The automotive kingdom certainly has its fair share of misunderstood genres. The sport utility truck, the coupe SUV, even the sedan to an extent. However, as the decades have rolled by, cabriolets became one of the most misunderstood of all vehicle subtypes. Even though they were once common fixtures of the roads, as a society, we seem to have forgotten what they’re all about. Despite the vehicles themselves being at least mildly interesting, we’ve all heard the insults that get bandied about for drivers of convertibles. Mid-life crisis. Golfist. Poser.
Oh, and it often gets worse as the cars get faster. If a performance car offers the option of a fixed roof or a removable one, the one with the fixed roof is usually more desirable and the one with the ragtop is usually treated as a second-class vehicle. Why? Convertibles often cost more than their coupe equivalents, and people have proven willing to pay up for the privilege. What do these convertible buyers know that forum elitists don’t?
The truth is, they know a few things that are more overarching than outright technical expertise. They value experiences and involvement in the same way the slicktop, three-pedal-or-die brigade does, but their means of obtaining involvement are slightly different. Every convertible is, to at least some degree, an enthusiast car, it’s just that accepting this fact can be hard for some.
Granted, the elitists’ talking points aren’t drawn from thin air. Forty years ago, the average unibody had the torsional rigidity of al dente spaghettini, and cutting the roof off was a surefire way to make the cowl shake over expansion joints like it just took a polar plunge. Automakers attempted to compensate by welding in heavy bracing, but those mostly bloated curb weights without curbing apocryphal stories of air vents violently ejecting themselves from dashboards. However, we aren’t living in 1984 anymore, and for the past 20-some-odd years, convertibles have grown substantially more rigid. Sure, they’ve also grown substantially heavier, but in the real world, how much will you notice?
You may still be able to make this argument if you do a trackday every month and have teeth the shade of a freshly built model home’s walls, but most of us don’t commute to the office through carousel turns or think too much about what we eat in the context of lap times.
In fact, most of a typical car’s life will be spent sitting, followed by the daily grind on public roads at sensible speeds, and only a handful will ever turn a wheel on track. In the real world, with congestion and potholes and speed cameras conspiring to keep average speeds low, the sensations of letting the wind and sky in are more noticeable than a little extra chassis rigidity and a few dozen fewer pounds. It helps the car become an instrument of joy, and the Chrysler Sebring Convertible is one of the more telling examples from history.
Don’t get me wrong, the first-generation Chrysler Sebring was a perfectly okay car. Sure, the Ultradrive automatic gearbox wasn’t strong, but the Mitsubishi V6 was stout enough and the styling was perfectly handsome. When the second-generation model came along, it gained the abhorrent 2.7-liter Chrysler V6, frumpier styling, and a direct sedan version just to show everyone how truly uninspired the bones of the car were.
Despite this, the convertible variant took a subpar midsize sedan, removed two doors and a roof, and turned it into a little bit of an occasion. Sure, the interior was still an uncouth mishmash of shapes and materials, and the facelifted model still had the facial expression of a particularly bewildered rodent, but with the roof down and a breeze coming in, it was hard to care too much, wasn’t it? At that point, a dashboard is just a shelf for dust, after all.
Instead, drivers of these mediocre-at-best convertibles found themselves breathing in harmony with the universe, their senses fascinated by the machinations of Mother Nature. The rustling of hedges, the weight of the wind, an unfiltered view of 100 billion stars. A convertible reminds us that on a long enough timeline, we’re all just passing through, single-cell travelers in the universe’s largest terrarium. There’s a cathartic sense of insignificance that comes with such an experience, a freeing vulnerability that transcends metal and glass and reveals certain truths about humanity. Plus, it’s theoretically at least a little bit safer than a motorcycle, and you still get to meet some interesting people in the process.
Sadly, going roof-down is something fewer and fewer people are able to experience. Drop-top choices have been steadily dwindling since the turn of the millennium, with no signs of that trend reversing. There’s no more Chrysler Sebring Convertible or Toyota Solara Convertible or Pontiac G6 Convertible. No more BMW 2 Series cabriolet, or Mercedes-Benz SLK, or Audi A3 cabriolet. Mitsubishi doesn’t offer a convertible in America anymore, nor does Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Honda, Infiniti, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, or Volvo. Even Jaguar’s current convertible dies this year, with no guarantee of a replacement.
If you’ve ever wanted a cabriolet, buy one, and don’t let the haters convince you otherwise. Better yet, if you’ve hated on convertibles for technical reasons in the past, I encourage you to take a step back and query whether or not the universe is about more than just objective engineering truths.
Yes, cutting the roof off a car can make it a bit heavier, a bit floppier, and a bit slower, but it can also make it better, for “better” can’t always be measured. Every incremental improvement in tin-top car rigidity will eventually become outmoded, so it’s worth approaching things with an open mind and trying to let the sun in for an experience that will always be timeless.
(Photo credits: BMW, Ford, Chrysler, Audi)
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I’ve never been Convertible guy, but after the last two years of being Targa guy and loving everything but the extra rattles, I feel like I’m slowly turning into one.
I didn’t realize there was a hate on convertibles.
– Miata owner.
not a hate, or maybe a hate? Just that it’s usually not a daily driver purchase. Shame. Enjoy your DD.
I didn’t realize there was a hate on convertibles.
– Miata owner.
not a hate, or maybe a hate? Just that it’s usually not a daily driver purchase. Shame. Enjoy your DD.
All I can say is I’ve never owned a convertible until about a year and a half ago, and now I can’t imagine life without one.
For the love of God Toyota please release an updated Solara convertible! Not that I have anything against the Lexus convertible, it’s just that $100k for a car isn’t quite in the cards right now…
All I can say is I’ve never owned a convertible until about a year and a half ago, and now I can’t imagine life without one.
For the love of God Toyota please release an updated Solara convertible! Not that I have anything against the Lexus convertible, it’s just that $100k for a car isn’t quite in the cards right now…
Another reason why Corvettes are awesome. Take the roof off and throw it in the hatch. Best of both worlds.
Another reason why Corvettes are awesome. Take the roof off and throw it in the hatch. Best of both worlds.
Convertibles are fun. And I like fun.
But the weather here blows like 2/3 of the year around here for convertibles. Which is not particularly fun.
Convertibles are fun. And I like fun.
But the weather here blows like 2/3 of the year around here for convertibles. Which is not particularly fun.
Okay, now do the Geo Metro convertible …
still better than the hatch 🙂
I’ve said it previously, but the Metro Convertible is one of my unexpected automotive loves. It’s so silly a concept, which makes it all the more wonderful in my book. Designers: “Hey, let’s take a barebones economy car and massively change its structure so we can offer a ragtop version b/c fun?” “I’m in!”
Okay, now do the Geo Metro convertible …
still better than the hatch 🙂
I’ve said it previously, but the Metro Convertible is one of my unexpected automotive loves. It’s so silly a concept, which makes it all the more wonderful in my book. Designers: “Hey, let’s take a barebones economy car and massively change its structure so we can offer a ragtop version b/c fun?” “I’m in!”
It’s a compromise I generally find worth it unless I intend to really whip it regularly. Love me some drop tops.
It’s a compromise I generally find worth it unless I intend to really whip it regularly. Love me some drop tops.
My TR6 was a fantastic commuter. Not great in the winter, but sublime in the warmer months. After a year I dumped the overweight I6 for a 327 4 spd and things got even better. I had a hardtop that could be dropped on in about 20 minutes. Made rainy days much more tolerable.
I love my TR6 but is it really worth trading the sublime joy of an inline-6 for the hectic cacophony of a 327?
I was 24 and bigger was always better in my underdeveloped mind.
In defense of the 327, it weighted less, was more reliable, had better weight distribution and if I kept my foot out of it, delivered decent fuel economy.
Many automotive sins were committed in those years.
My TR6 was a fantastic commuter. Not great in the winter, but sublime in the warmer months. After a year I dumped the overweight I6 for a 327 4 spd and things got even better. I had a hardtop that could be dropped on in about 20 minutes. Made rainy days much more tolerable.
I love my TR6 but is it really worth trading the sublime joy of an inline-6 for the hectic cacophony of a 327?
I was 24 and bigger was always better in my underdeveloped mind.
In defense of the 327, it weighted less, was more reliable, had better weight distribution and if I kept my foot out of it, delivered decent fuel economy.
Many automotive sins were committed in those years.
Yeah if you are after bragging rights or it will be your only car then maybe the coupe is the better option for you. If however you want maximum driving enjoyment in your toy I’m convertible all the way.
We had been w/o a convertible for a number of years and with the kids all gone the wife and I decided we needed one again. What we settled on is an often derided vehicle because it wasn’t a performance car. But its mission wasn’t to be a performance car it was to a sporty but comfortable cruiser, which it does quite nicely.
Yeah if you are after bragging rights or it will be your only car then maybe the coupe is the better option for you. If however you want maximum driving enjoyment in your toy I’m convertible all the way.
We had been w/o a convertible for a number of years and with the kids all gone the wife and I decided we needed one again. What we settled on is an often derided vehicle because it wasn’t a performance car. But its mission wasn’t to be a performance car it was to a sporty but comfortable cruiser, which it does quite nicely.
I haven’t really heard anyone in my circle hating on convertibles. I heard a “mid-life crisis” comment right after I bought the 2000 XK8 last year, but I figured it was more due to it being a Jaaaaaag.
That said, driving one is amazing. I enjoyed hearing my uncle simply say “You’ve got a convertible, so you know.” when he was trying to describe the first outing in his new Camaro convertible.
Mid-life crisis = have been working long enough to finally afford to buy the car we want
I haven’t really heard anyone in my circle hating on convertibles. I heard a “mid-life crisis” comment right after I bought the 2000 XK8 last year, but I figured it was more due to it being a Jaaaaaag.
That said, driving one is amazing. I enjoyed hearing my uncle simply say “You’ve got a convertible, so you know.” when he was trying to describe the first outing in his new Camaro convertible.
Mid-life crisis = have been working long enough to finally afford to buy the car we want
As somebody that doesn’t even enjoy driving with the windows down, convertibles are the polar opposite of what I want out of a car. I won’t stop complaining about their excessive weight, needless complexity, propensity to leak, wind noise from crappy seals, and that’s in addition to the aforementioned lack of structural rigidity. My fixed-roof cars already creak and have chassis flex with the way I drive them.
You should drive an Elise with the roof up. Rigid, simple and waterproof. I’ll give you wind noise, but it’s no more than the slightly heavier Exige coupe.
Oh I’ll make the exception for something cool like an Elise.
Me too, I don’t like driving with the roof off, but my Elise and MX5 both had hardtops and were both amazing to drive, but in very different ways.
The Elise was, well, perfect. The MX5 had a cage, turbo and no diff, so it was sideways all the time.
As somebody that doesn’t even enjoy driving with the windows down, convertibles are the polar opposite of what I want out of a car. I won’t stop complaining about their excessive weight, needless complexity, propensity to leak, wind noise from crappy seals, and that’s in addition to the aforementioned lack of structural rigidity. My fixed-roof cars already creak and have chassis flex with the way I drive them.
You should drive an Elise with the roof up. Rigid, simple and waterproof. I’ll give you wind noise, but it’s no more than the slightly heavier Exige coupe.
Oh I’ll make the exception for something cool like an Elise.
Me too, I don’t like driving with the roof off, but my Elise and MX5 both had hardtops and were both amazing to drive, but in very different ways.
The Elise was, well, perfect. The MX5 had a cage, turbo and no diff, so it was sideways all the time.
Convertibles have the ability to take a mundane trip to the pharmacy and make it special. I’ve been a serial convertible owner since 2002, and I’ll never be without one again.
This is so true. Any trip becomes an occasion. Something that struck me was how you can smell the outdoors in a convertibles. A drive through the forest is really a joy for all the senses.
Convertibles have the ability to take a mundane trip to the pharmacy and make it special. I’ve been a serial convertible owner since 2002, and I’ll never be without one again.
This is so true. Any trip becomes an occasion. Something that struck me was how you can smell the outdoors in a convertibles. A drive through the forest is really a joy for all the senses.
I like the idea of convertibles, especially big cruisers, with living on the coast, but my problem is having to slather on sunblock all the time (because hats blow off) and there are hardly any days to use them—too cold, too rainy, too hot and humid, too many bugs, pollen season, too many people able to hear the shit I say, then there’s the ugly tops that wear out and usually a bunch of power BS to operate it. For a similar effect with less drawbacks, I’d greatly prefer a targa roof (unpowered—WTF, Mazda?), especially if the roof panel is split in two for more easy storage and handling. Another issue I have with new cars being convertibles is the high shoulder lines of too many vehicles (especially the ones that are typically offered as convertibles, like the Mustang and late Camaro) that make it feel like sitting in a tub, which I guess is better than a bunker, but a convertible should feel more open and dammit, I should be able to comfortably rest my sun-blocked arm on the sill without it blocking my view.
I have a Boxster. Buy yourself a “sun shirt” and get a righteously large straw hat for your noggin.
I have a boonie hat and wearing a hat kind of negates that open feeling, plus it doesn’t do anything to negate the long list of other problems I have with convertibles. I have no interest in toy cars anymore, but if I was going to get one and for whatever reason, make it a convertible, it would be a big old cruiser, not a sports car and not a Porsche, convertible or otherwise. Not sure what it is about them as I respect the history and don’t particularly find them ugly or anything else and by all measures I should like them, but they just do nothing for me.
I like the idea of convertibles, especially big cruisers, with living on the coast, but my problem is having to slather on sunblock all the time (because hats blow off) and there are hardly any days to use them—too cold, too rainy, too hot and humid, too many bugs, pollen season, too many people able to hear the shit I say, then there’s the ugly tops that wear out and usually a bunch of power BS to operate it. For a similar effect with less drawbacks, I’d greatly prefer a targa roof (unpowered—WTF, Mazda?), especially if the roof panel is split in two for more easy storage and handling. Another issue I have with new cars being convertibles is the high shoulder lines of too many vehicles (especially the ones that are typically offered as convertibles, like the Mustang and late Camaro) that make it feel like sitting in a tub, which I guess is better than a bunker, but a convertible should feel more open and dammit, I should be able to comfortably rest my sun-blocked arm on the sill without it blocking my view.
I have a Boxster. Buy yourself a “sun shirt” and get a righteously large straw hat for your noggin.
I have a boonie hat and wearing a hat kind of negates that open feeling, plus it doesn’t do anything to negate the long list of other problems I have with convertibles. I have no interest in toy cars anymore, but if I was going to get one and for whatever reason, make it a convertible, it would be a big old cruiser, not a sports car and not a Porsche, convertible or otherwise. Not sure what it is about them as I respect the history and don’t particularly find them ugly or anything else and by all measures I should like them, but they just do nothing for me.