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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Used convertibles UK: Find out which used soft-tops you are eligible for this summer, from Mazdas to Mercs.
sun seeker Used convertibles UK: Find out which used soft-tops you are eligible for this summer, from Mazdas to Mercs. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUN'S out, funs out – it's time to make that dream of a convertible car a reality. While car experts will tell you spring is the perfect time to bag a convertible car bargain, you can still find great deals in summer. 12 Sellers in a crowded market are still itching for the cash and can often reduce costs to make a deal. No cash? No worries. Buyers can get a boost with Sun Motors Finance, an affordable and accessible way to access cash to buy a new car. We're working with some of the UK's best lenders to provide every driver with access to the low-cost credit they need to pick up a dream car. PCP Representative Example - Total Cash Price £6995 Deposit £2000 Amount of Credit £4995 47 Monthly Payments £95.09 Total Amount Payable £8834.23 Fixed Rate of Interest 6.715% Optional Final Payment £2365 Duration of Agreement 48 Months Annual Mileage Limit 10,000 Miles APR (Representative) 12.9% There's no waiting, either. You'll get an instant decision on eligibility and affordability in just 60 seconds. Whatever the season, when you're buying a convertible, you'll want to do some research to find the right make, model, and specification before parting with your pounds. In this guide, we're going to explain why spring and summer are the best time to buy a convertible car. Sun Motors experts have also selected their top 5 used convertibles for sale today, including two-seater and four-seater convertibles and super sporty models. It's top-down and shades on for our round-up of the best used convertible cars in the UK today for you to ponder ahead of the heatwave. Why is spring and summer a good time to buy a used car? March (and spring in general) is the best time to buy a used convertible car. Why? The age-old rules of supply and demand. The market for convertible cars hibernates during the winter, as drivers and dealers forget the sun and focus on surviving wind, rain, ice, and snow. Convertibles are designed for fair weather. By March, we've banished the winter blues, and things are beginning to heat up – including the market for convertibles. As we head into summer, market forces take over. As demand for convertible cars increases (reaching a peak during the summer), dealers can respond by putting up their prices. 2025 is breaking records for car sales, with more buyers, sellers, and motors on the market. That's good because competition encourages sellers to price competitively and provides buyers with the power to bag a bargain. Sellers don't want stock hanging around, and convertibles are harder to sell than a standard saloon, for example, as the market is smaller. Basically, while spring is probably the best time to buy a convertible, competition in the market and the pressure to make a profit mean you'll still be able to strike a good deal on a used convertible in summer. Stuck for cash? Spread the payments for your summer convertible Convertible cars, as you'll see from the list below, aren't exactly cheap, but there is a way you can get your dream car. Sun Motors offers car buyers a straightforward and simple way to finance a new car. The easy-to-use affordability calculator provides a guideline on the amount you can borrow, including interest rates and monthly repayments. That means you can have complete confidence that you can afford a car before falling in love with it. Even better, you don't need to worry about any searches damaging your credit rating. Our finance partner will only do a soft check. 12 The finance checker aligns your budget to your dream car, so there is no disappointment when sourcing which car you can afford. It's worth checking even if you've been previously denied credit. We work with a specialist lender who may consider applications from those with a bad credit rating. Give it a try, you've got nothing to lose. What is a convertible car? A convertible car is a car that can be driven without a roof. Most convertibles will have a roof that can be secured in place, converting it back into a car with a roof. (Hence the name.) On the market, you'll find two types of convertibles: soft tops and hard tops. What is the difference between soft-top and hard-top convertibles? Soft tops have a roof (made from canvas, cloth, vinyl, or another material) that can fold up or down. Hard-top convertibles have a solid roof that folds down. 12 This 2015 Audi TT is a great example of a hard-top convertible and is available on Sun Motors for £12,995 with finance options available. Model: Audi TT There are advantages and disadvantages of each. Soft top convertibles can be cheaper to buy and often easier to maintain. On the other hand, soft roofs are more likely to degrade over time, are easier to damage, and won't be as warm as a hard top. Hard tops are more durable, warmer (because of greater insulation), and more secure. However, they can be more expensive to buy, maintain, and fix if they break. Benefits of a convertible car There's really only one reason you'd buy a convertible car, and that's because you want to experience the fun and freedom of driving without a roof. If you haven't tried it before, you should. Convertible cars are often sportier and more stylish than their hard-top cousins. Drive a convertible, and you're making a statement. (Especially if you forget to put the roof up and it rains.) Convertible cars are more expensive, but they can hold their value better, too. Find Your Next Car by What You Can Actually Afford Sun Motors has created the UK's First Finance-First Marketplace *Finance Powered by DSG Finance who are a Credit Broker Not A Lender. Representative 12.9%. Your rate may differ depending on individual circumstances You can check in less than 60 seconds if you are eligible for financing, and then search for your dream used car within your monthly budget. Here's how... Soft credit check , with no impact on your score , with no impact on your score 60-second decision , get a real finance decision in less than a minute , get a real finance decision in less than a minute Instant match , only see cars that fit your real budget , only see cars that fit your real budget AI-powered help, get tailored advice, suggestions, and instant answers from an AI advisor called Theo Find out what you can afford in just 60 seconds here. Top 5 used convertible cars for sale Here is Sun Motors' choice of the five best used-convertibles for sale in the UK today. Mazda MX-5 12 This 2017 model is currently available on Sun Motors for just £252 a month. Model: Mazda MX-5 Affordable, reliable and the world's best-selling roadster. You knew it would be the Mazda MX-5, didn't you? Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has become a firm favourite, with the latest model still getting rave reviews. An abundance of MX-5s on the market keeps prices low. Insurance and maintenance costs won't break the bank – especially when compared to some of the other brands on our list (we're looking at you, Mercedes). Check out the WhatCar? guide on potential problems for your Mazda MX-5. (And always check the roof!) Shop around for the best deals, like this low-mileage 2016 SKYACTIV-G Sportmodel at less than £275 per month. Audi TT Convertible 12 Model: Audi TT Another best-selling classic, the Audi TT convertible, is no longer in production, which makes us sad. It's slightly bigger than the Mazda MX-5 and is highly reliable, says WhatCar?. Common problems include water leaks, faulty roof mechanisms, and issues with the interior trim. Sporty models like S and RS could have been driven hard, and damage to panels, paintwork, and alloys could all be expensive to fix. Find a good Audi TT convertible and you'll get years of stress-free motoring in a modern classic. Check out this almost spotless 10-year-old AUDI TT Coupe 2.0 TDI ultra Sport in impressive (and easy to keep clean) gun metal grey. MINI convertible 12 Model: Mini Cooper S Class The MINI convertible is small but strangely spacious, with enough room for four people, says Autoexpress. While you're not going to be running around with a rugby team, the MINI convertible is a practical, fun and attractive car. We like the 2016 model with its bullet-proof, BMW-approved, 3-cylinder 1.5-litre engine. It's fast enough for country lanes and forgiving for stop-start city driving. You'll often pay a premium for the MINI badge, but they retain value well, so buy with confidence. Our choice? The market for MINIs is vibrant, so it's hard to select one, but we like this box-fresh 2025 Mini Cooper S Class. Mercedes SLK 12 Model: Mercedes SLK The Mercedes SLK is sharper, faster, and more comfortable than many of the other convertibles here. It's a great grand tourer, capable of taking you, a passenger and a few small cases pretty much anywhere you want to go. Pick up an SLK55, and you'll reach 60mph in 4.6 seconds. Ouch. The hardtop roof goes up and down with German precision. Check everything is working, as replacements can be very costly. One thing to mention is that automatics are standard here, while manual cars are rare. Car reviewers seem to favour the SLK 200, which is a great car. Used SLKs are affordable, like this 2016 AMG for a pint under £300 per-month. BMW Z4 12 This 2015 BMW Z4 Convertible has just 69.000 miles and is available on Sun Motors for £10,995 with financing options available. Model: BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 Roadster features a unique long bonnet design with an awesome BMW grill. Modern models are monsters, but we prefer the older – and more affordable – 2013-2017 Z4s. Why? They look great, perform well, and feature a reliable metal folding roof. Find one with a full-service history, and it's a good buy (especially when you see rising prices for older Z3s.) The BMW Z4 is a classic two-seat, big engine, small boot roadster, and we love it for that. It doesn't take long to find bargain BMWs out there. We like this 2015 M-Sport model. Best 4-seater convertible cars Need to carry you, your partner and the kids? Get a four-door convertible. Here are a couple of our favourites: The Mercedes C Class isn't particularly roomy, but you'll get four in at a push. And they will all want to get into this superbly-specced 2018 Mercedes C220 AMG Line D Auto. 12 Model: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Another shout-out for the Germans, the BMW 4 Series Convertible is our second-favourite four-door convertible. Current models are all well and good, but we love the classic BMW grill on this sub-£10k BMW 4 Series 2.0 420i SE Euro 6. Best sports car convertibles Here are a couple of our favourite all-out sports convertibles: The Porsche Boxster is a fast and cool mid-engine sports car that's incredible to drive. 12 Model: Porsche Boxster Our choice on the market today is this immaculate 2016 Boxster with a high-powered 3.4-litre engine. 12 Model: Elise Convertible The Lotus Elise is a small, lightweight, and blisteringly fast British-designed sports car. This canary yellow 2016 Lotus Elise convertible is all kinds of crazy, in a good way. Convertible car buying FAQs Here, we answer some common questions convertible car buyers have. What to look out for when buying a used convertible When buying a used convertible, you'll want to ensure that the roof itself is clean, the mechanism functions correctly (basically, that it goes up and down as it should), and there are no splits, tears, or damage. Ask the seller about the age of the roof (if it's a soft top) and if the roof has been repaired or replaced. If you're considering buying a soft-top convertible, get on a stool, chair, or stepladder and check over the whole roof of the car. Tears and splits can (and sometimes are) covered with tape, which can be impossible to spot unless you get up close. If you're happy that the roof goes up and down as it should and isn't damaged, then you can check all the other essentials, including condition, damage, service history, MOT records, mileage, etc. How to clean a convertible roof If you have a hardtop roof, you can clean it in the same way you would clean the rest of your car. Soft-top convertible roofs should be cleaned using a specialist cleaning product. These will help to remove any first and stains (including corrosive substances like bird poo) but won't dry out the material, which could cause it to become brittle and split or break. Take your time, follow the instructions, and you'll be fine. Always check for water ingress into the car after washing your convertible. Early warning enables immediate action! How to look after a convertible Convertible cars should be serviced and maintained in the same way you would any other car. If your car has a soft roof, you should regularly clean it (see above) and apply a protectant. This guide from detailing experts Autoglym is a good place to start. Over time, the soft top covering can wear out or dry out, leaving it susceptible to rips, tears, and other damage. You can protect it by storing it in a garage or under a cover, especially during the worst of the winter weather. Any soft-top convertible car left exposed to the elements for too long will become damaged. How does pre-approved car finance work? The best thing about Sun Motors' pre-approved car finance is that you can check how much you can borrow before you fall in love with a new convertible car. How? The magic of the Sun Motors system is that it runs a soft credit check. The result is a realistic monthly budget with no impact on your credit score. Armed with this, you can start the fun part: finding a new convertible car. 12 How long does car finance approval take? It's very, very fast. In most cases, you'll get a pre-approval decision within 60 seconds. When you find a car you like, you can go through the final approvals process on the same day. Decision in 60 seconds, finance in a day, and a new dream car on its way. Motor Genius Group Ltd t/a Sun Motors is an Appointed Representative (FRN 960504) of The Compliance Guys Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 941360). We are a credit broker not a lender. We work with a select group of lenders and will receive commission. The full details of how the commission arrangements work will be provided before you proceed with any arrangement. Finance subject to status and income. Terms and Conditions apply. The advice we provide is not impartial due to our commercial relationships with lenders. ICO number [ZB640135].
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New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: Kindness of strangers helping blind elderly man on busy road moves netizens [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: A heart-wrenching yet inspiring video uploaded by TikTok user Zus Garage Pendang has gone viral, showing an elderly blind man walking aimlessly along a busy state road in Pendang, Kedah, alone and unsupervised. The dashcam footage captures the man, clearly lost and disoriented, struggling to navigate the road with his cane. Both of his hands were occupied — one holding a foldable chair, and the other, a large plastic bag along with his cane. Just when it seemed he was completely alone, a good Samaritan driving a black hatchback, who had passed him moments earlier, stopped his vehicle and ran to his aid. The driver got out and approached the elderly man without hesitation. At the same time, the driver of the dashcam-equipped car also stopped and got down to assist. However, seeing that help had already arrived, he parked a short distance ahead to avoid blocking traffic and later returned to join the driver in helping the man. In the video, the two men can be seen carefully assisting the elderly man off the road towards one of their cars. According to Zus Garage Pendang, based on a brief exchange with him, the man claimed he was heading to Gurun. The video has garnered almost 1.7 million views since it was posted yesterday. It has also been widely shared and has sparked emotional reactions from netizens. "Humanity knows no discrimination! "Salute to abang Merc. You stopped when others didn't. May God reward you. "Where is his family? This is not how our elders should be living." "He's blind, holding a chair and a bag with a cane and walking in the middle of the road. Where are his children? This broke my heart." "Why didn't anyone from the nearby stalls come to help him? This is sad. Guess they were all too hungry to give a damn about a stranger." One more said: "Real heroes don't wear capes – they drive Mercs and stop to help. God knows who to bless with fortune and wealth... Many users urged Malaysians to be more attentive to the elderly in their communities and not let them travel alone. The video stands as a powerful reminder that simple acts of kindness can mean the world and sometimes, save a life.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Is the Motability scheme delivering value for money?
The proposed changes to social security announced by the secretary of state for work and pensions, Liz Kendall, have focused public attention both on the size of the welfare bill and its efficacy. One of the areas that has caught the attention of the public is the use of personal independence payments (PIP) being put towards the lease of a car on the Motability scheme... What is the Motability scheme? It's for people with, in principle, more severe disabilities and limits to their mobility who qualify for the higher rate of PIP, or the higher rate of the old disability allowance, and their equivalents in the devolved administrations – some £75.75 per week. It is public money and can be used as the claimant sees fit – taxis, buses or buying their own car. Or it can be channelled through a private company, Motability, to lease – not purchase/own – a new vehicle, or used to help buy a more costly model if the claimant has the additional funds, but there are limits on who can drive and what kind of cars qualify. Mercedes-Benz limousines or Lamborghinis, for example, are excluded. There are also limitations on who can drive and where (via tracking devices). The number of insured drivers is limited to three, with only one under the age of 21. What's the problem? The public perception of abuse or over-generosity, which can be exploited for political ends. For example, in the words of the deputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice: 'Motability scheme never designed to give £50,000 Mercs to bed-wetting boy racers. Why should parents whose child cannot sit still in class qualify for free car? Govt waste of our cash out of control.' This a fairly typical example of the current complaints about Motability. Is the claim true? Not really. It is possible to use the PIP money to help fund the purchase of a fairly expensive smaller Mercedes-Benz (a GLA, for example), but it requires a much larger payment up front – almost £7,000, and the car is only ever leased, ie rented – it is not the property of the user, they can't sell it and the cars are therefore never 'given' to them by taxpayers. Only one younger person could drive it, and only for the purpose of helping the person with a disability. But if the scheme isn't properly policed, it's easy to see how it can be 'gamed' by those cynically using someone's status as a disabled person for the benefit of tax-free motoring for others. Has the number of people making use of Motability ballooned? On a long view – yes, and dramatically. Before Motability, the government lent people with physical disabilities (typically war veterans) a strange one-seat contraption called the Invacar ('invalid carriage'), which was unsafe and stigmatising. When the Invacars were phased out starting in 1976, there were 20,000 on the road. Today, there are more than 800,000 Motability cars, the UK's biggest fleet and responsible for one in five new car sales. The reasons are: more qualifying for disability living allowance (DLA)/PIP, especially with mental health issues; the wider car leasing revolution, which drastically reduces the cost of running a nice new car – ie leasing/renting rather than purchasing. Why is Motability a private company? It doesn't need to be, and it certainly doesn't need to have a monopoly, though it uses its muscle to drive a hard bargain with the manufacturers (or should). It's owned by the big banks, which decline to draw a dividend, and has a turnover of £6.8bn, overwhelmingly direct from the Department for Work and Pensions. The total remuneration package in 2024 for its chief executive, Andrew Miller, was £748,000; the equivalent figure for Martin Hamilton-Jones, its chief financial officer was £691,000. Motability Operations plc made a loss of £565m. This was down to an increase in investments to support customers in both electric vehicle and new vehicle payments, declines in the residual value of the fleet, and inflation. Because the PIP isn't means tested, and won't be under the Kendall reforms, anyone can claim it because, for example, not having the use of one's legs, imposes extra living costs irrespective of wealth or income. How could the government take the heat out of the argument? Aside from tightening the criteria for PIP, which is being done for new claimants, a relatively high threshold for means testing would assuage some public concerns, as would a further trimming of the type of vehicles in the scheme, and those allowed to drive them. More competition for the Motability company would also help. An increase in policing vehicle usage, too, though this is a role for which Motability, with its potential vested interest in boosting its customer base, is not suited. What do the public want? As ever, they would like to be reassured their money isn't wasted, and at the moment more than half (54 per cent) think the welfare system does poorly at giving the taxpayer good value for money. There are no figures specifically on Motability but it's reasonable to presume the voters would be generally in favour of reform here as well – means testing for PIP and/or Motability remains an option, as should reform of the way the company operates.
