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.

 

[Rhodesian]

I just picked up a used 25' vert 401A, PP, 6 spd, B&O stereo. I live in NC. Top is dropped most of the time. 95 degrees and below. AC and seats on always above 90. It's great. I've have multiple bikes for go fast stuff so the GT is more of a spirited cruiser. I'm looking into Steeda's chassis stiffening items, but not sure if I will. My 25' has adaptive, you can use the clutch. The adaptive only operates the brakes and is active until you cancel or touch the brakes. Lane keep sucks. I turned it off. Has auto start/ stop. Turns the engine off at stop lights when in neutral. Touch the clutch and it starts again. If you are learning stick, it has hill start assist. It will set the brakes. Even my Goldwing has it. Love modern tech. Also, can't stall the car. No gas and let the clutch out, the car brings up the revs. The drift brake/ parking brake shuts off as soon as you move. No need to turn it off. My 15 year old will be learning to drive this in a couple months. Top down and walk away from the car and all compartments lock. Just like a high optioned Jeep. I push the car hard and the suspension is a little soft, but springs could fix that. Top down and parked, fold the seats forward and it keeps the sun off of them so it's not hot upon return. Safety with top up, well it'll keep the honest thieves out.... My 401A package has a garage door opener on the visor. My sunglasses go in a case in the center console. I owned a 20' auto with the 3.55 rear. It was a dog and felt like a tin can compared to my
Challenger. The 25' is so much more solid in comparison. The 6spd and 3.73 definitely wake it up. Oh and the rev match down shifts is killer with the top down, I do extra downshifts to listen to it. Standard exhaust and I don't know if I will delete the resonators. My buddy gave me the delete, but I have not put it on yet. This is my DD, I parked my truck and covered it. Car is fantastic for an American muscle car. Anything more and you will have to buy European or modify this.

 

[3Rivers]

As someone who bought a "new to me" 2024 Fastback two weeks ago, I faced the coupe vs. convertible choice for the first time ever. One interesting thing I discovered immediately is that the big price premium for the convertible disappears in the used market, at least in my region (Northeast). The salesman I spoke with confirmed that Mustang Fastbacks and convertibles tend to be priced about the same, based on the standard factors of equipment, mileage, and age. This is good news if you plan to buy used, since it means you can pick up a convertible without the hefty surcharge. But if you buy new, it means you'll face a more substantial depreciation hit.

For me, the coupe was more appealing. The Mustang is not a daily driver or even a four-season car for me, so in theory, a convertible would have worked. But I've had multiple vehicles with sun roofs over the years, and have one now, and have always used them sparingly. Get a nice blast of fresh air for a little while, then close it! I tend to think of a vehicle as a refuge from summer heat, not a way to soak it up. E.g., a few days ago, I had to perform in an outdoor concert in a state park for two hours at 95 degrees. Then we rode in a no-AC school bus back to the faraway parking lot. Then 45 minutes to drive home. I was glad to have a roof shielding me at that point!

But I suppose the primary reason for going with the Fastback is that I listen to music constantly while driving. The 12-speaker B&O is pretty good, and I want to hear it rather than wind noise. This is another reason I don't use a sun roof all that often -- I don't want to be rudely blasting sounds at everyone outside the car.

 

[Achlys]

I contemplated getting a convertible because I miss the open air from a motorcycle. For me it was three issues. Cost difference, actual usage, and I live off a dirt/rock road which guarantees the black fabric would not be black but ash colored dirty at all time.

 

[TMR]

I just picked up a used 25' vert 401A, PP, 6 spd, B&O stereo. I live in NC. Top is dropped most of the time. 95 degrees and below. AC and seats on always above 90. It's great. I've have multiple bikes for go fast stuff so the GT is more of a spirited cruiser. I'm looking into Steeda's chassis stiffening items, but not sure if I will. My 25' has adaptive, you can use the clutch. The adaptive only operates the brakes and is active until you cancel or touch the brakes. Lane keep sucks. I turned it off. Has auto start/ stop. Turns the engine off at stop lights when in neutral. Touch the clutch and it starts again. If you are learning stick, it has hill start assist. It will set the brakes. Even my Goldwing has it. Love modern tech. Also, can't stall the car. No gas and let the clutch out, the car brings up the revs. The drift brake/ parking brake shuts off as soon as you move. No need to turn it off. My 15 year old will be learning to drive this in a couple months. Top down and walk away from the car and all compartments lock. Just like a high optioned Jeep. I push the car hard and the suspension is a little soft, but springs could fix that. Top down and parked, fold the seats forward and it keeps the sun off of them so it's not hot upon return. Safety with top up, well it'll keep the honest thieves out.... My 401A package has a garage door opener on the visor. My sunglasses go in a case in the center console. I owned a 20' auto with the 3.55 rear. It was a dog and felt like a tin can compared to my
Challenger. The 25' is so much more solid in comparison. The 6spd and 3.73 definitely wake it up. Oh and the rev match down shifts is killer with the top down, I do extra downshifts to listen to it. Standard exhaust and I don't know if I will delete the resonators. My buddy gave me the delete, but I have not put it on yet. This is my DD, I parked my truck and covered it. Car is fantastic for an American muscle car. Anything more and you will have to buy European or modify this.

It was definitely toasty cruising top down in NC this weekend! AC helps in for sure. But I got back to the garage before it topped 100.

I think you got the GT cruiser nature of the vert dead on. But for what it is worth, I have only experienced it feeling unsettled on bad RR crossings. Otherwise it gets through the twisties around me flat enough. I am working on a track car to get my highly spirited driving fix vs. modding my vert.

I hope you love the car.

 

[Rhodesian]

The unsettled issue I am having is the on off throttle. It feels like rear end torque steer. The suspension is a little soft when transition side to side on the mountain roads. There is some brake dive. I am not driving slow. It is more like track driving on the street, but dialed back some. I am getting a feeling for the stock limitations. I just have to decide if I want to upgrade or leave it as cruiser. I have trouble leaving my bikes alone so we'll see. When you ride a 200hp/400lb machine, everything else feels slow. Kind of warps your sense of reality.

Otherwise I am completely in love with this car. The B&O is great with the top down. Insane with the top up. I did notice the "stereo" setting is best top down and "surround" setting top up.

Now...do I need a blower? Suspension first if I do

 

[Rhodesian]

I contemplated getting a convertible because I miss the open air from a motorcycle. For me it was three issues. Cost difference, actual usage, and I live off a dirt/rock road which guarantees the black fabric would not be black but ash colored dirty at all time.

I think if you can overcome the other issues with your enviroment, then the vert is the way to go. I love have the AC on when really hot and the top up when it dips below 60. The GF doesn't worry about layering gear as she does on the bike. Last night was 85 and dry. The top down was magical. As close as you can get to a motorcycle. Well a touring bike.

Sponsored