Uh oh...she asked...what about a convertible?

[callahan318]

So I am going to ask a few questions...

1. How hard is it to have gears swapped in the rear end of the Stang? They are 3.31s in the convertible, and I really want 3.73s

2. How is the convertible as far as holding up to body roll, handling, etc etc?

3. How noisy is the convertible with the top up?

4. How does the convertible hold up over time?

5. What about in the rain and living in a place like Oregon where it rains a bit.

6. Are the convertible tops expensive to replace?

7. Are heated seats a good idea with a convertible?

(I am thinking that if I get the Convertible, I will not be driving it a lot in the rain...)

 

[BMWM3]

So I am going to ask a few questions...

1. How hard is it to have gears swapped in the rear end of the Stang? They are 3.31s in the convertible, and I really want 3.73s

2. How is the convertible as far as holding up to body roll, handling, etc etc?

3. How noisy is the convertible with the top up?

4. How does the convertible hold up over time?

5. What about in the rain and living in a place like Oregon where it rains a bit.

6. Are the convertible tops expensive to replace?

7. Are heated seats a good idea with a convertible?

(I am thinking that if I get the Convertible, I will not be driving it a lot in the rain...)

I have and coupe and convertible the only difference in them is the convertible have different suspension than coupe's , and require different springs , shocks, and bars. , you can still use the coupe springs and shocks, bu the ride comfort will suffer big time.

 

[stkjock]

So I am going to ask a few questions...

1. How hard is it to have gears swapped in the rear end of the Stang? They are 3.31s in the convertible, and I really want 3.73s

$500 parts and labor - not a big deal

2. How is the convertible as far as holding up to body roll, handling, etc etc?

fine - you can stiffen it some with upgraded sway bars

3. How noisy is the convertible with the top up?

if stock it's noisier then the coupe but not bad

4. How does the convertible hold up over time?
the top? cant help - mine is garage kept and looks great, the top is hardly up.
5. What about in the rain and living in a place like Oregon where it rains a bit.

what about it the car can get wet
6. Are the convertible tops expensive to replace?

the fabric is not too bad, the whole frame and pumps yes

7. Are heated seats a good idea with a convertible?

yes if you'll drive it in cooler weather with the top down, I drive mine top down in 40* temps (no heated seats) and I'm ok with it.

(I am thinking that if I get the Convertible, I will not be driving it a lot in the rain...)

/\ see red above

 

[RedMosesSC]

2. The chassis on the S197 convertible is stiff, mine had rear bolt on sub frame connectors from the factory.

3. Coupe is much more quite.

4. My top (Cloth) held up like shit, wear holes were developing and Ford did not want to warranty it, it also was beginig to fade in spots and it was only 3 years old.

5. Its fine in the rain

7. Get the heated Seats!!! I had them and now i dont on my coupe and i miss it. The vert does not provide as good insulation as the coupe, it tends to get cold/hot very quickly.


Verts are fun! dont forget the sunblock.

 

[doogie]

Verts are definitely fun!

Since my top is rarely up, so I could care less about additional noises. But I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was with the top up. And the heated seats do come in handy for those chilly days with the top dropped!

As with RedMosesSC, my cloth top started showing wear marks very prematurely. But I found out on another forum that Ford came out with a redesigned cloth top and has started replacing them (when requested) under warranty. Mine is in right now getting a new one, which was very timely as they approved the replacement about 2 weeks before my warranty expired.

 

[Rasmus]

We have an 06 vert and an 06 coupe. I'm running Tokico D-specs and Steeda Competition springs on the vert.

2. Vert comes with the subframe connectors. The S197 chassis is stiffer than previous model years.
3. The coupe is quieter, but the vert is not loud as such. There is a difference, but it's not big. If you think replacing the stock mufflers on a coupe sounds good, wait til you do it on a vert and take a ride with the top down.
4/5. Cars get wet, and my top is yet to leak. The vinyl top is holding up great, and even keeps the water out in torrential downpours.
7. I live in NC, and I really don't miss them. When I lived in Europe I loved them.

I'd get a vert again.

 

[Beerhunter]

So I am going to ask a few questions...

1. How hard is it to have gears swapped in the rear end of the Stang? They are 3.31s in the convertible, and I really want 3.73s

My 05 GT came with 3.55's

2. How is the convertible as far as holding up to body roll, handling, etc etc?

No major issues that I have experienced

3. How noisy is the convertible with the top up?

They have done a really good job with the top. There is a liner that makes it appear almost like it is a coupe from the inside

4. How does the convertible hold up over time?

Mine is an 05 daily driver and it still looks new

5. What about in the rain and living in a place like Oregon where it rains a bit.

I live in Vancouver and we get a shit load of rain here. No issues thus far

6. Are the convertible tops expensive to replace?

As mentioned the fabric is fairly inexpensive but the hardware is not cheap

7. Are heated seats a good idea with a convertible?

Heated seats kick ass! I have driven in quite cold weather with the top down and heated seats maximizes the amount of top down time

(I am thinking that if I get the Convertible, I will not be driving it a lot in the rain...)

^^ see comments

 

[Vapour Trails]

Biggest difference I noted after driving a V6 Convertible was bodyflex, going over things like railroad tracks. I could definitely tell the chassis was not as stiff as a coupe due to the lack of roof.

 

[JeremyH]

I have the vinyl top, 3 years old, has held up great. Get your self a strut tower brace and a thicker rear swaybar. Heated seats ftw!

 

[Herknav]

Any convertible is going to be a little "looser" than the coupe version... but I found mine (05 GT vert) to be pretty stiff, everything being said. Add the FRRP sways and it is even better.

The vinyl top has been great with no problems. I get no leakage from rain or anything. It can get chilly quicker in comparison, but that's why they make heaters for...

My 05 came with 3.55's as well...

 

[Liberty911]

Everyone owns one vert in their life.

 

[Cali HP Addict]

The vinyl tops are great. Very tight, no leaks and really no wind noise at all when windows are up etc.

More chassis flex than coupe.... duh

Can't beat going topless while doing donuts! Zoom past the dyno pull.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaM2fjdX0LM

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

My car is set up pretty stiff and it rides great. Running 4 turns out in front and 3.5 in rear on the D specs.

Only real noise is the vert release handles (over the windshield) tend to rattle a bit on choppy road. My car is an 05 so they probably have improved them.


Oh yeah,
Tokico D specs
FRPP sway bars
Steeda Ultralites
UMI UCA w/rotojoint
Metco UCA bracket
Prothane UCA pumpkin bushing
Edelbrock LCA
BMR UCA relocation brackets
Edelbrock Panhard rod