Who's owned a convertible?

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Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Who's owned/extensively driven a convertible? Did you really enjoy top-down driving as much as you thought you would? Are they more prone to break in? Owning a convertible is always one of those things that seems really cool, but is that more fantasy than reality? Pros, cons, thoughts?

When I lived in FL, that's about all I drove. I had an Austin Healy 3000 MK III, a Porche, and a Jeep.

I used to just leave the doors unlocked because cutting the top was too easy and they (convert tops) are a PITA to install/repair (I had to replace the top on my Austin Healy).

But I haven't had one ( a convert car) in a long while and don't miss them.

Maybe you should rent one and see how much you like it before buying one? That way you'll know better how much you do or don't enjoy it, and whether it's worth it to you.

Fern
 

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
This reminds me of a review I read for a jeep a while back that was something like:

CONS: Wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth.

PROS: Wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth.

Convertibles aren't for everyone.....and man do I feel bad for those boring SOBs. :)
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
BTW, you can get the NC Miata with a retractable hard top. Best of both worlds without having to buy some land yacht luxury convertible.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/20...ractable-hard-top.html

One of the undocumented features of the Miata is if you buy one your balls shrink just a tiny bit. It is undeniably a chick car.

You must not be a car enthusiast because you have no idea what you're talking about. The Miata is the most pure sports car you can buy short of an exotic like the Lotus Elise. It's RWD, low as a go kart, and doesn't have rear seats for your ugly little kids. The current gen has the engine entirely behind the front axle line, and while it's gotten heavier it's only 2400lbs.

Stick to your 4000lb 645i, since what matters to you is showing off your wealth. Us true enthusiasts will drive Miatas, MR2s, maybe Lotuses if we get rich- because it doesn't matter what people like you think. Besides, my Jeep weighs 1000lbs less than your yacht and can drive over it, so my balls are fine.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,293
12,856
136
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
BTW, you can get the NC Miata with a retractable hard top. Best of both worlds without having to buy some land yacht luxury convertible.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/20...ractable-hard-top.html

One of the undocumented features of the Miata is if you buy one your balls shrink just a tiny bit. It is undeniably a chick car.

You must not be a car enthusiast because you have no idea what you're talking about. The Miata is the most pure sports car you can buy short of an exotic like the Lotus Elise. It's RWD, low as a go kart, and doesn't have rear seats for your ugly little kids. The current gen has the engine entirely behind the front axle line, and while it's gotten heavier it's only 2400lbs.

Stick to your 4000lb 645i, since what matters to you is showing off your wealth. Us true enthusiasts will drive Miatas, MR2s, maybe Lotuses if we get rich- because it doesn't matter what people like you think. Besides, my Jeep weighs 1000lbs less than your yacht and can drive over it, so my balls are fine.

it's a fantastic sportscar.. but it is a chick car too ;)
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
BTW, you can get the NC Miata with a retractable hard top. Best of both worlds without having to buy some land yacht luxury convertible.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/20...ractable-hard-top.html

One of the undocumented features of the Miata is if you buy one your balls shrink just a tiny bit. It is undeniably a chick car.

You must not be a car enthusiast because you have no idea what you're talking about. The Miata is the most pure sports car you can buy short of an exotic like the Lotus Elise. It's RWD, low as a go kart, and doesn't have rear seats for your ugly little kids. The current gen has the engine entirely behind the front axle line, and while it's gotten heavier it's only 2400lbs.

Stick to your 4000lb 645i, since what matters to you is showing off your wealth. Us true enthusiasts will drive Miatas, MR2s, maybe Lotuses if we get rich- because it doesn't matter what people like you think. Besides, my Jeep weighs 1000lbs less than your yacht and can drive over it, so my balls are fine.

it's a fantastic sportscar.. but it is a chick car too ;)

Like I said.. it has that reputation among people who aren't car enthusiasts.
 

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
You must not be a car enthusiast because you have no idea what you're talking about. The Miata is the most pure sports car you can buy short of an exotic like the Lotus Elise. It's RWD, low as a go kart, and doesn't have rear seats for your ugly little kids. The current gen has the engine entirely behind the front axle line, and while it's gotten heavier it's only 2400lbs.

Stick to your 4000lb 645i, since what matters to you is showing off your wealth. Us true enthusiasts will drive Miatas, MR2s, maybe Lotuses if we get rich- because it doesn't matter what people like you think. Besides, my Jeep weighs 1000lbs less than your yacht and can drive over it, so my balls are fine.

Dude, it's a chick car. It doesn't matter what they do to it, it's a chick car. I don't care if it has 500hp, it's a chick car. If it makes you happy and you enjoy driving a Miata then more power to you, but it's a chick car. Agree or not, that will always be the perception. A good friend of mine has an S2000 which, generally speaking, isn't that far off from a Miata and I think it's a really sweet ride...and it's not a chick car.

Oh and for the record, I really couldn't give a shit about showing off money. I drive what I like. I've been doing the living in sin thing for the past 4 years or so with my woman (no ugly little kids...or at least none where the mothers have found me :) ) so it's not like I'm trying to get ass every Saturday night out at the club by showing off my car. And my Jeep is sitting on 33 MT's and could probably drive over your jeep while it's sitting on top of my yacht. :p
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
OK, enough about perceptions of the Miata. Let's try to keep the thread relevant to the OP's question. If people have comments about how the Miata's top seals or wind noise or other things, that's fine but the "chick car" thing has been brought up about a billion times already (both in threads here and on other forums) and there's no need to argue it again.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Garage Moderator
 

theblackbox

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2004
1,650
11
81
i have two jeeps, a cj and a tj, but i really don't conisder them convertibles, more utility.
Where i live, a convertible isn't feasible unless it is 4wd. awd is fine too, but in the winter, you lose more.
summer, they aren't bad.

i've had the two jeeps,
a tr8
an mga
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
I had the top done today, it was in the low 50s and foggy, but that is good enough for me!
 

NAC

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2000
1,105
11
81
I had a Miata for a few years and absolutely loved it. I almost cried when we sold it. Wonderful car. I want another one, but can't justify it since I now walk to the train and we can't fit the, ahem, _beautiful_ kids.

Got a hard top for it for about a year after getting it. But never had anyone break in, and we parked on the street in Inwood NYC and in Jersey City every night. Probably because it was clear to thieves that the the stock radio was of little value, and nothing else had any value.
 

NAC

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2000
1,105
11
81
I should have added - the top was almost always down for about 9 months of the year - and we live in near NYC.
 

LS21

Banned
Nov 27, 2007
3,745
1
0
i fucking love my s2000 roadster. so usable even in humid ass texas (top down 9/12 months) and even up in colorado. its "retired" during the winter months but otherwise its awesome for driving on the winding mountain roads

downsides are obviously NOISE (get a good sound system and dampen the solid body as much as you can) and RATTLING due to latches and things related to the top

it is susceptible to theft due to people slashing the top but i havent had bad luck with that so far