I NEED AIR

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown) 06/27/2014 at 14:31 • Filed to: None

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I want a convertible FR-S.

Actually, it can be a Scion, a Subaru, a Toyota, or even a BMW ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). I DON'T CARE, either way. As an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , there is something about driving my car that makes me think about how much I'd want a roadster version of it. I want a fairly small roadster that isn't a Miata. Yes, I'm sure Miatas are great cars, but I don't like the way the new ones look and there is no back seat. No, I don't want an old one that will need work. No, I don't want a used Z4 either. I'm not a hair-stylist.

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I'm subscribed to the GT-86/FR-S/BRZ fan-boy Facebook page and its the most frustrating thing to read. One post asks whether people would rather have the STI version of the BRZ or a FR-S drop top. Obviously most of the comments are pretty lop sided. OKAY, I admit, the STI would be pretty cool, but many of those cars would suffer Type-R Syndrome? That is when you take a car that is downright excellent from the factory and ruin it with modifications. Then the cars get abused, stolen, stripped. "No Billy, you're not in the JGTC Championship. You don't need your car one inch off the damn ground." A drop-top would probably be less likely to suffer that fate, and even possibly have a higher resale value than something that has potentially been run hard and put away wet.

Image credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Convertibles, more specifically, roadsters are a rare breed. First off, people younger than me (I'm 33) are deep in college debt and don't want a car payment. There goes that group. Then you have the amount of people who want something practical, there go those people too. People who can only have one car and live where it snows? Well they probably won't buy one either. The portion of people who are interested in buying a drop-top are not the mass-marketing type (unless they already have a Chevrolet Malibu or Toyota Camry and want a second car). So you are left with a smaller pool of people up for buying a convertible and that's why there are less and less for sale these days. The big car companies don't see the payout from all the R&D that goes not only into making them, but making them successful. Mazda has a good run, solely due to the Miata's following. Competitors for the '86 convertible? None. There just aren't any other light, RWD convertibles that you can get brand new under $30K. The MX-5 is a 2-seater, the Mustang is quite a bit heavier and not quite as nimble, the rest of your options are luxury cars and sports cars that are quite a bit more expensive.

Then we have the nerds. "But the chassis will be sloppy and the weight will be tremendous." For *&@# sake! Shut-up! Most of these people will never attend an autocross or HPDE where it would (in theory) matter. I'm also pretty sure, they're borrowing other people's opinions from over 15 years ago when so-and-so's mom had a Chrysler LeBaron with a chassis as rigid as a slice of bread. Newer convertibles for the most part, are pretty well designed so they don't feel like a potato roll that weighs of iron. They are now only marginally different and in some cases (forgive my black-hearted sin of not being able to remember which cars) are more rigid than their solid-roof brethren.

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Image Credit – !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Header Image Credit - !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

It's something about the sun on my face, the wind in what little hair I have left, and the unlimited view that make me love the convertible experience. It's really a great feeling and I can say that I've never felt sad, angry, or generally upset when I've driven a convertible with the top down. It'll always bring a smile to my face. I do though feel sad that less people want to experience or enjoy it, but that's on them. All I know is that if I am going to get skin cancer in my life, I supposed I'd rather get it from driving my FR-S roadster too much with the top down. I'd better have some sunscreen in the glove box.

mcseanerson > RightFootDown 06/27/2014 at 14:35

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I'll accept the need for a back seat and dislike of the way the new one looks but if you buy an old Miata that needs a bunch of work you're doing it wrong.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > RightFootDown 06/27/2014 at 14:51

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"chanting"

shooting brake! shooting brake! shooting brake!

chuck07 > RightFootDown 06/27/2014 at 15:16

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So you are looking for something between a Miata and a Mustang, where the back seat is a must. I don't think there is such a thing. Maybe a CLK convertible, solara convertible?

From what I understood, the back seat of the FR-S is only for stuff and baby seats. I think you are searching for something that isn't necessary. 05-09 Mustang v6 convertible will weigh about 600 lbs more (~23%), and you get a usable back seat. No, it is not a carver like the Miata. Yes it is still top down bliss.

Now you are back to a true 2 seater. Solstice, Sky, Crossfire. Those are some decent options.

HiredDriver > RightFootDown 06/27/2014 at 15:25

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An STi version of the BRZ is absurd. Subaru, if they are even contemplating such an action, should make all of the STI parts available via accessories. This make sense, people.

These cars couldn't stay on the lots when they first arrived in 2012. Now I see them stock piled in the back of dealerships. I wonder why?

It's because the hype has ended and people now realize these are not $25k cars. They're $20k cars. And should a convertible be produced it is going to just barely skirt $30k. As brilliant as a topless GT86 on the coastal highway sounds, I just don't see it happening.

HiredDriver > chuck07 06/27/2014 at 15:49

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The rear seat of the FR-S with a rear facing baby seat promptly places your significant others' face on the dash. We tried.

If a RWD manual transmission equipped, light'ish weight alternative is in order then might I suggest this: