Pros and Cons of a convertible

[TSimo]

Yes you can set cruise to regular. Congratulation on the new car.

Thanks!
My car landed at my dealer this afternoon- I pick it up next week

Sponsored

 

[MustangMitch69]

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.

Agree that the convertible doesn't make sense as a primary car for a family. I have two kids, and fitting both in the back seat (with child car seats) would require me to scoot my driver's seat all the way up to where my knees touch the steering wheel. For one kid on the passenger side and with the front passenger seat scooted all the way up, it works for that, but not for 2 kids. That's why my daily is a BMW and my weekend car is the mustang convertible.

As for the garage door opener and sunglasses holder, I was fortunate enough to buy an early 2024 which came with both (and no auto start/stop) before Ford went cheap and eliminated both for subsequent years.

 

[MustangMitch69]

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.

That's exactly why I don't get a motorcycle. It's not that I don't trust my driving, it's that I dont trust everyone else's. I knew multiple people with motorcycles who died during their college years by getting hit by other cars, likely drivers not paying attention. Nothing they could have done to prevent it, other than drive cars instead.

 

[Jimbo33]

I know that convertible or not has lovers and haters.To each their own. The idea that someone said that it as a year round car is absolutely true. Many people have expressed that the convertible is ugly. Find me 2 people men and women that can agree on who is attractive. To me in my climate the car is a spring, summer and fall toy. I have had convertibles since my 1968 GTO. I know it is not for everyone but for me going along the great lakes in summer and the finger lakes NY is my passion. Don't knock until you try it.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Pros
- It has no top 99% of the time

Cons
- None

My car is my DD. All 4 seasons. Above 55°F and not raining the top is down

 

[LouG]

That's exactly why I don't get a motorcycle. It's not that I don't trust my driving, it's that I dont trust everyone else's. I knew multiple people with motorcycles who died during their college years by getting hit by other cars, likely drivers not paying attention. Nothing they could have done to prevent it, other than drive cars instead.

I rode from 15 to 72 and didn't die even once. Because you can prevent it. You learn to really ride properly ( the Poms call it "safety fast") and you treat everyone on the road as if they want to kill you.

 

[Jim Hendrickson]

I rode from 15 to 72 and didn't die even once. Because you can prevent it. You learn to really ride properly ( the Poms call it "safety fast") and you treat everyone on the road as if they want to kill you.

I agree with everything except "you can prevent it". I had 2 close calls that challenge that. A short pipe fell off a truck and bounced into my front tire. Bent the tire, I was not hurt, it was close. Then an accident in the oncoming lane, resulted in 2 cars crossing the line If you think you see all and have a plan, I hope you always do.

 

[LouG]

I agree with everything except "you can prevent it". I had 2 close calls that challenge that. A short pipe fell off a truck and bounced into my front tire. Bent the tire, I was not hurt, it was close. Then an accident in the oncoming lane, resulted in 2 cars crossing the line If you think you see all and have a plan, I hope you always do.

There's no guarantees in life. But in all the time I was riding, I never had a serious injury and the only two times a car knocked me off my bike was when I was stationary (and couldn't get out of the way) and the silly buggers hit me at walking speed.
Many of my cop mates could tell the same story. In my time in Traffic enforcement there was only one serious accident in our force, and we were sure he dozed off on the bike.
The real problem is that most riders never learn to ride defensively.

 

[Westphal]

My wife had the top down on her Mustang the entire week, as it's parked in the garage overnight and we didn't get any rain during the day. We did put it up when we went to the dinner theater to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary (June 8), but then dropped the top again on the way home since she didn't care how her hair was going to look. Left it down going out for breakfast and looking at hot tubs this morning. The ventilated seats are a huge help in keeping cool when it's hot out.

Sponsored