new member, first post -- hello!

i test drove a mini for the first time last week and was really impressed. in fact i'm ready to write the check once i wade through some decisions.

i was already considering the boxster and the miata so naturally i'm attracted to the cabrio, but i see a number of advantages to the sunroof also. the panorama design with perforated shade really lets in a lot of light and would do it year round. since i tend to keep cars a long time (i had a miata for over 10 years previously) i have a little concern about the longevity of the cabrio top and replacement costs -- but i really enjoyed the open air experience of the miata.

has anyone here owned both, and can comment on how the overall sunroof experience compares to the cabrio?

is it true that cabrios are not allowed on racetracks?

thanks very much!

 

I owned an 06 MCC and loved it. Nothin like open air cruising. Two downside points though. Cabs have a serious blind spot on the right rear quarter panel. And they don't handle as well as a hardtop- too much body flex. That can be improved with some aftermarket brace kits.
The sunroof option has issues also. Fitment and squeeks mostly. Search the forums for more info.

 

I liked a Cabrio, but it did not meet one specific requirement that every car I own must meet.

It will not fit a set of golf clubs. But the coupe will.

 

Phil Wicks allows cabrios at his track events. Road Atlanta, and maybe some other tracks, do not.

My golf clubs lay across the back seat and I have had my 6'8" son-in-law with his clubs and mine in my MINI

 

I used to always say I'd never have a convertible as my main car. However......

My wife talked me into getting a convertible. Yes, I knew it would be somewhat impractical and the top would require maintainence and likely need replacing some years down the road, but I also figured I only go around once in life. So, I got lucky and found a fully loaded JCW cabriolet in exactly the color I wanted (dark silver with charcol gray leather). I couldn't be happier and love the extra performance of the JCW.

 

They are hard to compare......it's a completely different experience, but that's the same with all convertibles vs hardtops. I don't own both, but we have some good friends who have a checkmate and I've driven theirs a few times, it's a lot of fun, I like the sunroof, but the Mini cabrio is such a solid fun car, I can't see going back to a hardtop. If you like convertibles, then you won't be disappointed with the Mini. Also, they fixed the blind spot problem (that was mentioned above) on the new cabrio by lowering the rear seat rollbars and making them retractable. The hardtop certainly has some advantages also; less maintenance and I think it gives you more of that "pocket rocket" feel, imo.

 

thanks for the responses ... good info.

i did some searches on "cabrio" but will try "sunroof" and see what comes up.

i understand the comments about the stability and the pocket rocket feel, but i'm not sure that i can appreciate the difference. i'll need to try to do some more test driving. my time in the cab sure was fun, even having the top down in the 30 degree weather!

 

If I remember correctly, the weight difference between the hard top and the cab is only about 100 lbs. And you'd be surprised at how stiff he cab is. My JCW handles with the best of them. Frankly, unless you're going to track the car, you'll never notice the difference.

 

I'm from a two MINI owner family, one Cabrio and one Coupe. Each has its own special appeal and advantages or disadvantages; it is a matter of opinion. I drive the Cabrio and would not trade it for anything. While some see blind spots, I see super side mirrors and and a backup warning signal. I also feel like I am in a protective cocoon when I drive. I have hauled garbage cans with the top down and a three foot tall doll house. The seats fold down and when you drop the top, just about anything fits inside. The sunroof built into the soft top is wonderful.

My sister drives a Coupe and she too would not trade for anything. She can haul more and there is more visibility, but the vista view sunroof just does not cut it when driving through Yosemite or along the coast. I have driven both cars and just love the feel and the coziness of the Cabrio. The Coupe while more "open" is just that, open and more public with the surround glass.

You have to consider your uses, your hobbies and what you will miss or not miss. I too had a convertible many years ago and while I traded it for a BMW 325e which I drove for nearly 20 years, nothing is quite the same as a Cabrio. I so love this car and plan to keep her forever, my sister feels the same about hers.

 

tm255 where do you live, ie are you in the snowbelt? You mentioned driving in 30 degree weather, its OK for a little while but I don't care for it on a daily basis. If I lived in California, yeah I would be for it, but Minnesota (too cold) or Houston (too damn hot) nope. Give me solid enclosure, a good heater and adequate air conditioner. But then I'm 72, if I was 21 again then maybe.......

 

ben i'm in western nc. lots of scenery, and weather that is conducive to having the top down.

but, back when i had the miata my commute was about 15-20 minutes one way with a top speed of maybe 40mph. i went topless back and forth to work in temps from 30 to 90, with almost no driving in the midday sun. now things have changed and i regularly commute almost an hour each way and up to 60mph. i don't know that i would put the top down under those conditions. of course there would be some time on the weekends to indulge but i was already debating a convertible before being smitten with the mini.

the other side of the coin as kikimowse notes is there is nothing like the feel of a top down cab -- i'm just trying to figure out how close the sunroof gets. my experience in other vehicles is that the sunroof doesn't really compare but i've not spent time in one with the panorama, screen, etc.

 

I don’t think the sunroof in any way compares to a cabrio. I had a car with a sunroof and I used it maybe three times. I have the top down almost all of the time (I’m in Atlanta), unless it’s raining. If you go the ragtop route consider the windscreen because it makes a tremendous difference. The windscreens are expensive, but are great. With the windscreen I can put the windows up and use my Bluetooth earpiece and cell phone on the expressway.
We are also not only a two MINI family, but a two cabrio family. My wife liked my MINI so much she bought her own, however my next MINI will in all likelihood be a tin-top ‘cause I want a lighter faster car.

 

Morning all, I see the discussion continues. One added thought; although our Coupe with the front and back sunroof has the cloth sunscreen, we had to buy the complete block-out inserts for our hot valley summers. The the built in sunscreens just did not provide enough protection and really let the interior of the car heat up during the day. As for my Cabrio, top goes down for the morning and evening commute and during the day I purchased a "cab cover" which not only protects the cloth top but keeps the car cool. It is a breeze to take on and off and I can do it with one hand and then tucks nicely into the boot. But again, as many have mentioned, it boils down to preference. Both models are great cars!

 

The sunroof does not compare to a cabrio.
I have a coup with a sunroof. I love the sunroof and keep it open most of the time. However, there is no comparison to a convertible. If you love the open feel you need the cabrio.

 

One last thought, you can always do what I did, I rented a Coupe for a week and drove it around and then drove a Cabrio for a few hours. While both were great cars, once I drove the Cabrio it was a done deal. But as others have mentioned, a lot depends on where you live and the weather conditions you have to face. Rain, fog, heat and a few occasions of mild hail is all that I have to deal with. Every 20 years or so we might get snow that sticks for an hour or two and it is nowhere close to an inch. We think it is a blizzard and stay off the roads!

 

thanks so much, everyone, for the feedback. these comments are giving me the perspective that i was hoping for.

i hadn't thought about the cab with windows up, and windblocker.

kikimowse, is the cab cover you refer to something that goes on the roof while it is up or while it is down? the older model miatas had to be covered while down to prevent sun damage.

i see a cab in my future. now i'll start researching the other questions i have about options, pricing, etc.

thanks again!

 

I have my top down almost all of the time, no matter how low the temperature. With the windows up the windscreen makes a tremendous difference. I still wear a hat, gloves, a warm coat and a scarf, but with the windscreen the wind doesn’t swirl or bounce off the back seat and the ride is quieter also.

 

R57S here.

I've had targa tops, and I've been riding motorcycles year round since the mid 80s. My wife and I have toured all over the US on the bikes.

Whenever I'm in my car (non-mini) I usually have the windows down when possible. I really enjoy the open-air experience, and I believe that is somewhat of an indicator of whether you'd like a ragtop. That, and the fact that in crappy weather it's like driving a tent. With the top up, it's kind of dreary. Top down - nothing compares.

The R57 is my wife's main car, but she has the top down a LOT more than I thought she would (well into the 40s F). She has a collection of goofy warm hats and the cold weather package to make it more comfortable. I'm amazed how often she comes home with the top down, windows up, heat blasting, and temps in the low 40s...

If you want a convertible, nothing else will suffice.

 

The cab cover goes on with the top up. I know what you mean about the cover when the top is down however, my Triumph Spitfire had one of those, I think they called it a tauno (sp?) cover. I have attached a picture and the link to where I purchased it, Moss Mini. The picture is for the Coupe but they make them for the Cabrio too. The straps are Velcro and there is a small plastic hook on the back strap that hooks just at the bottom of the back license plate. For the Coupe the back Velcro goes under the back wiper. There is also a grommet for the antenna to go through. I always have antenna ***** on the car so I just cut the opening bigger and then hemmed it.

I only use the cover during the summer, not of course when it is raining or foggy or even slightly damp. I toss it in the dryer every once in a while to get off the dust and that's it. Since I keep the paint well waxed and wash the car every weekend, I don't need nor want a full car cover. Too much of a hassle, for me anyway.

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...14&SortOrder=2

 

Tonneau cover. I had one for a TR6 and it was great in the winter.

 

That's it! Thanks for being my spell check. I massacred it so much not even the spell check on this site could help me. I could lie and say that is the Greek spelling however, ha, ha.

The tonneau was also great when you had papers with you that you did not want blowing out of the car when you drove with the top down and you were too lazy to put them in the boot.