My very first car was an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider... now that was a sexy looking convertible. A twin cam engine in 1960, when twin-cams were very rare.

I've also driven a three litre Healey, thought by many to be the all-time best looking convertible when the top is up. Marvelous, torquey straight six, Laycock d'Normanville electric overdrive. The gearbox had no synchros on first OR second! Gorgeous car, and fun to drive. But those Lucas electrics made me crazy.

Half a lifetime passed, and the cars that were great for a college kid in Southern California aren't so great for somebody all grown up, transplanted to Texas, and driving a 100 miles a day commute.

My kids talked me into a drop-top 900, my first convertible in over 20 years. I liked it enough to buy another Saab, but here in Texas the weather is rarely nice enough to put the top down, and anyway, the noise on the freeway with the top down is unbearable. So having a convertible means extra wind noise (even with the top up), extra heat, extra cost to buy the car in the first place, and potentially even more extra cost if the folding top mechanism malfunctions. Oh, and extra chassis flex and cowl shake. The only thing there's less of is trunk space.

I'd choose the Aero in a second, and never look back.

I'm writing this to provide a bit of balance to all the opinions saying to buy the convertible. Perhaps a drop-top car is the right choice for you, but be sure you are aware of the compromises you'll be making.

Best regards,

Dave
Lightning Blue 2000 Viggen 5-door
Turned over 148,000 miles yesterday
Quiet, cool, and fast on it's way to 250,000
Still makes me smile every day


posted by 208.124.1...

• Vote please, Jonathan, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:08:23
  • Suprise!, Jonathan, Sat, 26 Aug 2006 09:44:39
    • Aero a no-brainer if, SeeVTSaab, Sun, 27 Aug 2006 07:45:41
  • Do you have a garage?, No Snaab, Sat, 26 Aug 2006 07:00:16
  • Vert!! You'll LOVE It!, NVign8d, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 22:13:53
  • Personally, I have no use for another drop-top car, Dave in Houston, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 18:10:58 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Austin Healey gearbox, Dave in Houston, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 18:36:54
      • That exhaust was always scraping..., Dave in Houston, Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:22:07
        • Re: That exhaust was always scraping..., Henri L, Tue, 29 Aug 2006 07:24:50
      • Re: Austin Healey, Henri L, Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:37:43
      • Re: Austin Healey gearbox, Kenw51, Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:38:06
  • Re: Drive 'em, AeroDave, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 15:03:51
    • This is the best advice! Also, have a Mechanic..., Scott Paterson , Fri, 25 Aug 2006 15:05:40
  • 'Vert unless you need practicality of the 9-5..., Wil W , Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:30:42
  • Go for the vert, Noel, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:20:45
  • Still driving my 99 convertible, Nevin, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:59:01
  • 'Vert without a second thought. (nm), turrbo , Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:40:35
  • Re: Vote please, Timmydou, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:08:56
  • Ragtop. nm, Chaz, Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:16:24

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