Convertibles - do you own one or have you previously?

2010 Miata, 6-speed manual. Still have it. Zero problems. Best sports car bang for the buck there is, IMHO, if you like driving..

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Notes: If you're much over 6 ft, this car's probably not for you. At 6ft, I just barely fit. Also, the manual top is as easy to put up and down as it is to open and close the door. The heater can burn you out in the winter and the AC will keep you cool when the top's down. Good fresh air machine.

Edit Note: Stupid me, I should have pointed out an important feature: (1) getting natural Vitamin D, which seems to be more important in these times and (2) the positive effect open-air, sensory stimulation can sometimes have on people coping with memory loss and related issues.
My wife had a Miata convertible and we also bought a removable hardtop. The hardtop went on during the winter months. She loved that car.
 

I have had two convertable cars a 1964 Cadillac, a 1968 Buic Skylarck, and a 1986 Suzuki Samurai. They were fun to have but the disavantages for me were many. Getting caught on a dusty road and having the dust and grit on my face and in my clothes. Driving on blacktop roads in trafic and having that road dirt and grime all over me. Getting caught in very bad weather with the convertable top on and the top is poping and vibrating arround me. In cold weather it never became warm inside the car. The worst disadvantage for me was the convertable tops would leak water inside the body and frames on the cars. I seemed to me that no mater how hard I tried make sure the tops were sealed good in heavy rain down pours the tops would leak. I would suggest if you buy a used convertable try to look for corrosion inside the body of the convertable.
 
For quite awhile now, I've been wanting a convertible. I want to know what the pros and cons are. I can guess at the pros - wind in your hair, feeling of freedom, etc. But I want to know what some of the cons are to be prepared.

I have been looking online. Lots of them to choose from.
The biggest con I can think of is that it is too easy for thieves to cut the roof to steal stuff.
My 1st car. 1961 Chevy Impala, convertible
 
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The biggest con I can think of is that it is too easy for thieves to cut the roof to steal stuff.
My 1st car. 1961 Chevy Impala, convertible
A conscientious owner of a convertible leaves nothing of value inside the car and leaves the glovebox open ... demonstratively empty.
 
The '33 is a glass-fibre kit car, isn't it?
Nope, all steel. It was originally a coupe years ago, First as a street rod, then drag raced it, then I decided I wanted a roadster so I cut the roof off and sealed up the doors. In 1976, I painted it red-white-and blue and it stayed that way until sometime in the 90's when I painted it white. Finally sold it around 2000 and have regretted it ever since.

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Nope, all steel. It was originally a coupe years ago, First as a street rod, then drag raced it, then I decided I wanted a roadster so I cut the roof off and sealed up the doors. In 1976, I painted it red-white-and blue and it stayed that way until sometime in the 90's when I painted it white. Finally sold it around 2000 and have regretted it ever since.

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Nice, nice, very nice! The first photo you posted of it from the rear looks like the rear deck is too long to be original. That's why I made my comment. I can see that you had a good time with it! I'll bet you can "run a bead" better than I can. :) I've built a few cars in my life. Some show/custom, and some for the strip. I've never owned a pre-war car but on my recommendation, a friend of mine bought one. It was a Model A with a 265 Chevy engine. It needed a LOT of work before it would be road-worthy. I told him that I'd help him along but I wanted to do it right and he didn't care if the wheels fell off as soon as it left the driveway so I backed off. It ruined our friendship and he had to sell it immediately thereafter.
 
Nice, nice, very nice! The first photo you posted of it from the rear looks like the rear deck is too long to be original. That's why I made my comment. I can see that you had a good time with it! I'll bet you can "run a bead" better than I can. :) I've built a few cars in my life. Some show/custom, and some for the strip. I've never owned a pre-war car but on my recommendation, a friend of mine bought one. It was a Model A with a 265 Chevy engine. It needed a LOT of work before it would be road-worthy. I told him that I'd help him along but I wanted to do it right and he didn't care if the wheels fell off as soon as it left the driveway so I backed off. It ruined our friendship and he had to sell it immediately thereafter.
I'm fortunate that my wife shares my love of cars. Over the years, we've had soooo many. Some really cool, some... not so much. :)
One of my favorite photo's was taken years ago in front of our (ahem) palace. ;) On one side of the yard, we had a slew of race cars, a 455 Trans Am, and on the other side of the yard, a few pre-war hotrods in the making. Oh yeah, and those homemade 4 wheel drive rigs. (the Falcon convert. and the Rambler Wagon). And of course, the ever present 57 Chevy.
None of this included what was lurking out back. :)

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For quite awhile now, I've been wanting a convertible. I want to know what the pros and cons are. I can guess at the pros - wind in your hair, feeling of freedom, etc. But I want to know what some of the cons are to be prepared.

I have been looking online. Lots of them to choose from.
We have a 94 XJS Jaguar Convertible, the top going down caught on a screw and got ripped, top had to be completely replaced. We are now watching for any screws that are lifting to avoid happening again. These are very powerful cars and therefore we have had some issues, thankfully husband fixes all of them himself. Grandson is 6ft 3 so as bad as he wants the car, the windshield would be doing him no good because it looks like he hasn't stopped growing yet.
 


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