How to Choose the Right Convertible
Convertibles are fun, sexy and stylish, the opposite of a sensible family car. They’re perfect for anyone looking for a sense of open air freedom and luxury. Convertibles are available in a variety of styles including as open-top coupes, sporty two-seat roadsters, and there are even some SUVs and pickups that come with convertible tops, such as the Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet SSR. Here are some tips for choosing the right convertible for you:
Tops: There are several different types of convertible tops available. Soft tops are easy to remove and store but they are also less secure against theft and less insulating against road and wind noise and outside temperatures. More expensive models have layered headliners, which add insulation. Some models also offer removable hardtops. Hardtops provide better security and insulation, but they can be heavy and difficult to get on and off and require storage space when not being used. If you want the best of both worlds, some luxury convertibles have a power operated hardtop that retracts, but they are relatively more expensive.
Engines: Convertible engine options range from 4-cylinder engines to powerful V8 engines. 6-cylinder engines typically provide the best balance of power and fuel economy. 4-cylinder engines usually get better fuel economy, but don’t have the power or refinement of a large engine. V8 engines usually provide more power than 6-cylinder engines, but the gas mileage is not as good. Most convertibles are available with an automatic transmission. 5 or 6-speed manual transmissions are also usually available for the sporty models. Many automatics now provide a manual-shift mode that works similar to a manual transmission, but without a clutch.
FWD, RWD, AWD: A lot of convertibles use front-wheel drive, while most roadsters use rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive usually provides better traction than rear-wheel drive in poor road conditions, although rear-wheel drive provides better handling and steering. Some models are available with all-wheel drive, which provides better traction in slippery conditions than either two-wheel-drive system and better dry-pavement handling and cornering than front-wheel drive. Traction control , available on many two-wheel-drive models, also helps provide extra traction in slippery conditions, but isn’t as effective as all-wheel drive.
Seating: Depending on the model, a convertible can seat from two to five people. But generally they are only designed comfortable for two people. Even with a five-seat design, the middle rear position is often small and uncomfortable for adults. If your wanting a convertible that can fit up to 5 passengers, try sitting in each seat to see how comfortable it is or isn’t. Look for a center rear seat with a three-point safety belt rather than a lap belt. Some four seat convertibles have a seating arrangement called 2+2, which provides rear seats for 2 that can be very tight and uncomfortable for adults.
Space: Convertibles usually have very little cargo space. If cargo space is important to you, than a convertible may not be the right kind of car for you. Not only are convertibles typically smaller than other cars, many use the rear cargo space to store the convertible top when down.
Safety: All new vehicles have standard dual front air bags, three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions, and top-tether and LATCH child-seat attachments in the rear seats if available. Some models also offer side air bags. Head-protection side bags aren’t available with convertibles because they deploy from overhead. Antilock brakes are standard or optional on most models. Other safety features to look for include electronic stability control, traction control, tire pressure monitors, safety-belt pretensioners, occupant-sensing air-bag systems, and daytime running lights.
