Summer was meant for topless driving—but please, keep your clothes on. I’m talking convertibles, not drives in your birthday suit! I asked Jody Victor to tell us about some of the coolest convertibles out there.
Jody Victor: Everyone, including the family dog, loves a ride in a convertible on a summer day. There is no better time to buy a convertible; if only because its summer. Do you need another reason? A quick scan of 2009 and 2010 models suggests there is a convertible for everyone’s budget and/or lifestyle. These top-optional summer sanguines range in style and price from the 1.38 million dollar Maybach Landaulet to the 16,990 small, but sensible smart fortwo passion cabriolet city car. Here are five topless joy-rides fit for five different kinds of summer driving.
Beach Bug
The new Beetle bends to the “cool dude” or “beach bum” in all of us. Whether it’s a couple of surf boards or an umbrella and some deck chairs sticking out the back with the top down the Beetle is about fun and nostalgia. However, this nostalgic style does limit the utility of the Beetle; space in the back seat is a bit cramped and cargo space is limited; although, you can still pack towels, a cooler and a day bag in the trunk. The V-Tex synthetic seating surface is resistant to everything from sunscreen to saltwater from wet swimsuits. The New Beetle hasn’t changed a whole lot since its 2003 release. Its still fun to drive and powered by the get-up-and-go 150HP 2.5 liter with an average fuel-economy of 23 MPG. You can be on your way to the beach in a New Beetle starting at $25,990.
Summer in the City
For you city dwellers or tourists spending an extended summer in the city the nimble smart fortwo passion cabriolet offers the tight turning needed to dodge construction cones, pot holes and the occasional jay-walker. It's also one of the least expensive and fuel conscious convertibles you can buy. Its golf cart like size makes parallel and otherwise inconvenient city parking a breeze. Surprisingly, the fortwo offers roomy seating for two adults, but a questionable 12 cubic feet of cargo space (located behind the seats). The chic Brabus trim package includes a power canvas top that can be opened like a sun roof at any speed; however the roof rails need to be removed for the full convertible effect—the rails can be stored in the tailgates dedicated compartment. The 3K cabriolet option includes a 6-disc changer with MP3 input.
The 1.0 liter rear-mounted engine runs out at only 71 horsepower and the automatic transmission is jerky. The 33mpg fuel-economy will make the green-conscious buyer happy (whether the green is the environment or cash in your wallet). The twofor is pretty much an in-city vehicle, but a good option for the environment. Starts at $16,990.
Trail Head Honcho
The Jeep Wrangler is true to its name sake—its made to wrangle road and not-so-road if you are into trail blazing, Baja-ing, mudding or any of the other off-road hobbies with funny names. Not only this, but the Wrangler is the only SUV that can claim a roof that can be folded down or removed completely to offer a wind-in-your-face view of whatever scene you are speeding by. Although all Wranglers are built for off-road adventure the Wrangler Rubicon ($29,565) offers a whole lot more than the standard model. The Rubicon sports 10.2 inches of ground clearance, 32 inch BF Goodrich off-road tires, rock rails to protect the sills, and an upgraded driveline that can tackle any trail—even the boulders of its namesake Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevadas. The 3.8 liter V6 will haul your seat-belted rear-end over boulders and highway with out problem and gets 19MPG. Starts at $21,460.
Back Road Bandit
The 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 is built like they used to be, or rather is an updated, but true-to-its-name muscle car. With a supercharged V8 pulsating under its hood, you’ll either collect speeding tickets or pay for race track time to truly test its limits. This road-monster has been rebuilt to take turns at speed (what with its zero-60 in 4.3 seconds); a rebuilt chasse, even with its solid rear axel, will slither down all the twists and turns you can throw at it. The Shelby model comes equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, Brembo brakes, a spoiler, leather/suede bucket seats, an 8-speaker, six CD changer and satellite radio, and Ford’s Sync voice controlled multimedia Sync (so you can keep your hands on the wheel of this speed demon). Although the Shelby GT500 starts at $51,325 you’ll feel those dollars in the Eaton supercharger and intercooler pump, the 5.4-liter, V8 540HP, 510 lb-ft torque engine all streamlined into the GT500’s six speed manual transmission.
Big Trip, Small Package
If it's adventure on the open road you are looking for, no car is going to get more mileage—or fun—out of a tank of gas than a MINI Cooper. The convertible version even comes with an “openometer”, which gauges how many miles you drive with the top down, almost a dare to do it every day. The 2009 MINI convertible is based on the redesigned ’07 platform, complete with new engine and interior. This update includes a pop-up roll bar for added protection. Really, where the MINI convertible shines for road trips, is its fuel economy, though clearly you aren’t going to pack the entire tribe into the MINI’s interior. Rated at 36 MPG highway the MINI convertiable runs at nearly the same economy as the fortwo, but in a size that seats four and won’t make you feel like an insect next to standard sized vehicles on the highway. The 1.6 liter engine offers three levels of power: the standard 118 HP; the turbo charged Cooper S at 172 HP; and the John Cooper Works version with a snappy 208 turbocharged HP—the Cooper S does zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds. With suspension upgrades to match power you can put down the top and aim your MINI towards adventure. Starting at $24,550.
Thanks, Jody! What a great line-up!