# Shopping around **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092 "2009-03-21T19:39:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![debbya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@debbya](https://community.cartalk.com/u/debbya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/1 "2009-03-21T19:39:47Z")
I may be getting another car next year or in two years…I admit I may be having a mid-life crisis b/c I want a convertable…I have looked at the mini and VW beetle and I like them both…I also want to have a hitch installed to carry a bicycle or two…any suggestions or reliable and safety of those or others?? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/2 "2009-03-21T22:17:00Z")
I suppose you mean a new car. If so, you might consider a Pontiac G6 or a VW Eos. They are a bit larger than the New Beetle and Mini, and both have retractable hard tops. The New Beetle is the least expensive. The others are all about the same price when comparable equipped. Drive them ad see what you like. Personally, I’d lean towards the Eos or the G6. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/3 "2009-03-21T22:20:51Z")
The Mini is the better one of the two. New Beetles have had their share of problems. The best convertible would be a 2 year old Toyota Solara; it will run trouble-free for a very long time and much cheaper in maintenance than the Mini. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/4 "2009-03-21T23:27:32Z")
I’m pretty sure a bike carrier is available for the Mini Cooper from the dealer/factory ---
**Author:** ![debbya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@debbya](https://community.cartalk.com/u/debbya)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/5 "2009-03-23T20:48:08Z")
I have seen a few Solara convertibles and they are cute too. Thanks!! ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/6 "2009-03-23T20:50:26Z")
Bigger $$, but the BMW 128i is also a good option. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/7 "2009-03-23T22:55:48Z")
My neigbor three houses down has a stunning blond wife and she looks even more so with the top down on her Solara! ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/8 "2009-03-23T23:08:58Z")
The Solara convertible is only available used. Toyota stopped producing it in 2008. Opt for the SLE. It’s more Lexus than Toyota. I test drove one but decided against it because we needed seating for 5. It’s comfortable and quiet. ---
**Author:** ![debbya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@debbya](https://community.cartalk.com/u/debbya)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/9 "2009-03-28T20:37:21Z")
only prefer blondes?? ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-around/28092/10 "2009-03-28T20:43:23Z")
“My neigbor three houses down has a stunning blond wife and she looks even more so with the top down on her Solara!” Gee…makes you wonder why Toyota stopped making them.