Convertible?

James Morse

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05 to 09. Any disadvantages to convertible aside from looks? Only one advantage I can think of - you can open it up. Should I look at them or avoid them?
 

Sigma6

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They’re heavier too. But no reason to avoid a convertible completely. If you don’t like them, get a coupe :)
 

crjackson

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I’m told it will eventually leak, and you should plan on a new top regularly.
 

AHaze

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Biggest reason to avoid them is not having a garage. Top replacement will come much sooner if it sits out in the sun all the time.
Second reason would be if ultimate performance is your goal. This chassis is a quantum leap ahead of the Fox / SN95 in structural rigidity so the convertibles are still pretty good. Ultimately though, removing a steel roof forces a compromise between losing strength and adding weight in the form of chassis reinforcement.
The first S197 I ever drove was a '05 GT convertible that the dealership gave me as a loaner while my Lightning was getting some warranty work done. I was so amazed at how solid that car felt compared to my friend's '91 convertible that I went straight to his place to show it off. He sold the '91 and eventually replaced it with an '06 and then a '14, both GT 'verts.
 

FrankieD

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I have a 09 love it comfortable on road trips and the best is the wife loves it. I only drive it when nice out and stays in the Garage all winter and below 60deg. She has 76000mi with original top, no leaks. If you buy one never store it with the top down, it will shrink and you will have problem's closing it.
 

AHaze

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Once you own a convertible you won’t have interest in a hardtop
Maybe I'm a little off but I've owned a convertible and don't have any grand desire for another unless I gain a few garage spaces. Might have something to do with being in Northern Alberta though.
 

Badd GT

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Maybe I'm a little off but I've owned a convertible and don't have any grand desire for another unless I gain a few garage spaces. Might have something to do with being in Northern Alberta though.

yes, my car is strictly for pleasure and has its own garage
 

Stranger

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Once you own a convertible you won’t have interest in a hardtop
I used to think the same thing and drove a Pontiac Solstice as my every day for a couple of years.
The heater was killer and driving the car in the winter months was a toasty experience.
That car handled awesome and loved being in the open air.
If it was above 50 degrees and not raining, the top was down.
I had a significant tan for 2 or 3 years.

Unfortunately, I experienced the negatives of owning a convertible.
The Pontiac was parked in my driveway which had a decent grade.
It was also backed into the drive so I could exit quickly.
When weather systems would move thru, a substantial pond of water would collect at the base of the rear window.
Unfortunately, that window suddenly lost its seal and without my knowledge.
The rain that would normally collect as a pond found itself in the floorboard of the interior.
It was destructive and expensive.

I wouldn't say I'd never own another, but I'd definitely make sure I had the means to park it indoors.
 

FrankieD

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In my day Convertible's were cool and still are but couldn't afford one so I drove 55 6 stick Chevy's (wish I had one now). My first convert was a 68 cutlass with 3 on the tree. I got the Mustang because I wanted something that was kinda quick and but reliable for road trips and Camaros were to expensive, but it is working out other than the trans sucks, put a Hurst Billet shifter in and still sucks I have to shift it like an old man. I am old but I still like to bang gears.
 

Badd GT

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In my day Convertible's were cool and still are but couldn't afford one so I drove 55 6 stick Chevy's (wish I had one now). My first convert was a 68 cutlass with 3 on the tree. I got the Mustang because I wanted something that was kinda quick and but reliable for road trips and Camaros were to expensive, but it is working out other than the trans sucks, put a Hurst Billet shifter in and still sucks I have to shift it like an old man. I am old but I still like to bang gears.
I didn’t find any difference in the hurst from the factory shifter. Get the MGW if you want a good precise shifter
 

Badd GT

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I put an mgw and prothane motor mounts in mine and had no issues after that, I put a hurst in first, no improvement, was fortunate and sold it locally on craigslist for what I paid for it before moving on to the MGW and prothane
 

Ret

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I started another thread a few weeks ago asking if anyone else on this site drove Mustang convertibles. Most of the statements, inquires on this site are about how to make their car go faster, etc. That was in the "Chit Chat" section also as I recall and I got a number of people taking part in the comments.

I live in the Panhandle of Idaho, about fifty miles from Canada. When I posed my questions one response was from Creston, Canada. In my case, I get about five months use out of my convertible and it is garaged. Each year we get anywhere from a few inches to about four feet of snow. I could drive it longer but don't want to drive it on the salt covered roads. I forgot, there are limits on convertible driving. Things like, wife, just got hair done so doesn't want to get it messed up. I also forgot to mention original buyer was sharp enough to get the heated seats so that helps with an extended driving period.

The top was on the car when I bought it so I don't know how old it is. I've been in some heavy down pours plus I take it to the car wash using the power washer. Never any leaks. so far. It still looks good but it's obviously been on the car for sometime.

I live in SUV, P/U truck country, yep I have one of those. But there also is another six or seven Mustang convertibles running around up here.

Must be people in Canada that drive convertibles, mine was built in Canada.
 
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Rickt49

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We have an '06 GT convertible. 1 of 10 various convertibles I've owned. Easy up and down, didn't replace it till 2019. It's never leaked but all convertibles leak, eventually. The rear window is the problem and the glue comes undone creating a leak. A good upholstery person can fix that for a few hundred. With a windscreen, the wind is reduced close to 80-90%. We leave the top down as long as it's kind of sunny and not under 69 degrees. With heated seats, the windscreen, and the windows up, we are comfortable at 50 degrees. We love it and wouldn't even consider any other type.
 

tabstang

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I never thought I like cvts until I needed a cheap car and bought one from a neighbor - epiphany! I will never live without one again. I agree you need a garage or at least a car port. Ain't nothin like cruisin with the top own! I run autocross open-top, it's all good!
 

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