To Buy or Not To Buy: Pros and Cons of Owning a Convertible

Is owning a convertible worth it? What are the pros and cons?

Convertibles can be a fun purchase, but it isn't without its challenges and frustrations. If you're in the market for a convertible, its best to do your research before heading to a dealership.

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Convertibles sure are nice to look at. It’s the ultimate summer vehicle and turns heads everywhere it goes. But, as is the case with any vehicle, the pros and cons are aplenty.

I’m more of a good-news-first kind of person, so let’s begin with:

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The benefits of owning a convertible:

• It has a sporty look. It’s true; when you see a convertible rolling down a road, you can’t help but stare. Most cars have roofs and to see a car that’s devoid of one naturally sparks interest. Plus, not all convertibles seat five people. There are some that only seat two, which enhances the sporty appeal. Add in the choice of bold colors and it’s the perfect formula for a sport-inspired car.
• Better visibility whilst driving. You won’t have to worry about any blind spots with a convertible. You can literally see everything around you. Finding those tough-to-see parking spots at the grocery store is made easier and maneuvering around other vehicles is a cinch. It also gives you less of an excuse for a bad parking job.
• When the top is down, it feels like you’re always on vacation. Seriously, there’s nothing else quite like a convertible. The wind in your hair, sun beaming down, tunes blasting over the radio – it’s the perfect complement to any summer-fun activity.
• Maximum headroom. Rejoice, tall drivers; you're free from anything bumping the tops of your noggins. Not to mention you can feel the wind hit you from any direction. Regular cars can present problems for taller drivers, but that’s never a worry when you have a convertible.

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Now come the cons of a convertible:

• Convertibles are pricey. If you don’t want a roof over your head, you’re going to have to shell out some extra scratch. Expect anywhere between $5,000 and $9,000 extra to be added to your total price. But, you get what you pay for.
• Security is at risk. For obvious reasons, a “rag top” is much easier for someone to break into than a hardtop. So, it’s important that you remove all valuables that are in plain sight out of the car. You should be doing this anyway, but with a convertible, it’s extra important.
• Expect a noisy driving experience. The next time you’re driving down the highway, roll down all of your windows and see if you dig it. That’s how loud driving a convertible will be, but if you’re okay with it, then no big deal. Driving through the neighborhood streets, obviously, won’t be bad, but if highway driving is more your thing, get familiar with a loud cabin before you buy.
• The interior ages quickly. Think about it, when the top is down and the sun is out, your interior is going to take a beating. It gets worse when you have leather seats. It isn’t just seats that can be damaged, though: dashboards, steering wheels, and even seatbelts are at risk, too.

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Find the best convertible to buy that fits your needs.

Pretty much every car manufacturer produces a convertible model, so you don’t have to go out of your way to locate one. Deciding which convertible to purchase is the question. You could go either the luxury route or the gas-friendly, and still have plenty of convertibles to choose from. My suggestion? Buy a used convertible car instead of going new. It’s no secret the value depreciates as soon as you drive off the lot, so why not retain that value?

Sure, you could buy the latest and greatest Ferrari or Bugatti. But, in the interest of reliability (and that’s what we all want in our cars, right?), below is a list of the ten most reliable convertibles:

• Chevrolet Camaro
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
• Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Audi TT Roadster
• Jaguar F-Type
• Ford Mustang
• BMW 2 Series
• Fiat 124 Spider
• Porsche Boxster
• Buick Cascada

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Owning a convertible is a thrilling experience, but just like buying a regular car, there are important pros and cons to note. Maybe some of them matter, maybe they don’t. As long as you’re equipped with the right information, it should help make your decision that much easier. Convertible season is almost upon us, will you be joining in on the fun?

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