Cabrios, I now see the point.
Cabrios, I now see the point.
Author
Discussion

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,591 posts

227 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
I never saw myself in a cabrio of any sort apart from hardcores stuff like TVR's and Cobra replica's, but, because it was available, I fancied a change and I am lazy and it fit into my meagre budget I bought a 944 Cab off an aquaintence of a mate of mine. I have not been ecstatic all the time as it is a bit heavy on juice for the go available, it needs fettling now and again, it leaked a bit (lives outside) its a bit wobbly and it just feels its age. When my mate first mentioned it, I thought 944 without a Turbo, Eww, and it is a cabrio

Thats is not to say I havent enjoyed it, I have but having had the roof down the last few days I can totally see the point of the convertible thing, I always saw myself more in the tin top, with a cage, stripped out track refugee camp and saw cabrio drivers as total ponces who with a lot of cars, like an M3 Cab had totally missed the point but I am now seeing it from the other side of the fence and it is wonderful. I have found myself taking the long way round

I am not trying to justify my purchase, it is a cheap car in the scheme of things and I probaly look a bit of a sad old tosser poncing round in it but I dont care, it is massive fun and I cant see myself being without a cabrio of some desciption now, despite all the compromises it is just worth it when the sun comes out.

So, guess what I am saying is, Dont knock it until you have tried it.





Ari

19,785 posts

242 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Welcome to the sunny side!

I've never got the "cabrios for poseurs" argument, it's still just a car.

Snowboy

8,028 posts

178 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
I bought my first soft top about 12 years ago, and I’ve never been without one since.

It’s great in the summer.
But crisp autumn days are just as good.
No rain, clear blue sky, but you have to wear hat and gloves and have the heater cranked up.
It’s fantastic.

One handy hint.
Keep suncream in the car.
Put a lot on your face and on your forearms, they get a lot of sun as you hold the wheel but the wind keep you cool.
Be careful though, if you leave the suncream in the glovebox on a hot day it can get very hot, and it’s like pouring boiling chip fat on yourself.
(well, maybe not chip fat, but you get the idea.)


blade7

11,311 posts

243 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Tried it years ago when I had a thing for Triumph Stags, time I enjoyed roof off motoring was warm summer nights, the rest was either looking like a poseur or too hot with the sun beating down.

Shaw Tarse

31,862 posts

230 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Roof down at any time of year for me. (have you tried it at night yet)

sc0tt

18,279 posts

228 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
I loved mine, unfortunatley I had to get rid but will eventually get another.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,591 posts

227 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
blade7 said:
Tried it years ago when I had a thing for Triumph Stags, time I enjoyed roof off motoring was warm summer nights, the rest was either looking like a poseur or too hot with the sun beating down.
Yes, heat of the day can be too hot but I cycle to work and use the car in the evening, last night at sort of eight o clock with the sun low in the sky, driving through the Cheshire countryside, it felt awesome.

Some people are Poseurs, of that there is no doubt and I do feel a bit self concious in town but if it makes people laugh, I dont care, I am having fun and I got a thumbs up off a bloke in an Insignia who obviously liked seeing the car.

My problems is, I am always wanting bigger and better, more power, faster and more expensive but last night I was kind of freed of that for a bit and just enjoyed the moment, might be because I am new to all this but it will stay with me I think.

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

244 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
A Blue one . . . . .were you in Northwich yesterday afternoon?

vixen1700

28,639 posts

297 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all


This is the only cabriolet I've owned, bought it at the age of 18 and had it a week. What a piece of st. frown


C.A.R.

3,992 posts

215 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
This was my first cabby -



It was not the same great handling car as the GTi6 I had before it, but on a hot summers' day it was definitely the car I prefered driving. Fully electronic roof, looked fantastic (in my opinion). Was a bit camp, and quite thirsty for a 1.8. I got an MX5 soon after and that was even better...

andy43

12,959 posts

281 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
On my third softtop now.
Love 'em - and I'm not a sufficiently good driver to notice the odd bit of chassis floppiness compared to a tintop anyway.

deltashad

6,731 posts

224 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Yeah, I was on the 'ruining the cars handling' brigade until we bought the gay car a few years ago.

We won't be without a drop top now. They're ace, and in this weather smile about to give it a polish before setting off on my 120 mile trip to pick up the wee one with the roof down!!


GhostDriver

879 posts

219 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
The sun is great but nothing beats a spirited drive on a hot summer night.

Major Fallout

5,278 posts

258 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
I was a tin top guy, i couldn't see the point of cutting the roof off and making it all wobbly.

Then I got the z4 and everything changed, you can't better wafting around country or costal roads with the roof down and the sun shining. So its 1 second slower on xyz, who gives a toss, I'm not in a rush!

Prof Beard

6,669 posts

254 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
I'm a rag-top fan too - I loved my Saab, so when I decided to go for a Porker, it had to be a Cabrio

Andy_sx

2,410 posts

233 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Love mine and wouldnt be without it! roof is off more often than its on and thats all year around aswell! a good coat and hat on a clear winters night is fantastic!

jke11y

3,198 posts

264 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
I am desperate to get the roof off the SL - only problem with the panoramic roof on the old SL is it weighs about a tonne and its huge to store. Need to rig up some sort of shelf in between the roof beams on the garage.

TommyBuoy

1,291 posts

194 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Welcome!

I've had a rag top for a few years now and can't imagine not being without one.

Summer evenings are great and night time driving with no roof is really special (+ point with GF too - starry night and all that...)

Suncream in the car is important as are sunglasses.

I don't leave the roof down when parked expect for work / home as I have had people throw rubbish / drink in the BMW before - dissapointing, but learnt my lesson...


thiscocks

3,398 posts

222 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Nah, cabrios are gay. If you want wind in your hair ride a bike.

crofty1984

17,057 posts

231 months

Friday 25th May 2012
quotequote all
Shut up the lot of you!

(I'm only jealous because I don't have a ragtop any more)
smile
Maybe next on the list should be a Pug 205 Cti with Mi16 conversion.
I do love my little 205!