caddyowner

A co-worker is planning to buy an early-mid 2000s Jeep with a soft top this spring. His budget is about $8K (cash only, Dave Ramsey fan). He's heard all the warnings about Jeep reliability issues, but he said he doesn't know of anything else that has the same look and feel with a drop top. This is their 2nd car that he'll use for his short commute and as a summer fun car. It has to have a fairly accessible back seat as they have a couple kids in car / booster seats. He's not really interested on off-road capabilities, just would prefer something higher than a passenger car. He might consider a convertible passenger car that seats 4 in the same price range, but he may just have to scratch the Jeep itch.

Any suggestions?

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

If he wants something "higher", then a Jeep is the only open-top four seater that I can think of.

For the price, he can also look into a convertible Solara or PT Cruiser. They have roomier rear seats compared to other convertibles.

mmarshall

If the likes the Jeep Wrangler feel, he could consider a old soft-top Geo Tracker or its twin Suzuki Sidekick (essentially the same vehicle), though he'd have to make do with two doors.....I don't think the 4-door models came with a soft top. This was a Suzuki design, and it was markedly more reliable than the Wrangler, though, of course, any used Tracker or Sidekick would be pretty old now, and maybe need some parts replaced. The two-door soft-top version also had quite a choppy ride, with a lot of body-flex.



If he wants a more-conventional used convertible with a halfway decent back seat, I'd also recommend the Toyota Solara over the Chrysler Sebring/Lebaron. Both have a reputation for roomy rear seats and more-than-average body-flex, even by convertible standards, but the Solara, overall, has noticeably better build-quality. For 8K though, it would be fairly old, with a lot of miles on it.



I disagree with the Eclipse. Shoddy build quality, poor fit/finish, and (IMO) poorly-done interior.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Why not go with the UAZ?

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

In retrospect, it also lacks usable room in the rear.

bad co

A nice 80's G Wagon would do the trick

ArmyofOne

get an old Toyota Land Crusier...mid 70's vintage, and save extra money for...yep...MOD$$$

lamar411

if i could i would, those things are so sick.

caddyowner

Thanks. I passed him some Solara listings to consider.