is not such a problem.

But if it were me, I'd get an MGB-GT and add a Webasco sunroof.

In reply to ddavidv:

The rear seats of a 124 Sport Coupe are quite usable. I've had adults back there on many occasions, including a senior citizen. Entry and exit was also quite good for her. She didn't complain and actually commented that it was roomier than it looked.

Dont forget the Morgan 4 seaters. Kinda neat. I do belive the back seat is usable.

And as a bonus, it the 100th aniv of Morgan.

Leo

In reply to ddavidv:

Dwight, you must be gettin old.

How about a nice Lancia Zagato? It has a usable back seat and is mostly a convertible. It is MUCH more of a real car than a Stag and once sorted, can be quite reliable. Finding a nice one will be a challenge though. I once paid $1,000 for a low milage 82 Zagato and drove over 2 hours home at speeds up to 105 at times. The car performed flawlessly and drove great.

I like Neils' idea the MGB-GT has great styling (mini Aston Martin) is still under valved and has a usable back jump seat. To step it up even more there's the rarer MGC-GT. This car gets a bad rap for being "front heavy" and understeering. I own to big Healey's and the MGC-GT can be made to handle with modern bushings, correct sway bar and proper radial tires. Think big Healey with a hard top.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Mineral-Blue-MGC-GT_W0QQitemZ320396465581QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item4a991e15ad&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A317#ht_1450wt_1182

Just a thought,

Dougie

Forgive me for what I am about to say but....

Original Rabbit convertible.

You can hop it up quite easily with lots of speed parts, it's cheap, convertible and lots of room for the kids in back.

Please don't kick me out of the club guys... pretty please! /grovel

Coupefan wrote: In reply to ddavidv: The rear seats of a 124 Sport Coupe are quite usable.

CoupeDude: I've owned 3 of those. He was asking about convertibles. The minute he agrees to have something with a fixed roof I'm on it, right behind talking him into a BMW 2002.

Brett, you are right, the Zagato wouldn't be a bad choice. Although you do have to brace yourself for some of the quirkyness and not-so-great parts availability that comes with it. Betas are nice cars to drive but absolute bastards to work on.

I'd never call it a sports car (and I've never been much of a fan) but the most usable convertible for more-than-two I've come across is the Saab 900. Just do not buy a 'project' one. Shop them like they are a Porsche (buy the best you can afford) and avoid the slushbox like the bubonic plague. Plenty of room for four adults in those.

Don't even think about the MGB GT. The back seat is completely unusable for any human more than 2 feet tall. Small dogs won't even sit back there. It's a cruel joke.

Here is a few Zagato pics...

I own an MGB GT, Once thalidomide was removed from the market, the pool of backseat passengers dried up for this car.

How about a nice domestic? The Mustang would make a great driver and should fall in the budget if you don't get too picky about collector value stuff.

The Mustang has all the old school charm and simple maintenance of an MGB plus it will make a decent highway cruiser; someting the MG is not unless it hs the OD tranny.

In reply to BrettM:

Is that your Lancia? I'm going to take a stab in the dark here: By chance, have you owned it since, say 1989 or so? And did you buy it in the Orange County, CA area from the previous owner?

Tim Baxter wrote: Don't even think about the MGB GT. The back seat is completely unusable for any human more than 2 feet tall. Small dogs won't even sit back there. It's a cruel joke.

Wimp!

I'm from an older, less-coddled generation

In reply to Coupefan:

Nope, not mine. I took the interior photos at a freakout in MO. The black one was from a google search. Nice cars though.

I loved my '69 'B-GT but I gotta go with Tim on this one. I'm from an older, less coddled generation too... That said, even back in the day, most children had legs. The "back seat" in the MGB-GT is well and truly useless. Cheers, Scott

2binthenow wrote: ...I need back seats...I'm very interested in British classics...I'm trying to stick with a convertible...My budget is under $20,000

You just defined a Triumph Stag. If you're willing to give up the convertible, you can get a Jag EJ, even an XKE 2+2 isn't impossible at under $20k.

I vote to let you stay, Kapt, as the Rabbit Cabrio is a great suggestion IMO. Nice examples are cheap, easy to work on, fun to drive, easy on gas and well supported by the aftermarket. But beware the "girl's car" stigma. Cheers, Scott

I always thought that the rabbit cabrios could be made "less girlie."

In reply to aeronca65t:

I like the 911 idea. Just test drovbe a 79 w/whaletial the other day. nice car but a bit too rough for my liking (also had 120,000 miles onh it) thanks

In reply to Coupefan: That's what I thought. I have not driven one yet, but they look like they might fit the bill. do you know how they drive? Like them? I'm looking for a cruizer to take advantage of nice days in the counrtyside with my girsl but I also happen to be a fan of a car with nice amounts of torque down low in the power band. Do the 124's have this? thanks for the reply. Joe

In reply to Leo Basile: Any experiecne driving one? Coincidentally I was just reading about them today in the "British Sports Car Legends" edition of Classic Sports Car Mag. The only problem I have is that they remind me of kit cars for some reason. not sure why! thanks Joe

In reply to BrettM: thanks for the clarity

If you want a classic ride that seats 4 and is a convertible, get an old Jeep Wrangler. Imagine the look from the Valet at the Club when you drive up in a Camo Jeep. (twin 50 cals optional)

mike