Convertibles. The reality vs. internet forum hype

[sugarwood]

I rented a convertible for a week. 2016 Mustang. First time I've driven a droptop. I was prepared for a terrible experience while the top was up, after everything I've read about wind noise, rattling, etc.

Wow, it was a complete non-issue. I had the top up most of the time, and I honestly had no idea I was in a ragtop. I could easily daily drive a convertible all year long with the top up 100% of the time and not even notice any difference.

Maybe tops of the 60s to 80s sucked, but modern droptops are perfect. A perfect seal. Simple to operate. Top goes up and down in a few seconds. With the quantum leaps in material design over the last few decades, I can't fathom that rain can even be an issue. Even if a foot of snow falls on it, what's going to happen? It won't collapse.

I see literally zero downside in owning a convertible except maybe it tears after a decade of use.

[jwasbury]

I have a 997tt cabrio. Pretty snug with the top up...visibility out the back is poor with the top up vs. a coupe. Upside of being able to drop the top outweighs the downside for me.

[Nickshu]

I've rented both current gen convertible Mustang and Camaro. Visibility is terrible in the Camaro by comparison. I agree with you Mustang isn't half bad.

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[masraum]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I rented a convertible for a week. 2016 Mustang. First time I've driven a droptop. I was prepared for a terrible experience while the top was up, after everything I've read about wind noise, rattling, etc.

Wow, it was a complete non-issue. I had the top up most of the time, and I honestly had no idea I was in a ragtop. I could easily daily drive a convertible all year long with the top up 100% of the time and not even notice any difference.

Maybe tops of the 60s to 80s sucked, but modern droptops are perfect. A perfect seal. Simple to operate. Top goes up and down in a few seconds. With the quantum leaps in material design over the last few decades, I can't fathom that rain can even be an issue. Even if a foot of snow falls on it, what's going to happen? It won't collapse.

I see literally zero downside in owning a convertible except maybe it tears after a decade of use.

Hmm, I've had convertibles since 1999. I'm not a convertible person either. My current car, a Boxster, has a great top, but I suspect it's not quite as quiet as a Cayman especially at highway speeds. It's actually very quiet up until around 75 or so, then the noise starts to go up, but it's still very reasonable and you can talk or listen to music easily. My earlier cars were a bit louder, and certainly louder than comparable coupes.

[sugarwood]

Agreed on visibility, but I didn't know if that's was a general mustang issue, or specific to the convertible version.

[sugarwood]

After owning an old 911, any car sounds like a pin dropping. Noise was not an issue at speed. Easy to talk

[masraum]

What I suspect really makes a difference is age. I believe that as the car/top ages, the sound level goes up. If you were renting a car, it was probably not more than a year old. Yeah, the sound when brand new is probably pretty good. At 10 years old, the mustangs and camaros may not be fairing as well.

[sugarwood]

which would explain why people would think a 30 year old top sucks. Sort of like an unserviced 915 gearbox.

[aigel]

The main issue is UV for me. I tanned so hard out here in CA that I got rid of my ragtop as a daily driver - I was getting worried about skin issues. Top was always down, unless it was raining. I had a nice drive through the vinyards to go to work, so always pleasant with the top down.

G

[legion]

My MIL had a Cavalier droptop in the late '90s. With the top up, it was pretty hard to have a conversation in it above 45 mph. In the winter, you better be dressed for a motorcycle ride, because that was essentially what you were getting. If it rained, you were getting wet.

[HardDrive]

First gen Boxsters were quite loud. I had the factory hardtop for mine, made it a much more livable car.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by legion

My MIL had a Cavalier droptop in the late '90s. With the top up, it was pretty hard to have a conversation in it above 45 mph. In the winter, you better be dressed for a motorcycle ride, because that was essentially what you were getting. If it rained, you were getting wet.

Sounds like a complete piece of ****. This is exactly the kind of anecdote that these internet myths are build upon.

Anyone considering a droptop should go test drive a modern example. They are completely sealed perfectly.

I am not a sun worshipper, so if I owned a convertible, I would keep the top up 90% of the time, but I'd have no issues DD'ing a 'very with the top up, is my point.
There is literally no difference between hardtop and convertible with the top up, in my opinion.

[legion]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

There is literally no difference between hardtop and convertible with the top up, in my opinion.

Body flex?

I concede, modern convertibles are very good. Pretty much no difference to the average consumer (other than price). They do flex quite a bit (Boxster excepted), even the modern ones. That's why I don't want one.

[ckelly78z]

I have a convertible 2004 GT, and my wife has a 2003 BMW 325 convertible, we love them, and can still talk, and hear the stereo while driving.......even with the tops down.

[Tobra]

My old bug had a pretty good top, insulated, lined, glass rear window with defrost. Better than the top on my Miata for sure.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by legion

My MIL had a Cavalier droptop in the late '90s. With the top up, it was pretty hard to have a conversation in it above 45 mph. In the winter, you better be dressed for a motorcycle ride, because that was essentially what you were getting. If it rained, you were getting wet.

Sounds like an 80s Targa.

I drove a Boxster for 10 years and loved that car. I suspect my Cayman is safer in a rollover but some days just call for a top down drive.

[72doug2,2S]

How about a Z3?

[motion]

My 993 top is absolutely horrible. I refuse to drive with it up

[masraum]

Originally Posted by aigel

The main issue is UV for me. I tanned so hard out here in CA that I got rid of my ragtop as a daily driver - I was getting worried about skin issues. Top was always down, unless it was raining. I had a nice drive through the vinyards to go to work, so always pleasant with the top down.

G

Yep, I'm a pasty white boy and I shave my head living in Houston, TX. If/when I put the top down, it's probably early morning or late afternoon/evening or even at night... sometimes rarely it may be day time but overcast. I'm trying to avoid any skin cancer that I haven't already triggered in my youth living in mostly warm, sunny climates.

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Sounds like a complete piece of ****. This is exactly the kind of anecdote that these internet myths are build upon.

Anyone considering a droptop should go test drive a modern example. They are completely sealed perfectly.

That's assuming your budget is for a modern example which may not be the case for everyone.

I am not a sun worshipper, so if I owned a convertible, I would keep the top up 90% of the time, but I'd have no issues DD'ing a 'very with the top up, is my point.
There is literally no difference between hardtop and convertible with the top up, in my opinion.

You're making wide, sweeping generalizations for all convertibles after driving one new rental car. I wonder what the Boxster Spyder is like? And all of this is assuming that you don't get bit by a bug that makes you want a classic convertible of some sort.

[RKDinOKC]

Really liked my 01 BoxsterS. Left to top down 2 whole summers of daily driving because it only rained at night while it was garaged. Did make a habit of applying SPF70 sunscreen to arms, head (especially ears), and neck every morning and wearing a baseball cap driving.

Top up, it was no different than a hard top. No noise or wind buffeting.