Which Convertible To Buy?
 

I’ve been researching what convertible to buy for my wife. I’ve looked at everything from Miatas to Lexus IS350c and everything in between. We’ve heard the term “drop in & pull out” for the smallest cars which may be somewhat difficult for us.

We would appreciate suggestions of cars you feel that would be relatively easy for access and exit.

We use to camp next to a guy who had a hard top Volvo I believe but the hard top would fold into the trunk. It looked like a very nice car.

I went through the same process.
We have a lux SUV so all we needed was a basic convertible.

One criteria was the car had to have a reasonable back seat to accommodate our 45 pound Dalmatian.

Had two finalists. The Mustang convertible and the Camaro.
Ruled out the Camaro as it is just too big with poor visibility.

We are waiting for the 2020 mustang with the 10 speed transmission and V-8 motor.....I have never not had a V-8 motor.....ever.

Good luck.

Most important is how the car does in a crash test--in the European crash tests--Mustang (not the convertible) is at the bottom of the pack

Safety is our priority whenever we buy cars

If one is willing to get in a golf cart and cruise around TV.....most any other vehicle is safer.
For cruising in TV most vehicles are as safe as the person driving allows.

Convertible
 

I would look at the BMW sports car. When you buy a smaller car you don’t need a V8

My wife has a convertible and its a v-6--362 HP--

The V-8 for me is a want.....has nothing to do with need or horsepower or anything else.

I like a solid roof, air con, and no bugs getting in the car!

Miata has a retractable hardtop

I usually start by going to Edmunds, then follow up in Consumer Reports. Although every vehicle I have ever owned, other than an XK-140 Jag and a Bentley Mark VI, has had a V8, most of the women I know don't care about that but more about its color, their comfort and visibility while driving and other things.

https://www.edmunds.com/convertible/

I agree, I had 3 convertibles, bugs, too much wind for my wife's hair, leg burns from hot seats, trying to get the top up when a downpour is right in front of you, traffic noise, etc. I don't even use our sun roofs.

A friend of mine has one and likes it a lot. 2019 is the last year for the VW Cabriolet convertible. Heres a pic of one at LSL.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1388c79ef3.jpg

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Alongside (lack of) height off the ground, how wide the doors open is a key determinant of ease of access.

The old convertibles didn't have doors - you slid your way up the back of the seat and climbed over the side!

Maybe it's age (let it be said, I always had wanted a "cute" car)...but comfort of the seats plus the ease of getting in and out and safety would out-weigh many things. I'd say get whatever you want....it's not about what other people think anyway.

I would not get a VW bug. They’re over-engineered and have some serious blind spots, with the top up or down, unless you’re over 6 feet tall or very long waisted.

If you’re looking for safety, then you’ll never look at a convertible. As to getting a V-8, that’s a lot of engine to handle. Today’s V-6 is powerful enough for the average driver.

You can get a handle like thing that fits into the door latch. It makes it much easier to get in out of any vehicle.

It is all opinion
 

To me combining a 10 speed transmission with a V8 does not seem to make sense. More cylinders assuming the same horse power gives you more torque. As one time cars like Cadillac and Lincolns were sold with V12 and V16 engines They were difficult if no impossible to stall with a standard transmission. V8s were a good choice with 3 sped automatics. Today usual automatics are 4-6 speeds gears. Slippage allows smooth shifts. A 10 speed-all shifts will be slight changes-no big changes. Shifts should be less noticeable. I would carefully research required servicing, expected life and cost of a rebuild. I would question why you want this car. Zooming around? I know, or knew two people who literally lost their heads by rolling a convertible.

I have V6 (305 HP) 2012 Mustang, 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds, and I LOVE it! Unfortunately, Ford in their infinite wisdom, dropped the V6, and replaced with a turbo charged 4 cylinder (same HP ratings), but I will not go for it, and the V8 appears to have more HP than necessary. I am on my second top, but the car has been outside since the day I bought it, late 2011, so this is not a complaint. Visibility is a little challenging with the top up, but great with it down.
Hope you find the car you love.

NOTE: the previous chrysler Sebring convertible had a lot more room for rear passengers, the Mustang is good for kids, tight for their parents!!

We had an MB SLK280. Loved it. Well-made fun to drive and fast. Quality car.

Very simple really.
Our second car has always been and is currently a Corvette.
We want a convertible with a back seat...hence no Corvette.
Our zooming around days are just about done.
It is just a car to use when we want to cruise around......V8 power(?) no more dangerous than any other car....responsible driving and common sense.....after 50 years of Corvette driving we can handle it!!!:duck:

Two convertibles already mentioned on this thread VW bug and Ford Mustang would be the two Convertibles I would Look at to purchase. They are reasonably priced and both fun to drive. 2019 is suppose to be the last year for the VW bug convertible. After you have your fun with it, save the classic for a grandchild. If safety is a priority, I would look for a different type of vehicle.

2019 Buick Cascada. This one is at Auto Max in Ocala, 15,000 miles, 4 cyc Turbo Automatic $24,690.

https://images.autotrader.com/border...87812793ad.jpg

https://images.autotrader.com/border...1c37597ae9.jpg

2019 Buick Cascada Online Dealer delivers to your home. 12,000 miles, 4 cyc Turbo Automatic $26,390

https://images.autotrader.com/border...9de22a6976.jpg

https://images.autotrader.com/border...6bfa41d9a3.jpg

Within 75 miles of TV there are 13 new and used Cascada for sale on Autotrader, here's a link.

Autotrader Buick Cascada Listings

Thanks for your feedback. I've been looking at the Cascada. Its sad that they didn't offer a blind spot indicator (BSI) option. Earlier today I posted a question about BSI and someone responded that it is best to rely on our traditional methods of mirrors, turning our head, etc. Obviously I agree. However with certain cars, the Cascada included, there are numerous comments on the fact that many convertibles have significant blind spots.

I did some research about after market BSIs and indeed there are a few. However, they are not a DIY project. The reason for my other post was to find out if anyone knew of an installer for such a thing. Anyway I do like the Cascada. Its a beautiful car.

If you want a safe convertible Mercedes makes one in it's 500 series. My wife and daughter both walked away from a head on crash on a NM highway in a 560 SL back in 1994. This guy had the removable hardtop on, was going about 193 kph (120 mph) and walked away. Crash - h Mercedes-Benz High Speed Crash at the Autobahn.flv - YouTube

Now this one is way, way above my budget. I actually saw one driven by an older man in a grocery store parking lot. INSIDE the NEW Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Cabriolet 2018 | Interior Exterior DETAILS w/ REVS - YouTube

V8 is lovely, I learned to drive on one. Everything else felt less safe and anemic after my first love.

We have driven Sebring, Mazda, BMW, Benz, not in any order. Clubs don’t always fit in the boot, then have to go in the seat. Before we bought in TV, they were always a drive in summer only, stored in winter.
Here we rarely drive in the summer it’s just too hot for top down.

Chrysler had more trunk room, but BMW just felt better for driving out of bubble. The Buick with top down is great, but up it has weird blind spots

Just for driving around here look at a mini convertible.

Cut top off you’re pickup! Seriously, if I was going to get convertible it would be 57 T-bird, but I know how to fix them.

I own a V8 Mustang - 2017 GT w 435HP + 6 speed manual. Absolutely love it.

Get a hard top convertible (power or removable) of some kind.

I had an MG-B convertible with a removable hardtop.

Thanks for your feedback. I've been leaning toward a hard top, especially after reading about running soft-tops through car washes. However, I'm not totally convinced which way to go yet. So many opinions, all relatively valid. Not a mistake, but challenging is the fact that we bought a home with a one and a half car garage. So this convertible will be our primary car.

Infinity G37 and Lexus IS350 convertibles are at the top of our list.