Dan's Papers - May 22, 2009

Summer is finally here, after a particularity nasty winter and spring. As a summer gift and a stimulus to the economy, the government has given every one of us $250. This sum will certainly help you either fill up two full gas tanks of your SUV or perhaps pay for the purchase of one rear high performance summer tire for your Corvette. As a real stimulus to your brain and well being I recommend that you go out and buy a new car. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. This article will break down several types of new cars you buy, from new cars to used models to collector cars.

Convertibles have always been the most popular summer rides, so these recommendations will concentrate on this body style. There really is nothing nicer then riding down a country lane in the Hamptons with the top down while the sun is shining, the birds are singing and you can smell the freshly cut grass. I say damn the dermatologists. The following cars are on my most wanted list: BMW Z4, the spanking new one please, not the one with the goofy old body. BMW has finally redesigned the Z4 to be a real looker. I always hated the looks of the old one because it had really jarring body lines. The new one is a real beauty plus it has the bonus of a folding hardtop. In the same vein as the BMW Z4 are the Porsche Boxster and the Mercedes SLK convertibles. The svelte SLK also has a folding hardtop, while the Boxster sticks with the ragtop. All three of these cars are great two-seat summer rides with the new BMW being the freshest face. Let's not forget the fastest car of them all, the Chevrolet Corvette. This red, white and blue hot rod is the fastest of them all. They all are pricey, costing from $50,000 to $60,000 each. However, luckily you can deduct that government stimulus package from the high price.

There are a lot of affordable new convertibles out there. The Ford Mustang has always been an American favorite. The new body has been slightly updated and is still beautiful. It's a four-seater, providing the people in the back have no feet. A big favorite over the years has always been the Chrysler Jeep CJ 7. I personally like the new four-door. This is not only a great summer car, but with four-wheel drive, it's a great winter drive. Chrysler also makes a real four-seat Sebring Convertible with a folding hardtop and there is General Motors Pontiac Solstice and the Volvo C70. However, I really wonder what will happen to future production of these four cars. Volkswagon makes the old favorite Beetle Ragtop as well as another model based on the sleeker Jetta Chassis. Perhaps the greatest old favorite of all is Mazda Miata. This car keeps getting better every year, and even has a new optional folding hardtop. If you want a four-seater with spectacular fuel economy with equally good handling there is the new Mini Convertible. The word "sweet" sums up this ride. However, be aware that the back seat is a little small. After all, the car's called a Mini. All of these cars run in the $25,000 to $30,000 range.

Some used convertibles can be good buys, especially if you can find a low mileage example that is dealer certified. Just make sure that if it has a ragtop that the top is in really good condition. That tiny-teeny ragtop on that little Porsche Boxster costs $3,000 to replace! The best buys in used convertibles are usually in American cars. Used Chrysler Sebrings are being given away and good Ford Mustangs can usually be found at very competitive prices. Early non-supercharged Pontiac Solstices are very good buys because everyone wants the newer higher performance supercharged model.

Perhaps the coolest rides in the Hamptons are collector cars, with the added bonus being that the correct older convertible does not depreciate like a newer car. In fact 99 percent of the time a well-bought collector car appreciates in value over time. Some of the most affordable today will definitely, in my estimation, go up in value. The following are some of my picks with their current price. (For a car in excellent, but not show winning condition.) A 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible goes for $15,000 to $20,000. How can you go wrong? A 1967-1977 MG-B goes for $7,000 to $15,000 and the Triumph TR-4 is affordable as well. Next to the Miata, this MB-B was the best selling sports car of all time. Even the late rubber bumper models are going up in price. The TR-4, another British sports car of the same era, is currently underpriced and can be had for a little more than a really good MGB. It's a faster car. And Chevrolet Corvair Convertibles go for $7,000 to $12,000. I don't know why these cars are so cheap. They are too attractive and innovative to remain that way forever. Perhaps I'll give more car selections next week. I'm out of space and out of time, but hopefully not out of money, thanks to that stimulus package. If any readers have any ideas about cars I've forgotten to mention, please e-mail me.