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Greetings - potential new Mini owner here. Potential as in "probably this weekend".
We are wrestling with the idea of a convertible Mini. There is a seductive allure about riding these marvels in open air, and I do love the look of the convertible with the top up or down. Less boxy than the hardtop version.
There are a couple of (potential) downsides to purchasing a convertible vs. the hardtop:
1. Financial - with dealer premiums, a Mini convertible could easily be $5k more than its hardtop equivalent.
2. Security - having a canvas top does make it a bit easier to break into, either to steal contents or the entire vehicle. Having someone cut a hole in the top could turn out to be a VERY expensive headache.
It's #2 that I want to address. Just how -less- secure is the convertible vs. the hardtop?
I understand many convertible owners of any make leave the top down when parking (good weather, obviously), either hiding or removing any valuables. Some also rely on auto alarms and motion sensors. Having never owned a convertible, I have zero personal experience in this area.
I guess the question is: How much of a problem have any of you convertible owners had in this area? I've posed the question in a general, non-auto forum and the response had been nearly universal: Convertibles may be easier to break into, but in reality suffer no more problems than hardtops.
I will be parking the vehicle during the day in what I would describe as a "marginally dodgy" area, so security is important.
Any guidance or experiences regarding this issue is deeply appreciated.
I have to agree with the other forums. A search of this forum is that the consensus is people will break a window to enter and steal from your car rather than cut thru the cables and supports of a convertible top. They want in and out FAST.
Pure vandals might punch a hole in the top just as likely they will slash your tires. Your luck depends on your anonymity.
I used to have the habit of taking everything of value out of sight and locking my glove compartment when I parked with the top down. That was until someone stole my sun hat. I did not think I would have missed my sun hat and thought I could have easily replaced it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder! I could not replace that hat fast enough. Also, there were little things, like Mini pins, which I later realized made it special. So now I close the top more frequently.
If someone cuts the top of a MINI, it would be vandals. I am quite a small guy & I couldn't fit through the top if it were sliced. There are just too many bars (for lack of a better word) that would make it nearly impossible to fit through.
I live in dodgy area...not marginally. My biggest concern isn't the top being cut, it is the stray cats that LOVE to sleep on the top that vex me.
If someone wants in, they will smash the window.
P.S. If you can swing it...Go for the Cabrio...OMG! FUN!
I have driven convertibles -- formerly a BMW, now a Mini -- for almost 10 years. I live in southern California, where it's easy to leave a convertible with the top down. If I have been driving with the top down, which I do almost all of the time (unless it's raining or the temp is >95), I leave the top down when I park the car. I never leave "valuables" in the car, but I do leave stuff in the car -- CDs, hats, small stuff like that. I always lock the car doors.
I have never had anything taken from the car. My theory is: If somebody wants to take something from the car, they are going to take it. If the top is up and they want the stuff from inside the car, they are either going to break a window or cut the top. I would prefer that neither of those things happen. And I don't care much if somebody takes stuff from inside the car; it's just stuff, and small stuff at that. Again, however: IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED.
So dandrewk? Relax. Calm down. Get the convertible.
I didn't bother with the alarm system on my 09' MCSC. I decided that the key needing to be in the car for it to start (even hotwired) was enough security for me. I leave my top down whenever I got out (as long as the forecast is clear.) I just roll up my windows and away I go. Statistics show that you are more likely to have your window smashed in on a convertible then have the top cut, easier in and out. If your checkbook can swing it, go for it!
As others have said, theft is much easier by breaking a window than slashing the roof. It is best to keep everything out of sight whether with hardtop or convertible. A roof slashed would be an act of vandalism.
Besides cost, I think the major downsides of the convertible are (compared to the hardtop): less cargo space in the rear, poor rear visibility (both top up and down), and body flex makes handling not as good.
I've had a convertible for 7 years now. The worst thing that's happened when I left the top down was when I was at the mall and some kids tossed some chicken bones and a grungy hat in it. I noticed the hat pretty quickly and threw it out, but the bones were on the floor of the drivers side. The dog found them the next day, THAT dog did not give up bones easily and I had to wrestle them away to save his growly little life. So at places like that I always button it up just in case.
I'm also in Virginia where it can be sunny, then pouring rain and then sunny. I had my car caught in the rain once while I was shopping for like 20 mins. I went in, it was sunny, I came out, it was sunny and my car was soaked. It was my last convertible the Celica. Took forever to dry that poor car out.
As for parking w/ the top down: be aware of where you are, surroundings, people, and your time frame. If I'm running errands the top stays down, coffee, store, post office, ect.. If I were going to a movie, the top gets put up.
Guess it depends on the neighborhood as well.
The vert sure is nice on a warm evening, if you can swing it, do it.
__________________
To finish first, you must first finish.
Drive fast, take chances.
Don't have an alarm system, leave the top down (with windows up) when doing short-term errands in places I know are at least relatively safe. Never had anything stolen, but never keep anything more valuable than a CD or pair of sunglasses in view. Should be okay, just be smart about it! :-)
Doesn't insurance pay for damage to a top? I would never leave the top down... give people the chance to spit in it or go to the bathroom in my car or "try it out".... We drive cool cars. Get comp insurance with a low deductible.
I would think that more people that are going out to steal something from a car would more than likely have something to "smash" a window... not "cut" a top... so probably the Cabrio would end up with a smashed out window. And I think first and foremost... thieves look for the cars with their doors unlocked... easy is best!
I never worry about the security of my Cabrio. I take the radar detector and lock it in the glove box... put the top and windows up and lock the doors. I treat it like any other car.
I would never leave the top down... give people the chance to spit in it or go to the bathroom in my car or "try it out"...
. We drive cool cars.
Get comp insurance with a low deductible. 
