Hey np buddy
Ok a couple of things to consider:
1) soft or hard top? Soft tops tend to have blind spots towards your left and right rear due to the larger fabric. Still, the fabric is very tough and is not damaged easily - have read abt ppl poking a screwdriver at it only to have it bounce back. Leak wise i have heard stories from both sides so i cannot conclude.
2) roof action. Most cabrio needs the handbrake to be engaged before the top can be operated. MINI and roadsters take shorter time (obviously) but the 1series and A3 and a few others, can have the roof operated while the car is in motion. Damn useful if u are caught in crawling traffic.
3) rear seats. Due to the loss of rigidity caused by the lack of B pillars, most cabrio(and coupes) have a centre "beam" between the rear seats from the back to front (like the RX-8) to compensate. That restricts space. And rear seats are usually uncomfortable: upright seats and no legroom.
4) boot space. Roof up or down; most models boot space is affected by this. Some are separated though.
I personally like the sunroof/soft top 2-in-1 in the MINI. The EOS also does that; not sure abt the rest. All the best!
Btw I rem cbs used to drive a saab convertible...?
P/s something interesting. If it rains, continue driving! The draft (sp) will prevent the rain from drenching u. But once u stop....make sure you have an umbrella ready LOL!!!
All great points Yatto. Yup, I had a Saab convertible.
My experience of owning a convertible in Singapore is: I won't buy another one again, unless Singapore's weather miraculously becomes like LA.
Most of the time, I would feel like putting the top back up within 5 mins of putting it down. Sure it was fun the first year, but after that, I hardly had the desire to put down the top. It's just too humid and hot, even with the Aircon at full blast with the top down.
The interior and boot space of course has to be sacrificed. For me personally, I often have to carry around multiple guitars, and the boot can't even fit 1 single electric guitar in a hard case. If I put it in a soft case, I can only do it if I place it diagonally across the boot, or place it across right at the edge near the opening. I ended up always having to put it on the back seat.
Of course there are only 2 doors, and I always ended up having to put the top down and load my guitars in like a lorry.
Having passengers on a rainy day sucks because they will get wet from the ingress procedure.
My hood was a fabric one and although it didn't leak or anything, it is rather fragile if you park outdoors. Bird crap, sunlight, scratching cats, tree sap all take a toll. And it demands immediate attention or it will deteriorate very quickly.
The most fun part was opening and closing the top while on the move. It's a head turning procedure.
I'd say go for it at least once in your life if your circumstance allows it. You won't regret it, but you'll know whether or not you'll do it again.
For me, I would buy another one in Singapore if:
1) It has 4 doors
2) it has a metal roof
3) it can fit a few guitars in the boot
4) I can afford it.
I don't think there's one that fits the bill. Yet.
If Singapore's weather is like LA, then yup, I'd buy one provided I have another car that can do the utilitarian stuff.
