Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

If it's just some cables, can you source the type of cable (assume braided steel) and fashion them yourself?

How many miles on the clock? I think I probably overpaid for mine, but was seduced by 1 owner and 76k on the clock.

nah I don't think you overpaid if I recall correctly. mine now has 172k on the clock. i paid 500 notes for it from a fellow forumenger. it has been awesome and would happily have paid 3 x that if I knew how good it was going to be to me.

So in theory, I can get another 100k out of it you say...

Still, sold my 05 plate Astra with 135k for £500, definitely reckon the E46 is money better spent.

Hope it doesn’t get ULEZ’d out of practical ownership (I do feel the diesel guilt).

They are like windscreen wiper cables. A long screw thread, that pushes the screen edge of the top closed. Funnily enough like my A2 roof cables. Got a few ideas to look at and not yet examined closely. But will need specialised work.

Assume, with the low numbers of vehicles, that you won't find any in a scrap yard?

Now that is interesting, oh and fuck top gear... That is the pluriel? I like them, like the semi auto gearbox. It has change issues but the hydraulic gearchange has issues but easily to DIY resolve. Not the best car for UK weather when you go full convertible.

Tried speedy cables or venhill to make replacement cables?

My neighbour worked at Citroen and had one as his company car.

The early ones would let you start them in gear apparently, he got in it to go to work one morning, the throttle pedal had got wedged under the over carpet, he started it (in gear) with half a turn of lock on and drove it through his garden wall

Might have some astra bars that fit between the roof bars.

Will check when I am at that lock up.

From the vantage point of my lounge, just watched my neighbour loudly scrape the underside of a borrowed Audi eTron GT on the apex of his drive.

Have you asked this garage ?

@lolo Thanks, no I haven't. good link. Love Lille, would take it. Will try them. just need someone with good french. Part number 8401 Z0
@soul the roof going is one of the reasons they get scrapped. They rarely fail closed so leak and be noisy.
@lynx that is why top gear deride them. The top is contained in a unit that disappears under the floor and the side pieces remove
Something like this from a Smart https://www.smart-stuff.parts/roof-cable-e-drive-kit---450-cabrio-157 looks a chance

Jazz is a good shout.
We’re a couple so don’t really need anything massively practical, there’s zipvan for that.
London based so ULEZ compliant.

Mini is my opinion based on nothing but want. Partner used to have a polo and she likes them.
What makes you say no to going German?

This is more of a hassle than expected. Motorbikes are easier.

@nefarious you got a Jazz? What’s it like owning?

that is why top gear deride them. The top is contained in a unit that disappears under the floor and the side pieces remove

Well top gear are wrong. I liked the idea and they are cheap enough. Wow not as cheap as I thought They do make a great a nice pick up ;)

In that case MR2 MK3

The jazz is fantastic. Good fuel economy, ridiculously spacious considering the size, seats fold down in the back incredibly easily to make a big space for lugging stuff. Maintenance is fairly straightforward and they’re reliable.

But I’d say catalytic converter theft is rampant enough that it’d make me think twice about buying another. Apparently the newer ones don’t have vulnerable cats, but I’m not sure which year/model when that became the case.

If you have no luck sourcing cables, try the sailing world... there's some similarities between the roof mech cables and the rigging boats use... Maybe some one could fabricate a set for you?

Appreciate it, although might be a mission getting them to Leeds!

I have a Mini Cooper (3 door hatchback, 3rd gen - 2015). We are also a couple, and it is practical enough for us as (a) a daily runabout, and (b) a surprisingly comfy and effective distance car. While being (c) a joy to drive - it still actually does put a smile on my face after 18 months.
IMO all cars are a compromise, it's just a question of you identifying what your priorities are. A Jazz compromises (again, IMO) style and fun for massively practical carrying capacity. A proper sports car compromises almost all practicality for the driving experience. A Mini, for us, is sufficiently useful, while still being great to drive. Plus it is actually pretty well specced and feels kinda upmarket when you are in it. And ours has bonnet stripes!
I you have a want for a Mini, that's a pretty good indication you should go and drive one.
(And you can put bikes on the roof with a Seasucker or Rockbros suction rack. Those things are solid.)
Oh - and the cat is tucked up behind the engine next to the turbo. Ain't no-one taking that.
And oh - the 3-cylinder engine sounds really rather good and growly, to my ears at least.

The jazz is definitely not exciting to drive. In any way.

You are selling it.

How about a panda 100hp?

Yesterday's spot. A very tidy Merc

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Tidy! Love a pillarless coupe.

Wheels look wrong mind.

What makes you say no to going German?

They carry a premium without a corresponding increase in reliability and at the price I assume you're looking at could be in need of £s to repair/maintain. And what I took from your OP made me discount exceptions like a Golf where the all round package probably makes up for the extra £s.

A Polo is still a decent choice. After a certain mk (I forget which) they are nicely built and perfectly comfortable for long drives. But other than fuel economy or needing 5 doors I'd struggle to answer the question; if a Polo, then why not a Mini? It's just a more fun car and great for a couple. I'd echo everything bracketed said. If you get a R56 Mini try and get one with whatever the fancy speaker system was - the stock speakers are poor and are designed to be hard to aftermarket upgrade.

(yes I know a Mini is a BMW and I'm contradicting myself a bit)

It's a shame old MX-5 have increased in price and are so rusty. That would have been the best shout imo. I wonder if the newer ones are cheap enough yet and what the fuel economy is like. [EDIT: following some research procrastination I've found that, yes they are cheap and VGVFM but the engine is old and uneconomical]

Nah. I like them! The lifted chassis made it look at bit out of proportion, like a Hot Wheels car. Makes it look a bit more fun.