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Hemmings Motor News has been around since 1954. We're proud of our heritage, but we're also more than the Hemmings full of classifieds that your father subscribed to. Aside from new editorial content every month in Hemmings, we have three monthly magazines: Hemmings Muscle Machines, Hemmings Classic Car and Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car.

While our editors traverse the country to find the best content for those magazines, we find other oddities related to the old-car hobby that we really had no place for - until now. With this blog, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what we see and what we do during the course of putting out some of the finest automotive magazines you'll ever read.
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What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

Posted May 05, 2020 9:00 AM by dstrohl
Pathfinder Tags: classic auto convertible this or that

This is the start of a semi-irregular series wherein we pick the brains of the Hemmings staff and find the best (or at least an intriguing) car for a given circumstance. Of course, caveat emptor, your mileage may vary, batteries not included, etc.

With an eye toward the slowly-creeping end of our current cooped-up situation at home, we’re looking forward to getting out there and putting some miles under the tires. So this seemed like a perfect question to start out with: “The kids are out of the house, and I would love a two-seat convertible as a fun driver—not a project. I have ten grand to spend. What should I get?” Here's a [totally hypothetical] free $10K - but you have to buy a convertible.

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SolarEagle
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#1

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/05/2020 4:16 PM

Ever seen an accident where a convertible flipped over....and no roll bar? That's why roll bars were invented...

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Brave Sir Robin
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#2

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 12:43 AM

Honda S2000.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/809302718/overview/

Most sellers are on dope with some of their asking prices. If you pay them double of what the car cost new, they'll part with it.

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SolarEagle
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#3

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 3:23 AM

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/chevrolet/corvette/2369748.html

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Stef
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#4

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 4:47 AM

I would buy a Myers Manx beach buggy complete with roll bar and side bars if I could find one.

I built one back in the 70s, no not the 1870, when I was young and stupid and now I am no longer young.

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SolarEagle
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#11
In reply to #4

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/07/2020 4:03 AM

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/volkswagen/dune-buggy

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Stef
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#12
In reply to #11

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/07/2020 5:42 AM

Wow that is more than I have seen them for in Aus since they changed the laws preventing their construction.

Sadly the one I built and sold eventually burnt to death when the buyer parked it in long grass while fishing. "What is that funny burning smell?"

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SolarEagle
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#13
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Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/07/2020 12:54 PM

Dune buggy in long grass..?!? ..How inappropriate.....and here I thought you all drove around in these Mad Max road warrior vehicles...

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Stef
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#14
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Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/07/2020 11:50 PM

Only on the freeway and always at peak hour since the Hummers, no not flies though there are plenty of those, the Yank tanks, no thanks, have vanished.

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Rixter
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#5

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 10:21 AM

I'd go for a good used Miata, very reliable and lots of fun to drive.
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bahadediceswipe
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#6

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 10:31 AM

Ive had a few convertibles over the years and they are overrated unless you live in a temperate climate.

The Fiat 124 Spider is a bargain, top doesnt leak and can be put up and down from the drivers seat at a stop light. I loved doing that to see the looks on peoples faces.

Chevy Cavalier/Pontiac Sunbird are super inexpensive and reliable with lots of parts still out there.
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Brave Sir Robin
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#10
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Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/07/2020 12:16 AM

Cavalier? Reliable? That's been a running joke 'round these parts pardner.

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Kilowatt0
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#7

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 11:56 AM

I would choose my wife's Mazda Miata (sitting in the garage).

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MikeMack747
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#8

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 5:11 PM

This is a blast to drive

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SolarEagle
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#9

Re: What Convertible Should You Buy for $10,000 or Less?

05/06/2020 9:50 PM

2007 Ford Mustang GT Premium Convertible RWD - $9,745

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