If you’re anything like
us, you long for that open air feeling when you’re on the road. The wind
blowing in your hair, the sun shining on your face, and the sensation of being
exposed to your environment is magical. It’s like a special kind of freedom that’s
usually reserved for reckless bikers, but convertibles make it safe… or do
they? There’s been a lot fake news
and misinformation about convertibles over the years, especially with newer
models. With technological advances, all cars including convertible cars have
gotten safer and easier to use than ever. As advocates for convertibles, we’re
dispelling 4 myths you’ve heard about convertibles.
1)
They’re
not practical and you can only drive them in the summer
Although they aren’t
necessarily the most practical of cars, convertibles aren’t impractical and
they’re a ton of fun that makes for a great driving experience. Sure, everyone
who gets a convertible is thinking about hitting the road when the sun is out,
but that doesn’t mean it’s not usable during fall and winter. Granted, you might
not want to drive 25 mph with the top down when it’s chilly or rainy out, but
that’s the beauty of a convertible: it’s convertible. When the weather is poor,
you keep the top up. When the weather is beautiful, you put the top down.
If you’re worried about
staying warm with a convertible during winter months, get a hard top. Hard tops
offer you more insulation and overall protection from your exterior
surroundings compared to soft tops. Though it’s important to note that soft
tops have come a long way in terms of insulation, but the hard top will always
mean less weather exposure and noise from the road.
2)
They
don’t have storage space
There might not be as much
trunk space for storage when you’re buying a small convertible, but then again,
you probably aren’t too concerned about storage space if you’re looking at
roadsters or sports convertibles. This myth really refers to when the top is
down, especially if it’s a hard top. However, not every convertible on the
market sacrifices trunk space to make a zippy, compact convertible. If having a
lot of trunk space is important to you, you can still get a convertible without
compromising on storage.
3)
They
have poor performance, which makes them dangerous
Maybe a decade or so
ago, convertibles were notorious for poor maneuverability and control because
their flimsy bodies would flex in strong wind forces (which was also less fuel
efficient!). In the past, engineers depended on the roof of the car to provide
a lot of structural integrity, which hindered the driving performance of
convertibles. Today, engineers construct convertibles with a rigid body, using
support pillars and stiffer materials. That means little to no structural flex,
more maneuverability, and better safety. Nowadays, the only time convertibles
are more dangerous than regular cars is if they were flipped, which isn’t an
easy task.
4)
They’re
high maintenance and expensive
Another common myth
about convertibles is that they’re high maintenance. That’s get this straight
though: any quality car is worth taking good care of and, therefore, might be
considered high maintenance. Even if you’re not driving a nice car, it still
needs regular maintenance or it’ll eventually break down. As for convertibles,
the maintenance varies depending on the type of convertible you get (i.e.
roadster, classic 4 seater, or luxury), as well as the top it has.
Over the years, soft tops got
a reputation for easily damaged from weather, use, and theft. They use to come
with a flimsy plastic rearview window that would easily scratch with regular
use too. Repairing these tops was extremely high maintenance and expensive. However,
today, soft tops are more durable and long lasting than ever. They’re made from
stronger materials that make them less expensive and more protective. Not only are
they more durable, but most soft tops come with a glass rearview window now.
Although soft tops aren’t completely theft protective and carwash proof as a
hard top, they’re not nearly as high maintenance as rumor has it. Meanwhile, a
hard top is more expensive to buy and replace, and are heavier than a soft top,
but are as easily damaged or broken into.
5)
They
aren’t suited for families
If the other myths about
convertibles were true, this one would make sense. However, convertible can be
a great car for your family. Granted, it may not be the best option if you can
only have one car in your family, but that doesn’t mean convertibles don’t play
well with families. If you have a family and want a convertible, get a 4 seater
convertible instead of a roadster. Most of the 4 seater models have plenty of
space for a car seat and a beach cooler for when you want to drive your family
down to the shore for a beach day.
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