Convertibles

[Sin_Chase]

Well, that's just down to poor maintenance. Even with a pristine roof I do not like the look of them

 

[Lashout_UK]

Real petrolheads don't dismiss convertibles, as they're interested in anything that can move under its own power and will find merit in anything automotive, even if it's something they personally don't like. Also, if you dismiss drop-tops, then you're instantly dismissing some very important and interesting cars.

I had a 1974 Stag that was a convertible and it was bone dry all the time. Nice and cosy in winter too but then you're talking about something that was a few classes above a Golf.

Drove and sold a 1984 Golf GTi cabriolet and it was ace fun - worked really well too. Did feel a complete hair dresser on the road but couldn't care what anyone else thought, was having too much fun! It was like driving a little pram, but what a laugh

Irritatingly I preferred the look of the Stag with the hard top on, but everyone else thought it looked better with it off. Was very nice to have the hardtop to drop on when the weather was going to be really shoddy for long periods of time (or if parking somewhere less-than-friendly).

.......personally I'm a fan of the removable targa-top. Great compromise, a la:

Even better if it's a perspex tinted one - makes the cabin much brighter and open, plus makes the car stand out a little more. Gives it that certain special finish - and is also more practical, as you can carry the targa top with you in the car, and it takes mere minutes to re-fit. It also doesn't compromise the interior with regards to wind noise:

 

[[TW]Fox]

Of course you think your judgement is more valid, you always do think that your experience is more important than everyone else.

Not at all. My experience felt more relevent than what you had chosen to disclose.

My opinion isn't just based on my 1990 golf - which incidently had a brand new roof in 2003

So what, it's still a much older design and things have come on a long way.

. My friend has had two convertible minis which have both leaked, My dad used to own a convertible - which leaked. As soon as moisture can get in, its almost impossible to get properly dry until next summer.

So put this in your post rather than just say because your Mk1 Golf leaked, convertibles are not very good in winter.

I'm sure a new modern soft top is very nice, however I think that after a few years of wear, they will all leak.

A few years? The Z4 is 6 years old already...

IMO the enjoyment of soft tops are not worth the drawbacks in a country where for at least 6 months of the year you cant use it.

And this is the thing, really. It's simply not true to say that you cant use it for 6 months of the year. You can use it all year round. Only yesterday we were out looking at sheds for my sister, roof down, and it was great.

The roof is always down, unless its raining. It's a fantastic way of motoring - its certainly not for everyone but its great, and with the roof up, its warm and it doesn't leak.

 

[Sin_Chase]

Hahaha motorway driving....yeah. The only time my windows go up.

When I was over in Sept I hit the motorway from the sliproad and went straight into the outside line and winded her up....windows were up soon after

 

[[TW]Fox]

The thing people miss about convertibles is the experience. It's something you don't get until you try it. I used to not really understand the fuss about convertibles for the same reasons as everyone else, its hardly ever properly hot is it, its cold in winter, blah blah whats the point.

So off I went to test drive a car for my parents which happened to be a convertible and it was my first try at a cabrio. Wow - I suddenly got it. You just feel so much more in tune with everything around you. It doesnt matter if you are out for a hoon or just cruising around enjoying the countryside you are so much closer to everything and you get a whole new sensation. It's fantastic.

Until it rains, the only time when roofs are allowed

 

[Sin_Chase]

One of the early things that caught ym attention was how much audible everything is, not just the car but everything!

First couple of days when driving over branches leaves and whatever else was a "****, what was that" experience

 

[Pigeon]

The thing people miss about convertibles is the experience. It's something you don't get until you try it. I used to not really understand the fuss about convertibles for the same reasons as everyone else, its hardly ever properly hot is it, its cold in winter, blah blah whats the point.

So off I went to test drive a car for my parents which happened to be a convertible and it was my first try at a cabrio. Wow - I suddenly got it. You just feel so much more in tune with everything around you. It doesnt matter if you are out for a hoon or just cruising around enjoying the countryside you are so much closer to everything and you get a whole new sensation. It's fantastic.

This! Convertible motoring is a real breath of fresh air, you are just more involved somehow. Look at Evos top 100 drivers car in the top 10 six were convertibles?

Not to sure if I give a monkeys that a really stiff chassis for 99% of driving. Even then like the Elise my car was built to be a convertible from the ground up. Having the hard top makes no difference - except to be a pain if you have a nice winters day!

Until it rains, the only time when roofs are allowed

softie! - roof down motoring in the rain is refreshing and very pleasant until you get to a set of lights and get soaked. My favorite time is at night though - roof down at night with the stars and moon is fantastic!

 

[Lord-Jaffa]

Of course you think your judgement is more valid, you always do think that your experience is more important than everyone else.

My opinion isn't just based on my 1990 golf - which incidently had a brand new roof in 2003. My friend has had two convertible minis which have both leaked, My dad used to own a convertible - which leaked. As soon as moisture can get in, its almost impossible to get properly dry until next summer.

I'm sure a new modern soft top is very nice, however I think that after a few years of wear, they will all leak. IMO the enjoyment of soft tops are not worth the drawbacks in a country where for at least 6 months of the year you cant use it.

The new folding roofs seem like a good option though, however they are heavy, expensive and either limit the space in the back or give the car a big arse. If you can get a convertible with a semi permanent hard top during the winter months then maybe that would make things better, but I've got no experience of them. Do they leak?

What a load of rubbish, I have my roof down 90% of the time I am driving, the only reason to not have it down is because its raining. Its not cold or miserable even in winter

Mine doesn't leak after almost 6 years, and if you look after the rubber correctly (ie dont let it dry out) then they are fine.

 

[shauncr91]

Of course you think your judgement is more valid, you always do think that your experience is more important than everyone else.

My opinion isn't just based on my 1990 golf - which incidently had a brand new roof in 2003. My friend has had two convertible minis which have both leaked, My dad used to own a convertible - which leaked. As soon as moisture can get in, its almost impossible to get properly dry until next summer.

I'm sure a new modern soft top is very nice, however I think that after a few years of wear, they will all leak. IMO the enjoyment of soft tops are not worth the drawbacks in a country where for at least 6 months of the year you cant use it.

The new folding roofs seem like a good option though, however they are heavy, expensive and either limit the space in the back or give the car a big arse. If you can get a convertible with a semi permanent hard top during the winter months then maybe that would make things better, but I've got no experience of them. Do they leak?

After reading this, I really don't think I can be bothered with this thread :/

 

[Sparky]

Quite happy with mine i have to say. Cant say ive noticed any drawbacks apart from bird crap being more of a pain to remove but, hey its one less panel to wax.

 

[miniyazz]

Quite happy with mine i have to say. Cant say ive noticed any drawbacks apart from bird crap being more of a pain to remove but, hey its one less panel to wax.

That's what she said. Wait, what?

 

[eidolon]

I had an MR2 T-bar, it didn't leak
I had an MGF, it didn't leak
I had an Elise, it didn't leak
I have a Boxster, it doesn't leak

My dad had several MX5s, they didn't leak.

Maybe I've just been lucky?

 

[NickXX]

We have an S2000 which leaks

It is just a worn out seal though.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I had an MR2 T-bar, it didn't leak
I had an MGF, it didn't leak
I had an Elise, it didn't leak
I have a Boxster, it doesn't leak

My dad had several MX5s, they didn't leak.

Maybe I've just been lucky?

Maybe you just think your opinion means more than his?

 

[AmDaMan]

I didn't know what the fuss was about with convertibles 'till I got one too I drive loads with the roof down, my mum thinks I'm daft. I used to fade the sound back into the headrests with the roof down, but now i've taken the airbox off the sound stays off when it's down

It's obviously cold when I first get in to go to work in the morning but everything soon warms up in about 5 mins. Don't think a hardtop would make that much of a difference?

Sin_Chase what seals etc do you grease up? I've heard of this on the forums, also is there anything decent to protect the hood that you can buy in a shop as I can't be arsed to order from the States.

 

[The_Dark_Side]

but in reality is this actually true or only something an OCD purist would claim to notice?

If you enjoy driving, try an E46 M3 convertible.
As a performance car it's a nasty piece of work as it suffers from terrible scuttle shake.
Nice car, just don't drive it with any real vigour or you might suddenly become disappointed.

 

[The_Dark_Side]

I had an MR2 T-bar, it didn't leak
I had an MGF, it didn't leak
I had an Elise, it didn't leak
I have a Boxster, it doesn't leak

My dad had several MX5s, they didn't leak.

Maybe I've just been lucky?

I think you were with the MGF, as leaking roofs have been a major problem with that car.

 

[Sin_Chase]

Sin_Chase what seals etc do you grease up? I've heard of this on the forums, also is there anything decent to protect the hood that you can buy in a shop as I can't be arsed to order from the States.

All across the top of the wind shield and wherever there is seal to seal contact.

Use 301 Duragloss for the roof.

 

[mr tommo]

My favorite time is at night though - roof down at night with the stars and moon is fantastic!

Definately! I always drive around with the roof down at night. Theres just fantastic about it. Then you pull up at a petrol station with the lights on and it just looks like something out of a car magazine!

I got the bug about 5 years ago when my cousin had a Z3. Now I find myself totally stuck as to what car I should move onto next because it must be a convertible.

 

[Simon]

All across the top of the wind shield and wherever there is seal to seal contact.

Use 301 Duragloss for the roof.

Mine leaks in heavy rain, I haven't treated the seals in the last 3.5years so its my fault.