Straw Poll: Convertible Cars

[LostThePlot]

Hi All,

I'm looking for people's views about open topped motoring. (For a piece I'm writing)

Anyone out there car to share their views pleas? Just what is that people like about them? Is it the wind in the face/hair, the sense of openness, the pose value, and so i guess vanity of them?

What's your view?

Eric

PS Edited to remove my cack typing mistooks...

[snorky]

teh UK is the biggest purchaser of convertible cars in teh Europe IIRC

this is more an indication of how superficial society has become than a wind in the hair issue.

People with convertibles never go anywhere, they just pootle around the streets

they are impractical / insecure / too cold or too hot / etc etc etc

[Thequietone]

Convertibles are magnets for scrotes with Stanley knives.

Paul

[Brendan]

The fun in driving them! You always feel like you're going faster with the top down. Also feeling the sun on a hot day.

The British weather is unfortunately not ideally suited for them. This is peculiar as there seem to be comparatively very many of them in Britain.

[mockney piers]

Is there a reason why this

is for poseurs, doubtless driven by some t0sser of an estate agent or a WAG type, and this

is for wind in the hair, fuzzy and romantic

Mightn't the Bristol just have been bought by an estate agent in 1960?

[citizenED]

I like those ones in the Adverts - the ones that convert into a Transformer Type Death-Robot thingy. IWOOT!

[Mark]

Passengers in modern convertible cars always look embarrassed.

Passengers in classic cars look like they're having a great time.

An AC-Bristol Ace Cobra for me please:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a6/1961-ac-001.jpg/250px-1961-ac-001.jpg

[Brendan]

For some reason a lot of it depends on age. They earn their coolness with age. The BMW E30 convertible http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ch4.jpg is a prime example of a car that was the quintessential flash yuppie-mobile but has evolved before our eyes into a cool classic.

[Brendan]

If I had a choice it would have to be one of these

http://www.concept1.ca/images/cust%20ride%20porsche%20blk.jpg

Or one of these.

http://www.justmustangs.com.au/images/1966/1966-FordMustang-Convertible-v8auto/1966-FordMustang-Convertible-v8auto-front.jpg

[LostThePlot]

Brendan Wrote:

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> If I had a choice it would have to be one of these

But why...not the cars per-se, though clearly you have no taste with the 356...;-)

Why the convertible versions?

[mockney piers]

I was playing devils advocate, I think it's a gorgeous car.

I of course refer people to my desire, not sure you can class it as a convertible though.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,52003,52438#msg-52438

[Jah Lush]

I want one of these. I don't drive so I'll be employing a 6ft statueque beautiful brunette with large chest and legs up to her neck to chauffeur me around...when I win the lottery that is. Well, I can dream can't I?

[Brendan]

LostThePlot Wrote:

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> Why the convertible versions?

Like I said before. The fun in driving them! You always feel like you're going faster with the top down. Also feeling the sun on a hot day.

And I will add the feeling of being out in the open. I have had the pleasure of careering through the desert with the top down and the radio loud and it is a sublime experience. (Although it was in a golf and not a mustang unfortunately but in my head I was driving a mustang.)

I suppose I can also be a bit of a show off. Although I would hesitate before driving around London with the top down for fear of pigeon poo or being hit by a stray kebab.

[LostThePlot]

Brendan Wrote:

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> Although I would hesitate before driving around

> London with the top down for fear of pigeon poo or

> being hit by a stray kebab.

LOL, can i quote you on that!

[Brendan]

Go ahead. (tu)

[Brendan]

LostThePlot Wrote:

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> Brendan Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

though clearly you

> have no taste with the 356...;-)

Not a fan of inverted bathtubs then?

[LostThePlot]

Ugly cars...

[Mogs]

We hired a Morgan for our Wedding a year last August - Great fun for both, we hired it for 5 days which was cheaper than hiring a chauffer driven car.

[Brendan]

LostThePlot Wrote:

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> Ugly cars...

Their design has been described as incorporating certain parts of the female anatomy.

[char1ie]

Convertible cars - ie hardtops without the hardtop - lack rigidity and are a compromise. Cars originally designed to be open are fine. IMO of course.

Charlie

[downsouth]

I like them. When it's nice and warm outside what better way to enjoy getting from a to b? No, not walking, or train or any of the other witty ripostes I can sense are headed this way.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I would love a convertible moggy - anyone want to get rid of one?

For a short while I drove a 7 series convertible which was really cool. Never had any probs parking it in Peckham - guess no one envied me!

[vikhibby]

I used to be the proud owner of an MR2 and loved every minute of driving it. Cold day blue sky top down and heater blasting. Had to sell it as it was too low for my mum to get out of and being a good daughter with the choice of selling the car or selling my mum and the car had to go!

Brilliant though I always look to see how comfortable or uncomfortable people look when driving with the top down.

Worst offenders are those who have a convertible but always drive around with the top up... there's no excuse...

[LostThePlot]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

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> I would love a convertible moggy - anyone want to

> get rid of one?

Lots for sale, but needs big money for a good one now...

> For a short while I drove a 7 series convertible

> which was really cool. Never had any probs parking

> it in Peckham - guess no one envied me!

You shewer? Didn;t think there was ever a 7 Series covertible, that being the fat member of the boards car and all that. Or do you mean an Austin 7... ;-)

[Ladygooner]

I drive a Mazda MX5 and have the roof down at every opportunity. Hate to see convertibles with their roofs up on a sunny day