Switching to a convertable

[Balr14]

I spent many years riding motorcycles as my primary means of transportation. A convertible is easy to get used to after that.

Sponsored

 

[larf37]

It sure is nice to be able to put the roof up when you hit a storm. One of the things I really hated about having a bike was just having to take whatever Mother Nature threw at you for weather.

I spent many years riding motorcycles as my primary means of transportation. A convertible is easy to get used to after that.

 

[Balr14]

It sure is nice to be able to put the roof up when you hit a storm. One of the things I really hated about having a bike was just having to take whatever Mother Nature threw at you for weather.

For sure. Rain was bad enough, but I got caught in snow storms twice and an ice storm once. I managed to ride home in the snow storms, but there were more than a few moments where I felt for sure I would be leaving some stool samples behind. The ice storm was on vacation down south and was impossible to ride in. I walked my bike about a 1/2 mile to a motel... never even noticed it was still in gear so the rear wheel wasn't turning. That was one hell of a workout!

 

[Johnnybee]

I'd keep the top down too, with those big blind spots. Great for this time of year down here, I give you that.

Most people have big blind spots because they don't adjust their mirrors properly. Most have the side mirrors in way too tight. Properly adjusted, as a vehicle leaves the interior mirror, they should start appearing in your side mirror (either side), and as it leaves your side mirror, you should be seeing it in your peripheral vision or at least if you take a sideways glance. Yes, if you're on the highway and it's 3-4 lanes wide and some yahoo comes across from the far lane as you merge, you probably won't see him, but for normal driving conditions, the above will serve you well.

I'm hardcore, if its above 3C and dry, the top is down.

 

[Hack]

It sure is nice to be able to put the roof up when you hit a storm. One of the things I really hated about having a bike was just having to take whatever Mother Nature threw at you for weather.

I used to ride motorcycle a lot as well. I rode one with no fairing or windshield and I didn't wear a helmet. Rain hurts even at 30 mph on a motorcycle, and for me even in my teens and early 20s I didn't enjoy long rides on the freeway. I guess I'm a wimp.

In my 1970 convertible, if I'm on the highway at speed and it starts raining the rain goes right over me. The inside of the car doesn't get wet at all. I usually put the top up as soon as I can anyway, but there have been a few times where I just kept on driving.

 

[ORRadtech]

My dad always had a boat and I learned to love the wind in my face early. Learned to water ski before I was 8 y/o. First street bike in my early 20's. First convertible at 40. I've owned a bike, boat, jetski or convertible ever since. Sometimes several at once.
Living in Atlanta the weather gets quite warm in the summer and it doesn't matter, as long as it's not a monsoon the top is down. I find that as I get older I can't do the cold as well anymore but the heat doesn't bother me.
The Mustang has really good mirrors and I have no real blind spot when the top is up.
Convertibles aren't for everyone, that's true. But if you like convertibles the Mustang is a really decent choice.

 

[Epona]

I bought a 2015 convertible GT two years ago. I live along the Front Range of Colorado, and right now am watching the snow fall. I gotta tell you, this is the way to go! There are only a couple months of the year that I cannot put the top down. Cold? Just crank up the heat, turn on the heated seats, and if needed put your windows up and wear a coat. Hot? Turn the AC on max and, generally, I am fine.

It is an ecstatic experience that I would trade for nothing. Obviously being able to park your baby in a garage or under some sort of snow cover is important. It handles like crap on icy roads - but that has nothing to do with being a convertible.

 

[Johnnybee]

I bought a 2015 convertible GT two years ago. I live along the Front Range of Colorado, and right now am watching the snow fall. I gotta tell you, this is the way to go! There are only a couple months of the year that I cannot put the top down. Cold? Just crank up the heat, turn on the heated seats, and if needed put your windows up and wear a coat. Hot? Turn the AC on max and, generally, I am fine.

Good for you! My goal was to drive at least one day every month with the top down. I didn’t get it done in 2018, as I missed December. IIRC, the same happened in 2019. I did it in 2020 and am actually doing better this year, having managed a few days in January as well as one so far in February. Having a Love the Drive screen really helps on the cooler days.

 

[Balr14]

Good for you! My goal was to drive at least one day every month with the top down. I didn’t get it done in 2018, as I missed December. IIRC, the same happened in 2019. I did it in 2020 and am actually doing better this year, having managed a few days in January as well as one so far in February. Having a Love the Drive screen really helps on the cooler days.

I am with you in spirit. But, I hate driving my convertible when there is salt on the roads. So, I miss a few months every year.

 

[MIDLYFE]

Good for you! My goal was to drive at least one day every month with the top down. I didn’t get it done in 2018, as I missed December. IIRC, the same happened in 2019. I did it in 2020 and am actually doing better this year, having managed a few days in January as well as one so far in February. Having a Love the Drive screen really helps on the cooler days.

The screen is nice but the price tag makes me sweat.

 

[ORRadtech]

The screen is nice but the price tag makes me sweat.

Then look into the Audi A4 windscreen.
There's a long thread in the convertible section.
You can pick them up on ebay usually between $100 & $150 or so. They fold nicely and most come with a storage bag. It requires that you drill a small hole in the plastic side panels behind the front seats but that's super easy and there have been several people post where/how in that thread I mentioned above.

 

[Echo4papa]

My last Mustang was a 2015 GT Vert. Only reason I got rid of it was the wind was causing issues with my tinnitus. Of course, I'm in FL so I got to use it a lot, but I also drive it up to NY for Thanksgiving one year and I was impressed with the top, heat retention in the vehicle and overall road noise in the cabin. If the wind didn't cause issues with my ears, I would have never let that car go (but I do love my new one).

 

[Johnnybee]

Then look into the Audi A4 windscreen.
There's a long thread in the convertible section.
You can pick them up on ebay usually between $100 & $150 or so. They fold nicely and most come with a storage bag. It requires that you drill a small hole in the plastic side panels behind the front seats but that's super easy and there have been several people post where/how in that thread I mentioned above.

Unfortunately the Audi screens are few and far between in Canada, and shipping from the US is absurdly expensive, plus the exchange basically puts the used Audi screen very close to the Love the Drive, at least up here. If I was really flush with cash, I would have ordered the factory screen from Europe, which for some bizarre reason isn’t sold in North America.

 

[Lorne34]

I will give a thumbs up to the love the drive unit. It's a bit expensive, yes.. but worth every penny. Would not own another vert without one.

 

[Crowd Hunter]

My daily driver is a BMW convertible, and I find myself wanting to drive it a lot more in the summer than the Mustang.

Sponsored