1) I live in the Seattle area... a lot less days to enjoy it.
2) I don't like the look of the convertible when the top is up.
3) I prefer the look of the hardtop over the convertible when the top is down.

I'd love the convertible for maybe 40-50 days out of the year, but the rest of the time I'd rather have the hardtop.

 

Right...good point...the title of the thread should have been "Reasons FOR and AGAINST owning a Cabrio."

I myself have owned a 1970 Cutlass convertible, and two Miatas, plus I make a point to rent a convertible every chance I get when we travel, plus it really bugs me to see people driving convertibles on anything near a decent weather day with the top UP (decent weather = above 40 degrees F and not raining )...so I am definitely a top down kinda guy.

However, I like the idea of a bigger back seat and the hatch (I actually do need a bit of practicality picking up two kids at school every day), the side curtain airbags, the better looks of the coupe, and the quieter interior, plus that big Mini sunroof does go a long way to replacing a soft top.

But...ahhhhhh...top down driving...ahhhhhh....

I live in New Mexico and we have a LOT of good top down weather.

 

Already have one (another make) and don't need two.

 

I'm a huge fan of convertibles and have owned several including a Honda S600, a Miata, a TR8, currently own a TR3 and just sold my S2000, but when I decided to buy a MINI I never considered a convertible. I think my main reasons for not buying a MINI convertible are personal taste and personal perception of the intention of the car's design. I don't like the way the MINI convertible looks when the top is up or when the top is down. The top always appears to be an after thought. Since the top appears to be an after thought when I see one I am left with the perception that it was not the intention of the original design to have the car be a convertible.

Convertibles always have the problems with noise, smoke from traffic, not being able to hold conversations on the highway, messing up the ladie's hair, visibility with the top up, etc. but top down driving is some of the best driving experience there is. If you want a convertible you need to have at least 2 cars, a MINI and the convertible.

Ron

 

Many of the reasons 'not to buy' a convertible are valid and practical. However, the reason I bought mine had nothing to do with being practical. I just loved the car when I saw it, loved it more when I drove it, and appreciate it even more on a nice sunny day.

 

Seriously, that's the reason why.

I drove convertibles exclusively from age 17 to 25. I really got them out of my system. And during that entire time, I never understood why they looked better than they felt driving.

After taking up biking, I found the driving thrill I was looking for. No convertible was able to deliver the rush of the open-air feel of a two-wheeler.

That's it.

 

The sport suspension plus is not available on either models.

 

This point is key- ask not why NOT to buy a cabrio but why must you choose a hardtop when a cabrio is available.

Most times it would be for practical reasons to choose the hardtop-
More performance,less cost, stiffer chasis, less noise, more durable top, better visibility, more space etc.

However the cabrio is all about-
FUN and being able to just "love motoring in it".
It's about your "state of mind".

 

The reason to NOT buy a convertible is that you are NOT a "convertible person".

Since you doubt sufficiently to pose the question, you'll have to test drive a convertible with the top down at various speeds for a sustained period of time. After that you should know.

Here are my reasons NOT to buy a convertible--really they are the reasons I would never drive a convertible with the top down:

--too noisy at speed
--feel like everyone is looking at you (for some this is apparently the reason they like them, different strokes)
--too hot in warm weather
--too cold in cold weather
--difficult to enjoy your audio system
--the thought of rolling one
--they cost more

For what it's worth, the state with the highest percentage of convertibles registered is Oregon (sorry can't find a citation right now, but I know I read this a couple years back). True enthusiast convertible weather is overcast and somewhat cool, not sunny and hot.

Another hint is that if you are a person who habitually uses automatic climate control in your car, you are probably NOT a convertible person.

Plenty of my friends and relatives love their convertibles. I like to ride with them occasionally, and I enjoy if for a while, then I'm always happy to get back into my closed car.

 

I have loved the MINI's since they were introduced, but waited until they made the cabrio before I bought one. No regrets.

I'm not going to try address each of your questions, but here is my 2 cents worth:

I have had two other convertibles(Sebring JX and JXi) and the MINI is much more quiet than they were, and poor rear visibility was an issue in them as well, so in the MINI it is not a big deal for me. At least the MINI comes with the PDC standard, unlike other convertibles. For me, I was used to the restricted visibility and just had to 'learn' the MINI's visibility limitations. Of course, proper mirror placement is a key safety factor.

We live in SE Missouri (also known as Southeast Misery in the summer) which has HOT summers(90+ degrees) with HIGH humidity (90-99 percent) and no wind, and we drive with the top down year around--we just turn the AC up a little more.

Rear storage/seat room is not an issue for us since we don't have kids, and have my wife's Trailblazer for times when we need more room. I will say that loading the shopping bags in the car is much easier with a cabrio-just put the top down and set everything in the back seat. The carryout guys at the grocery LOVE it!

We have no regrets, and would buy another cabrio in a heartbeat(if we had the money, of course).

 

You are probably right about this - I think, however, I saw a diagram somewhere of the cabrio's bags inflated and thought that they reached up to the head and shoulders as well. might be wrong so I won't push the point. I am graduating from an old Ford Explorer with no airbags so I feel so protected with what little I have !!!

This has been a good discussion on the pros and cons since one DOES need to sort of commit to cabrio or no at the outset - there is no going back !!

The most compelling reason for me to perhaps not to have bought a cabrio is because it is not "true" to the original concept of the Mini (small caps), though there were certainly convertible Minis at points in the history of the original line. I think that the same "altered concept" argument can apply to the VW beetle cabrio, the PT Cruiser cabrio and probably many others.

The other thing that has come out of this thread is that there are many "convertible" people out there (you know who you are - and maybe some of you are just starting to "come out") and if you are of that persuasion and just love the MINI, then this car is absolute heaven. If you are not a "convertible person" and buy the cabrio to try it out, it may be a big frustration since the benefits of topless driving to you may never outweigh the few burdens of ownership.

Someone mentioned that the state with the highest percentage of cabrio owners is Oregon. I believe I also read that the country with the highest percentage of MINI cabrio purchasers is England - and we all know what their weather is like. Part of the convertible attraction for me is that it is a critical part of the whole "British roadster experience" since so very many of them (Triumphs, MGs, Sumbeams, etc.) were convertibles and the hardtops seemed the exception. MINI evolved out of that "pond" so the topless aspect is actually a meaningful part of the "British roadster experience" that I associate with MINI ownership.

One last comment is that the MINI convertible top is certainly as unique as the MINI - and is not just "another soft top". First of all, how many cars of this size have a powered convertible top? How many current convertibles have the power sunroof option in the convertible top (MINI wasn't the first but may be the only current one)? How many convertible tops are as well temperature and sound insulated as the MINI one? Essentially, MINI did the convertible thing in the best possible way - and that does make a difference.

I wasn't sure I was a "convertible person" as I had a cabrio Karman Ghia in college that got wrecked in a month by a drunk driver, and I never owned another cabrio until now. I may not have the top down as much of the time as many fanatics here, but I am just as passionate about top down driving. When the top is down, hey, how's that for visibility (you can even see to get out of the way of attacking birds...) or for keeping yourself warm with the sun on your face. Yes, there is an "image" part to the cabrio too - just strutting your stuff and showing off - but that is fun as well.

You will never solve the formula for "cabrio or no" as this is firmly in the area of personal preference. However, as cabrios go, the MINI offers an experience that is just plain wonderful.

Bill

 

My, my.... What an articulate response.

 

MINI Convertibles (not cabrios, those are made by VW) have side air bags. They are mounted in the seat which is why there are restrictions on the types of seat covers you can use.

 

Both terms are widely used by both the MINI community and the manufacturer. From the MINI international site: http://www.mini.com/com/en/mini_cooper_cabrio/index.jsp

 

2 reasons for me.

1. i don't like convertibles in general...just not my personal taste.
2. MINI did not offer convertibles back in 03.

 

I don't know...I think they can look pretty good with a little attention

 

Well I went and drove a convertible yesterday (it had been a year since I had done so) with my 7-year-old son....he said:

"Dad, it's SO COOL to have the wind in your hair!, please PLEASE get this one Dad!"

And of course, there was the look on his face of utter joy.

My heart melted as I imagined many miles of motoring with my son, watching his eyes lit up and watching the wind in his hair.

I tried (half-heartedly), but there was no convincing him that the sunroof in the coupe was big enough.

For the obective part, I found the road noise with the top up completely acceptable, and I trust the car's cooling and heating systems will do a fine job of keeping me cool in summer, and warm in winter (just like the Miatas I used to own).

Plus, for whatever reason, the rear visibility didn't bother me much, but it was a short drive.

 

Great story !! My six year old daughter loves riding in the back seat and often raises her arms over her head like on a roller coaster ride (no, I don't drive like a roller coaster with the kids in the car !!) She has pointed to the top while inside the car and said something like "Daddy, move that out of the way..."

Sounds like your son is a true convertible type. I just drove the whole family of 4 around this morning, dropping them off at school and the airport - and kept up a calm 80 mph on the NJ Tpke around insane traffic - and at no point did anyone need to raise their voices to talk. They do a great job with sound dampening on the top - though sound does seem to trickle in from the rear corners - and only because I suspect that the fabric in those areas needs to fold a lot and can't be as insulated as the top. From the rear side windows forward, I don't notice any sonic difference from a hardtop.

Don't worry about heating - I have never had a problem, at least down into the teens. Be sure to order the heated seats - useful not only in cold weather for a quick heat treatment but they also let you warm up with the top down in cool weather driving, allowing for more possible days of open driving.

Bill

 

Whether MINI or not, hardtops outsell convertibles by a wide margin, and cost is only one reason. However, compared with other cars that come in both soft and hard top versions (Mustang, New Beetle, etc.), my impression is that the proportion of MINI convertible sales is relatively high.

 

But there are many little trade-offs in running one. If it's your only car, these may build up to make it a bad choice. If it's not your only car, then for sure, a rag top should be in evry stable!

Matt

 

As an present and past owner of several roadsters (converts/cabrios/whatever) there are several issues that I find common to all ragtops:

1. security - an a** with a pocket knife can do lots of expensive damage to your top, and steal whatever you've got in your car (and maybe even the MINI itself).

2. no more "track days" - unless you go for a full "cage" most driver's schools won't let you show up and "go topless" at their events.

3. decreased handling - unless your car was designed to be topless (MINIs weren't) there will be more body flex and less torsional rigidity compared with the hardtop. Also if you mod for improved suspension you won't get the full benefit as the car isn't as rigid.

4. increased maintenance - a cabrio MINI is more complex meaning there are more things that require attention and can break.

5. leaks - hey it's English ('nuff said).

6. crashworthiness - no hard top/side airbags to protect you in the event of a roll over / "oak tree, you're in my way".

7. top up loss of rear visibility - the phrase "blind spot" in my Webster's has a pic of the MINI Cabrio as a reference.

Still, there are lots of benefits for the cabrio owners, not the least of which is the "ahh factor" . 'causes us coupe owners untold volumes of envy, (and grief when accompanied by our significant others).

 

Lucky for me, it won't be my only car...the other is a 1985 Mercedes 300 Turbo Diesel Wagon (which I run used vegetable oil in) in real fine shape.

 

Very nice.

 

Here's the way I rationalized it when I made my decision to get the cabrio instead of a hardtop:

1. Loved my Miata but needed something that was more practical, more comfortable and still fun to drive. Looked at the new NC MX-5 but for the same money (actually less) I could get an all-season convertible that was just as fun to drive and way more practical. Two cars for the price of one!!

2. For a soft top the MINI has a lot of safety features built-in including the much maligned safety hoop (hurts rear vision but increases rollover safety).

3. Has a built-in sunroof and totally automatic roof. Really nothing like it for even twice the money.

4. I live in the snowbelt and can use it year-round (unlike other sports cars).

5. Drove a hardtop with a sunroof and I still felt like I was in a cage. Just no way to compare it to driving a convertible.

6. Didn't really see much difference in handling between the cabrio and the hardtop.

7. My wife and kids can now ride with me anywhere, anytime roof up or down vs. my Miata.

8. Time will tell if the roof mechanism holds up but I figure in 4 years after the warranty runs out I'll be ready for a new car anyway.

 

I currently own a MCS but it's been have A LOT of problems the past four months. I recently had a MCSC loaner for two weeks straight so let me offer my comparison...

1. There is slightly more noise with the top up compared to the hardtop, but it's really not that much louder.
2. The convertible with the top down is far QUIETER than my hardtop with the sunroof and windows open.
3. The rear visibility took me only a couple days to adjust to once I got the mirrors set properly. By the end of the two weeks, I really had no complaints about the visibility at all.

My MCS is driving me nuts with trips to the dealership and I've been debating for a couple months now of trading in. I'd LOVE to get a vert and the only reason I wouldn't at this point would simply be cost.