Cabriolet question

Bigsliothar

Good or bad idea for all year driving in Ireland ??

Guy:Incognito

Depends on which cabrio. Things like whether its soft or hard top. Some soft tops then have removeable hard tops too.

colm_mcm

folding hardtop is best of both worlds.

wandererz

colm_mcm wrote: »

folding hardtop is best of both worlds.

Agreed.
Had a newer shape Volvo C70 and loved it.

Regret having sold it. Intended to get a diesel version of the same but cannot find same spec.

Solid vehicle all around and wouldn't notice you were driving a convertible while top was up.

Bigsliothar

Thx for replies, a soft top anyone have any experience of using in winter months pros/cons etc

elperello

Fine for driving in Winter but you will need a garage for overnight.

Guy:Incognito

Bigsliothar wrote: »

Thx for replies, a soft top anyone have any experience of using in winter months pros/cons etc

Again, theres going to be differences. A ClK with a thick , headlined roof is quite different to a small, cheap 2 seater.

drunkmonkey

Bigsliothar wrote: »

Thx for replies, a soft top anyone have any experience of using in winter months pros/cons etc

Get one that comes with a hardtop for winter, I've driven one all year round. Would still have one only kids.

The E93 3series, Bmw, 07+ has a hard top permanently, worth checking out depending on your budget.

lalababa

If you're roof doesn't leak then you're A o.k. A canvas top may have a slightly damp aroma in the winter. A canvas top in a rough area may get 'slashed' due to a break in or some dissafected youth thinking you have 'notions'. All in all go for it!!!;)

Voodoomelon

Plenty of soft top drivers will tell you Ireland is a great country for owning one. Contrary to most views, convertibles don't make much sense in very hot climates, its just too bloody hot to drive most days with the top down.

Despite our reputation for rain, there's plenty of sunshine year round and lots of opportunity for having the top down, even in winter time with heated seats and neck warmers, it can be quite pleasant even in the cold. An upmarket convertible would be the only way to go though in my eyes.

Bigsliothar

elperello wrote: »

Fine for driving in Winter but you will need a garage for overnight.

Why the garage??

Story Bud?

Buy it.

I wanted to buy one a few years ago and came here looking for advice and all these bastards told me not to buy one and so I bought the boring old saloon version and I've regretted it ever since :pac:

Thank god for my MR2 in this weather

biko

If you really want one, go ahead.

As asked in the second post, which one?
We can debate soft-tops until the cows come home but it's nice to have a link.

Alun

We have an MX-5 which is my wife's daily driver. It's driven in all weathers, and the roof is down basically whenever it isn't raining, which is surprisingly often actually, contrary to what most people think.

Actually, as someone also pointed out, the worst time to drive with the top down is on a blisteringly hot summer's day. It's a bit like sailing, the cold air moving over you lulls you into thinking it's cooler than it is, but when you get home you've turned into a lobster.

In my opinion the best time to drive open is on a clear, cold, crisp, frosty winter's day with the heater turned up full. Just try not to stop too much as the cold air dumps on you from above as if someone has entered you for the ice bucket challenge!

Also don't believe this nonsense that you need a garage. Keep the soft top maintained with a good cleaner / waterproofer and the rain just beads off. No real need for a hard top IMO. We had one on an old Mk 1 MX-5 we had, but that was only because it had a clear plastic rear window in the soft top and it misted over regularly. The hard top had a heated rear window in it which helped.

biko

Alun wrote: »

We have an MX-5 which is my wife's daily driver. It's driven in all weathers, and the roof is down basically whenever it isn't raining, which is surprisingly often actually, contrary to what most people think

Yes, Dublin is the driest county in Ireland whereas Mayo and Galway are the wettest, so location may be key if you're choosing to have a convertible.

CiboC

Alun wrote: »

In my opinion the best time to drive open is on a clear, cold, crisp, frosty winter's day with the heater turned up full. Just try not to stop too much as the cold air dumps on you from above as if someone has entered you for the ice bucket challenge!

Also don't believe this nonsense that you need a garage. Keep the soft top maintained with a good cleaner / waterproofer and the rain just beads off. No real need for a hard top IMO. We had one on an old Mk 1 MX-5 we had, but that was only because it had a clear plastic rear window in the soft top and it misted over regularly. The hard top had a heated rear window in it which helped.

Couldn't agree more, Ireland is a great place for a convertible. Not too hot, not too cold. Roof down driving on a nice crisp cold day is great, just wear a hat!

Choice of car is kind of important, some convertibles seem to automatically scream 'wanker' to some people and they can be real assholes. Other marques don't appear to attract the same begrudgery.

drunkmonkey

I used to park mine 2 minutes from ballybough in the driveway and it was never touched. I've had two over the years and no problem with anyone ripping it or trying to break in, I think even scumbags appreciate a nice car.
There useable all year round, you do feel a bit odd dropping the roof when there's snow on the road but the sun is belting down.
Last one was a diesel convertible best of both worlds.

Special Circumstances

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Last one was a diesel convertible best of both worlds.

Although your world wonders me
with your majestic superior cackling hen
Your people I do not understand