Trevor and his family would have fun with a Mini Cooper convertible, either new, if he can go slightly over his $40,000 budget, or gently used.Bernhard Filser/Courtesy of manufacturer
Loved your What Car article for Lisa, who wanted a sporty convertible to celebrate turning 70. I’m looking for similar guidance but for a 40-year-old looking for a toy to get around the city, ideally with my wife and two kids.
The vehicle is purely a pleasure craft. We don’t really need a second vehicle, but it would be nice to have something to drive. It would predominately be for summertime use. A convertible sports car with a manual transmission are the requirements. Looking for something sporty. Budget is $40,000 or less. Thinking something used. – Trevor
Petrina Gentile: A convertible with a manual transmission – I love it! But unfortunately the options are dwindling in that space.
Mark Richardson: The obvious first choice is the Mazda MX-5, which is still called the Miata in the U.S. It’s sporty and a convertible and comes with a wonderful stick shift. Trevor wants to be able to carry his two kids though, and that rules out the roadster. I suggest he leaves the kids at home.
The Mazda MX-5 is sporty and a convertible and comes with a wonderful stick shift.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Gentile: There’s definitely no room for them in the MX-5. But something bigger like a Ford Mustang convertible would do the trick.
Richardson: Mustangs offer a nice short-throw manual transmission, and reasonable space in the back seat. The cheapest new convertible with a stick shift, however, is the five-litre GT Premium, which starts at around $63,000, plus taxes. Trevor will have to look at used options. Fortunately, he’s expecting that and there’s no lack of them in Canada.
Gentile: I found some used 2022 models on AutoTrader.ca starting in the low $30,000 range in the Greater Toronto Area. Most are with an automatic transmission but there were a few manuals in the mix.
Mustangs offer a nice short-throw manual transmission and reasonable space in the back seat.Courtesy of manufacturer
Richardson: I think we can agree that any new, non-Mazda convertible with a manual transmission will cost more than $40,000. The MX-5 starts at about $35,000 before taxes, but choices from other makers are all more powerful performance machines.
Gentile: Let me throw out one other option, if Trevor can go a few thousand above his $40,000 budget. A 2024 Mini Cooper convertible – all in, it’s about $43,000. Even though it doesn’t come with a manual, it’s still a blast to drive around town. Plus, it has space for his wife and two kids.
Richardson: Here’s a much better idea: a used Mini Cooper S convertible with a stick shift. That’s great fun to drive. The last manual Mini was produced in February, 2024, so there should be a reasonable selection to be found. I think the S has the right amount of power, because the regular Cooper is a bit sluggish with the extra weight of the soft-top, and the John Cooper Works is just too much. Reliability can be an issue, though.
Gentile: That’s true. I found a few used 2023 Mini convertible models on AutoTrader in the low $30,000s in the GTA. Most were automatic transmissions, but I did find a few with a stick.
Richardson: There’s not much space in the back seat, so I hope Trevor’s kids aren’t too large. They’d prefer something with more room. A used BMW 3 or 4 Series would do the job better, provided it comes with a warranty. Repairs and maintenance can be expensive.
Gentile: That’s for sure. Even replacing the run-flat tires on a Bimmer can be costly. But an older 3 or 4 Series is a good option. There will be more space in the rear seats and I love the ride and handling and the nice tight steering on a BMW.
An older BMW 3 or 4 Series is a good option with more space in the rear seats.Courtesy of manufacturer
Richardson: A friend of mine has an older Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster as a summer car. He spends all winter tinkering with it so it’s ready for the warmer weather – a bit like me with my motorcycle. If Trevor is willing to spend time working on his car, or pay somebody to do so, then his choices will open right up.
Gentile: That won’t work – it’s a two-seater. There’s no room for his kids in there.
Richardson: I’m not recommending an SLK for him, but I am suggesting he may not object to the extra care an older, premium car requires, if it’s to be a summer plaything. I’d suggest the BMW, or maybe an Audi A4 convertible. The last year for both with a manual transmission was 2018.
Gentile: I like the idea of a gently used Audi A4 convertible. Even the 2018 models look modern in styling, both inside and outside.
Richardson: It often comes down to brand loyalty for the German cars, so whether he opts for a 4 Series or A4 will depend on personal preference. But Trevor, if you go that route, look for a warranty or at least make friends with your local Import mechanic. The safer long-term reliability bet is probably a Mustang, or a Chevrolet Camaro.
Gentile: That’s true. Not to mention, the parts are easier to find for a Detroit muscle car than an older German vehicle.
Richardson: I drove a stick-shift Camaro convertible across Canada in 2012 and I still wish I owned that car. My wife thought it looked too much like a mid-life crisis, and perhaps it was, but that doesn’t mean Trevor shouldn’t consider something similar. The manual transmission was offered with a wide choice of Camaro engines for many years.
Gentile: I’m with your wife, I think it’s a mid-life crisis car. Besides, I think Trevor and his family would have more fun with a Mini Cooper convertible, either new, if he can go slightly over his $40,000 budget, or gently used. Either way, its go-cart driving dynamics and open-air top can’t be beat for a family of four.
Richardson: It all depends on Trevor’s sense of style, but he’ll need to store that car properly in the winter if he’s to make the most of it in the warmer weather. Personally, I’d love an older, hard-top convertible BMW 4 Series, but I just don’t have the patience it’ll probably demand of me every time it starts making a strange noise. Character-building – that’s what it is.
What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Petrina at globedrive@globeandmail.com and use ‘What car’ as part of your subject line. Emails with different subject lines may not be answered.
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