Non-convertible convertibles.
Discussion
Another pointless list I know, but just for the hell of it, humour me.
Below is a scientifically and mathematically weighted list of the convertible cars you are most likely to see with the roof up, regardless of the heat / sun / weather, taken from what must be years of carefully studied data. I've also added in a second list of the convertibles most likely to be seen with the hood down.
1 Peugeot 307 / Renault Megane CC
2 Merc SLK
3 MG F
4 Tigra
5 BMW 3 series
6 Audi TT
7 Porsche Boxster
8 VW Beetle
9 MX5 (weighted for numbers on the road)
10 Toyota MR2 Mk 3
Common theme seems to be convertibles driven by women.
Versus this list for cars with roofs down - quite male orientated?
1 Old convertible classics - Stags, Midgets, MG Bs, Lotus Elans, Jags inc E types, TR2-6
2 Morgans
3 BMW Z4 (unless driven by girl)
4 Smart Roadsters
5 Saab 9-3s (surprised by number with roof down)
6 Audi A4 (as for saab)
7 Porsche 911
8 Alfa Romeo Spiders
9 Merc C class
10 Jag XK8
Interested to see if there's regional differences between Scotland and the rest of the country. The weather up here isn't as bad as most people think.
Below is a scientifically and mathematically weighted list of the convertible cars you are most likely to see with the roof up, regardless of the heat / sun / weather, taken from what must be years of carefully studied data. I've also added in a second list of the convertibles most likely to be seen with the hood down.
1 Peugeot 307 / Renault Megane CC
2 Merc SLK
3 MG F
4 Tigra
5 BMW 3 series
6 Audi TT
7 Porsche Boxster
8 VW Beetle
9 MX5 (weighted for numbers on the road)
10 Toyota MR2 Mk 3
Common theme seems to be convertibles driven by women.
Versus this list for cars with roofs down - quite male orientated?
1 Old convertible classics - Stags, Midgets, MG Bs, Lotus Elans, Jags inc E types, TR2-6
2 Morgans
3 BMW Z4 (unless driven by girl)
4 Smart Roadsters
5 Saab 9-3s (surprised by number with roof down)
6 Audi A4 (as for saab)
7 Porsche 911
8 Alfa Romeo Spiders
9 Merc C class
10 Jag XK8
Interested to see if there's regional differences between Scotland and the rest of the country. The weather up here isn't as bad as most people think.
Most of the cars in your top list are (or were at one point) only available as convertibles (SLK, MGF, Tigra, Boxster, MX5, MR2), which must make it more likely as they will be bought by people who didn't really want a convertible in the first place. Most of the cars in the second list, the buyer had a choice so those who don't want to drive will the roof down, will have bought the coupe.
alfa pint said:
10 Toyota MR2 Mk 3
Not me, if it isn't raining the roof is down 
although I admit I might be in a minority of MR-2 Mk3 owners, and Scotland for that matter...When I was in the Hartlepool area a couple of weeks ago when the weather was good every convertible had it's roof down. The only exception was an older TVR
deveng said:
Never really noticed that some convertibles are rarely seen with the roof down..... maybe I should pay less attention to driving and try to validate these statistics....
I fall into the population group that owns 2 soft tops and therefore looks at convertibles with roofs up on nice days thinking "What a waste." Just led me to thinking about the demographics of the owners and the variety of cars.Note - the only reason TVRs don't figure on either list is due to their rarity.
attym3 said:
If you prefer the roof up, why buy a convertible in the first place though?
Mark
I prefer it down some times, and other times up (reasons: motorways less noisy, warmer inside, i had enough of sunshine, etc). Get over it people Mark
That's why it's called convertible. Otherwise it would be roofless.
We've got a Merc SL500 (129) and an MG "B" roadster. If it's raining the MG stays in the garage (with its roof down) as I don't fancy my immaculate car slowly dissolving as I drive, only to turn into the drive as the seats fall through the floor. It truly is mint but I don't trust British rust proofing!
The Merc on the other hand, gets out and about regardless of weather, if it's not raining, the roof is down. If it's cold, then the heater is on, if it's hot then the heater is off. That is the only difference to the way it gets driven.
I have been known to lean out of the car window and shout at other drivers to "Get your bloody roof off!". Really, what is the point of having a convertable if you're not gonna use the bloody thing the way it was intended?
The Merc on the other hand, gets out and about regardless of weather, if it's not raining, the roof is down. If it's cold, then the heater is on, if it's hot then the heater is off. That is the only difference to the way it gets driven.
I have been known to lean out of the car window and shout at other drivers to "Get your bloody roof off!". Really, what is the point of having a convertable if you're not gonna use the bloody thing the way it was intended?
I do wonder with these folding-roof cabriolets whether the reason why the roof is up is because they have things in the boot.
I mean, those big folding slabs of metal have to go somewhere don't they? And if the boot was full of stuff, where would it go? It'd have to stay up.
Obviously not an issue with canvas hoods that just roll up as they're pushed back. Don't see why more manufacturers don't use them myself.
I mean, those big folding slabs of metal have to go somewhere don't they? And if the boot was full of stuff, where would it go? It'd have to stay up.
Obviously not an issue with canvas hoods that just roll up as they're pushed back. Don't see why more manufacturers don't use them myself.
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