If you’re in the market for a new car, you might be considering a convertible. After all, they’re not just cool to drive when the top is down – they can be great for practical reasons as well. But are there any disadvantages? Why not learn more!
1. MUCH SLOWER THAN A HARD TOP
Convertible cars have a reputation for being fast – and there are some that are. But, for the most part, they’re not as fast as comparable hard top models. A hard top provides an incredibly smooth ride and can zip from place to place like no other vehicle on the market. These cars are designed to be sporty – this means that they have stiff frames, firm seats and are usually extremely low to the ground. This makes for a smoother ride, but it also means that they perform better when driving at high speeds.
Convertibles are usually built on a frame that’s somewhat less rigid and don’t have the same suspension systems that hard tops do. They ride much better at lower speeds, but they’re not as well-designed for high speeds – and they certainly can’t compete with a hard top in terms of speed.
2. LESS FUEL EFFICIENT
The convertible is designed to perform well at lower speeds, so it comes as no surprise that it uses more fuel than its hard top counterpart. A convertible requires more energy to run its various systems, including the mechanisms for raising and lowering the roof. In fact, it can actually use up to a dozen times more energy than a hard top.
3. LESS PROTECTION
As the roof is lowered and the top is rolled down, you put yourself at risk of damaging your convertible in various ways. The roof’s material is quite thin, so if you encounter any solid objects while driving, they could easily damage the car on impact – which could cause serious damage. If you’re interested in a convertible, make sure that you find one that has all of the features and amenities you want – if not, make sure that you look into a hard top instead!
4. LESS STORAGE SPACE
Since their roofs are made of a cloth-like material and the cars are usually low to the ground, there isn’t much room under the hood to store any extra items. If you have to keep things with you when driving, you’ll have to make do with whatever space you have under your seat. Because of this, convertible owners may have less storage space than hard tops – but make sure that is a feature that’s important for you before making your purchase.
