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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

MissusGeneHunt · 25/06/2018 21:23

Citroën 2CV... the only way forward!

Gottleogear · 25/06/2018 21:32

Another vote AGAINST a Peugeot, I had one and had various issues with the roof, along with other electrical problems. It was an expensive mistake and I couldn't wait to trade it in!

alittlequinnie · 25/06/2018 21:35

I've got an MX5. 20 years old now but in MINT condition. People always comment on how nice it is.

It is nice to drive and the soft top pulls up and down in literally 5 seconds - I can pull it up from the drivers seat.

I've had it 10 years now so it was 10 years old when I got it - last year I decided to replace the hood - it wasn't leaking but was looking a bit worn and it was vinyl.

I got a brand new black mohair roof supplied and fitted (while I waited) for £295. Looks brilliant now.

Not had any trouble with vandalism etc - or the car to be honest.

You only live once - that's what I told myself when I got mine!! :)

laloue · 25/06/2018 21:41

Another vote for the Mx5 here - 03 plate with mohair roof was wonderful, but increased motorway miles meant I switched to the retractable hard top ( and bigger engine).Now on my third Mx5, lid off all the time unless it’s raining. The only “roof slashing” issues were suggested by a bitter neighbour at my mum’s when I first got mine - reality was cat hair and bird poo.

sirmione16 · 25/06/2018 21:43

Depends on the area you live in. I would never had had one in my old house, no doubt it would've been ruined. But I happily had one at this house with no issues. Private driveways help, if you're house has good security or a garage, I'd see no problem

Mummagump · 25/06/2018 21:44

Had a convertible Audi & when the roof was down I felt extremely vulnerable, like a sitting target. The car was lovely but I didn’t like how it made me feel. There was something I didn’t like about sitting at traffic lights and the thought of someone being able to grab my head.

RortyDogOfTheRemove · 25/06/2018 21:48

I have a soft-top convertible (and no driveway). I love it to bits - you press a button and it all happens automatically. It had never crossed my mind that anyone might try to slash it.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 25/06/2018 21:48

We have a BMW hard top convertible. It's brilliant. I was a bit at the idea of a hard top convertible but love it. In Winter it's just like having an ordinary car but in Summer it's amazing.

hendricksy · 25/06/2018 21:53

I would imagine it depends on where you live . Dh has a new soft top Audi TT which lives in our drive and it's fine .

abbey44 · 25/06/2018 21:53

I've got an 09 Mercedes CLK convertible (my third now) and I absolutely love it. It's the older styling, the pretty one (I think), drives like a dream, and has four seats so I can kid myself it's really practical too. Every now and then I think it might be time to trade it in, then I look round and realise there isn't anything else out there that I'd rather drive. I'll keep it till it falls apart, and being a Merc and well looked-after, that will be a while yet.

Never had a problem with the soft top being damaged or vandalised on any of my cars.

Ontheboardwalk · 25/06/2018 21:58

I lived and parked in dodgy areas but had no issues with my roof on my fiat 500 convertible

It hated hills with a vengeance but when the top came down it was the best car in the world.

PinguPaws · 25/06/2018 22:01

MX5 owner here too. Never had a problem with the "ragtop" roof in the 10 years I've had it. It's not easy to Hotwire a car with a crook lock on, and alarms sounding.

I had my old little Mircra stolen, because it was easy picking. No alarm and easy to Hotwire

Racecardriver · 25/06/2018 22:01

We have a soft top and no one has ever touched it. I would agree with your husband that you are better off buying a better make of car. I would sooner risk a slashed roof than dying in a accident because I bought a cheap car. Cars like mercs, bmws etc are by and large far safer even if they are older because they have stinger frames that protect you in an accident (just imagine what would happen to a Peugeot if it got caught between two lorries). I have heard it said on multiple occasions that there was a terrible accident and the occupants only survived because they were in a well made car. I recently wrote of an audi . The entire front of the car was a crumpled mess but the cabin was completely untouched. Not a single person Inn the car was hurt.

CherryBerryChapstick · 25/06/2018 22:03

I used to have one ....until I rolled it. Let’s just say I appreciate being short now because there wasn’t much of a roof or “support bar” left afterwards.

It never got vandalised though

SmartyPants0 · 25/06/2018 22:04

I have a soft top smart car convertible...
I love it in this weather. I've never had it vandalised.

MrsSnootyPants2018 · 25/06/2018 22:04

If it flips on an accident, no protection at all with a soft top. At least with a hard top you have some protection.

ByeGermsByeWorries · 25/06/2018 22:05

I have an Audi A4 convertible I bought a couple of months ago. I live in a crappy part of Leicester and people just ignore it. It's a lovely car

ReadingRiot · 25/06/2018 22:14

I'm with Mummagump. We've been considering a completely impractical car for a while, but don't you feel very exposed with the roof down? I've had a couple of incidents in the past where keeping windows up and doors locked was a very good thing.

Imaystillbedrunk · 25/06/2018 22:18

Agreeing with everyone else, avoid the pug, go for the MX5.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 25/06/2018 22:27

Have had 3 MX-5's over a 25 year period (gap for child rearing practical car years). All soft tops, never had a problem with any of them. Brilliant, fun car. You can pick up a good value second hand one for reasonable money and they aren't bad to insure (especially if you are an old gimmer like me £350 fully comp for a 17 reg)

deste · 25/06/2018 22:27

I had two Mx5s one with the removable top and then the hardtop that went into the boot. I loved it but the boot leaked and no matter what they tried they couldn’t fix it. The first one was 9 years old and I had 30000 miles on the clock. I loved those cars.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 25/06/2018 22:29

Oh forgot to mention - they are rear wheel drive so crap in snow if you need to drive it all year round and you live somewhere that gets snow.

DailyMaui · 25/06/2018 22:46

I recently filmed with a John Cooper Works mini convertible. It was amazing and if I had the amount of money required (enough for a second car which doesn't take the dog) I would buy one like a shot. Drove like a dream.

DailyMaui · 25/06/2018 22:47

Note to add I drove this car for over 800 miles over two days and loved every minute. You'd need to not care about luggage or space in the back though...

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