Straw Poll: Convertible Cars

[Asset]

I grew up with spitfires which have the advantage of a hard top for the winter and a soft one for the summer. It was great as a kid driving around with the roof down (obviously not me driving). You see a lot more of the surroundings and don't feel so caged.

[Brendan]

MX5s also have the option of a hard top. The entire concept of the Mazda MX5 is actually the same as that of the old Triumphs and MGs

[LuvPeckham]

There is a certain joy in owning and driving a classic convertable, it comes from three things

1. The feeling of freedom as the wind gently ruffles your hair and keeps you cool on a hot day (sadly reveresed when stuck in traffic on same hot day and discovering that old cars don't have AC unless the AC is part of their name as in Cobra)

2. The enjoyment of keeping an old car alive and in use on a fairly regular basis

3. (i have to admit) the pose factor as people in modern jelly moulds look on in envy as you 'purr' past them with the hood down whilst they at best have AC on (poluting the world) or at worse have only their windows open a crack

Love it so much that I have owned the same classic sports car for over 20 years now and have even stripped her down and rebuilt her once to add to the pleasure of driving her.

Got to say that I also love modern convertables providing they were designed as such and not just an option in the range and I too, like LadyGooner, get mad when I see people with their hood up on a lovely sunny day (My friends all have memories of me in my 20's turning up late October on a freezing but sunny day with the hood down and 20 plus layers of clothes on to keep the chill off)

[Sonja]

As someone about to get rid of a modern two-seater convertible in favour of a baby mobile, I feel quite teary when reading some of these posts. I completely sympathise with the 'quite uncomfortable' look that some people have, but it completely depends on the type of car, not the convertible-ness of it. When I used to have a Nissan Figaro, which was a semi open-top, I never feared the kebab issue, and could never see 'twat' in people's expressions when I drop by, just a gentle smile. In the BMW we've just had, however, I do feel slightly shame faced, but only in London.

Here's my favourite convertible moments (they make it worth it for me):

Driving down to the south coast in the summer, away from a grey day in London, and getting stuck behind a tractor on a single-lane road just as we hit the new forest. At which point the sun broke through from behind the clouds, we put the roof down, you could smell the trees, feel the early summer sun on your face, and suddenly all was right with the world....

Being a passenger when driving around London (preferably on a Sunday morning, preferably a nice day) - putting your head back and look up rather than ahead of you as you drive around with the roof down. Crossing Tower Bridge is a particular favourite, but there's loads of bits of London that take on a whole new light at that angle. I'd recommend you try it just once.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Do I mean six series bmw? Hey I know nothing about cars - I drive a skoda!

[LuvPeckham]

Hey Sonja - don't forget when looking up that in some convertables that you can also see the dirt under the wheel arches of buses and lorries... now that is something I don't always recomend ::o

[mockney piers]

The Ariel Atom 3 is out. nice!!

*warning, very boring if you're bored by this sort of thing*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7uAgWuxWkQ

[lozzyloz]

I had several convertables from the late 80's to late 90's and loved them then for several reasons:

1) They weren't as common then. Now everything including Nissan Micra's are convertible.

2) I was a young turk and liked showing off.

3) Enjoyed dropping or raising the roof at the touch of a button when stsnding at traffic lights in front of a crowded bus stop when the weather changed.

4) Pre the days of speed camera's you really could feel the wind in your hair, though I did use copious amounts of gel on work days!

5) Never had a Kebab attack although was once hit by a crunched up ball of paper from a 4th floor office in Wigmore St.

6) Always attracted attention in traffic jams and often met some nice people.

7) Nothing better than two girls sitting in the back flashing their tits to coach parties as you fly down the M3 to the coast on a hot July day.

8) For touring holidays on continental Europe it's essential, especially if you happen to be in Barcelona.

9) On the way back from a party if one of the passengers has had to much to drink you don't need to worry about opening the windows quickly.

10) You can take tall plants home without crushing them.