How do you feel about drop-tops?

MrElussive · Apr 17, 2005

Hey all,

So now that spring is here and summer is just around the corner, all the convertibles/roadsters are out and it makes me wish I had one of my own, hehe. I was thinking that if I could ever pick and choose a convertible for the summer, it would probably be a Porsche Boxster S with the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Now as safe and as fun to drive as the Boxster S may be (along with any other good roadster, such as the super seksy Audi TT Roadster and BMW Z4 Roadster), I have two opinion questions for you all.

1.) How safe do you or would you feel in a drop-top vehicle? Major auto manufacturers state that the roll bars equipped on modern drop top vehicles are so strong they pretty much offer the same structural rigidity as a coupe in the event of a roll-over. Good stuff, but what happens if some monster SUV smashes into you? Your upper body is just exposed to whatever may happen. Or what if you roll over and the car slides into a tree?

2.) How many of you would get a roadster or convertible in a manual transmission? I always thought that is what I would do but recently I have been thinking otherwise. Considering my issues with safety in the first question, and knowing that a manual transmission would encourage me to drive more aggressively, I don't think manual in a drop-top would be good for me. Also, I think that any time I would want to drive a drop-top I would really prefer to just cruise around and enjoy the weather. Not to say that manual hinders that, but drop tops are very much about the "look" and any time I drive a convertible, I'd rather just have one hand on the wheel, just listen to music, cruise around, and enjoy the weather.

So what do you all think?? Obviously I incorporated my own opinions into the questions so you see my thoughts. These questions are merely hypothetical and are simply for fun, so there's no wrong answer. On a personal note, I think a drop-top is just something I wish I always had, but I'd never actually lease or purchase one.

Thanks,
MrElussive

deutsch100 · Apr 17, 2005

I love the look of a roadster/cabrio.....but regardless how great the roll bars are, they are just not as safe as a car with a permanent hardtop.

After our big accident in the X5 in September, it scared me so much I sold my 330cic 2 weeks later. The police officers and tow truck drivers both said that if we would have been in a convertible (even with the top up) I would have been so severly disfugured, if not killed on impact.

So, if you really are concerned with safety, and it is your real top priority...you know that the answer to a cabrio is no.

Good Luck with your hypothetical decision [:)]

MrElussive · Apr 17, 2005

Thanks for the response, deutsch. I just want everybody's thoughts on the whole drop-top deal. Some people have no problem with them at all, and some people they are a death wish. I just wanted to see how the people on this forum feel about them, regarding safety and drivability.

foomonkey525i · Apr 17, 2005

I doubt that I would ever own a convertible. I have very little desire for the general convertible-ness, so it doesn't outweigh the safety issue.

On the other hand, I don't really feel any less safe in my dad's convertible than in any hard-top. Of course, it's a '71 Chevelle, so it's rather huge and tank-like. I doubt I'd feel very safe in a Miata.

MyHarley · Apr 17, 2005

well Mr. E, you know how I feel about convertibles......I absolutely love mine and never even think about the top being gone versus safety. After about 28 years of driving with no accidents other than people hitting my bumper and scratching with their license plates, accidents are always going to be there regardless what car you are driving. I do pay attention more to what kind of cars are in my immediate area, as well as making sure to alert them that I am in front of them when I feel they are not paying as much attention during traffic as they should. As crazy as it sounds, I always wave off truckers and big SUV's and have never had one not to respond and move away from my behind. Yesterday evening I went to a crawfish boil with some friends and we had to take several cars. I always let other people drive my car and you would think they were in heaven, well actually I guess they are. It was a clear night, even with stars (for Houston that's big), warm, Maroon 5 playing on the CD, windows down with the BMW windscreen up.........I'm telling you, it was fine, the car purred in Sport Mode the whole time, an hour drive each way out to the countryside.......another car at a redlight rolled his window down and said I'm telling you that look is fine..........my friend said this car is freakin awesome Lisha............it doesnt get any better than that........ [clap]

MrElussive · Apr 17, 2005

Hehe, I was waiting for you to respond Lisha, I knew you'd be all for the convertibles. [;)]

MyHarley · Apr 17, 2005

MrElussive said:

hmmmmmm I dont ever have that problem............ [hihi]

seriously, I have never felt safer with any car I've owned or a car that I have been a passenger than I do with my trusty little BMW............ [driving2]

frolf · Apr 17, 2005

i kind of want to score an e30 325i cabrio like my friend Avi has, and then a hardtop e30 for the other stuff

Kirby · Apr 18, 2005

I suppose the risk of injury is a bit higher in a convertible, but in the grand scheme it's probably a negligible increase (unless it happens to you!) The only story I have ever heard about a convertible accident death, that might have been safer in a fixed top, was a woman who hit a cow and was killed when the cow flipped into the car.

But I feel safe in the ragtop compared to when I am riding my motorcycle - it's all relative.

DrivingTopless · Apr 18, 2005

I couldn't imagine life without a convertible. It's just become a way of life. In regards to flipping over, besides the rollover protection that most convertibles incorporate these days, the chances of a convertible (with it's very low center of gravity) flipping over is quite rare.

Strangely enough there was coverage of an accident that happened this weekend on the Arrigoni bridge here in CT (famous for it's traffic mishaps) which involved 2 cars and 4 motorcycles. One of the cars happened to be a 325Cic. Front end was crushed, but the rest of the car, including passenger compartment looked fine. Obviously it depends on the severtity of a crash that will determine the outcome with any vehicle, but the chances of something falling on my head while driving (the occassional anvil or baby grand) is not high enough to sway me from driving a softtop.

I'm sure the other owners will agree that at the end of a tough day at work, all your stress gets whisked away on your drive home. [wave]

Wadula · Apr 18, 2005

the a pilar reinforcements in todays convertibles really can take a roll over, or two. i have seen testruns with a new beetle. amazing what this car could stand.

the scenario of car rolling on its side and the hitting a tree will end fatal. but the chances to survive the same crash in a normal car are almost as low aren´t they? a tree never makes a good oponent...

in general you are right assuming that a convertible exposes the passanger to more threats. but at the same time it offers more feel and fun. it´s up to everyone to decide whether to take the slightly higher risk or not. for my self, i own both and i am absolutely fine with the open version.

Big Daddy · Apr 18, 2005

I have driven drop tops for years and worked major accidents for years, I have yet to see a serious rollover in a drop top (although I am sure that they occur), however I have seen numerous fatalities in hard tops! We would not be without our roadster and feel perfectly safe in her.

Average Jae · Apr 18, 2005

i'd love to get a convertable. it is a calculated risk that i'm willing to take, given the right time. it's hard to justify it up in michigan as nice weather lasts like a month, before the sweltering summer mugginess takes over.

before i got my car, there was a certified topless imola m3. i sooo wanted it, but the practicality killed any arguments for it.. not to mention 10k extra.. geesh. ah well.

auto vs manual in the drop top: as of right now, i can't say for sure. i love my manual, but sometimes i get lazy, and make minute mistakes, and does become a hassle at times. the choice really depends on what car you pick out. you have a to get a manual if its a boxter. if its a saab 9-3 auto would be ok imo.

codex57 · Apr 18, 2005

I love the looks and what they represent. I'd feel decently safe in them. I see them more as cruisers and cars to show off in, not speed mobiles. Manual is fine, but an auto is more fitting for the image I have of them.

I wouldn't actually buy one unless I had another car though. I thought I'd be willing to put up with one, but after renting one for a weekend, I realized I could only live with one as a second car.

MrElussive · Apr 18, 2005

Cool responses, everyone.

For those of you who commented on practicality being an issue, what about the Audi S4 Cabriolet, for example? It seats 4 adults, has decent trunk space (10.4 cubic feet, which is 2.6 cubic feet more space than my coupe), the top is fine for harsh winters, and Quattro AWD. All you need is a set of snow tires or all-seasons and it makes for the most practical convertible ever.

DrivingTopless · Apr 18, 2005

This was the first year with my 3'er in the winter. We had upwards of 80" of snow this season in CT and I had absolultely no problems with it. I'm sure that AWD or FWD might give people more confidence, but with an extra 100lbs in the trunk and 4 Pirelli P Zero Nero M/S that were installed in August, she belted up the steepest snow covered back road hills with ease. Prior to this I had a FWD Sebring vert, and I did have my concerns about using the BMW as my sole year round car. Those concerns were unfounded.

codex57 · Apr 19, 2005

MrElussive said:

Are the seats usable? The back seats? If so, then yeah, I could live with just that car. I'd have to take a look at how that 10.4 cubic feet of trunk space is laid out, but I think it would be fine. Most converts don't have that much room in the back or the trunk and aren't AWD either.

MrElussive · Apr 19, 2005

Supposedly the S4 Cabriolet can accomodate two adults in the back seat. Either way, I've always personally believed that the back seats of two-door cars are for girls. If the girls you bring along don't fit back there, the car isn't too small, the girls are just too fat.

codex57 · Apr 19, 2005

MrElussive said:

Well that depends. I think that if you have girls that fit into the back seat of say a Lexus SC430 or a Porsche 911, you're gonna have to watch out for the police. Cuz it'll be either for statutory rape (big time) or involuntary manslaughter cuz you broke those little midgets.

MrElussive · Apr 19, 2005

Yeah...too bad the A4/S4 Cabriolets just look SO freaking girly.

How do you feel about drop-tops?

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