The Mycenaean

Convertibles are the most fun car to drive. Anybody would love to have one, and there’s no harm in trying, so why not for the fun of it?

What is a convertible top?

A convertible is a car with a top that can be lowered or removed. There are generally two types of convertibles. One is a soft top, and the other is a hard top. Soft tops are more common, but hard tops can be more practical.

The difference between them is soft tops are made of a strong fabric while hard tops are made of a durable metal. 

Some types of convertible cars can include coupes, Jeeps, BMWs, Porsches, Audis, Mercedes, and many more. 

Pros

In my personal experience with a convertible top, the feeling of hearing my car loudly and the wind blowing in my face makes the experience better. 

Removing the top is easy. With my car, I have to hold down a button to make it go up and down. With a convertible car, there’s a choice of having the top up or down, but in a regular car that’s not always an option. 

Another way people like the ability to have the top down is it can get hot. 

“It’s fun and cool to drive in the summer with my friends,” said Ashlyn Sarmiere, senior.

The look of a convertible top is special and makes my car look more sporty, and in most cases more open. I feel like I have more freedom with the top-down, and it is different from regular cars.

“I love the look of my car when the top is down. It looks very nice, and it makes the experience so much better,” said Sean Colbert-Lewis Jr., senior. 

Although these types of cars require more money to upkeep because of possible problems, they often retain their value much longer than cars with no convertible top. Some problems could be the top not going up or down, a tear, or in some cases, leakage.

“Sometimes if you go for a more vintage car with a convertible top, it could actually be cheaper than a … regular car,” said Colbert-Lewis Jr. 

“I have to make sure my friends are safe and the openness of my car helps me be a better driver,” said Alexis Cook, senior. 

Cons

Although there are many pros to a convertible top, there is a fair share of cons. 

With the top down it’s hard to hear people in the car or hear music. The wind moving and blowing fast makes it difficult to have conversations. 

“It’s a lot quieter, and when it rains it wouldn’t leak as much if you were in a convertible,” said Dylan Bancroft, senior.

The convertible mechanics could also break, not allowing a person to remove or put back the top. With this type of car, over time it will require more maintenance and time spent.

Since there is fabric instead of metal, the car will not have as much structure and there is less security, especially if the top is down. 

Storing the fabric top is necessary so it can fit properly. This means that the trunk will have less space to fit essentials, and that can be troublesome. 

Having a convertible is completely preference-based. 

“I thought about getting one but, I’ve ridden in one and I don’t really love it,” said Bancroft

Prices can vary on the car, but in general, convertibles will cost more than the original.

Should you get one?

I believe convertible cars are worth purchasing. The pros outweigh the cons and the overall experience is very worth it.

It’s fun and exciting and it creates a certain special atmosphere that you would not normally get from a regular car. The thrill of enjoying your surroundings and smelling the fresh breeze makes it all worth it. 

Some cars are better with one, some cars are not so it depends on the car type and personal preference. 

“There is no cooler feeling with the hood down and my music playing, and it’s just fun to be in it with my friends and the openness of it,” said Colbert-Lewis Jr. 

Even though not every car has the option of a convertible, the ones that do offer it are something hard to ignore. It’s an unforgettable experience that is a favorite once tried. 

Whether you’re driving in the city, on the highway, or on a scenic drive, a convertible is perfect for every occasion.