Car buyers' guide: Summer convertibles

Chrysler Crossfire roadster. Photo / Supplied

The dilemma
Even in what so far passes for Auckland's summer, interest in convertibles peaks, used-car dealers raise their prices as quickly as the tops drop, and would-be owners wonder: "What should I get?"

In their late 40s and enjoying their double-income and no-kids status, Gavin and Maria are seeking a good open-top lifestyler and have been smitten by one of the most attractive, the Mercedes-Benz SLK.

They've admired this car for years but thought it would be way too expensive. However, they did some research and got a shock - with a few years of depreciation knocked from the original price, SLKs are easily affordable.

New prices range from $88,500 for the SLK 200 to $130,900 for the more powerful SLK 350. Used ones can be bought for less than $20,000, although some of those are likely to be expensive dogs.

The designation SLK is derived from the German words "sportlich, leicht and kurz" (meaning sporty, light and short), which was in effect the design brief when Merc decided it must bring out a rival to the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z3 (now Z4).

The budget: About $25,000

Mercedes-Benz SLK
Used SLKs are abundant and many are imports, so be very careful to check their provenance.

The version, equipment levels and prices vary tremendously, but here's one cover-all piece of advice: get any SLK you're serious about buying thoroughly checked by an expert, or buy with a good warranty. Stupid, niggling problems are common. Even minor repairs can be very, very expensive. Look for low mileage.

Performance enthusiasts will want one of the bigger-engined cars, particularly the 3.2-litre V6 AMG versions that attract a premium. Those who just want to cruise around will be happy with the 2.3-litre four, although probably not the high-performance supercharged Kompressor version.

Production has spanned three generations; R170 from 1996, R171 of 2004 and last year's R172.
From $25,000

Chrysler Crossfire roadster
The Crossfire, last built in 2007, is similar to the Mercedes SLK and shares many components, including the engine. Although nominally American, it was built in Germany by Karmann.

There aren't a lot of these 3.2-litre V6 soft-tops around, but they often have low mileage and tend to be in generally good nick.

The engine produces 160kW and 310Nm of torque, so the Crossfire can get out of its own way, but its driving dynamics are only average.

It's decently equipped and nicely finished, although the interior's a bit plain.
From $25,000

Lexus SC430
Lexus' first two-door convertible was big, fat, not very sporty, thirsty and expensive. People do like the 4.3-litre V8 SC430 for its appointments, Lexus reliability and the feel-good factor it can deliver if you just want to drive around with its retractable hard-top down - a feature shared by the SLK.

Imports may be badged as Toyota Soarer.
From $29,000

Driven recommends:

Find a good SLK, keep it well-maintained and enjoy.

If you want to be a bit different, a Crossfire roadster probably won't disappoint as a runabout, but it lacks the foldaway hardtop of the other two. And there's always the SLK's rivals - the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3/Z4.

Choices, so many choices ...