Pros and Cons of a convertible

[Cavedog]

No matter what you do if you don't have the convertible and that is put the top down. I love the open air and the closest thing to a motorcycle is a convertible. A convertible beats a motorcycle because, your right hand doesn't go numb, sounds are better, comfortable seat and amongst other things it doesn't fall over.
It has been mentioned, it is too hot in traffic. Yes it is, I just turn on the a/c until I can get out of traffic. Problem cured.

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[Jim Hendrickson]

you should wait until it is broken in at least. I would rent a manual from someone before I had a son or daughter destroy my very expensive car....just sayin.....

Yeah, that would be smart, probably not something I would do. I am not sure what you mean about rent. I would never rent out anything not specifically purchased for that reason.

 

[LouG]

No matter what you do if you don't have the convertible and that is put the top down. I love the open air and the closest thing to a motorcycle is a convertible. A convertible beats a motorcycle because, your right hand doesn't go numb, sounds are better, comfortable seat and amongst other things it doesn't fall over.
It has been mentioned, it is too hot in traffic. Yes it is, I just turn on the a/c until I can get out of traffic. Problem cured.

I hope you're not an ex biker to speak blasphemy like that

 

[Jim Hendrickson]

Eh he's got money. I sincerely hope there's nobody on Turo dumb enough to rent out a stick-shift knowing full well kids are either going to learn on them and/or beat the holy piss out of them the entire time.

I remember myself as a teenager and would not trust that person (me, at that age) with anything that would go 150mph. My daughter is in her 30's, works and will "soon" have her masters degree. I trust her and accept some increased wear on the clutch is possible, probably likely. I have not done any burnouts or bounced off the rev limiter. I am going to, after the first oil change, occasionally during the life of the car. Shock load can be far worse than accelerated wear on components that wear with every use.

 

[TSimo]

I agree 100% with the pros you mentioned about the GT convertible
However, regarding the cons-may I retort?
1. Ugly with the top up - matter of opinion; I personally think it looks good
2. Leaks even more than a coupe Mustang if you can believe that -I've owned two GT convertibles, with a 3rd one on order---no leaks, at all, in the first two
3. Blind spots with the top up - not as bad as the Camaro is/was
4. Someone who dislikes you can drill a hole in the top before a strong storm and flood it - uh and 10 Ninjas could attack you at a stoplight. The worst I have experienced is having my wife's Mercedes "keyed" while at a nice restaurant in a very safe City, so you're right, you never know what a jealous a-hole might do to your car
5. Easy to break into and easier to carjack --yes to easy to break into by cutting the top but mine have all been manual transmissions which is the modern-day anti-theft device
6. Rollover = 110% death --I would agree even though convertibles have a lower center of gravity, especially with top down. I think they are equal or slightly less likely to roll than the same car in a coupe version. Of course, if you're dumb enough to turn off all of the safety features & put your foot to the floor, you deserve to die
7. Unavoidable stoplight conversation unlike with a coupe where you can just quickly put the window up - agreed but more than that are how many other muscle type cars will rev their engines wanting to race -- there is a place & a time for that and its not on City streets, etc
8. My "manual transmission anti-theft" stickers would have to be placed on the trunk lid and driver's door handle instead of the glass which is a bit tacky - my car(s) are in a garage every day/night & where I work is secure, so I don't worry about it getting stolen, etc so no need for stickers

 

[Jim Hendrickson]

I agree 100% with the pros you mentioned about the GT convertible
However, regarding the cons-may I retort?
1. Ugly with the top up - matter of opinion; I personally think it looks good
2. Leaks even more than a coupe Mustang if you can believe that -I've owned two GT convertibles, with a 3rd one on order---no leaks, at all, in the first two
3. Blind spots with the top up - not as bad as the Camaro is/was
4. Someone who dislikes you can drill a hole in the top before a strong storm and flood it - uh and 10 Ninjas could attack you at a stoplight. The worst I have experienced is having my wife's Mercedes "keyed" while at a nice restaurant in a very safe City, so you're right, you never know what a jealous a-hole might do to your car
5. Easy to break into and easier to carjack --yes to easy to break into by cutting the top but mine have all been manual transmissions which is the modern-day anti-theft device
6. Rollover = 110% death --I would agree even though convertibles have a lower center of gravity, especially with top down. I think they are equal or slightly less likely to roll than the same car in a coupe version. Of course, if you're dumb enough to turn off all of the safety features & put your foot to the floor, you deserve to die
7. Unavoidable stoplight conversation unlike with a coupe where you can just quickly put the window up - agreed but more than that are how many other muscle type cars will rev their engines wanting to race -- there is a place & a time for that and its not on City streets, etc
8. My "manual transmission anti-theft" stickers would have to be placed on the trunk lid and driver's door handle instead of the glass which is a bit tacky - my car(s) are in a garage every day/night & where I work is secure, so I don't worry about it getting stolen, etc so no need for stickers

I had never heard of anti theft stickers on a car, I googled it.

I like your choice of cars:
* Mercedes S560 4Matic - awesome daily driver. I had an AMG 63, probably similar comfort.
* Porsche Cayenne S - V6 twin turbo? w/6-speed manual? Regardless, awesome, the wife and I drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway fairly often. Your Porsche is made for these roads.
* GT convertible - If I had that S560 daily driver and Porsche I would have purchased a truck, that said I like my GT so I can hardly find fault with your choice of cars.

 

[s197richie]

I had never heard of anti theft stickers on a car, I googled it.

I like your choice of cars:
* Mercedes S560 4Matic - awesome daily driver. I had an AMG 63, probably similar comfort.
* Porsche Cayenne S - V6 twin turbo? w/6-speed manual? Regardless, awesome, the wife and I drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway fairly often. Your Porsche is made for these roads.
* GT convertible - If I had that S560 daily driver and Porsche I would have purchased a truck, that said I like my GT so I can hardly find fault with your choice of cars.

This one is short and to the point, and will fit on a door handle if necessary. Available on Amazon; I have some in reserve to install before the drive home on any new vehicle

 

[TSimo]

I had never heard of anti theft stickers on a car, I googled it.

I like your choice of cars:
* Mercedes S560 4Matic - awesome daily driver. I had an AMG 63, probably similar comfort.
* Porsche Cayenne S - V6 twin turbo? w/6-speed manual? Regardless, awesome, the wife and I drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway fairly often. Your Porsche is made for these roads.
* GT convertible - If I had that S560 daily driver and Porsche I would have purchased a truck, that said I like my GT so I can hardly find fault with your choice of cars.

Thank you Jim!
The S560 is my wife's baby & will probably never give it up; we're both retired so it does not get many miles per month
The Porsche Cayenne is a twin turbo V-6 with 434 HP but connected to an 8spd auto trans-not sure where you saw 6spd manual on my post? The Cayenne was available with a 6spd manual on the base Cayenne from 2004-2014
I'm very lucky to get another GT Mustang GT convertible. It will be my 3rd GT convertible & like the other two only driven in nice weather which we have a lot of here in California

 

[Jimbo33]

I have been driving convertible since my 1968 GTO. A lot of people raise concerns about security In over 50 years I have never encountered a problem. I have left it at malls with with the top down and at restaurants, nothing. If over 50 years and never a problem, the chances of a problem are slim to none. I love driving with a top down and I think over 50% of them I drive my Mustang in the summer is with the top down.

 

[LouG]

Does the convertiable have a strengthened windscreen frame like an MX5 does?
It wasn't as protective as a proper bar behind the seats, but it did save a guy in our MX5 club who rolled his on track.
He did have helmet on.

 

[Cavedog]

I hope you're not an ex biker to speak blasphemy like that

Yes I am an ex biker. I always had a bike from 1969 to 2020. Too many types and makes to list. Gave them up when I turned 73. You have to know your limitations, as Dirty Harry said.

 

[LouG]

Yes I am an ex biker. I always had a bike from 1969 to 2020. Too many types and makes to list. Gave them up when I turned 73. You have to know your limitations, as Dirty Harry said.

I sold my last bike in '23, I waited to see how much I missed it, and it wasn't enough.
Rode for 35 years from age 15 to 71 with some breaks away.
But I don't think a car comes close, not enough adrenaline surges.

 

[radar]

Problem solved - own both

 

[DjCurt]

Convertible is just a special case of Mustang. A fully optioned GT is a crappy car if you have 4 kids and only 1 car. A convertible top further limits the desirability if you don't drive around with it down, most of the time. As a second car, I would have no other but a convertible. The obvious things, that apply to most convertibles are not what piss me off about the 2026 Mustang convertible. Add to your list: 1) No drawer/holder for sunglasses. My 2020 Mustang convertible had a drawer right below the open trunk button which in the 2026 is a blank plastic surface. 2) No garage door opener, not at any trim level. 2020 Mustang convertible had installed garage door opener on the visor. 3) No lane centering in a 6 speed convertible at any trim level. The coup with an automatic shift does. The 6 speed has lane assist and cruse control that slows and speeds up with traffic. The only thing missing is software that supports it.

Did they drop lane assist and adaptive cruise control for 2026? My 2025 6-speed has it and it will fight you to stay in lane.

 

[DjCurt]

1. I like the way the Mustangs convertibles from the S197 on up look with either to top up or the top down.
2. Absolutely no leaks in any of the 3 verts I have or have owned. I also have a 2008 GT 500 vert. When the roof is up it "feels" like a roof the only difference there is that It does appear to heat the interior more and hold more heat than a standard roof.
3. Blind spots with the top up, meh, if it that bad that you can't drive, well maybe you shouldn't then.
4. Frame is beefier and stiffer than than a coupe's frame to make up for the support that the roof gives.
5. Glass is easy to break, if they want to get in they will get in.
6. Rollover- okay you win that one.
7. Stoplight conversation, I have only had people complement the car and I'm not stuck-up so...

As a side note I used to ride motorcycle about 10,000 miles a year before I got my first convertible 7 years ago. I got hit while driving that convertible by someone who was not paying attention, the car was totaled but I was not hurt. If I would have taken the bike that day I would not be here today.

The only con that I have is that I can't use them for "track" events except for drag racing.

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