# (Hardtop) convertible thoughts? Time for a new car! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922 "2012-11-23T19:09:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/21 "2012-11-25T17:33:19Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Actually with the top up all of you dive equipment will fit in the hardtop C70. The trunk is huge when the three piece roof isn’t in it. That’s a useful change. On the soft-top, the trunk was the same (awkward) size whether the top was up or down. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/22 "2012-11-25T22:12:51Z")
The trunk is so deep you could probably stand a standard SCUBA tank upright. And yes I know all about the rag top I worked for Volvo. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/23 "2012-11-26T01:01:21Z")
> [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](#): > > If a Miata can carry all you need it to carry then buy it. You can never go wrong with a Miata. The PRHT on the new ones go up and down in like 5 seconds. They are great. The problem with space a lot of people have with the Miata isn’t cargo space but driver space. There was a time when I was very seriously in the market for one until I tried test driving one and I couldn’t get the seat back far enough to where I could let the clutch up all the way. I literally couldn’t drive the thing and it’s not like I’m a basketball player or anything-- and I’m just a hair over 6 ft. I probably could have got by with an automatic, but that’s just ridiculous. That was many years ago, so maybe they’re better now, but I still harbor deep-seated jealousy of people short enough to fit into a Miata comfortably. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/24 "2012-11-26T04:30:34Z")
I’ve never looked into it, since I fit in mine, but there’s something you can do to the seat in an MX-5 that makes it low and lots of tall people say it makes a huge different. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/25 "2012-11-27T03:14:54Z")
Thanks for all the thoughts, Dopers! I’m taking notes…just have so much to think about. ☹ I think I’m going to just make a list of all the car companies (within reason…), list their convertible options, and start adding notes about cost and comments from people like YOU! -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Willcross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Willcross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willcross)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/26 "2012-11-27T04:47:35Z")
Speaking as a VW technician, stay away from the Eos. The tops leak water, are insanely over complicated, prone to failure, and expensive to repair. VW makes some great cars, but not the Eos. The 2013 beetle convertible comes out in a month or two. I took a training course on it, and it seems very solid. Not a hardtop tho. > **[2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Fully Revealed in Spy Photos](https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/02/2013-volkswagen-beetle-convertible-fully-revealed-in-spy-photos.html)** > > The latest generation of the classic Volkswagen Beetle has been well received in its newest form, and will continue to get attention from VW to expand its customer base.Coming next for the new Beetle will be a soft top convertible option, which our... ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/27 "2012-11-28T01:50:59Z")
Thanks, **Willcross**. Very helpful…and disappointing. I really wanted to like the Eos. My regular mechanic warned me away too…between the two of you, I think I need to cross that one off the list. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/28 "2013-09-01T02:35:30Z")
(fist) BUMP! Like any good baby, 9 months later I made a decision. I picked up a BMW 335i from CarMax. It’s a 2011, with only 10,025 miles. Loaded with almost every option. I have no idea how to do anything with it - I need to spend some quality time with the manual tomorrow! But I’m excited. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/29 "2013-09-01T04:13:04Z")
Awesome choice! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/30 "2013-09-01T14:38:16Z")
Thanks. I was looking seriously at a new 328i, but this came in more than $10k cheaper. And I wasn’t going to get most of the features in the 328i. The 335i has the sports package, performance package, convenience package…heated front seats - a MUST here in South Florida. 🙂 Today’s task: Configure my presets for the radio, and program my garage door opener. And host a cookout for Labor Day weekend. Cheesecake is in the oven now. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/31 "2013-09-01T17:32:14Z")
Sweet car! I have a 97 318ic which isnt anywhere near perfect but I still really enjoy driving it. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/32 "2013-09-01T17:51:13Z")
Garage door opener works. There are some bugs crawling around the car. Service department at CarMax is closed today, but my sales guy tells me they can bug bomb it and make it all better. So I’ll take it in tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922/33 "2013-09-01T18:53:43Z")
Many safe and happy miles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardtop-convertible-thoughts-time-for-a-new-car/641922.md?page=1)