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Five Things to Consider when Buying a Convertible

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From Lee, Featured Contributor
Posted on August 26, 2008

A Drop Top is a Fun and Refreshing Option for Everyone!

Convertibles can transform any afternoon outing into an idyllic sunset cruise. With the wind and sky brought right into the cabin of the vehicle, there's simply no comparison between the sensation of a convertible and that of a coupe. With that said, there are some important things to consider when choosing the right convertible for you.

1. 1Hard or Soft Top

   Modern convertibles can feature either soft tops made of cloth or vinyl, or a hard top that makes them resemble coupes. The vintage look of a soft top is elegant, but everyday wear and tear will cause you some heartache. Sun and weather damage can cause discoloration and excessive wear if the vehicle is used daily, driven during inclement weather, or not kept in a garage. You'll also need to watch for small tears or rips that allow moisture to seep in after time. Hard-top convertibles have their own issues, beginning with the initial cost. Hard tops are usually more expensive than their soft counterparts given the materials used. When a hard top is up, it makes it hard to tell that the car's a convertible, which is either a bonus or a detraction depending on your tastes.

2. 2Mechanized or Manual Top

   You can get your convertible fully automated so that it goes up and down at the touch of a button, while other models require that you perform these tasks yourself. Mechanized tops are good for sudden rain showers or for those of us prone to being struck with desire to go topless (woo hoo!) mid drive. There's no doubt that mechanized is easier, but keep in mind that's another part on the car that can break. Make sure to check for how long it takes you to get the top up and down in either case, as well as where the top gets stowed in the rear of the vehicle. There are some models where the top will steal the majority of your trunk space.

3. 3Practical Concerns

   Do not overlook the wind tunnel effect of cruising with the top down. Before you purchase a convertible, make sure that it does not turn your hair (or the hair of your date) into that of a hurricane survivor over the course of a few miles. Some models seems to overlook this concept. it's also worth discovering just how loud the wind is as it whips through the car’s exposed cabin. If being in it with the top down is akin to a ride on the exterior of a 747 you might want to keep some ear plugs in the glove box.

4. 4Lock it Down

   Security is also an element of concern for your convertible, particularly for soft top convertibles, some of which allow access to the car via zippers. Make sure that the glove box can lock so to keep your maps and iPod accessories safe. Realize that keeping the top down means that any passersby can have easy access to your forgotten stuff. Don't keep anything in your convertible that you can't live without, and make sure to invest in a good alarm.

5. 5Watch Your Head

   Without the protection of a roof, convertibles feature more steel in their bodies to increase rigidity and decrease the likelihood of roll over. This means that convertibles will weigh slightly more and have lesser performance specs than comparable coupes. Newer models should feature some type of side airbag protection as well as an overhead roll bar. Because of this, you can expect to pay more for a convertible than a coupe, due in part to extra materials and engineering that the car requires.

It should go without saying that driving a convertible boosts your cool points in a major way and a convertible is the quick and easy cure to anyone’s midlife crisis. Just don’t forget the sunscreen for your ever-growing bald spot!

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Lee is a featured contributor for vLane.