Modern convertibles
Author
Discussion

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

269 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
There was a time when convertible meant roof up or roof down. If you wanted to avoid being blown away you might choose to put the side windows up, bit chilly? Wear a scarf.

I got to thinking about it today, how things have changed. Nowadays you don't need to worry about inconveniences like wind or chills. You can raise or lower the roof as you move, you can have a fan in the headrest to blow warm air on your neck, you can even raise a wind-deflector behind you to stop backdfafts. Hair being blown too much (poor thing) try a front wind deflector that has the added benefit of making your car look silly



Where's the fun gone with roof down motoring? The wind in your hair? What's next? Maybe a HUGE fan in the car to blow your hair so you can enjoying the feeling of having the roof down while being comforted by the safety of a hardtop car?

Some developments are good (I can see the benefit in raising/ lowering on the move) but the rest? I'll stick to the TVR's roof up or down I think.......

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

269 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
And this......clever, no doubt, but needed?


ejenner

4,653 posts

210 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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I'm not sure I'm really too fussed about the so-called modern features.

But what does upset me is something like a Peugeot 307 diesel with a folding metal top. Yuk...

greeneggsnsam

648 posts

185 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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In my car you're going to have the wind in your hair with the roof up OR down, so I just keep it down all the time.

paranoid airbag

2,679 posts

188 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
I wouldn't be bothered about buying a new convertible that didn't have such things, but... I always thought that the advantage of convertibles was the feeling of not being caged in, not being buffeted around by wind. So no, I don't think it removes the fun at all. I really wouldn't want a tin roof though, yes they'd be better roof down, but convertibles of all cars should be light driving

George H

14,714 posts

193 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
Garlick said:
And this......clever, no doubt, but needed?

Airscarf is brilliant, more excuse to use the car in the winter biggrin

What I don't like are those wind deflectors with the mesh in the frame that is strapped to the back, ruins the look of the car with the roof down, but they are quite effective.

Mr E

23,051 posts

288 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
I have an Elise. I know nothing of these things of which you speak.

I consider myself lucky to have a fan...

JonnyFive

29,897 posts

218 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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ejenner said:
I'm not sure I'm really too fussed about the so-called modern features.

But what does upset me is something like a Peugeot 307 diesel with a folding metal top. Yuk...
I agree. Convertibles should be sports cars only. Not a VW Eos or whatever it is.

davepoth

29,395 posts

228 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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George H said:
Airscarf is brilliant, more excuse to use the car in the winter biggrin
WoolScarf?

Jasandjules

72,589 posts

258 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
Still got the risk of bird poo in the hair, but yes I do see your point...

But that's why we have TVRs?!

hornetrider

63,161 posts

234 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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So... essentially you are slagging off Mercedes convertibles... right?

rob.kellock

2,248 posts

221 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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I have a Boxster Spyder - sometimes less is more. None of these fancy modern features!

marksx

5,174 posts

219 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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There was a time when convertibles were driven by men in scarves. Nowadays thanks to modern gadgets they are driven by girls in low cut tops.

You win some, you lose some biggrin

George H

14,714 posts

193 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
davepoth said:
WoolScarf?
Well I do now, but only because you can't get it as an option to my car. But airscarf is still a nice touch, and doesn't look stupid like that front air deflector.

henrycrun

2,473 posts

269 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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I suspect that market research shows that rich girls won't even consider it unless they can -

1. stay warm
2. not get their hair messed up
3. not break fingernails

RemainAllHoof

80,053 posts

311 months

Monday 11th July 2011
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Well, I'm going on holiday to Ibiza but will stay inside a cube that keeps the temperature at 15C and sprays cold water at me so it feels like I'm in England.

freenote

805 posts

197 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
Spotted an E-Class Convertible today with the roof down and thought to myself how rubbish the front wind deflector looked. It ruined the lines of an otherwise sleek car.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

269 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
So... essentially you are slagging off Mercedes convertibles... right?
Blimey.....I am. Pass the salts.

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

238 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
marksx said:
There was a time when convertibles were driven by men in scarves. Nowadays thanks to modern gadgets they are driven by girls in low cut tops.

You win some, you lose some biggrin
Nicely put.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

269 months

Monday 11th July 2011
quotequote all
davepoth said:
WoolScarf?
hehe