Sarnie

But I don't know if I will like it as I've never owned a drop top. I just wanted to gain peoples opinions and experiences with convertibles, I have a feeling I'm not going to like the feeling of being totally exposed at traffic lights etc...... Think I'm gonna get myself a cheap one for a few months and see how that goes.....

I am The dilema stems from the fact that if I don't enjoy it with the roof down, I might as well get the coupe PS : I saw you coming through Coleshill recently

Usual rule of thumb is 10% import duty on the cost of the item and then 20% VAT on the whole cost including shipping......

Ace pics

Thanks but I've ruled a 350z roadster out, on the basis that they are more than I want to spend on a short term convertible. I'm either going to spend £5k on a drop top to see if I like it or I'm gonna wing it and drop £40k on a car I might hate

They are ideal really. This is all driven around having to keep 'er indoors happy. A convertible car that I can get a child seat in the back solution. Ultimately, I don't want to have to run three cars ( Mrs car, cheapy drop top, M3/RS4 etc) thats why I've been looking at a compromise of a convertible RS4/911/M3 etc......I agree with Ross that they will not be as focused as the coupe versions, but for what I'm looking for they could tick a lot of the boxes I need. Everytime the Mrs catches me looking at two seaters she's like "Whats the point in buying one of them? You'll only ever be able to go out in it on your own, meaning it will just sit on the drive all the time?" Maybe she doesn't realise that I might just want to only go out in it on my own I'm hoping that the cars I'm looking at will be a bit more GT cars rather than out and out sports cars so thing like road noise shouldn't be a problem......

Ultimately I'm looking at getting a car that ticks as many boxes as possible; Quick Rear seats (for my two year old) Convertible. But if I bought a cheapy two seater drop top, that might be enough for me to take 'convertible' off the main cars requirements list meaning I could actually keep the cheapy drop top and buy a coupe version of a 911, M3 etc etc

Cheers guys, I think I might get a cheap S2000 or something (even though I don't like them ) and get rid of it a few months later after I've made my mind up.......... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/591549.htm Hmmmm

Cheers guys, all valid points. I don't think things like the road noise on long journeys will be a problem for me, I work from home so no commuting and any long journeys would probably be done in the Alfa anyway..... I feel that once I've got one, I will finally be able to stop looking at the classifieds, which has become a bit of an OCD over the last two years

Looks like a bargain to me

Maybe I'm over egging the issues slightly, but in coupe all those issues dissappear. I might buy one and get bored/tired of it quickly which is why I'm reluctant to spend big money on one and then have to flog it straight away which I can't be arsed with. Or I buy a coupe again, and constantly look at the convertibles in the classifieds wishing I'd bought one

I have an itch that I feel I really need to scratch at some point in my life - A Convertible. But, I just don't know if I could live with one. I think I'm kind of hooked on the idea of one but I'm not sure if I could have one. Leaky roofs, problems with the lifting gear, sunburn, rain, looking like a **** at traffic lights, people flicking fags in my car in traffic etc are all things I worry about. I'm concerned that if I encountered any of the above I'd probably not bother putting the roof down, so I might as well have just bought the coupe version of that car. I've considered hiring a convertible but then I'd probably really enjoy that as it would only be for a short time and not indicative of real longer term ownership. Before I buy an expensive car (I've been looking at RS4's, M3's,911's) and realise I've made a grave mistake in buying a convertible, I'm considering buying a cheap (read £5k-£6k) car (Z3, S2000, Elise,TT etc) literally to have for a few months, just to see if I like it, before shelling out the big bucks.........any thoughts or input? Any roadster owners care to share their experiences good or bad?

If you are currently employed then you will be paying all your tax and NI at source, hence you are already in the system. Therefore I wouldn't be in a hurry to declare any non profit activities just yet, as they will be none the wiser. What attracts attention is when people go from an employed position and then drop off the tax paying radar e.g they are working cash in hand etc. Strictly speaking though you should inform them from the outset, even if your not turning a profit or even making a loss.

Don't forget to work out an exit strategy for each of you, such as what happens if one wants to leave but the other wants to carry it on etc.....

Pics of the interior?

Unfortunately a zed will never sound like a TVR........

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk If you've never heard of Companies house, then it may be better to get an accountant to do it for you

With regard to actually setting up the company, thats really all you need to do. Find a name on Companies House that no one else has got and get an accountant to set it all up for you (costs about £80 or so). Then you'll need to set up a business account etc etc Depending on your occupation, you may want to consult your employer, as some explicitly say within your contract that second jobs are a no no....