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Hmmm thoughts on this ULEZ tip car runaround.....

Convertibles are beautiful cars, but personally I'll never get one (in spite of the family's pleading...).

Cramped, impractical, tiny boot, heavy, not as safe as a saloon in a crash, and a complex roof mechanism to worry about.

Now, anyone has any suggestions how to deal with family members who repeatedly refer to me as 'that old boring git'....?
 
Seems that the convertibles command a bit less. I've been wanting a mini for years as a runaround, but started looking at Nissan Leafs as an alternative. There are DIY battery replacement options if you're that way inclined, but it's not an easy thing!

OP - check out the r56 Cooper (non S) Clubman! Some people think they're ugly but with the right colour/wheels combo I think they look awesome.
 
markjay said:
Cramped, impractical, tiny boot, heavy, not as safe as a saloon in a crash, and a complex roof mechanism to worry about.
Click to expand...
1. Cramped. Isn’t the interior space the same?
2. Impractical. How? I can get a 3m bundle of copper in into a convertible with the roof down.
3. Tiny boot. Plenty of space for the shopping or an overnight bag or 2.
4. Heavy. So are EV’s
5. Complex roof mechanism. True.

1 out of 5.

Have you ever had one?
 
Somebody hit me with a sensible stick; I'm seriously considering it. Why? I dunno, really, but I just am...
 
markjay said:
Convertibles are beautiful cars, but personally I'll never get one (in spite of the family's pleading...).

Cramped, impractical, tiny boot, heavy, not as safe as a saloon in a crash, and a complex roof mechanism to worry about.

Now, anyone has any suggestions how to deal with family members who repeatedly refer to me as 'that old boring git'....?
Click to expand...
Most of that applies to mini's anyway! Except for the weight (not really an issue) and roof mechanism bit...
 
Darrell said:
1. Cramped. Isn’t the interior space the same?
2. Impractical. How? I can get a 3m bundle of copper in into a convertible with the roof down.
3. Tiny boot. Plenty of space for the shopping or an overnight bag or 2.
4. Heavy. So are EV’s
5. Complex roof mechanism. True.

1 out of 5.

Have you ever had one?
Click to expand...
It depends on the type of roof but many have the rear seats altered to accommodate the folding roof mechanism, ie rear seats narrower in the convertible version to allow the mechanism to fit on either side, or moved forward to assist folding behind the seat.
Boot space depends on the model, but similar comments can apply. Likewise headroom, depends on roof structure.

Unlimited headroom with the roof down, though. Ideal for very tall drivers or passengers :)
 
tonysmb said:
It depends on the type of roof but many have the rear seats altered to accommodate the folding roof mechanism, ie rear seats narrower in the convertible version to allow the mechanism to fit on either side, or moved forward to assist folding behind the seat.
Boot space depends on the model, but similar comments can apply. Likewise headroom, depends on roof structure.

Unlimited headroom with the roof down, though. Ideal for very tall drivers or passengers :)
Click to expand...
So it all depends on lots of things and all convertibles are different??
 
E55BOF said:
Somebody hit me with a sensible stick; I'm seriously considering it. Why? I dunno, really, but I just am...
Click to expand...

TeddyRuxpin said:
Now this is just bad car-forum etiquette! :p
Click to expand...

Be my guest. If you read the original post I want to be persuaded from it as being a vert it really just isn't suitable for my needs, if it was exactly the same in hatch form it would have been bought and in my garage by now !!!!!!!
 
The white one I posted after is just so much more suitable just not half as interesting !!!!
 
markjay said:
Convertibles are beautiful cars, but personally I'll never get one (in spite of the family's pleading...).

Cramped, impractical, tiny boot, heavy, not as safe as a saloon in a crash, and a complex roof mechanism to worry about.

Now, anyone has any suggestions how to deal with family members who repeatedly refer to me as 'that old boring git'....?
Click to expand...
I’ve had several convertibles. This was my most recent one. Its major advantage was NOT being able to get all the family in it. :banana:
IMG_0671.jpeg
 
markjay said:
Convertibles are beautiful cars

not as safe as a saloon in a crash
Click to expand...

Depends a bit on the car. Famous video of a 1980s convertible design (R129) having a high speed autobahn crash with multiple flips - driver gets out and walks away at about the 50 sec. mark:

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A friend at work bought a Volvo saloon of similar vintage for her daughter as a 'safe' first car, but she died when she rolled it and the roof crushed.
 
Darrell said:
1. Cramped. Isn’t the interior space the same?
2. Impractical. How? I can get a 3m bundle of copper in into a convertible with the roof down.
3. Tiny boot. Plenty of space for the shopping or an overnight bag or 2.
4. Heavy. So are EV’s
5. Complex roof mechanism. True.

1 out of 5.

Have you ever had one?
Click to expand...

1. Most modern convertibles have only 4 seats, not 5 (they used to have 5 seats up to 20 years ago).

2 & 3. I can see that you've never done the IKEA run with the missus......... :doh:
 
BTB 500 said:
Depends a bit on the car. Famous video of a 1980s convertible design (R129) having a high speed autobahn crash with multiple flips - driver gets out and walks away at about the 50 sec. mark:

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A friend at work bought a Volvo saloon of similar vintage for her daughter as a 'safe' first car, but she died when she rolled it and the roof crushed.
Click to expand...


I agree that they meet all current safety standards, BUT it's very difficult to replicate the rigidity of the cabin that a fixed roof provides. It's a cube vs a tub. The tub will always flex more than the cube, unless heavily reinforced.
 
markjay said:
1. Most modern convertibles have only 4 seats, not 5 (they used to have 5 seats up to 20 years ago).

2 & 3. I can see that you've never done the IKEA run with the missus......... :doh:
Click to expand...
1. There’s only 3 of us.
2 & 3. Never bought anything from IKEA.
 
I've had quite a few rag tops as demos when selling......I was always worried about coming back to find it slashed by some hooligan. Never happened to me but replacing slashed hoods was a regular workshop job. If I wanted a convertible it would have to be a metal one....like my wife's last R170
 
tonysmb said:
It depends on the type of roof but many have the rear seats altered to accommodate the folding roof mechanism, ie rear seats narrower in the convertible version to allow the mechanism to fit on either side, or moved forward to assist folding behind the seat.
Boot space depends on the model, but similar comments can apply. Likewise headroom, depends on roof structure.

Unlimited headroom with the roof down, though. Ideal for very tall drivers or passengers :)
Click to expand...
My S2000 was a convertible. No head room issues, ample boot space ,no impact on cabin space.
It was a dedicated 2 seater though!
 
So I think would that car be, really, unless the back seat passengers had no legs.
 
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Darrell said:
2 & 3. Never bought anything from IKEA.
Click to expand...

You lucky man!

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