Any Convertible Car Owners?

[tj100]

Originally Posted by RFX45

Not considering sued cars, the IS250C is the cheapest retractable hard-top convertible right now iirc.

I hope the Volkswagen Eos and Chrysler Sebring are cheaper...

 

[cncrd]

Originally Posted by longskate88

Open question:

Whats the cheapest hardtop convertible out there? I know the current Miata is available with one, what else is out there? Maybe an old used SLK320?

My girlfriend's previous car was an SLK230. I enjoyed driving the car, and the size made it feel like a real old-fashioned roadster, but the two worst things about were the interior finish quality and the repair costs when anything failed out of warranty. It had that sort of extremely thin matte rubberized finish on the interior console surfaces that began to peel off everything inside and looked pretty messy. It was also extremely expensive to repair the top when the motor finally failed; something in the $3k range if I remember correctly. That cost was her reason for getting rid of the car.

 

[Michigan Planner]

I own a 2008 Jeep Wrangler with both hard and soft tops. I know that as soon as we have a couple days of 60º weather I'm going to be itching to take the hard top off for the season.

Yes, the ride can be loud (even with the top up) but nothing beats getting out of work and riding home with the top down and the doors off. No matter how crappy the day was, it puts a smile on my face.

I had a 2000 Wrangler and sold it back in 2007 and bought a brand new Mazda 3. I only had that for about a year and even though the ride was much more comfortable, I got the itch for another convertible... a moon roof in a sedan just doesn't compare. Luckily, the Mazda was totaled in a parking lot just as the weather was getting nice again - perfect Jeep purchasing time!

 

[RFX45]

Originally Posted by tj100

I hope the Volkswagen Eos and Chrysler Sebring are cheaper...

Completely forgot there were non-luxury cars with hard top convertibles now. I still like the Lexus SC430.

 

[photodh]

any one drives a tt or s2000 ?

 

[Blackhood]

My Mother has a TTS (2005) that I'm insured on. Goes like a beast, but I rarely drive it for fear of destroying it.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

Originally Posted by photodh

any one drives a tt or s2000 ?

s2000
65*F. windows down, 80mph, cant peel myself from it.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by epb

Yep, it's amazing how little space is in the Solstice. We've gotten by for weekend trips, but I'd take the Z4 M Coupe for a serious road-trip. Re. the convertible issue: some people would drive top down as long as it's not raining - dead of winter, blazing sun, whatever...
Guilty. Sometimes top down even if it is raining. If you are moving at a reasonable clip you hardly get wet. Drove from Phonix to Tucson on I10 top down while raining once, only water that was hitting me was the little bit pooling at the top of the window.

Originally Posted by Decahedron

Sometimes a ten minute drive with the top down is all that you need to destress the entire day. It's wonderful. Also, be aware the convertibles=hearing loss, period. From a Geo drop top to a Bentley, its bad. I keep 2 pairs of earplugs in my car, and use them on the highway. Besides, good ear plugs just drown out stuff you dont want to hear. I can still carry on a conversation at the same level/listen to music. '94 (the best year

) miata owner checking in!

Originally Posted by bowman9000

Another Miata (90!) owner checking in: I agree i can't have one as the only car. But as a 2nd car it's a blast. Sure it's not fun to drive in the cold/wet/hot weather, but makes you always look forward to the spring/fall/cool summer time. That's when you really really want to extend your mundane trips and find new backroads.
My 2004 Miata is my only car. The secret is a detachable luggage rack

Originally Posted by sjd

I had a 2006 MX-5 (pic to the left) and now have a 2010 MX-5. Mine is a softtop as I don't care for retractible hardtops. I love it. It's great on the track (mine isn't stock) and great on the street. My wife and I have done several long trips in it and during the summer I daily drive it. My son loves it as well, especially when I pick him up from school since all the other kids are being picked up in minivans or SUV's. Having said that, the MX-5 and S2000 are the only convertibles (roadsters, really) I would buy, mostly because they are designed like that from the get go. In every other case I always prefer the coupe over the convertible option, Cayman over Boxster, etc. There isn't a single four seat convertible I would buy.
Roadsters are a blast (even more so on a track top-down, feels fabulous).

 

[sleekblackroadster]

i had an s2000 for 6 1/2 years.. i knew i would miss it. such a good car.

 

[ShayaEXQT]

one day...

 

[epb]

Originally Posted by davesmith

one day...

The Azure/Corniche cars are cool, but I've always preferred 2-seater convertibles to 4-seaters.

 

[RSS]

Convertible owner? Absolutely.

 

[maomao1980]

If you are looking for a Carrera Cab, I would suggest you also take a look at the Boxster. For the same amount of money, you'll be able to get a much newer and nicer Boxster S. The Carrera cab has almost no performance advantage over a Boxster S, and I reckon the Boxster also has more luggage space. The only reason to choose a Carrera Cab over a Boxster is if you absolutely need the rear seats for dogs or kids younger than 5.

 

[Digmenow]

Here's a quick shot of mine. 1981 380SL with a little over 150,000 miles.

 

[TC (Houston)]

Originally Posted by maomao1980

If you are looking for a Carrera Cab, I would suggest you also take a look at the Boxster. For the same amount of money, you'll be able to get a much newer and nicer Boxster S. The Carrera cab has almost no performance advantage over a Boxster S, and I reckon the Boxster also has more luggage space. The only reason to choose a Carrera Cab over a Boxster is if you absolutely need the rear seats for dogs or kids younger than 5.

I've owned both and while the Boxster was a nicer handling car, the 911 was much more car. That said, I don't think the styling of the 2002-2003 cars aged particularly well. I would try to stretch to an earlier 997.