Help put me in a cheap convertible...

Ok, so if you've seen my other thread about the Mustang I'm going to pass on that one.

I know the answer is miata, but seriously I don't want a Miata, I want something with more 'character'.

This car is not going to be a DD, not even an occasional driver, more of a project cruiser I expect only able to get me away from home, not back, I expect AAA to have to bring me home. My only requirements are 1) Convertible, 2) running and driving(ish) (I don't want to deal with towing it home), and 3) around $500 (I know, I know, it's not much money but the wife didn't bat an eye when I mentioned it and thought it might even be fun, she normally doesn't enjoy my hobby)

There's an $800 Alfa in Conyers (I've been trolling CL too much this weekend) that caught my fancy but I'd really need a crash course in Alfas before attempting to look at it, the wife really likes it and I've always been interested in them but they're always priced too much for my blood...

There are Fiats (which I really really like and want) but the ones on the block around here seem to be parts cars/non-runners.

The only other is a Mustang or a Camaro, but Camaro + Convertible + cheap seems to be elusive. Mustang fits the bill but they seem to be overpriced down here in the south, I swear there's a redneck tax on them...

Anywho, give me thoughts, ideas, inspiration!

Does it have to actually be "convertible" ? Or is just topless okay?

If being truly convertible is not required, your options are endless and a sawzall is your friend

The unappreciated convertibles now seem to be the '71-'76 GM Big body convertibles (Buick Granville, Olds Delta 88, Pontiac Catalina, Chevy Caprice.)

You should be able to find on in "less that restored" condition but drivable. In basic terms, you can keep it running on GM truck parts (read: cheap.)

At $500, its just whatever you happen to find....if runs, good enough right?

At $500 the "characters" that you are likely to see are
'91 Mercury Capri convertible
Cavalier Convertible
Chrysler K-car convert

A1 chassis VW Cabriolets are cheap and plentiful, with easy junkyard parts availability.

Jeep.

Gearheadotaku wrote: At $500, its just whatever you happen to find....if runs, good enough right?

Ditto. You'll find some pretty crappy 'verts for $500, so whatever you find with a top that is in "good enough" shape and drives "good enough" to match for your price point sounds like a winner. Expect GM front drivers like the Cavalier, Geo Metros, K-Cars, and Cabriolets.

Bryce

Gearheadotaku wrote: At $500, its just whatever you happen to find....if runs, good enough right?

you hit the nail on the head, just wanted more places to look :)

These suggestions are great guys!

I would look for a TR7 in need of love.

I've owned 2 Mercury Capri XR2's which is the turbocharged version of the 1.6 Miata B6 found in the Miata. I drove 1 for 6 years and the other for a little over a year, Great cars! Would really make ppl wonder what the hell just happened at the redlights. I had the Optional Hardtop from the Red one I was the 2nd owner of, and during cold weather it was a nice addition. You can find these really cheap if you look, though some parts can be difficult to find though. My vote is Capri XR2. My 2nd Xr2

I'll go ahead and say E30, but I've only seen 3 vert's in the sub $1000 range, and only one was running.

jrw1621 wrote: The unappreciated convertibles now seem to be the '71-'76 GM Big body convertibles (Buick Granville, Olds Delta 88, Pontiac Catalina, Chevy Caprice.) You should be able to find on in "less that restored" condition but drivable. In basic terms, you can keep it running on GM truck parts (read: cheap.)

I'm not so sure about that as I've only seen only very scay machines less than 2 gs out of those cars. I've kind of had my eye out for a Caprice for a while. I think prices are getting out of control on those. Get them now.

bludroptop wrote: A1 chassis VW Cabriolets are cheap and plentiful, with easy junkyard parts availability.

the good old "b-tch bucket."

Buzz Killington wrote:

bludroptop wrote: A1 chassis VW Cabriolets are cheap and plentiful, with easy junkyard parts availability.

the good old "b-tch bucket."

there's an $800 running 83 rabbit vert, i may have to look at that

I'm also really tempted by the $800 alfa, scary i know but she's a beaut...

The Capri is a good idea, will investigate X2s...

I like the chop top idea.

HeavyDuty wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: The unappreciated convertibles now seem to be the '71-'76 GM Big body convertibles (Buick Granville, Olds Delta 88, Pontiac Catalina, Chevy Caprice.) You should be able to find on in "less that restored" condition but drivable. In basic terms, you can keep it running on GM truck parts (read: cheap.)

I'm not so sure about that as I've only seen only very scay machines less than 2 gs out of those cars. I've kind of had my eye out for a Caprice for a while. I think prices are getting out of control on those. Get them now.

As purchased, running and driving (had to clean out the carb a bit) for $400

Survived 3000 miles round trip on the BABE rally with only a few small issues. No love for the big GM convertibles these days.

JThw8 wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: The unappreciated convertibles now seem to be the '71-'76 GM Big body convertibles (Buick Granville, Olds Delta 88, Pontiac Catalina, Chevy Caprice.) You should be able to find on in "less that restored" condition but drivable. In basic terms, you can keep it running on GM truck parts (read: cheap.)

I'm not so sure about that as I've only seen only very scay machines less than 2 gs out of those cars. I've kind of had my eye out for a Caprice for a while. I think prices are getting out of control on those. Get them now.

As purchased, running and driving (had to clean out the carb a bit) for $400 Survived 3000 miles round trip on the BABE rally with only a few small issues. No love for the big GM convertibles these days.

Interested in selling that bad boy? That's friggin hot!

Other downside of living in the south is that classifies as a 'Hooptie' and thus has an added Drug Dealer tax...

I'll still disagree. Granted, these are all on ebay but unfortunately where I am there are none of these just floating around craigslist. Again, I've been looking at Caprice's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/73-SWEET-TOPLESS_W0QQitemZ270473686687QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3ef97cee9f

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Convertible-Caprice-Classic-Red-w-White-Interior_W0QQitemZ170398759149QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item27ac8eb8ed

I think there is nothing but love for these. Maybe I'm just biased.

Raze wrote: Interested in selling that bad boy? That's friggin hot! Other downside of living in the south is that classifies as a 'Hooptie' and thus has an added Drug Dealer tax...

It was hotter when we were done with it :)

Sold it back in June after BABE though, sorry :(

HeavyDuty wrote: I'll still disagree. Granted, these are all on ebay but unfortunately where I am there are none of these just floating around craigslist. Again, I've been looking at Caprice's. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/73-SWEET-TOPLESS_W0QQitemZ270473686687QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3ef97cee9f http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Convertible-Caprice-Classic-Red-w-White-Interior_W0QQitemZ170398759149QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item27ac8eb8ed I think there is nothing but love for these. Maybe I'm just biased.

Agreed, those are some pretty cars you posted and they bring some pretty money, but....
Take the same basic engine, take out some of the heft (or perception of heft) and call it part on the Muscle Car Era and the price goes through the roof for similar quality.
Buy now for $21K
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Chevelle-Malibu-Convertible-LOW-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ220498630487QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3356be1757

Buy it now for $16K
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Convertible-Restored-in-2005_W0QQitemZ290360918552QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item439adc0218

In term of nice ebay examples, what I am saying is that a restored Malibu/Citlass Convertible has a higher potential sale price than a similar restored big body GM. Ergo, a unrestored version is likely to be purchased cheaper than a Malibu/Cutlass.

Edit;
I should point out that in my first post I sort of missed the $500 aspect and rather focused on Convertibles with Character that represented a "good value." Through later re-reading I see that he really wanted to spend $500 and pointed him to Convertible K-Cars

Raze wrote: I expect only able to get me away from home, not back, I expect AAA to have to bring me home.

Nothing quite summarizes you line above quite like a '85 Renault Alliance.

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/1437202692.html

jrw1621 wrote:

Raze wrote: I expect only able to get me away from home, not back, I expect AAA to have to bring me home.

Nothing quite summarizes you line above quite like a '85 Renault Alliance. http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/1437202692.html

God I almost pissed myself when I saw that car!

90-94 Chrysler Lebaron convertible. They run good, are cheap to fix, easy to get used parts for and are practically free.

I had a 93 Lebaron convertible that I paid $178 for at a sealed-bid auction. I drove it for three years and it never, ever left me stranded. Sure was ugly, though...

Replaced by: "The Bitch Basket" (my newly-learned favorite way to refer to my A1 VW Cabriolet) that cost a whopping $290.

Fellas, I found a 1980 Fiat 2000 in my area for $1200, new carb, new trans, runs good, getting pic, will post up, floor pans replaced (will the shock towers look bad? Says he filled a spot of rust on the rear quarter, needs paint and a hood, what do running rust free examples of the little Fiats command?