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I 2nd the Solara. Can get a mid 2000's for 10k. Some do not look bad, they are based on the Camry model.
I would love to have a T-Tops Firebird from the 80s myself.
I would go older and get one with the bird on the hood from the very late 1970's. Kind of like the one in Smokey and the Bandit. I am 40 so I have very fond memories of the the late 1970's firebirds.
My wife would drive it at least half of the time so I have to consider what she would drive. She loves BMWs so that is will be on the list even thought it isn't the most practical car.
My screen name is mustang eater and I have owned 5 f-bodies. I would not get a 93-97 camaro(lt1) . I would go directly to 98-02 with an ls1. Lt1s were nice but can be finicky, and price shows they go for like $2-5k.
I have a 1995 Z28 (T-Top, not convertable). I have not had much significant trouble with it (biggest issue was replacing the fuel pump was a PIA), except it seems to have a problem with the clutch right now. the LS-1had some common problem that I cannot recall right now. The later Camaros (i.e. post 1996) also have those awful slanty toyota looking headlights.
I have been offered $6500 for the Camaro, so I assume an otherwise equal convertable would be around $10K.
$2K - $5K must be for the RS. I would not bother with one of those. I should have said I was referring to a Z-28.
If you would be fine with a roadster, I would look at at BMW Z3. If you want a back seat, the e46 BMW convertible, Volvo C70, and Mercedes CLK would be on a list to check out as they all have deployable rollover protection, but the e46 is very solid and it would be difficult to get it to roll on pavement. The Z3 has fixed rollover bars behind the seats. The BMWs are more driver-oriented than the FWD Volvo and the Mercedes.
The e46 was made to the 2005 model year, and later examples were not bad in terms of reliability, but maintenance is typical BMW pricing. Earlier examples are not bad, though there were some air conditioning problems with the early series, and the AWDs were finicky, but the AWD does not apply to the convertible.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
I picked up an Audi TT roadster at a steal not too far back. It needed some minor work and the timing belt had to be done, but I bought it for well under $10k. You can find older well maintained examples pretty easily in the $10k range.
If you need four seats, convertible and somewhat fun, then I think the only real choice a the Mustang. There are tons to choose from and they are extremely reliable and cheap to fix. It would be a near perfect fun summer/weekend car that you can buy cheap and keep for a good amount of time with basic maintenance. It also wouldn't be unheard of to find a GT at your price point either if you want a little older.
If a convertable is what you want, your best bet at that price range is the Chrysler Sebring. Due to poor resale value, you could get a fairly new model at that price. If you're not worried about gas prices, go with the V6 because the 4 cylinder is slow, buzzy noise, and not that efficient unless driven carefully. It has the added advantage of seating four. Even in V6 it's not a fast car. It's more of a cruiser.
A Chrysler Sebring is simply a horrible car. The one and only good thing about a Sebring convertible is that it is a convertible. It is mechanically terrible and the interior is cheap cheap cheap. It is not fun to drive.
For a $10K "fun car" I would start my search with Miatas. Reliable, VERY fun to drive on a twisty road, top up or down. Tons of parts and accessories if you want them.
A Mustang is another good choice. Common, but that means lots of them are available and it is easy to maintain.
There are many other $10K fun cars, but some of them, especially German ones, may test your patience and wallet for maintenance.
For a $10K "fun car" I would start my search with Miatas. Reliable, VERY fun to drive on a twisty road, top up or down. Tons of parts and accessories if you want them.
A Mustang is another good choice. Common, but that means lots of them are available and it is easy to maintain.
There are many other $10K fun cars, but some of them, especially German ones, may test your patience and wallet for maintenance.
Thats what I am looking for. 10k will get you a good example of one. They arnt the fastest thing on the road, actually they are painfully slow, but they handle better then just about anything else out there.
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