While my old man was a died-in-the-wool hoon, there were certain cars he'd never buy. Convertibles were the big one. He must have lectured me 500 times, "Contrary to what people assume, the convertible is always going to be heavier and slower than the hard top." Cowl shake, too. Of course he's right, as anyone familiar a 3-Series drop top can attest to. However, little in life feels as right as driving with the top down. I mention this because I'm thinking about a Miata. My girlfriend's lame duck (to put it kindly) Ford Focus needs to be put out to pasture. We need a second car. And since my WRX already has 5 doors and there's only two of us, why not a convertible? I mean, hello, LA? If not here, where? Feel like talking me out of it? Better yet, talk me into it.
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Have been wanting a convertible for a while to enjoy with the wife. If you want to go light/fast get a motorcycle.
I’d love to have a little convertible that can do 0-60 in 8-9 seconds, has great reliability and costs 15-17k out the door and a 5-6 speed manual tranny……The only problem is that I can see someone cutting through a ragtop to steal stuff or vandalize the car (I live in the third largest city in the US).
I like convertibles, and would consider one again. That is in spite of the fact that it is not very often that I got to put the top down and enjoy it. If I were still in Colorado, I would love to have one of the hardtop convertibles now available. I looked at the VW when I was still living up there, but it seemed cheaply made and not likely to last.
I have had a convertible for the last 15 years and hope I always have one.
Love to drive with the top down on a 20F day with large fluffy flakes falling and swirling around.
Can’t explain why.
But I like having the top down.
Have discovered above 40mph it has to rain pretty hard to come in the cockpit (Miata, windows up).
Can flip up the top with one hand when stopped.
(Sorry Solstice drivers, the top kills that vehicle for me right now).
With the wind blowing through the few hairs I have,
Bunter
I’d very much like a Miata, either the convertible or flip-top. However, my wife will not allow a two-seater.
I figure my best bet is a Volvo C70. She loves Volvos.
Just do it, Jonny! Think of it as an early midlife crisis.
Jonny,
OK, here goes the sell…
I don’t know how you could live in LA without a convertible! We just bought one for the 3-4 months of bad skating up here in Calgary and it just makes the whole day just a little bit happier.
So what if a ragtop is heavier and shakier? You’ve got the sun and fresh air (well maybe not so fresh these days) and unrestricted views (when the top’s down).
I’ve had some very cool hard tops before but the convertible is just different, its like the drive has that little extra sense of adventure.
Put it this way, when you’re in a hardtop, you’re driving, in a convertible, you’re motoring!
Enjoy the dilemma, I’m off!
I’d agree, go for it. LA is about the best place to have one.
Me, I’d like to get one, but it’s out of the question because my wife hates the sun shining on her directly and she suffers pretty badly from alleries, esp. spring pollen.
I have always hated convertibles, I cannot explain precisely why either. They just radiate a ricketiness that is a turnoff. They are also like the guy going through a mid-life crisis who buys a 60’s mustang convertible and starts buying bryllcream at the same time. Miata is one possible exception though.
Screw the convertable, find a nicely-used t-top!!
I’ll never understand what happened to the t-top – it’s the best of both worlds.
A convertible is never about performance; it’s about style. You could be driving the worst-running, most clapped-out 75 Caprice, but when you put the top down, you feel like a king. And that is what having a convertible is all about. Well, that, and high speed runs at night on straight roads through the desert.
If I could somehow move the seats in a Miata (or Kappa, I’m not picky) back six inches and down four, I would be driving one right now.
Look, if you’re a short guy (short = less than six foot two), do yourself–and me–a favour and buy one. And keep the top down unless it’s actually raining. It bugs me to no end to see people driving cars I can never hope to fit in and not getting their money’s worth.
Your dad is feeding you BS.
Not always heavier and shakey, just usually so. Too may convertibles are hack-jobs from the factory. Some cars however were DESIGNED to be drop-tops from the start. Look for wide sills… think S2000, Miata, Elise, and of course my all-time favs: the E-type Jaguar or the Mercedes sl series.
In fact for southern california I’d strongly suggest finding a used but loved old 450sl. Those things are icons of Mercedes when Mercedes actually meant something in terms of build quality. For a quarter the price of a new convertible you can own a 450sl which will outlast it and still actually looks good! No scuttle shake, and they drive like cruise missiles. Tractable and comfortable cruising at 25 or 125 MPH. I just spent a week and just over 1000 miles in a 1979 450sl and it was awesome.
Oh, I live in the rainiest part of America and I still own, and always want, a convertible.
–chuck
You must do this. If we were talking your only car then it miht be different.
wannabewannabe is right. To a degree it really doesn’t matter what it is (see Sebring). I have an 06 MIata and see old MG’s and TRs and they are having just as much fun. Modern ones don’t shake and they are pretty water tight.
This was my midlife crisis – I’m in public service so a red Porshe was out – Tell her a car is less expensive (for you) and less tramatic (for both of you) than an affair. Though if you pick and old Alfa you’ll think you have a mistress.
UV rays = aging = you and your girlfriend are less attractive. I live just south of LA and my best friend has a convertible we ride in, and it’s too bright and hot in the daytime and too damn cold and windy at night, especially on PCH. Upside is, usually convertibles are so loud with the top down you get to talk to your girlfriend less!
Even living in the rainy northwest, I consider a used MR2 Spyder near the top of my buying list. In a happier, shinier world, an Elise would be way up there too. In reality, I’ll probably succumb to the cheaper, more abundant thrills offered by a motorcycle first.
I had a Miata for a long time and loved, never owned a convertible before that, but it converted me and quick.
Also, as long as there are no kids in the picture, it’s plenty practicle, runs to CostoCo, trips up north to go hiking, it did it all. And reliable and relatively fuel efficient (I avg 29mpg) to boot.
The last person who looked good in a convertible was Christie Brinkley — winking at Chevy Chase from her red Ferrari, and then speeding off down a desert highway.
You, Jonny, may look as good as she did.
Though, I rather imagine not.
No offense.
See, driving around in a convertible sports car is the automotive equivalent to showing up at the beach in a Speedo (if you are a dude, and I’m pretty sure you are).
If you can’t pull it off, don’t try. And even if you can, should you?
Yes, yes, I know. Convertibles are cool, sexy, fun. And there are two responses people have upon seeing a man driving one…
“Ohhhhhhh, look at that guy in the convertible.”
And,
“Ewwwwwww, look at that guy in the convertible.”
These statements are very close, but not quite the same. At all.
Now you state that the possible convertible purchase would be for your girlfriend. And that’s somewhat different. She gets a pass. Women don’t get held up to the Speedo test when it comes to going topless. You understand, right?
Say you do.
My Corvette Coupe is the best of both worlds. A hard top with a removeable roof!
Fresh air? Cough *SMOG*
Views? Cough *SMOG*
Enjoy the sun? Cough *Sunburn* Or worse: Skin cancer. Like the idea of looking like a raisin?
Like the wind through your hair? You don’t need a convertible for that.
Obviously I don’t get the convertible thing, even in LA. Maybe I spent too much time on the back of pick-ups bakkies in my youth…
I almost purchased a convertable over the weekend. A 1996 Chevrolet Camaro SS. if I had a mullet it would have been a done deal.
Convertibles are a pain in the neck, and other than a removable roof X1/9 I’ve never owned one. Cowl shake, horrible rear windows and so on. I’ve never understood the fascination with the things.
Drive topless. Buy a convertible.
I have been driving a 1994 Mustang convertible from the family fleet lately. I borrowed it while the Thunderchicken was down for major repairs and haven’t gotten around to giving it back yet. I’ve driven the car before, but I’ve never had it for an extended period. I love it. I don’t care that the color scheme (teal with white roof and interior) makes it a total chick car. I don’t care that it has a V6. I don’t care (much) that the wind batters you above 60mph. I don’t even care about the tremendous cowl shake over bumps.
I don’t care about these things because when the wind is in your hair, you don’t always feel the need to go fast – but when you do, it’s a tremendous rush, much more so than in a closed car. When you’re cruising the back roads or even driving in city traffic, it’s tremendously relaxing. I don’t get angry at other drivers when I’m in a convertible. It’s a completely different mentality. Maybe there’s something in exhaust fumes that makes you mellow.
My next car will be a convertible. I’ve test-driven four convertibles in the last few days – a Pontiac Solstice, a Saturn Sky, and a pair of Mazda Miatas. I love the Sky – it’s a two-seat cruiser with great looks (better than the Solstice, to me.) I could live with the kludge of a top, but the lack of trunk space and the GM reliability are probably enough to keep me out of it.
The Miata is definitely a sports car – the English driving experience, the Japanese mechanical experience. I drove one today on the freeway, and the wind in the cockpit at 80mph is comparable to the old Mustang at 40. No cowl shake, either. It doesn’t inspire lust in the same way as the Sky, but it does inspire more confidence and more respect. Next spring, I will probably buy one.
Me me me me me me!
A friend of mine rented a Sky and tailed my RSX-S for a spirited drive through the Malibu roads. Even though he was saddled with the slushbox and a 40 hp deficit, he was too busy grinning to say much.
Drop-tops are a love-it-or-hate-it thing, almost like being a petrolhead. Some people just feel like they’re going to fall out without a roof in place, just like some people just don’t get the point of having road feel in the steering wheel.
But I love it. I’ve *ahem* borrowed a Miata and two S2000s before, and behind the wheel I felt like a driving god. Or a highway star. If only I hadn’t sunk so much money in mods for my car, I’d do it. Sunroofs aren’t quite the same …
I have no interest in convertibles, per se. I don’t particularly like having the sun shine directly on me; prefer to be in the shade looking out (hard to do on my bicycle…). But I’d love a Miata or Boxster. Wouild probably keep the hard top on most of hte time. I might be a bit more interested if I lived in the Mountain west.
I’ve owned four convertibles. 2 Miatas (LOVE THEM), MGB (still miss), and a VW Rabbit ‘Cabriolet’ (POS). With a Miata you have the best possible version because it’s a dedicated convertible, NOT a coupe with the top cut off like the 3-series, Mustang, Corvette, etc. They have done the engineering to make sure it is a solid car that handles better than 95% of the coupes available.
It’s been 5 years and 5 months since I sold my last Miata. There are many days I have to talk myself out of taking a Sawz-all to my current sedan. Nothing is quite like a convertible if you enjoy driving. I will have one again eventually, the only reason keeping me from having one is financial.
I came home from the hospital in a TR4 3 days after I was born. My love affair with convertibles is still going strong. I currently own a 2007 S2000 and it is one slick vehicle. No cowl shake, not heavy, has a power top and glass window, decent performance, great gas mileage and I still turn heads in it!
Life’s short – buy the convertible!!
Buy the ragtop I live in Ontario.From Nov 1st to April 1st it sits in my garage.The other 7 months I drive it everyday with the top down if I can.
I will drive my Firebird forever, or when the Doc takes my licence,then they can bury me in it.
Oh and Tyler D on the fourth generation F body the mullet is optional.The 3rd generation they came as standard equipment.
I bought my Miata when I was 27 – early mid-life crisis, indeed. Very sorry when I had to give it up last year; the NA (1st gen) can be had for less than $5k. If not the Miata, the MR-Spyder, S2000, but just do it.
Always wanted a convertable, despite their impractability. But, my 528e has a big sunroof, and delivers almost the same air. Waaay more practical.
Go for it! and forget the rag top, go with a tonneau =D I’d love a convertable in LA. The only convertable I’d consider, Caterham 7.
Your Old Man’s right, Jonny, but so what? I’ve had a convertible of some sort for most of my driving life since 1973. 2-seat sports cars, Jeeps, muscle cars, retracting hardtop GT. For the first 15 years I drove convertibles I was living in cold weather, four-seasons locations and most years those ragtops were my sole transportation. A convertible was as enjoyable top-down on a light snow day in Boston as during a spring 72 degrees drive up PCH in SoCal. Nothing puts the implied freedom of the automobile deep into your bones like aimless mobility or taking the long way home in a convertible.
As for your Dad’s concerns, convertibles today are better than ever, sans leaks, drafts and deafening noise. Yup, they definitely still weigh more than their coupe siblings. But with just a few exceptions, cowl shake is far less intrusive to the driving experience than even 10 years ago, and if cared for reasonably, a convertible won’t deteriorate any faster than a similarly cared-for coupe.
Here’s what convertibles *aren’t* for: top-down driving between 11a – 4p on a 105+ deg F summer day in Southern California, or anywhere else. While sunshine top-down motoring is amply accommodated year-round in SoCal, the deep secret of stowed-top motoring is the nighttime ramble. Head out Mulholland Highway from Calabasas, past Malibu Cyn and Kanan Road. Keep at it past Decker all the way to PCH. Watch the hairpins. Do it on a full moon summer night, and then do it again moonless, black. Repeat often. If you see a black XLR-V, it’s me.
Phil
When your fist car is a convertible, especially one like my 1963 MG Midget, it sorta shapes how you think and feel about cars. The top blew off one night at about 90. I was 18 and had no money, so top down motoring was the only option. Aside from an MGB I later bought with a friend to fix and sell, I haven’t had a ‘vert in 35 years. I have the itch pretty bad these days and I rent one every chance I get. My sunroof just won’t do.
It’s gotta be a RWD sports car, not a Mustang, and budgets dictate that the toy be a used one. Since my bride of 25 years won’t tolerate the price of a decent used Boxster or Z3, a Miata is about the only choice, even though I’m a tight fit with the roof up. But then I’ll hardly ever have it up, so what the hell.
With any luck at all, it’ll be like the Midget, blasting down the road by the beach at 1 AM, the sea wind in my (still thick) hair and the sky full of stars.
Convertibles rock.
I too worry about vandalism (more so than actual theft) from someone slicing the top, but the Mazda Miata-and others for more dough-have an answer to that as well; they now make it with a retractable hard top. I’m actually trying to talk my wife into at least test driving a Miata rather than dismiss it out of hand as being to small and girly for her taste. The reason being that her other choices right now are less dependable and/or more expensive.
I may try to get that in as a question for the B & B of TTAC: I’ll give a description of what my wife says she wants and current cars that she is interested in, and ask for some other, and hopefully better, cars to add to the list as well as ways to convince my wife to at least give the others a try.
I used to dislike convertibles … until I actually owned one. Even though it was a $1400 Triumph Spitfire its been the most fun car for me yet.
Buy the Miata.
Do it now!
I own a 2006 MX-5 and it is simply fantastic. Think of it as a 7/8s S2000. The chassis is rigid as anything I’ve ever driven.
Yeah, the cheap plastic interior kind of squeaks, its loud, and slightly cramped, but its all worth it the first time you drop the top on a sunny day.
motorcycle, motorcycle, motorcycle!
I own a 2002 Miata. I bought it after realizing that I never really used my back seats, and I barely used my previous car’s full cargo capabilities ever since I started working (in college, a wagon would’ve been perfect – but not after). Every once in a while I did need a lot of room, but too much for anything short of a big truck. I was working in a construction company so I would just borrow one whenever I needed.
I think the Miata is more of a sports car that happens to have a convertible top. It’s noisy like a sports car, and long drives at highway speeds are quite tiring. You’ll also come to hate the road noise that pickups and SUVs make, and you’ll really start to despise Harley Davidsons. Cold and rain aren’t so bad though – to many people’s surprise, it’s the sun and hot weather that gets annoying. And of course your partner will realize that the Miata has all the comforts and luxuries of a lightweight, simple sports car. That was fine with me – just know it ahead of time (it’s less true of the 3rd generation though). I haven’t driven in cars like the SLK, but I wonder if they’re more calm at speed.
Convertibles built as adaptations to a coupe chassis tend to not be as good as the original car – your dad was right about that. Also, it’s hard to avoid buffeting in the rear seats of 4-seat convertibles.
If you’re considering a used (1st or 2nd generation) Miata I’d be happy to post more details about the experience. It’s been great, despite the compromises.
Also thinking about a Miata, but it will probably have to wait a few years. House comes first.
In the Seattle area, you can get a Miata in good condition for $6-8k. I don’t imagine it’d be much different for you (increased supply, increased demand). At that price, it’s hard to say no to. It also makes it hard to justify a new one at $21k and up.
I would also look at a used Boxter.
When I ws 18, my buddy got a 1965 Chevy Impala Supersport 282 Rag Top, boy we had some good times. So it rattled a little over railroad tracks. I live in Southwestern Onotario, and 7 yeas ago when i was 50 I finally got my own, a 1994 Olds Cutlass Supreme. Drove it all the way to Halifax last year with the top down and can hardly wait to do it again. I put it away for the winter, and hoping it can be my old man cruise night car until I am buried. Wife loved to go down to the lake in it for Ice Cream on saturday nights and it just wouldn’t be the same in the van.
Just for the record, I know how Superlative the Miata is:
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/mazda-mx-5-power-hardtop/
Driving a convertible in LA really depends on where you drive. On a hot day like today, daytime on freeways with the top down is killer. On the other hand, top down on PCH a few of hours from now takes the edge off the workday, even before sipping a martini. My favorites are actually cooler days, with the heater blasting.
Oh, and the comparison to guys in speedos? Who cares what other guys may think of you as long as chicks dig it, to coin a 70s phrase.
Finally, don’t forget about the practicality of not having a roof to worry about for hauling stuff. Convertibles are actually quite practical.
Out of the 7 cars that I have owned only 2 have not been convertibles. Currently, I’m on my second S2000. I love them. Too hot outside? Put the top up and turn on the AC. Too sunny out? WEAR A HAT…especially if you’re folicly chalenged. Too cold? Put the top up.
I live in So Fla and there is that October through April time period where you can drive around almost all the time top down. Heaven on Earth. May through September (Hell on Earth)-early morning blasts on the backroads, or evenings driving down A1A.
Worried about the top being slashed? Garage it. Mine stays inside until it’s time to come out and play.
I owned a Miata back when I lived in L.A. and almost always drove it with the top down. I advise you to get one at the earliest opportunity.
Warning: when driving in town with the top down, be prepared to be frequently asked for directions by people who never heard of Mapquest and don’t own a Thomas Guide. It’s often good for a laugh as these people are so far away from where they want to go that you can’t possibly set them straight before the light changes. There is a certain portion of the driving public which drives around in endless circles until they arrive at their destination by accident, if at all.
My first car was a ’65 Mustang convertible and I am currently driving an ’07 Miata for which I traded in a’91. My new one is a PHRT–way too long initials for “Power Retractable Hardtop”. Now I have all the comforts and security (I live in New York City) of a solid roof PLUS all the joys of the blue sky on a non-rainy day. Obviously I was hooked long ago on fresh air and the wind blowing through my by now sparsely haired pate. You can’t beat it.
As for performance, the smoothest 6-speed connects you directly to the peppiest motive power.
One you’re topless, you will never go back to roofs.
Not me. Can’t strap a kayak on top of it. Well, I guess you could, but it would get VERY entertaining at about 30 MPH or so…
I don’t particularly like convertibles.
I’ll take a Carbiolet, Spyder or roadster instead. ;)
Don’t have the time to read pages 2 through 4, so somebody may already have said it.
One word: Boxster.
An enormously important quality for a convertible is how quickly/easily the top goes up and down. If you have a Solstice or Sky, you don’t bother to do it too often. If you have a Boxster, which cycles at the push of a button in 12 seconds (I don’t know of anything faster), you put it down to go five miles to the gym, put it up when you get there, put it back down for the trip home, etc. etc.
Makes a huge difference. We love our Boxcar.
This is not a car issue. It’s a relationship issue. And since the car your GF wants is pretty good anyway, why is there any doubt?
I’ve never been into convertibles, but my wife wanted one, so that was that. We bought a ’76 450SL and had a lot of fun with it. When it was time for something more practical (my wife wanted to be able to commute in it) we drove a 993 (with a Tip – blech) and a Maserati Spider (better than you might think) before bowing to the inevitable and buying an ’03 SL500. It’s a great car, and the retractable hard top is a hoot. So go for the Miata! (But try to talk yourself into the Maser first)
Stephan Wilkinson:
Last time I had a soft-top Miata, I believe it was in the 1 second range.
You can reach your arm back and just whip it forward.
Sadly, Boxsters are out of our price range at the moment, but I’ll bring it up with Farago.
I’d love to have a roadster, but I have absolutely no interest in any convertible with back seats. I want a convertible as a pure toy, not as an appliance. A Miata would be great. An S2000 would probably be even better, but I’ve never driven one so I can’t say for sure.
I drove an ’05 Mustang convertible last year and was shocked that anyone would manufacture or buy something with such a flimsy chassis!
….and furthermore, there is nothing short of sex on the beach that compares to the top-down drive through The Keys from Florida City to Key West…GET THE DROP TOP JONNY!
If you can find a better convertible than a Porsche Boxster buy it. If you can’t, don’t.
Isn’t it “dyed” in the wool?
I have a chum that’s had a Miata, a TT, and an M3.
They are fun and all, but it is way too much sun and wind during the day. Much worse than riding a motorcycle, as you don’t have the gear/FF helmet.
On a nice summer night though…convertibles are *very* sweet indeed.
That 1st gen Miata was excellent fun for Auto-X as well. Nifty little car, cheap & reliable.
Lieberman, wait until you’re 72 and then “whip your arm back” and put the top up…you’ll be in the ER in no time.
Personally Jonny, I’d just get a nice coupe (like a G37 with a 6 speed manual) and save the convertible for that weekend trip.
I like the top down experience as much as anyone else (that 350Z convertible was a sweet piece and the aural pleasure of hearing the exhaust was umm…orgasmic?) but I don’t know if i could live with it on a daily basis.
Ah well, buy what makes you feel good (re younger).
Ye Olde Mr Lieberman was absolutely right. However, with some cars that you’re not going to buy for their superior road handling anyway the benefits of a convertible can outweigh the drawbacks, some convertibles look better than there hardtop siblings and some do not…For example…
Porsche 911 –> definitely the coupe
Ferrari F430 –> coupe
Lamborghini Gallardo –> convertible
Also, I’d take topgear’s and some commenter above’s advice and go for a model that has been designed as a convertible from the start like
An MX5
A Boxster
An S2000
A Z4
Personally I think the Miata is really too much of a JDM girly car, a Boxster is nice in every way, except it’s ugly and an S2000 is great except if you plan to own it for some time. Torn between the Boxster and the Z4, I would probably opt for a Z4 3.0i, it has no real flaws, except some people find it ugly and in the US it still might have a chick car image, so maybe you’d have to search for a manual.
You can probably pick one up slightly used for the same kind of money as a new Miata, have that lovely I6 with some important extra punch compared to the Miata 2.0 4 yet still get decent mileage and have just generally some ‘more car’ with a better quality feel.
AND…whether you like the Z4 design or not, at least it’s something different, something that will stand out for a long time, in short, something for a car enthousiast, not bland JDM 90s design reloaded.
YES! Though me using a wheelchair unfortunately pretty much rules out all the two seaters like MX-5, Boxster and S2000. No room for the damn thing anywhere. Unless i remove the passenger seat of course.. The only smallish convertible i’ve found that has room for a chair(just) is the Porsche 944/968. The corvette could work, but im not too fond of that. Anyone know if the bit between the seats in front of the trunk on the convertible corvette is removable or part of the structure?
Anyway, just get the damn thing!
I’ve got the Astra twin Top 2.0lT, impractical rear seats (but I never use them anyway). Very practical with the steel roof hydraulically driven. The engine is a marvel. Go for it Johnny!!!
Convertibles that start and end life as dedicated roadsters are incredible (Miata, S2000, Z4 etc). These cars are usually as stiff (if not stiffer – see S2000) than most hard tops, and have low weight factored into the manufacturing process.
Convertibles that have retractable hard tops are lame. Extra weight for what? Get a damned sedan you sissy.
Convertibles that start life as a sedan and then lop the top off are super duper lame (that’s where you get the cowl flex and added weight).
4 seat convertibles are similarly loved by housewives and people with heart problems.
So Jonny – git that Miata – its an awesome, real convertible.
When I was a teenager I wanted a convertible so badly I cut the roof off my 1972 Olds Cutlass wagon.
Okay, so it was more of a roadster, not a convertible, but still – station wagon practical AND fun.
It died shortly after (not because of the cutting), but it went over so well I helped a friend do a Dodge Dart in the same fashion. But it never had the the uniqueness of a wagon with no top.
A few yearss later we saw a similar job done to a 74 Honda Civic (12 inch tires!), sans roof (with nicely finished edges), with doors welded shut and cut down for easy access, and astroturf replacing all of the carpeting and stuff that could stink when it got wet. We had to buy it – it was a great beach car.
Almost any factory convertible I bought today might let me down in the “fun” category compared to those topless cars of my past.
The Miata is a beautiful car. Especially in LA (or CA in general) a convertible is grand.
The other thing is, not only is the miata a ground-up convertible, but the tops are works of art.
It takes
Driving with the top down is quite an experience. Zero blind spots, infinite headroom, if you look up all you see is sky. I hardly drive my ’66 Chrysler convertible though, so the novelty hasn’t worn off for me. I don’t know if it would if I had a ‘vert for a daily driver.
Downside? Sunscreen and sunglasses are mandatory for any trip worthy of putting the top down, hats that strap under your chin are preferred (so you may look kinda dorky), and there is zero privacy. If you sing along to the radio, everyone driving in your general vicinity will know.
I have no experience riding in any new convertibles, although I’ve sat in a few. I’d say that the 2-place convertibles have limited their market to people of average or smaller build. I tried to squeeze my largish 6’3″ frame into a Miata, a Solstice and a Viper with limited success. In all 3 cases, my egress from the car required ridiculous contortions.
I recall that the Solstice had a stick, but I’d never be able to drive it. Just one of my (size 13-wide) feet covered two pedals at a time, and there was NO room for my other foot.
Please note that I drove a 1984 VW Rabbit with a stick for 5 years, my brother currently has an early 80’s VW Cabriolet, and I find both cars quite comfortable. The new convertibles I sat in simply lack “inner bigness”.
I have owned convertibles since my first MG Midget bought in 1985. A year later I bought a second one to use for the necessary spare parts. My Dad always had convertibles up until the safety regs of the early 70’s killed them. He was actually talked into trading in his 64-1/2 Rangoon Red Mustang ragtop for a Pinto wagon with the fake wood panels. The dealer convinced him that ragtops would be worthless. I also remember his 1962 Chevy II convertible….white with red interior….what I wouldn’t give for that car today.
I have owned my 1996 M-Edition for over 12 years and have loved every minute of driving in it. I am now using it as a daily summer commuter for my 60 mile drive (one way) to work. I even shaved my head this summer so that I can drive to work with the top down and not be a mess once I get there. There is still nothing quite like falling into this car, quickly dropping the top (manually, the way God meant), and snicking through the gears for 2-1/2 hours a day. I still love it. The greatest thing is when you have the top up, pull up next to a Solstice at red light, and quickly drop the top with out having to leave the car or empty my trunk. They hate that.
GET A MIATA
I drive a 350Z Convertible here in Phoenix. I realize that some people see it as a midlife crisis car and frankly it is a little showy for me, but I love driving it.
I put an analyzer on the car a few months ago and realized that I drive completely differently when the top is down than when the top is up. With the top down, I drive a little faster, take corners significantly faster and rev the engine a little higher. Driving with the top down is simply better.
One caveat. According to my wife, driving with the top down really causes split ends in her hair. I wouldn’t know, but she says it is a real issue, so beware when trying to sell the idea to your girlfriend.
Back in ’03 I bought my wife a 1 year-old automatic Miata. I went down to CA (from WA) to pick it up and drive it back to surprise her. We dressed it up with a Mazda body kit and a hard-top for winter. You’d swear I’d given her the moon. She loved it then and still loves it today. She beams whenever she drives it.