Pros and Cons of Owning a Convertible in Chicago

"Stang70Fastback" (Stang70Fastback)
08/29/2014 at 20:35 • Filed to: None

So a friend of mine is looking into purchasing a New VW Beetle (well, technically, a lightly used one.) She really likes the convertible, but then asked me what I thought about owning a soft-top in Chicago.

I'm not too familiar with modern-day convertibles, but I told her - from my understanding - modern convertibles (especially the VW) aren't like convertibles of yore. The tops are multi-layered and insulated so they retain heat fairly well, and also block out a lot of exterior wind and rain noise. They've also come a long way with regards to latching mechanisms and seals so you don't really have to worry too much about leaks - at least for several years' worth of ownership.

Of course, that's all just me talking out of my ass, as I've never owned one, and my only long-term experience with one was my dad's rental Sebring for two months. And using a Sebring as a benchmark for anything is, well, not ideal.

Anyone care to comment? She also wouldn't mind a hardtop with the sunroof, but she really likes the convertible. I'm a coupe kind of guy, so I'd personally go with the hard top both for looks, and for the added security, and quieter cabin. Anyone care to comment on the experience of owning a convertible in a region with such harsh winters?

DISCUSSION (21)

Devilishprune > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 20:45

Our winters in NC aren't bad, but what I've learned from owning a convertible for a few months is that once you go rag-top, you don't go back. I think anyone who is going to own one just has to realize that there are going to be noise drawbacks that you have to weigh against the top-down freedom that you gain. That being said, I can't see a top on a relatively new car being prone to leakage for a good long while.

RallyWrench > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 20:58

DO NOT allow your friend to buy a New Bungle Convertible. They are terrible cars. The Beetle doesn't really do anything well to begin with, and the 'Vert adds the world's worst top and world's weakest window regulators to the mix, on top of the Beetle's Winchester Mystery House electricals for which accurate diagrams do not exist. I and every other VW-experienced tech I know hates them.

They take a Golf, which is a pretty good & easy to work on car, and ruin it with cheap plastic, shitty parts, & contrived cuteness. Seriously, the Sebring is a vastly better car. If she has to have a VW, find a Mk4 Golf Cabrio with low miles. Also, all of VWs 4 & 5 speed automatic transmissions are garbage.

Note: I don't have any direct experience with the New New Beetle, so the foregoing rant does not apply to them, yet. Also, I live in CA so I don't know shit about harsh winters, but given how often the Beetle tops fail here, I'd imagine they're worse there.

Stang70Fastback > RallyWrench
08/29/2014 at 21:02

I'm rather wary of VW's reliability from an electronics standpoint as well. My dad's Audi was pretty bad in that department.

Stang70Fastback > Devilishprune
08/29/2014 at 21:03

What convertible do you own, if I might as? Is it only a little noisier than a hard top when the top is up, or is it significantly louder?

Devilishprune > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 21:30

I have a Miata, so no experience with a hardtop variant. When I was a young'n, my mom shuttled us around in a camaro convertible and a convertible solara, so I came up on them. That being said, the noise is something you get used to after owning one for a while and you get acclimated to the noise during a trip as well.

RallyWrench > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 21:31

Not all of them are. I actually like many Audis over the equivalent BMWs & MBZs, but they all have issues somehow. Job security for me! Also, if you actually have a '70 Mustang fastback, I'm jealous.

Stang70Fastback > RallyWrench
08/29/2014 at 21:36

Haha, nope. I was like 10 when I created that username for AIM, and then discovered that it's NEVER taken on any sites so I kept it because LAZY.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 21:46

Hardtop Convertible?

shop-teacher > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 21:50

One word: ice.

Stang70Fastback > shop-teacher
08/29/2014 at 21:55

What issues does ice pose to a convertible? I'd imagine if there is ice on the top, it's probably cold enough outside that you aren't going to open it, lol.

Stang70Fastback > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/29/2014 at 21:57

Is there even a hardtop convertible in the same segment as the VW? The Eos was "too big" and "not cute enough," lol. Other than that, when I think hardtop convertible, I start thinking Mercedes and BMW and Volvo and other unCUTE models. I must be missing one...

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 21:59

Chrysler Sebring....? Hahaha just kidding.

Slightly used 3-series?

Stang70Fastback > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/29/2014 at 22:02

Yeah, but then you run into the costs of ownership associated with a BMW :/
I was actually looking at a MINI myself, but shied away for that reason.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 22:06

how much is a used newer Z4?

Stang70Fastback > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/29/2014 at 22:12

Definitely outside of her price range, which is like 20 grand... 25 tops... maybe. She wants a fairly new-ish car. Not more than 1-2 years old, so we can't go back that far.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 22:23

...miata?

Stang70Fastback > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/29/2014 at 22:26

I dunno. She didn't like the BRZ I made her test drive, lol. I forgot the Miata came in a hardtop though. I could always mention it and then run away before I get slapped.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Stang70Fastback
08/29/2014 at 23:15

Is it going to be kept in a garage unless she's actually driving it? Because otherwise it's a matter of when, not if, it will have the top cut. If you're lucky it will be for spare change and a phone charger. If not, it will be for the radio, or to steal the whole car.

Verts in Chicago who are left on the street are a target.

Stang70Fastback > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
08/30/2014 at 07:24

Good point. It won't be garaged.

shop-teacher > Stang70Fastback
08/30/2014 at 07:48

For starters, if the top has a plastic rear window, she won't be able to scrape it clean, and so she won't be able to see.

The other problem is the abuse the top will take from having snow/ice repeatedly cleared off of it. The top will get pretty beat up before too long.

Can you do it? Sure. But convertibles in Chicago are best left to people who have garages, and other cars.

Tohru > RallyWrench
09/10/2014 at 22:36

This is probably the only time you can suggest for someone to buy a bitch basket and have it be the better of the two options.