Favorite Convertible?

[JimVonBaden]

Over the last 8 years I have owned 3 different convertibles, and many years ago I owned a couple others. Each was good in its own way, some practical, some not at all.

1981:
1968 VW Beatle, with a Myers Manx knock of fiberglass tub and a home made convertible top. I had this at 18 years old, and lived in Oregon. It was not practical, but I was a kid: Lots of fun to drive, loud and slow. This lasted a year and maybe 1500 miles.



1985:
1964 Buick LeSabre.
It was a giant boat, held six full sized adults, plus 3-4 in the trunk and got 10 miles per gallon. I owned this 2 years and 6K miles.


1988:
1981 Fiat X-19 Targa.
Sort of a convertible, it was fun to drive, but slow, prone to dying in traffic, and completely impractical. I had it about a year and 2K miles.


Big gap in years as I got married, had a kid, divorced, retook up bikes, etc.

2009:
2008 Saturn Sky Redline.
I had this for six years. It was fast, handled great and a blast to drive. It had a manual top that required you to get out of the car to deploy or put up, a trunk the size of one GS pannier, and was not a great distance car. I put just 20K miles on it in 6 years, with the first year seeing 12K miles.







2016
2005 Mercedes CLK 500.
I got this for practicality. It was 4 seats, had a usable trunk, automatic top, great power, and pretty luxurious. It also was a lot like a boat to drive, especially after the Saturn. It wallowed and floated. A great distance car, and very comfortable. But a little uninspiring to drive. I had it 2 years and around 5000 miles.







2018
2011 BMW 128i Convertible.
I picked this up a few weeks ago. It has a 3.0 6 cylinder naturally aspirated motor, 7 speed trans, 230hp and is pretty quick, but not particularly fast. It has a 2 plus two kind of seating. I can ride in the back, but it is tight. Not great for anyone tall, but perfect for my wife and I, and to take a friend or two short distances. It rides and drive between the Sky and Mercedes. It handles very well without being overly stiff, so a good tourer and can handle the curves, especially in sport mode. It has a reasonable trunk and automatic top, plus all modern features. Likely the perfect blend of cars for me.






So, what is/was your perfect convertible?

[c1pher]

I like my Stingray targa:

[3798j]

My favorite? Good question....I gotta say I still have a weak spot for my first. Purchased in 1966, it's a '61 TR3.



And while I think I'm actually more of a coupe kind of guy, today I still have fun with these two 60's convertibles.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by 3798j

My favorite? Good question....I gotta say I still have a weak spot for my first. Purchased in 1966, it's a '61 TR3.



And while I think I'm actually more of a coupe kind of guy, today I still have fun with these two 60's convertibles.

Great collection!

[GuidoK]

Over the last 8 years I've owned 1 convertible (my current z4).
So it must be doin' something good

[floydarogers]

Still a Boxster (this was our '00)

[eluded]

S2000

[Germanauto]

I love all convertibles.

R129 Merc, Bimmer Z3, and every gen Boxster are my favorites.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Still a Boxster (this was our '00)
Attachment 1774943

It's too bad you Coug'd it.

[Never_Enough]

Miata. I'm on #3.

I do enjoy driving my friend's '63 Impala SS vert, though.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

I like my Stingray targa:

That's not a vert. They make C7 verts too.

[Alfisti]

[jfox855]

After years of owning old British and fancy new German sport cars, I wanted something that could be pulled out of the garage on a occasional summer day and would start, run well, and not require pouring cash into on a regular basis. Not crazy acceleration, but handles like a go-kart. Have had this Honda S2000 for ten years, only needed fluid changes and tires! It's a Honda !

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

That's not a vert. They make C7 verts too.

Someone else showed a targa so I figured it qualified. I can take the top off, just not as fully as the C7 vert.

[vinylengraver]

This:

[SakhirM4]

My 1971 Corvette



My 1997 Z3 2.8



My 2001 Z3 3.0i

[Ian1973]

My only one. I will own another someday.

[Petlizard]

r171 slk55 AMG.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by jfox855

. Not crazy acceleration, but handles like a go-kart. Have had this Honda S2000 for ten years, only needed fluid changes and tires! It's a Honda !

S 2000 for the win

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Petlizard

r171 slk55 AMG.

Yes I love this car too despite being considered a woman’s car.