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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Soft top convertible

49 replies

sawseesaw · 25/06/2018 17:22

OK, I realise that this is right up there in terms of 1st world problems/ dilemmas.

I really want a convertible car. Our very old beaten up car is unlikely to make it through the next year so we'll be replacing it in the New Year. I want one of those Peugeots (308?) about 7 or 8 yrs old that have a hard top that retracts. DH would like a much older but originally more expensive car BMW, SAAB or Merc with a soft top.
I'm worried about soft tops getting vandalised.
AIBU?
He reckons it hardly ever happens these days.
Anyone has a soft top roof slashed recently or heard/seen it?

OP posts:
Doodlebug5 · 25/06/2018 17:23

Ours got slashed recently. We've now sold the car and bought a hard top. Never again a soft top.

NT53NJT · 25/06/2018 17:23

Depends who you piss off and how bad lol.

Not heard of a soft top getting vandalised in ages. They are normally known for leaking, especially if they're a bit older.

user1469032438 · 25/06/2018 17:25

My mum had a soft top for years in a not very nice area and it never got vandalised.

Spartacunt · 25/06/2018 17:26

Mine had never leaked or been slashed. I love it (especially at the moment). They are a bit of an arse to clean though.

Fintress · 25/06/2018 17:31

No re slashed or vandalised but the main reason we would never have a soft top is because of bird crap, seagulls in particular that just love any car we have ever owned. I am not kidding when I say there are days when it looks as if someone has thrown white paint over the car. It's bad enough keeping a hardtop clean never mind a soft top.

Armchairanarchist · 25/06/2018 17:31

I suppose it depends where you park and who you upset. I've got a classic MG that I adore and never had a problem, although I only drive it when the sun shines and don't let the kids in it.

AForegoneConclusion · 25/06/2018 17:39

Don't buy the Peugeot. It is shit, honestly. Take it from someone who sees them very regularly and is in an industry where we look at them very closely. I would personally side with your husband, but I wouldn't buy a convertible.

PorkyPortia · 25/06/2018 17:47

I have a convertible , I love it
Its never been vandalised but there are places near me I wouldn’t drive it

Mateko · 25/06/2018 17:50

Get an MX5

Panicmode1 · 25/06/2018 17:54

I had a soft top for years in SW London - parked on a street outside my flat. No problems at all - other than the bird poo as a pp said!

If I was buying one now, I'd second the MX5 suggestion - the Peugeot isn't worth buying.....

MaryShelley1818 · 25/06/2018 17:54

I’ve had both hard top and soft tops. Would definitely have a soft top again!! It was a beautiful car (only sold due to having a baby).
I absolutely wouldn’t touch the Peugeot though, mine had many electrical faults which is very common.
Never heard of a roof being slashed for probably the best part of 20yrs. (Not to say it never happens of course) but presumably it’s very rare now.

ReservoirDogs · 25/06/2018 17:59

Just sold our MX5 for a flasher sports car and some jealous person has thrown a rock at it so you can't win either way!

alibongo5 · 25/06/2018 18:05

I have an MX5 and love it to bits. It was really cheap to buy as it's getting on now but is wonderful to drive. Everyone I know who's had one has loved it.

RaininSummer · 25/06/2018 18:13

Cats like to sit on soft tops and can claw them which isn't good. I think they would be slashed if you live in a city and park on the street overnight.

Lindy2 · 25/06/2018 18:23

The only problem I had with my soft top was that the cat used to sleep on it. I ended up with a permanent cat sized circle of molted fluff on the top. 😂

AnduinsGirl · 25/06/2018 18:25

I have a soft top 2007 BWM and love it. Agree with previous comments about pigeon shit but it's not the end of the world. In weather like this driving home from work it feels just amazing.

AnduinsGirl · 25/06/2018 18:25

*2010

SeaLionsOnMyShirt · 25/06/2018 18:26

I had a soft top, and loved it. Never had any issues with vandalism even when I lived in London and parked it on the street. I got rid of it the day after we had the roof badly damaged by some scrap metal falling off a lorry in front of us on the motorway which slashed the roof open. Thank god the roof wasn't down that day though.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 25/06/2018 18:28

The older Peugeot hard top convertibles are well known for expensive roof issues. DH has been in motor industry 25 plus years. Never personally had any issues with older Audi convertibles. I've not got a BMW 435 hard top convertible, no roof issues either.

Original poster
sawseesaw · 25/06/2018 20:20

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Doobigetta · 25/06/2018 20:41

I have an MX5 hard top and I bloody love it. Especially in weather like this, it just makes driving a pleasure rather than a chore. It is a little bit embarrassing not being able to offer anyone a lift or get anything in the boot, but if you can live with that, I highly recommend them.

Happycow · 25/06/2018 20:53

I had the hard top 207cc - hated the car itself but I loved the hard top. It was quick to put up and down and felt safe and secure on the motorway when I always had the roof up (Thanks mum for the paranoia about my car rolling in an accident

I would definitely get a hard top again if I was in the market for a convertible, but just not the Peugeot.

CoffeeIsNotEnough · 25/06/2018 20:58

Another vote for an MX5 hard top here. Much more fun in the winter. Unless you always put them in the garage soft tops look so scruffy so quickly.

MrsFrankDrebin · 25/06/2018 20:59

Another vote for an MX5. Good cars which hold their value. Mine was second hand a couple of years ago from a friend who was moving away from the area and couldn't take it with them - it's 13 years old, so no electric gizmos to retract and replace the roof, but I don't care! It did come with an additional hard top that fits on to cover the soft top in the winter, but it's such a faff (and heavy) that while it sometimes gets put on in November and taken off in April, it mostly lives in the garage in a padded hanging bag thingy!

Mazda MX5s tend to run well, handle well (great torque round the corners!) and for me fulfilled a long-held dream to a) own a soft-top and b) an MX5! (Mind you, if I ever won the lottery it would have to be an Aston Martin convertible - but that's never going to happen!)

BonnieF · 25/06/2018 21:20

If you can live with a 2 seater convertible, a hard-top MX-5 is a good option. If you need 4 seats, the VW Eos has a hard-top and @ good réputation.

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