Convertible owners?

[Earl Gray]

Any other convertible lovers on the board?

This is what I had in my college days (Early 80s). A 69 Pontiac Lemans. Had to replace the engine have it painted, new top and redo both front seats. Close to $4K in 1980 dollars.

How I rolled back in the day! by G-Reg!, on Flickr


This is my oldest and his friend in my 2004 Sebring that I bought last week. 100K miles and $3300 in todays dollars!
IMG_0408 by G-Reg!, on Flickr

[Badonkadonk]

caved and went with a 2013 bmw m3 vert last year
the convertible makes it far less sporting than its coupe brother, i get it. but oooohhhh that noise with the wind in your hair!

[Philster]

I used to have this. Wind in your hair and no tickets!

IMG00186-20120828-1817.jpg

I had an Alfa in the 80's that was incredibly fun. I saw a young guy in a beautiful red one today that sure looked great. Not sure if I coveted the car or his age.

IMG00192-20120906-1832.jpg

If you open the sun roof and put down both windows on this, life is pretty good.

[jitahs]

Oh goody, an oppty. to talk about my Miata again.

'Vert sales are in the dumper, panoramic sunroofs are on the up.

I'll probably die with a QX56 lodged in my temple, due to the legacy of unrestricted bumper heights of SUVs and bro trucks. With luck they'll drive over me.

BTW the urban myth of a chopped top being "less sporty" is from mfgs not engineering convertibles from ground up.

[Coppercook62]

I had a 2002 BMW M Roadster. Seriously bad ass car. I sold it after my commute to work became a 100 miles a day. I now drive a civic.

[Dave Thompson]

I had a Morris Minor convertible when I lived in Hawaii. One of my favorite cars.

[Mabouya]

I had an '87 Alfa Spider for a few years - loads of fun to drive. Foolishly sold it around 1997.

[christian]

'Vert sales are in the dumper, panoramic sunroofs are on the up.

Hairdresser salaries at an all-time high. Comfort-waist slacks now outsell regular slacks 2:1.

[jitahs]

Saw one of these red guys yesterday, came up to my knees. $3k orignally, one recently went for $300k:

1955-porsche-356-pre-a-1500-speedster-by-reutter.jpg

[jitahs]

Hairdresser salaries at an all-time high. Comfort-waist slacks now outsell regular slacks 2:1.

Said the guy who inhabits Art of the Wardrobe.

Sadly all hairdressers are hermetically sealed now. Or ride fixies.

[lumpy]

I bought a 1966 Chrysler Newport convertible when I was in college. Top was shot and so were the rear floors. Drove it that way through the winter then did a massive refresh after I bought a same year same color same model sedan parts car, spotted in a field while out on a road ride. Borrowed a framebuilder friend's oxyacetylene rig to weld the floors in. I still have the convertible. It needs a resurrection but it's still in better shape than it was when I bought it. Maybe a candidate for roughest car of Vsalon? Great car. IMG_1251.jpg

[Scott G.]

Who needs a top......

[lukasz]

BTW the urban myth of a chopped top being "less sporty" is from mfgs not engineering convertibles from ground up.

Well yeah, but that doesn't make it untrue. I could tell a difference in chassis stiffness on my SW20 MR2 depending on whether I had the t-tops on or not (and I could make them groan when they were on).

[rePhil]

I have had a few MG's and a Fiat. Wife has this Mustang. While it does nothing outstanding, it has been a great car for her. More dependable and just as fun.

[jitahs]

Well yeah, but that doesn't make it untrue. I could tell a difference in chassis stiffness on my SW20 MR2 depending on whether I had the t-tops on or not (and I could make them groan when they were on).

Um. It's 2014. Your sw20 is 20 years. old. My mx-5 has zero discernible flex.

And a flexy chassis doesn't slow mortals down on a race course so it sure as heck won't be less sporty on the street. Ask Stirling Moss.

[maunahaole]

Stirling Moss is mortal?

[christian]

SW20 MR2

You owned a Bambi-on-Ice? Delightful. My high-school girlfriend's dad had one. I hooned that thing pretty good. The suspension tuning in the rear was odd, to be generous. I don't think I knew more than that when I was 16, but it was clear something was far from right.

Wife has this Mustang.

If we didn't have the term cowl shake, we would've invented it for that car. But I admit, a Mustang convertible is pure fun. Best grins per dollar this side of a Jeep Wrangler (swb two door, obvi).

[jitahs]

Moss isn't mortal, that's why he knows mortals blame equipment.

It's always the hairdresser...er driver.

[jitahs]

If we didn't have the term cowl shake, we would've invented it for that car. But I admit, a Mustang convertible is pure fun. Best grins per dollar this side of a Jeep Wrangler (swb two door, obvi).

What's your best time around the 'Ring and could you beat this (repost):

[OldDog]

In 08, I bought my wife a Pontiac Solstice GXP. She loves it, 'cause it's orange. I love it, 'cause it makes her smile. It's a hoot to drive. Goes fast when ya step on it, corners better than I can drive it. So far no issues other than a current recall for the ignition switch.