I am thinking of a MC or MCS Cabrio, but would have to leave the vehicle outside all year long in the NYC suburbs. So, a few questions come to mind.
First, has anyone had problems driving the cabrio all winter long? How much insulation does the top have? What happens to the top if the car is outside and there is heavy snow or freezing rain? Second, who has had problems leaving a convertible parked all day unattended. Mine would be at a suburban train station, but I am sure others leave them in parking lots at their jobs, at the mall, etc.
Thanks all in advance for your help on these questions.

 

My car and my wifes car are both MCC's and they both spend the entire year outside. When snow or freezing rain threaten, they get covered with a genuine MINI outside cover though they have both been caught away from home in the foul weather without. The roof has no insulation, but this doesn't seem to be a problem because the heater is more than adequate. Seat heaters help in the first couple miles but not needed there after unless, like me, you like to run with the roof down below 50 degrees. I probably wouldn't own a MINI if it wasn't a convertible. As far as leaving it we haven't had any problems as yet, but that said a convertible is an easier break in target. Like any car don't leave things visible and that will cut down problems or do like some people do and never lock the door of a convertible. Lock everything up in the boot and the glove box.

Get a wind screen. Unless you use the back seat a lot it's worth having.

 

+1 to all that. Definitely get the heated seats in the cabrio. . . and the outdoor covers also help especially with freezing rain or frost.

As to security: because of the structural supports for the top, the easiest way to break into a cabrio is to break a window -- same as with non-cabrio vehicles . . . so security concerns should not be any worse with this car as any other.

 

I kinda agree with this except the thief most likely won't know that then you end up with a ripped roof AND a broken window! Keep stuff out of sight in any car regardless of top.

 

I love my car, and buying it was the best move I ever made. I had similar concerns as you when I was looking into buying one. Here's a link to the thread I started which addresses similar concerns. So far the cold here in CO hasn't been an issue, and I have been able to mostly keep it out of the snow since I park in a garage at home and during the day. As stated above the easiest way to break into the car is by breaking the window, and experienced thiefs know it. According to the police and insurance companies, statistically there are no more breakins in convertibles than tin tops. However, I don't see anyone that is going to key a car hesitate to put a knife through your top. I always keep things out of sight as stated above, but I always lock my car.

 

I live in the snowbelt of the Great Lakes and had the same concerns as you but so far I have been very pleased. Heater does a decent job and the top seems to be very sturdy to handle the snow. They also handle great with snow tires. The only suggestion I would make is to treat the top regularly with Raggtopp to give it some protection from the elements and a car cover would be helpful too if you need to keep it parked outside all the time.