Craigslist Convertibles (2024)

FAQs

Why don t people buy convertibles anymore? ›

Just as the purchase of a convertible requires a feeling of relative financial security and a sense of boldness, so does the act of designing one. And right now most automakers lack both.

As fuel economy regulations tighten and automakers pinch ounces wherever they can, there's another incentive for them to abandon the convertible market: Convertibles are heavy.

Additional maintenance: Convertible tops have more moving parts, which means they may be more prone to wear and tear and will likely require more maintenance than fixed roofs. This may be especially true with soft-top convertibles, as fabric or vinyl have a higher potential to sustain damage than hardtop roofs.

Be prepared for increased insurance costs – not only are convertibles more appealing to thieves, but they may have fewer safety features (like curtain airbags). You should also expect fuel economy to suffer; roof-down driving increases drag by spoiling the car's aerodynamics.

SUVs cannibalise market

The decline in demand for convertibles may be the result of the rising popularity of SUVs and crossovers. In 2023, new SUVs enjoyed growth in Europe, including Germany. The segment also overtook the saloon sector in France to become the most-popular body type for new vehicles.

When it comes to soft top convertibles, wear and tear really degrades their lifespan. You can expect to get 3-6 years out of a soft top before it needs to be replaced. This is because holes, mold, sagging, or broken seams are common.

Sun, rain, snow, and extreme temperatures can take a toll on the materials used in convertible tops. The constant expansion and contraction of the top's fabric can lead to tears or seams coming apart. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause fading, discoloration, and damage to the fabric, as well as the windows.

A convertible has minimal risk when it comes to rollovers due to its centered gravity, but in the instances where rollovers do happen, the risk of injury is higher compared to vehicles with a hardtop.

The insurance rate for a convertible may be higher for physical damage coverage than an equivalent vehicle with a hard top. The cost of insurance for a convertible car may come down to their higher purchase price, as well as convertibles' greater vulnerability to theft.

Unwanted water leaks are the worst in any vehicle but in many a convertible, they're somewhat common as the vehicle ages. Water can enter the cabin, the trunk, the foot well and a number of other areas.

Is it bad to leave a convertible top down all the time? ›

Storing your convertible with the top down is a bad idea. Your convertible top may stretch, crack, or rip when you put it up after a very long period of time folded.

In 1989, the convertible community was given the first edition of the MX-5 (known as the Miata in North America). This genuinely timeless car, which is still in production today, went on to become the best-selling convertible of all time, having sold over 1 million units to date.

Q: Are convertible cars faster with the roof up or down? A: That depends on whether they are electronically speed limited, but if drag limited, then top down increases drag, reducing top speed.

The difference between hardtops and soft tops is the material used to make the roof. Soft top convertibles have fabric roofs. Some advantages hardtops have over soft tops include better security, superior noise control, and enhanced weather resistance, among others.

Some prevailing theories for the decreased demand include economic hardships since the 2008 financial crisis and changes in car trends among the wealthy. Nowadays, affluent car owners are more likely to have an ultra-efficient, potentially electric car rather than a flashy one.

In the late 1900s, convertibles landed in the luxury class of vehicles featuring sportier styles. By 2023, they made up just 1.3% of luxury vehicle sales, roughly half of what they were as recently as 2015, according to S&P Global Mobility data. They make up an even smaller portion of mainstream vehicle sales.

Investors like convertibles because they offer protection against heavy losses, but they also give up some value in appreciation. Most convertible bonds are callable, which means the company can force investors to convert. In this case, the upside potential of convertibles is not unlimited.