Friday, April 12, 2019

2019 Convertibles Under 30K

A convertible is the epitome of summertime fun, as it lets you and your passengers enjoy the sun on your face and the wind in your hair.

Although convertibles may seem to be made only for the well off, there are actually several new 2019 models that have been priced below $30,000, making them affordable for nearly anyone looking for a new car on an average budget.

Check out these seven amazing new 2019 convertible models for under $30k, and find the right one for you.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible 




This powerful roadster comes with a great new design for 2019. It has a unique modernistic shape with great flow on the exterior and a teardrop-shaped interior with enough room for comfort. The new 2019 model has added more power to the design with an extra 26 horsepower. You can also now get 7,500 rpm thanks to lighter rods and pistons that help supercharge the drive.

  • Soft or hardtop retractable convertible 
  • Six-speed automatic or manual transmission 
  • Light design with 20 percent less weight compared to previous models 
  • Standard rearview camera, LED headlights and two USB ports 
  • 29 mpg combined fuel economy 

Starting Price: $26,500 


2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 




This iconic car comes with a spectacular convertible option in its final year. This is one of the most affordable convertibles on the market, and now is the time to snap it up. Many parts of the retro Beetle styling stay the same, but the manufacturer has modernized many features to create a safer, more comfortable drive. Changes for the 2019 model year include four trim levels with plenty of amazing equipment in the high-end models.

  • Automatic transmission only 
  • Fender premium audio system with four speakers and trunk-located subwoofer 
  • Standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and crash response system 
  • Space for four passengers 
  • 29 mpg combined fuel economy 

Starting Price: $21,790 


2019 Mini Convertible 




The 2019 model comes with newly configured trim levels, all of which now come with updated infotainment systems and Apple CarPlay. Drivers love the great handling of this car as well as the elegant interior.

  • Six-speed manual transmission with front-wheel drive 
  • 134 horsepower on the 1.5-liter model 
  • Standard safety features include traction control, emergency braking assistance and stability control 
  • Rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and rearview cameras included 
  • 29 mpg combined fuel economy 

Starting Price: $27,750 


2019 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Cabrio Convertible 



If looking out for the environment is important to you, this may be your best option. This two-seat car is perfect for city commuting. You will love how easy it is to maneuver through traffic and how cheap it is to drive. The newest model no longer has a gasoline engine but is only electric powered.

  • Fabric top lowers with the push of a button 
  • Removable roof bars 
  • 80 horsepower electric motor 
  • Easy to park with a 22.8-foot turning circle 
  • 102 miles per charge 

Starting Price: $28,850 


2019 Fiat 500c Abarth Convertible 




This convertible is another small but surprisingly stylish option that is also great for city and suburban driving. The new model received more horsepower along with a turbocharge. Higher-end models also got better brakes and suspension along with rearview cameras, fog lights and spoilers.

  • Easy to park with less than 12 feet of space needed 
  • 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic options 
  • Canvas roll-top with permanent metal roof frame 
  • Standard features include a USB port, Bluetooth and rearview monitor 
  • 30 mpg combined fuel economy 

Starting Price: $23,285 


2019 Fiat 500c Convertible 




The Fiat 500c is one of the most affordable convertibles available today. It is another small two-door car that is perfect for commuting. Like its sister Abarth convertible, it also received a bump in power with the turbocharge feature as well as new standard features.

  • Great acceleration 
  • Canvas roll-top 
  • Easy handling and parking 
  • Small interior with limited seat and steering wheel adjustability 
  • 30 mpg combined fuel economy 

Starting Price: $19,035 


2019 Fiat 124 Spider Convertible 




With the same engine as the Abarth, this Fiat Spider has great acceleration, wonderful speed and superb handling. For 2019, the Spider now comes with a rearview camera and a 7-inch touchscreen on the dashboard. Plus, its interior and exterior body were updated slightly.

  • Manual convertible top 
  • Quiet interior with an acoustic windshield and increased insulation 
  • Standard accessories include rearview camera and a four-speaker audio system 
  • 160 horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine 
  • 30 mpg combined fuel economy 

Starting Price: $26,240 

If you are in the market for a new car and are looking for something that will get you through the year in style while keeping your wallet healthy and happy, look no further than these amazing convertibles. With some of the greatest new features, wonderful fuel economy and smart new stylings, these cars give you the best of all worlds.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Hardtop vs Soft-top Convertibles: Which is Better?


If you’re in the market for a new or classic convertible, you may have asked yourself whether a soft-top or a hardtop is better for you. While you might have heard that hardtops are better than soft-tops due to higher noise and weather insulation, modern soft-tops actually share the same benefits as hardtop convertibles.

Long gone are the days of yelling at each other to be heard and braving the cold with potential leaks in a soft-top. With modern advancements, today’s soft-tops are engineered to feature stronger insulation and longer lifetime.

This means that they are more weather resistant, quieter, wind resistant and stronger, which means lower replacement costs. Let’s review some of the major myths associated with soft-tops in a convertible.

Are Soft-top Convertibles Loud? 


Not quite.

It used to be that you had to yell at each other to be heard in a convertible due to the fact that the soft-top would let in a lot of wind and road noise. Modern soft-tops are now engineered to feature acoustic technology, which makes the cabin almost as isolated as that of a hardtop. This technology continues to improve according to Matt Williams, director of business development at Haartz, who affirmed that, “Haartz is working closely with OEMs to optimize the balance of noise-blocking material while making sure to not add extra weight to the vehicle." In fact, their sound-blocking technology has improved performance by over three decibels, making soft-tops quieter than ever before.

Do Soft-top Convertibles Get Hot or Cold Depending Weather?



Not anymore!

It also used to be the case that convertible owners could only drive their beloved cars in the spring and summer. In the winter, the car was completely uninsulated from cold drafts and might even leak water and snow.

However, today’s soft-tops are now engineered differently to consider these weather factors in mind. Modern technology has allowed OEM soft-tops to become just as insulated as hardtops and are completely waterproof and resistant to many other weather conditions.

According to Doug Haartz, International Sales Manager of the Haartz Corporation, “cloth tops today are designed to withstand the rigors of the environment and testing is done in all kinds of extreme conditions from arctic to subtropical to desert. Stringent requirements are built into the soft-top fabric so that no matter what car company or region of the world is considered, performance is assured.”

At AutoTops Direct we offer an extensive selection of weather resistant soft-tops, which fit just as well as the original part. All of our soft-tops are made with original Haartz waterproof materials, which provide premium protection against leaks. They also feature a color coordinated UV resistant polyester thread for better protection against normal wear and tear.

Are Soft-top Convertibles Safe? 


While many think that soft-top convertibles are unsafe because they offer less protection in a rollover event, soft-top convertibles are not associated with higher death rates.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “death rates aren’t higher in convertibles,” as opposed to hardtop vehicles. While the institute deems that, “a roof is still safer,” some convertibles are equipped with an instant rollover protection feature, which automatically raises a roll bar when the vehicle detects a rollover. This protects the passengers in the event of a fatal rollover accident.

***NOT ALL convertibles have this feature, therefore it is important for you to check before you decide to buy one.***

Which Top is Easier to Repair?



There are two different types of cost associated with each top. A hardtop is more expensive to buy and also has more mechanical and electrical components, which means more expensive repairs. It is also prone to cracks, which can be difficult to repair, can spread, and may require replacement sooner.

On the other hand, a soft-top doesn’t last as long as a hardtop, can be slashed and is prone to weather-related wear and tear, especially sun and hail. However, it is cheaper to buy, repair and replace.

Plus, one of their modern advancements includes stronger fabric that is more resistant to the usual wear and tear of an older soft-top. Overall, soft-tops are cheaper to have due to lower initial, repair and replacement costs. In addition, because soft-tops are lighter, they increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Which Top Will Give me a Higher Trade-In Value?


If you’re wondering which car will result in a higher trade-in value once you’re ready to move on to a different vehicle, both hardtop and soft-top convertibles will actually yield the same trade-in value.

Car dealerships and online appraisal sites such as Kelly Blue Book typically don’t consider whether the vehicle has a hardtop or a soft-top and classify both under the same category of, “convertible” during the appraisal.

Thanks to modern technology, soft-tops share the same insulation benefits of hardtops so don’t let this myth stop you from buying a classic convertible with an iconic soft-top. Besides, soft-tops can take away from the classic look of a convertible, which let’s be honest, it's half the reason you want to buy a convertible.

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