Hey!!
I have a 2003 R50 but have been thinking of adding to the paddock. I found a 2005 Cabrio on Autotrader. I know you are looking at pictures but wondering what you think and is the price OK for the condition/ miles? Any advice would be greatly appreciated: https://www.neshautosales1.com/vdp/1...catur-GA-30030

Bought it!!

 

I don't know why sellers neglect to add engine bay pictures so often, I always like to see under the bonnet.

I'd say that's a very fair price given how crazy the used car market is at the moment.

But of course, a close inspection would be necessary to get a feel for the mechanical shape because if it needs all the usual stuff then it adds more $$$ investment for resto as you very well know from experience.

Deffo worth going to check it out and and take a test drive!

I've never driven an R52 but I bet they're a total blast with the top down.

Since I have no experience with the R52 I can't really give any good pointers, but to my eye the top itself seems a bit tired and in need of refresh but I don't really know so hopefully someone more experienced will chime in.



Small details like the curb rash, missing headlamp washer, and missing rear speaker cover lead me to believe that the previous owner wasn't of the meticulous type, but that's all superficial stuff, first and foremost I'd want to give the motor compartment a very good looking over to try and gauge the state of condition.






And test driving it of course!

If it feels nice and tight then it may be worth going for.

 

Yea I noticed the same stuff. Kinda just window shopping but could pull the trigger for the right one. I'm not shy of doing some work for the right price but don't want to get one like my R50 that almost needed a complete restore. It has to be a rag top and a stick, prefer red but open on that option. Wife hates me riding my motorcycle, thinks it's way too dangerous and would be OK with me getting a soft top Mini insted of having a bike. I can deal with that.

 

R 98 wheels, chrono, sidewalk. Lots of good stuff.
buy it.

 

I'm trying too. I callled a different location and told them I wasn't able to get a hold of anyone at that store. Several calls to different numbers and 2 emails. Crazy stuff..

 

Better hurry up man. I will be driving right through that area next month. I may have to put my check book in the truck just in case.

 

I'M TRYING TO BUY IT!
I believe they are a money laundering operation for the Columbian drug cartel. Because they obviously do want to sell a car. I may be forced to just drive there with my checkbook, it's close to 2 hour drive for me and I'll be mad as hell if they don't have it. .

 

LOL.. Give'm Hell Big Chief!

 

YAY!! The dude at the dealership FINALLY got back to me. I'm going to see if I can talk the wife into a road trip after work and hopefully buy it.

 

Going tomorrow to look at and possibly buy!!!

 

Fingers crossed it's a keeper .

 

Ha , You didn't see the R50 I drove home in August. It was rough and headed to the junkyard if I had not bought it. Many weekends and lots of money and it's pretty nice now. Wife is afaid of me doing the same thing. I dont mind doing some work if the price is right.

 

I bought it!
The body has no dents but the paint could use a good polish and wax. The stripes are looking a little rough. The carpet is real dirty and the drivers seat bottom is ripped. Missing the speaker cover in the back and the chrome piece on the headlight. The suspension feels really tight but I notice it does need a serpentine belt, looks like another special tool to order. It's a little rough but nowhere near as bad as the R50 was. Doesn't have heated seats which is a bummer but I might add that later on. It does have a center armrest!! It looks totally factory under the hood, no cold air intake or aftermarket pulleys and thats just fine with me.

The dealership would take a 500 dollar deposit on the debit card but they would not run it full the full purchase price. We ran around trying to find a bank that I could withdraw the cash out becuase all the lobby's were closed. Dropping by the bank on the way home and then we are going back this afternoon to finish paying for it and then I can drive it home. I love my R50 but man an S model is insane. I had a grin from ear to ear test driving it.

 

Pics man, we are going to need pics!

 

I ordered the chrome piece for the drivers headlight, also ordered a new serpentine belt and tool.
I have been looking for new grille covers for the rear speakers and they are ungodly expensive.

 

First tank of premium fuel!!

It has a new set of tires and if it does have a new clutch and starter I think I got a good deal.
The cruise does not work and the auto dim mirror either but I'll look into those later. I need to adjust the glass on the drivers door and side glass becuase there is a small gap where they don't line up quite right. The open truck light is on and flashed all the way home even thou they are both closed. I knew it would need a little love so overall I am estatic about buying it.

The car rides super nice with the new tires. I love the auto on lights and the lighted interior pull handles. Also the parking sensors are cool. It's has a lot of extras that the R50 doesn't have. I'd have more pic's but the wife talked me into trading in her Escalade and getting her a Maseriti, she was never really happy with the Caddy. My 07 ESV rides so much better then the old 2018. I got what I wanted and she got what she wanted.

 

Question, what's that big ugly black thing riding on top?
Only four reasons it goes up there on mine.
1. It's raining.
2. It's snowing.
3. My co-pilot is whining loudly about being too hot or cold and I can't hear the supercharger.
4. Some guys are throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.

Topless motoring IS motoring at it's best.
Thursday I went to the health dept. to check on something while wearing a mask. The gal asked my date of birth, typed it in, looked up and asked me if the top was down.

 

your trunk light issue is due to the push button not being pushed in all the way....common issue on the convertible. Put a small round sticky pad on the trunk door where the button touches it....I put a sheet metal screw on mine because it did the same thing

Good score...you will have as much fun in the R52 as I have in mine....

Bryan

 

It might have been sunny in the picture but it was like 38 degrees and there was no way in hell I was driving around with the top down, especially going up I-75 thru Atlanta at 70 MPH. I'm a puss for cold and gladly admit it.

 

Yup. Wind chill is a deal breaker. Around town though it's hat, coat and gloves. Somewhere on the forum is an old thread for top down cold wx bragging rights. High teens here but just around town. A quick look at the chart shows 70 mph at 20 degs = -6.

 

Frost bite is a real mood killer!
I'm chomping at the bits to ride around with the top down but I knew it would be a while before the weather would be right. Just got to make it till about the end of March/ first week or two of April.

 

"Until that time, Eustice, until that time."
Your most memorable road trips will be those with the wind in your hair on those roads less traveled.
Some good motoring reading:
Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

 

You need to get a wind deflector is if didnt come with one, and crank the heat up

Also, a Mini and a Maserati? I hope you have a trust fund to pay to keep them both on the road, thats a whole new level of masochism!

 

I bought it to pull behind our motorhome and I can't use a deflector because I have a 6 year old son that has to ride in the back.
I originally bought a 2003 R50 and the restoration thread can be seen here in the Hatch forum: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...i-journey.html

I have an automotive collection habit
1999 40ft Fleetwood American Tradition motorhome
1979 F100 Pick up
2005 GMC Envoy-was a daily driver
2004 H2 Hummer-Wifes ride
2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2008 Mercedes C300
2019 Maserati-Wifes ride
2003 R50
2005 R52
2014 Victory Jackpot motorcycle.
I always have something that needs a tune up or oil change!!

 

The cruise does work. I have to tap the set button and then the + button twice and then it is set to the correct speed. YAY one less thing to repair.
I will have to double check the keyless entry again.