Driving a convertible —*worth it?
 

Got a little spring fever. The idea of getting a used convertible or jeep SOUNDS fun (as do all ideas that go horrendously wrong). Obvious downsides: leaky roof; hardtops are a pain in the ass to get on and off. What other cons are there?

Sunburned head.

I'll never be without at least one ragtop. They all leak water to one degree or another, that's about it.

Pros:

* Passing gas with little to no anxiety
* Easy exit in case of fire
* Being able to look at airplanes and helicopters

Cons

* Toupee coming loose
* Losing your eye to a renegade bumble bee
* Finding a bum in the backseat

Seeing as how you are from Wichita I would go with the Jeep. The weather has been pretty decent here the last two weeks but as you know its going to get hot and miserable sooner than later. At least with the Jeep you can use it during the winter in the snow.

i loved my jeep when I had it; top was always down if it wasn't raining.

I don't have any idea what you just said. I'm still stuck in Salma's cleavage. Jeez louise.:eek:

I have never met a Jeep owner who didn't love there Jeep. I'd probably go with a Jeep with a removable hard top.

I only got rid of mine because I changed jobs and housing location and ended up with a 70 mile round trip commute each day; the Jeep got about 15mpg I think, and I just couldn't afford the fuel costs at that time.

would still have it to this day, otherwise etc.

I've driven one a few times. I didn't like it, but that's just me. I don't like sitting in the sun.

Insurance is higher.....

This. I sold mine due to MPG....but damn....I loved it.

you could always get the bikini top like I had to shield the sun during super hot weather.

...I need to stop thinking about the Jeep;....not having it anymore bums me out lol.

Because people are more likely to drive like a moron and wreck it?

Yep, I just got one this winter and love it. I'll never own anything else.

It made it pretty simple for a thief to enter my convertible and steal my stereo when I owned one, but I wouldn't let that stop ya.

...and even worse MPG on the hwy. I remembr going canoeing about 2 hours away, and had to get gas just before we got down there after filling up 16 gallons, I believe.

uhggg..

:cuss:
*jealous*

Because if you wreck it, your odds of dying are much higher....

ditto.....are we related?

but a damn fine trip. We did it last summer...before selling my Wrangler. Music blaring....sniff......damn......

I loved my Wrangler. It was my favorite vehicle that I've ever owned. But I haul things on a regular enough basis that I just couldn't justify keeping it anymore when I can get the same mileage out of an F150. I'll buy another one when I'm rich.

I like the new 4 door Wranglers too.

had a jeep. Loved it. I was much younger then, and didn't have to worry about noise, kids, etc. If I was 25 years old again I'd get another. I'd get an old Willys and have it fixed up like new, but thats just me.

I loved my con-flirt-able when I had it years ago. I knew when I sold it I would probably kick myself for a long time. It has been almost 30 years and my ass is still sore. :)

maybe...do you look like our family's mail man?

my dad used to say I looked just like our mail man for some reason.

definitely.

They’re loud.
Newer Wranglers have better tops than my old CJ but still, doing 70 MPH down the highway is like riding out a hurricane in a tent.

That’s why you keep MOHillbilly on speed dial. ;)

You have to love it, particularly the older ones. If it wasn’t love you’d set an IED off in it. I’ve been close to that point a time or two.

NTTAWWT

:)

...more wind and road noise...

You can't go wrong with a convertible. My biggest concern is fleeing during an eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano and not being protected against falling embers.

I had a Mustang Convertible. It was a blast! But yeah, I had a cloth top and the roof leaked around the window seals. Needless to say, driving during a downpour was interesting. Another downside is you can't take it to an auto carwash.

GASP

I drive a convertible corvette. It leaks around the windows, no way to avoid that. also the adhesive around the back glass window that attaches it to the cloth is starting to come off. if you get one i would recommend a hard top one.

Used to have a '94 Mustang GT convertable for the Mrs.
It was actually pretty quiet and leak free, for a convertable.
Wish we would've kept it. Didn't get shit for a trade in and if we still had it I might not have to restore a '61 Caddy and paint it pink.

Another thing about convertibles - this is a bad time of the year to buy one.

I figured that is why you shaved your head. Don't need any of that pesky hair starting on fire.

We're selling a 1966 Buick Skylark convertible at our shop right now.....all stock...red with a black top/black interior....I believe it has a 350 in it.

Chip Foose just bought a 1961 Impala bubble Top off of us...which is kinda cool.

Not sure why im even posting this....but....**** it...

Hey Corvette guy, I head Jim Rome talking about you.

how much for the buick?

love the gm 65,66 bodies

a 350?
is it the original engine?

Bought one a few years back for the heck of it. It was a 2001 Seabring. It seemed like a fun thing but it is way overrated IMO I owned for a couple months (spring early summer) a guy drove by and saw it and left his name where I worked and wanted to buy it. I had to act like I did not want to sell it and he made an offer. I acted like I did not care but I was thrilled to be rid of it. That could be that it was just my style but I always felt like a tool driving it and with the top down it was even worse. A cool car for a chick or a...tool :)

The 350 is not the original motor, no. It was swapped in. It's a 4bbl. Selling it for 7K.

This is what is looks like. This is NOT the car.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-19...ertible-nf.jpg

what he say?

Not since GM bought commercial time on his show.

That is the quintessential 50 year old woman car, it's no wonder you felt like a clown. Men need to go wrangler or a dedicated sports car to pull it off.

you right about that. I saw a guy with sunglasses on, music turned up way too loud, bobbing his head to the music with the top down.........in a VW bug. i could do anything but shake my head.

My old man has a Corvette convertible, that think is a blast to drive especially when its weather right now. I got a moonroof in my SUV, I love it - I pop it open about all the time right now.

If you want to drive around in a convertible, I'd suggest renting one for a weekend. I'd never own one.

just buy a bike

leak water
wind noise, even with the top up
more likely to be burgled and/or vandalized
probably have to replace the top at some point
those plastic windows always turn to crap