I've thinking about the idea of an inexpensive used convertible, and there arent many options out there that I like the looks of enough for the price. The idea of a Jeep Wrangler just crossed my mind though, and they can be found with the same low miles for half the price of the other convertibles I have been thinking about (Toyota MR2 Spyder mostly). I have only heard a few opinions, and they were total opposites - that they are great and reliable and that they are unreliable money pits. I understand that they are a bit primative and not the average city driving SUV. I am fine with that and am more interested in the reliability and other issues. I also realize that they are obviously not a MINI and are not to be compared to one - which is why this is in the Off Topic Other Autos section. If you have any opinions, please share, I'm still just thinking about my options. Thanks.

 

I have heard from several used car dealers that the 4 wheel drive systems on Jeeps are problematic. The fact that some are used roughly doesn't help.

 

I had an old '73 CJ5 with the inline 6. VERY reliable, drove it forever, never needed anything. Didn't have all those fancy newfangled doodads, so not much to go wrong!

How the later stuff is I can't really say. But the old stuff is bombproof.

 

I've got a '97 TJ, and I've replaced a battery and a front suspension component (dampener) in 10 years, so mine has been very reliable.

Steve

 

Many are abused so that can taint the field. Any 4x4 that is abused can and will break but if you care for it or use it lightly they can be a fun toy. I find Jeeps to better off road than on so if you mostly drive on road it might not be that fun.

 

My wife had a 2002 standard Wrangler then we bought a 2005 Unlimited and have had nothign major go wrong with either of them. The only off-roading we do is when I took it into teh back of our subdivision when it was being developed and was just logged out.

 

I have an MR2 Spyder and have owned a Wrangler.

The Wrangler cost me a fortune in running repairs - you know simple stuff like the gearbox failed (twice) and the waterpump (x3) and many, many 'under the hood' issues.

The build 'quality' was a joke, you could generally tell where I had been by following the pieces that fell off it as I drove (or pushed it) along.

MR2 Spyders are getting harder to find and have something of a cult following. I contemplated selling mine a year ago and was astonished that its value had not changed in a year of ownership - the kbb value is still rock solid. This is of course for a reason - they are fine handling sports cars that where under-rated or mis-understood by many.

I love mine

 

The best used convertible is absolutely a Miata. They run forever. They are inexpensive. There are tons of parts and aftermarket goodies. You just have to get over the "girlie" looking image that some feel.

I had two Jeep Wranglers. They rattle..loud tires. You either do or do not get lucky with the engines. Very, very limited highway safety, speed, maneuverabililty. Poor gas mileage. A 1940's concept that is good for a little mid life crisis, but keep the crisis brief.

 

I considered the Miata. I do see them as a little "girly" but also realize that they do fit the bill - inexpensive, reliable, convertible. That they also handle well is a plus as well, though not mandatory in traffic which is where it will be sitting. Its a bit hard to find an automatic Miata though (which I desire for traffic purposes) for a good price though when I still see it as a bit girly compared to the cheaper "manly" Jeep.

 

MINITOR- wat about that tricycle you had? that's super convertible and
very manly.

i think those jeeps are cool, but they eat gas like 15mpg, i think.
how about a used solara vert?

 

The 'Auto' MR2 is anything but - the 'semi auto' gearbox is terrible and incredibly rare, not only that but the light clutch and super sweet gearchange is not a hinderence in traffic - it is a delight - I used mine for commuting for a long time.....

 

You know another cheap option is a VW Beetle convertible. Not a bad option. Saabs are also a good choice but harder to find.

 

I know you want an auto because of traffic but the Miata has one of the best shifters out and the clutch is easy. Another nice feature of the Miata is the vast amount of mods availible that can knock the "girlie" stink off that car in a hurry. There is aguy that drives a series I Miata in my town that has been modded in a very good way-nice wheels-lowered,roll hoop,some kindof forced induction(the parking lights are out and that is now a duct) good sounding exhaust and I'm sure many other things I can't see. The stance is just right and transforms that car into something very fast looking and driving-plus they are cheap and reliable! If it got to be an A/T and topless and cheap look at a Mustang 6 convt-a lot of mods for that car too.

 

Gotta agree with the Miata-lovers. Good entry into the world of racing, too, if that's your thing. Obviously space isn't an issue for you if you're considering either, but the Jeep will definitely haul more than a bag of groceries...

I've owned 6 Jeep Cherokees over the last 14 years (ok, most of them were my dad's, but they were my primary car) and I feel like I can fix most things on them, which makes them very attractive to me. The running gear is very similar between the XJ (Cherokee) and YJ/TJ (Wrangler); the engine, tranny and transfer case are pretty much the same internals, although the tranny is shorter on the Wranglers, I think (due to the wheelbase). They're not the most reliable vehicles out there, but they're also extremely numerous and pretty easy to fix. I think the 4.0L I-6 is an awesome engine; I absolutely cooked one years ago due to a bad radiator and it pretty much seized and puked oil all over the ground. The next morning, it started and ran fine, and I drove with that motor until it left the family years later. The auto trannies are also pretty bulletproof, possibly moreso than the AX-5 5MT that's in my current '99 XJ.

 

Now this might sound strange here, but I am actually looking for a car that I wont' have to modify as it will be my backup transportation to my motorcycle. Just a stocker reliable, probably japanese, automatic convertible. Maybe throw some black wheels on there, maybe. Sounds boring doesn't it? (I'm saving the mods for the trike.)

The Jeep is an idea that I am kicking around because they are pretty inexpensive and convertible - trying to get a better feel for reliability.

Even the nicest manual transmissions are annoying on the subtle hills in traffic, so I am pretty set on an automatic. I did find one of the semi auto Spyders. It was fun, but I really am looking for something cheaper so I can dump more money into traveling, etc. My goal is to spend less then $8k, $10k top, $6k would be awesome.

Thought about the VW yesterday too, but I think getting a VW would go against my cheap maintanence and reliable goal as far as I have heard.

 

I would avoid the Miata and the MR2 if you are looking for an auto, in both cases there are such devices available, but they seriously 'blunt' the driving experience, the MR2 is especially bad compared to the manual, the lazy gear change is a real problem and the 'computer controlled clutch' is pretty useless, not to mention the horror stories that surround the costs of fixing it when it goes wrong. I have driven both and really cannot imagine why anyone other than a one-legged masochist that loves tardy gear changes would want to drive one The Miata has a totally different set of issues in Auto guise, quite simply the box does not suit the dynamics of the car.

Both the MR2 and the Miata can be daily driven - as I said mine was a daily driver for a while - but the MR2 is especially restrictive given the almost total lack of luggage space. Sure it is possible to use it for that purpose, but a passenger, laptop and two latte's is about it when it comes to hauling.

On the domestic front, how about a Sebring ?


Rather than the Jeep, how about a Suzuki Samurai or Kia Sportage ? Both are Cheap, Japanese, Automatic and Convertible ?

or maybe a Honda Del Sol - lots of auto's, cheap to buy and maintain and even a little luggage space, unless the roof is 'down'.

There are a few Toyota Celica Convertibles available - they pretty much fulfill the criteria, cheap (age) and often an Automatic too. Nissan 240SX / 300ZX where both available as Convertibles too ?

Edit - how about the Mitsubishi Eclipse ? Spyder - cheap and reliable, also often and auto and there is a vast array of 'tuner parts' for them

 

Thanks for the ideas, I will look further into them. Did I mention I'm looking for low miles? Haha. I know, so many desired specs makes it near impossible, but I'll find something - I'm in no hurry.