We loved our convertible so much we bought two. I never longed for one, so I can't believe how much I enjoy it.

Last fall, when I decided I needed to replace my old car, a part of me wanted to wait and see what the 30AE Miata would look like. I used to have a 10th Anniversary edition Miata (bright blue). This bright happy orange would have tempted me to hold on to my previous car a little bit longer and wait. I ended up going with something a bit larger, but it still filled my requirement that my car be a happy, bright, agile, convertible with a manual transmission.

This MINI is the 2nd largest car I’ve owned (I think my 71 beetle convertible was slightly taller). It’s shorter than my old Z4, but it took me a while to get used to it. I almost got bright orange....but the blue reminded me of my old mini toy car (circa 1969)

Happy color that glows.

My original mini (I added him to my Christmas mantel decor while I waited on my new mini to arrive)

daki, that car is gorgeous

That orange car definitely has a happy face.

I love the cars!

I wish I enjoyed riding in convertibles. I hate hate hate my hair blowing into my eyes, however, and refuse to get a pixie cut.

More power to those who don't have flimsy hair, however!!!

(EDIT: I can't get too mad at my hair, however. At age 65 it is still 90+% brown, naturally.)

Daki, your mini is absolutely beautiful! I LOVE the color, and I'll bet it's just all kinds of fun to go zipping around in! (And what a great shot behind the daffodils!)

In 2004 I bought a Nissan 350Z convertible, and loved that car. Sometimes I still dream about it -- I'm pushing the button and the soft-top is retracting as I'm getting ready to go out cruising the roads -- always the same dream. Of course, here in Texas we usually have about two nice weeks of weather in the spring and in the fall before it either gets scorchingly hot or goes directly to the chill of winter, but even so I would occasionally put the top down and tool around -- while simultaneously running the AC or the heater! Remembering my little black Z started me looking at Nissan's current offerings, and I must say I do like the looks of the 370Z, so maybe that's on the table as well.

Now that my hair's short again I kinda feel like I "need" a convertible. I'm with you on not wanting to be wind-whipped, Artemis. My hair was long when I had my 350Z, and it was indeed a pain to keep it out of my face. (I'm not a hat or scarf person, although I should've been with that hair and that car.)

... But again with that Miata face. Heeeeeee!

Daki, that mini is adorable and a great color.

Ida, a friend of ours has the new Mazda MX5 on order. He has one now in British Racing Green and said he almost hates to give it up for the orange. We bought a used dark blue one a couple of years ago. Just for fun. We drive it a lot more than we thought we would, especially for quick trips into town.

And don’t forget Toyota is coming out with the Supra again. I always loved that car.

The Miata is a totally sensible car. Sensible is enjoying life and having fun, feeling the wind...even you do get stuck in traffic, you are outside! Not trapped inside a car.

The RF version of the Miata is quite lovely.

I'm biased.

https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1972/04/16

Not a new car year for me but I’m anxiously awaiting convertible weather in MN. We only drive ours from about May through Aug and only with the top down - an emerald green MB 94 SL320.

That Mini is so cute! I’ve never owned a convertible, but I bought a new car on Saturday. I love it.

Ooh, I always wanted a Miata. I think that I can squeeze it in to the garage along side the '08 Odyssey, don'cha think?

Texanjana, you look good in that car!

The problem with naming a car, and I do name mine, is I feel so guilty when it’s time to get a new one. It’s like getting rid of a family member, that you actually like.

The shortest length of time for keeping my car was 5 years, the others have been 10+.

I would kinda-sorta like a new car now but then I look at Elliott and think how could I get rid of him? He’s still in perfect health, he still serves me well, he’s still cute as can be - again, that’s more than I can say for some family members.

I’ve also named my bike.

We bought a new, used car for DS last Sunday. Well, actually we bought half a car as he paid for the other half. The best thing is it’s a stick shift so now he is learning that skill.

Still debating about a new car...Casey (Acura 3.2TL) turned 20 this year. She's in excellent shape and is still a joy to drive. But she lacks a lot of safety features and technology...she has a tape deck! When I listen to podcasts, I have to crank my phone on high and stick it under my shoulder belt to hear it! DH of course loves her because the older the car, the cheaper the taxes and insurance.

New car would definitely have 4 wd. I'd like a smaller car and want DH to get a new small-suv type car to fit 4 comfortably. (His car, Kirby, is 10 yrs old...subaru impreza.) He's pushing me toward a subaru, but they tend not to be plush enough for me. I'd look at the new lexus, but can't get past the ugly front grill.

So in the meantime, I keep Casey going.

We already have a little red convertible... and it has 4 wd!

We were so excited when we had the opportunity to buy a 1964 MG Midget a few months ago. Beautiful car that had spent most of its life in a garage, We owned one just like it in the 70s, I loved zipping around in it, always giving a quick wave to other MG drivers (MG owners will understand).

When we went for the test drive, I realized my knees were no longer up to crawling in and out of such a low car. We sadly passed.

I am of the belief that everyone should own a convertible at least one time in their lives. I am pass that point, but I get my top down fix driving our golf cart in our small city.

Texanjana, that car looks good on you, and I just love your cute hairstyle!

That little red Willys is adorable too! I've long wanted one of the vintage Toyota Land Cruisers, but I'm not sure I would like the "rattle wagon ride" those things tend to have. I drive a little Kia Soul right now, and it's not luxurious but does have enough bells and whistles for me - plus it rides nicely.

I too have been thinking about how a 2-seater will be to get in and out of. I'm still nimble enough, but I also remember what it was like having a low-slung roadster that you have you kinda have to sink down into, and depending on clothing that wasn't always the simplest task. Still, DH has his Toyota 4x4 that we can always take should we need to "step up" instead of "sinking down", and I don't really need extra cargo space in my vehicle, so I'm still leaning heavily towards the Miata.

I like Toyotas and read a bit about the 2020 Supra. I didn't even realize they were bringing that model back. Wow, it's a cool car but the price tag is a bit hefty. I believe I read that they'll start close to $50k. For that amount of money, I can think of other things I'd rather drive.

I know it's slightly shallow in the overall scheme of things to obsess a bit over vehicles, but then again many of us DO spend a good deal of time in them, so might as well get one you're happy with, right? It's probably in my genes to an extent as well, as my dad has long been a "car guy", having owned some pretty sweet cars throughout the years - mostly Porsches but he did have a new Corvette a couple of years ago that was a gorgeous, copper-colored beast. He went back to his Porsche loyalty after a time though, and now drives a collector 911. It's a beauty. But he won't let me borrow it.

One of the reasons we never even thought about convertibles was because we are a family of 5; owning a car that doesn't fit all of us, esp when they are kids, made no sense. Even now, we really need one that seats 4 comfortably and sometimes need to take 2 cars (duh). Both of ours are BMWs, which are fairly roomy for 4 yet still sporty and vroom vroomy. One is white with a tan interior, one if light silver blue with a tan interior.

I totally agree that one has to use combinations of the A/C and seat warmers to extend the season! So kill me. For cool Maine nights we keep throws in the trunk, too.

I don't see a big issue with hair, unless you are doing a photo shoot. I keep a tortoise clip in the glove compartment, works fine. Sunglasses can also help, or hats. Moreover, it is really only an issue at high speeds. I don't like to drive the convertible on major highways for long stretches. I feel it is too unsafe and too noisy. If I have to do it, I put the top up. But we keep one convertible at the beachhouse year round, and we pretty much drive it only around the town and up and down the scenic coast.

ETA - OMG, let's not go down the rabbit hole of flogging consumers again. Anyone who hangs out on a home decor site has already rejected a monastic life dedicated to the poor, ok?

I guess we really like this pointless banner topic - cars. We actually have two "summer cars" that we keep at our lake place - the 94 convertible and a 77 landcruiser. I'm not sure how two non-car people like us ended up with five cars.

The LC reminds you of how many creature comforts you now get in a car, even a moderately priced one. It's a fun and funky vehicle but feels like an off road ride even when you're on the road!

3katz, I LOVE your LC! Curious - how much maintenance/repair would you say it requires on average annually? DH is a bit gun-shy when it comes to older vehicles, having owned a couple of older Jeeps that constantly needed something done, but gosh that LC is totes adorbs. Too, anything that could go wrong with it is going to be mechanical, whereas modern vehicles with all of their computer systems can be a real puzzle at times (like when the codes don't read out properly).

That LC is sooo darned cute.

Ida, the LC has not been too much trouble but we only drive it probably half the year and mostly for DH to go to the golf course or we take it for short joy rides as it doesn't go all that fast. It's been spared any exposure to snow and salt on MN roads in the winter.

A guy we know from Montana, who is a used car broker, happened to see it for sale in a parking lot and knew DH wanted one. He checked it out, sent DH pictures of it and we bought it pretty much sight unseen for about $7500 I think. It didn't have a whole lot of miles on it - something under 100K I believe. Friend hauled it to MN in a trailer. It died early on during a joy ride DH and his brother were having - fortunately DH's brother had AAA and it got towed to the local mechanic that we use. It was something relatively minor and we signed up for AAA after that. We've had to have it towed in a couple more times for something relatively inexpensive and we had to get new tires - not a big deal. Being that we aren't car savvy knowing a good mechanic and having AAA has been important for us.

The convertible has an interesting story too. I found it for sale on the grocery store bulletin board up north by our lake place. A 94 with 19,000 miles on it for a very reasonable price. The bulletin board posting disappeared before DH got to investigate so we thought it was sold. However it reappeared a few weeks later so he called on it. Turns out it was being sold by his former boss that he hadn't seen in years. That has just had routine preventive service but for the convertible top. One day the top, windows, etc. wouldn't go up. Fortunately it failed in the down position and we used it that way for a year, a little more cautious about the forecast for rain.

We finally found a classic car repair guy in the city where we live and were able to get it all fixed for probably 1/3 of what a dealer would charge. It does get a bit tricky as parts for these older vehicles aren't readily available so you do need a good mechanic that you trust and can afford! It helps when it's just a "fun" car and you can get by without it when it is in for repair.

Yep - having a known, trusted mechanic is a must when you own an older vehicle! We got to be very "good friends" with one when I had my Jeep Wrangler. I think that poor vehicle was a lemon from the day we drove it off the lot (it was used). How interesting that the convertible was owned by your DH's former boss, 3katz! Being able to buy a car from someone you know is a comfort, I think. At least you can be reasonably certain that what they tell you about the car is true.

So the Miata would be your "summer car?" Otherwise I was going to say make the decision in Jan or Feb. Or get the bmw in red.

No, the Miata would be my commute to-and-from work car, so would be driven about 30 miles most days.

I like the BMW, but don't want to spend more than the price of the X2 (I believe the MSRP on that model starts between $36-$37k). I'd probably say $40 is my absolute cutoff.

DH has mentioned the Hyundai Genesis, and while it looks like a nice car, I'm not so sure I want a sedan. I've driven sedans in the past and always felt a little (dare I say?) like a "little old man" in one. ;-)

This isn't my Mini, but Nigel looks like this, except he has black wheels. (And he's WAYYY more adorable than this one!) I love him! The color is Volcanic Orange.

Donna

Ohhh, Donna - I remember your Nigel! He's such a lovely boy! I'll bet that Volcanic Orange has every head in your vicinity turning your way. What fun!

You're kinda making me want that bright orange Miata now. ;-)

I stepped out of the box and got this. So much fun! https://www.mikewardalfaromeo.com/high-end-luxury-featured-in-2018-alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio/ (Didn't get the foglio though; wouldn't know what to do with that much hp! ;) )

The face on that orange Miata says attitude - don't mess with me. Get it.

I use to own a 1976 bright yellow Pinto hatchback with a stick-shift. And yes, while it was a Pinto I loved driving that thing. Friday nights would find me driving up to Whistler on that highway (this is before it was straightened out) and shifting up and down through those curves. I only crashed it once - black ice is Mother Natures way of telling you to slow down. Got it repaired and continued on my way.

Blfenton, I had a manual Pinto, too! Mine was boring white. I always called it my 80/81 Pinto because I wrecked it just short of totaling it, so the front end was 81 and the back end was 80. LOL

Donna

For 20+ years, I drove the family-mobile while DH was somehow always able to have his choice of car (sedans). I went from station wagon to minivan to 3-row SUV. I had to be able to fit 3 kids and 3 dogs. Finally, with one kid out of the house, one dog gone, and youngest kid needing a car, I passed my larger SUV to her (so we’d still have it available when we needed it) and was able to choose a car I LIKED. I chose a BMW X1. I love my “little” car so much! I’m still up a little higher — as a short person, I came to appreciate sitting higher up in my vans and SUVs — but the car is so much more compact and I think it’s cute. Also, after a series of gray, silver, and black cars, my X1 is a pretty blue. I love it.

I’ve never even ridden in a convertible. I’m hoping DH and I can rent one when we go to Santa Fe this fall.

My Dh bought a used Miata. It is a gorgeous copper red color and is named Ginger. It is his commuting car and he says the commute is definitely more enjoyable now that he has a fun car. My 20 year old bought a miata from his grandfather. His has the retractable hard top and I will admit, that is pretty sweet. He likewise has fun in the car. I admit, the cars are adorable and are likely fun to drive, but I am on the taller side and do not like getting in and out of it, but I am also only ever a passenger.

My 17 year old just bought her first car. She was not interested in the Miata's because she wanted to bring her dog in the car from time to time and wanted more trunk space (she's a bit different, was wondering about buying groceries in a Miata). She bought herself a 2007 Mini Cooper S. It is the cutest thing with the checkerboard roof, racing stripes and meatballs (round numbers on the door). Unfortunately, the color is not as exciting but she was buying used so she had to get what she could. I have to say that I love the car. The mood lighting is just plain fun, the dash looks great, the turbo gives it great pep and there are so many fun ways to customize it. Also, for a small car, it is not as low to the ground as the Miata. Unfortunately for the DIYer, there are more expensive hoops to go through for code reading, etc. but day to day, the Mini is great.

A dear friend of mine who played the cello owned a BMW Z3 (or whatever they call the little convertible). He would put the top down and put the cello case in the passenger seat, complete with seat belt. :)

Donna

I took my driving test in a borrowed 1970-something Ford Pinto, which was the worst color of brown imaginable, and had a bumper sticker on the back that read, "Eat More Beans. America Needs the Gas."

My DD is a harpist, and she loves the mini Coopers, but you definitely do not want to belt in a harp, which can easily cost more than the car. Looks like minivan time for her ... i never drove one and never will!

We got a jeep rental when we did our NM visit and are glad we did. We did off roading -- I guess that's what you'd call it...14 miles of dirt roads -- at Valles Caldera and *everything* was covered in a thick layer of dust. If we'd had a convertible, so would've we! And the ruts on those dirt roads were pretty substantial...a miata-type would've been sunk in more than a few!

Ida, better check with your Miata dealer before you get your heart set on that orange Miata. They only produced a limited run of those and they sold out within a few hours the day they became available. Each dealer was allowed so many to sell or some such based on previous Miata sales.

Sueb, I bought an X1 last November. I’ve had BMW sedans for years and decided I needed an SUV type vehicle with more room to haul stuff. I wasn’t sure I liked it so much at first and sort of missed my sedan to be honest. Then one day recently I was at the garden center. I discovered I could load 4 big bags of mulch in the back without lowering the back seats. I smiled.

DH has a 4WD truck plus the Miata. When he had his hip replacement we discovered we liked the idea of taller vehicles for ease of getting out. The Miata is fine for shorter trips but we aren’t getting any younger and we can get in it ok.

I drove sports cars until crossovers became available. Boy, do I love a crossover. I like sitting up high and I love the cargo space.

I must admit I have never had that much interest in soft tops or convertibles. I don't mind Jeeps as long as they have a good thick roll bar but the rest of them make me too nervous. What I really want is a truly electric vehicle and if that is out of my financial reach a hybrid would do.

My DD has found her favorite open vehicle. She and her DH bought a Jeep a year ago. They love it! And they like to ride on mountain roads Etc.

yeonassky...our jeep is vintage so no roll bar, no sides, no seat belts, and even the windshield flips down! Of course, with no roll bar, you don't want seat belts...better to leap clear than to be crushed by the vehicle if it rolls. And the gas tank is literally under the driver's seat. They weren't so big on vehicle safety in 1948. The thing's top speed is only 45. But it will climb a tree for you! We take it to car shows and to go for local ice cream, but that's about it. There is something wonderful though about driving along on a sultry summer evening, smelling all the fragrances and star gazing as go.

We have a mini convertible and love it especially in the summer. We use for mostly driving around town and not so much for traveling. Came in very this fall when I purchased these trees

so frustrating, can't seem to post the picture of our mini!

• Finally!

This is Mrs. Horowitz. She is a 1972 Buick Skylark GS. I've had her since 1996 when I was six months pregnant and decided I NEEDED her. I forget what the loan terms were but I think I paid $100 a month for 10 years (not really but it sure seemed like it). Last year I was able to finally get new chrome wheels and tires and boosted up her tired front end. I bought her from Cecilia Horowitz who was the original owner. Cecilia was 86 and said that she didn't like having her neck get cold. I've been really lucky that she was always well taken care of so we haven't had many problems. She needs some cosmetic work, but it sure doesn't feel like it when I'm flying down the road.

My 2 favorite cars I have owned were my Mazda RX7 and My Mitsubishi 3000GT. Loved them! Then as I got to the point I was not getting into and out of those low cars I moved to my Hummer H3. I loved it so much. I lost it in the flood. My heart still hurts. Go for the fun while you can!

My first convertible was a 1983 Rabbit convertible that I bought in 1987 with what was left of my college money ($6,500!) when I graduated. I had that rabbit for eight years. I was almost ten years convertible-free, but then VW started making the New Beetle Convertible. Enter Klaus. He's a 2004, turbo with a 5-speed stick. I bought him in 2004 when he was practically new (3,800 miles). I had him for ten wonderful years, but he was surplus when we made the decision to make the big move west. A friend of mine bought him and I cried when we pulled out of her driveway.

Fast-forward about four years and I get a message from my friend. Her son had started driving and their fleet had grown too large . . . would I like to have Klaus back? WOULD I?!?! We were going to be back in Alabama over the holidays in 2017, so we picked him up and drove him back to New Mexico. XH knew better than to even try to pry him away from me in the divorce. I still have my SUV for every day, so Klaus sits snugly in my garage and goes out only on lovely days when he and I are both feeling cute.

I just spent the past few days at the grand opening of the Mustang Owner's Museum here in NC and the car show at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The museum is about a mile up the road from the speedway. There was a big show with over 2,000 cars, and we got to drive on the track on Saturday! People came from all over the world, many from Europe, the Brazilians had their cars shipped to Miami and drove, and there was an Australian contingent, too.

One of my grad school friends is in town this weekend, and she could not believe I still have the same car. I can't imagine my life without a Mustang, but there is something for everyone. The Eco-boost is an affordable option. Maybe someday I will have a Shelby other than my kitty Shelby.

We are heading into final exams this week and I have so much grading, etc., to do, but you have to have fun, too.

Lining up for the track. Unfortunately, showers on and off so could not keep the top down.

New stock rims and tires. A guy from my club sold me these since he put on different rims and had these sitting around. They are like new even though from the mid-90's.

International delegations!

Some of the local members' cars:

1967 Playboy Pink (yes, this was a factory color)

1967 Shelby GT350 which he bought NEW for about $3500.

And since I don't drive the Mustang every day, I do need to think about the next car. My 2010 Outback has about 116K miles, and there will be no more V6 after this year, so if I want a V6, I will need to see what I can get new or CPO. I want the Wilderness Green with Java Brown interior. There is also the redesigned Forester. I really would like to wait a year until I get a promotion bump in pay, but that might not be an option.

DH is interested in the Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid. He has a 2006 Honda Accord which only has about 85K miles but he would like more tech. We get it detailed so it looks good, but he's waited a long time for a new a car.

Looking at most luxury brands like Volvo, BMW, Lexus, and Audi, the dealers are too far from our house and work. We have Subaru, Honda, Mazda, Chevy, Ford/Lincoln, Mercedes, VW, Mazda all on the main road near our house. The Subaru guys are great at getting me appointments around my school schedule. And I have good independent shops that work on the Mustang since I do not use the Ford dealer.

That reminds me of our 1964 1/2 Mustang convertible - black with red interior. We bought it in 1985 and happily drove it in nice weather right up until my eldest son got his permit. Then we sold it and I got a nice Chevy Suburban and DS got my station wagon - or as his friends called it - the Battlewagon.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1964+black+mustang+convertible&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwistenonOHhAhUhmeAKHTLFDaoQ_AUIDigB&biw=1214&bih=718#imgrc=THeimsnRs7GVjM:

In 2003 DH went into the Chevy dealership to pick up my car after servicing and fell head over heels for a 50th anniversary edition Corvette convertible. He traded in his Tahoe and came home with it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2003+anniversary+edition+corvette&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=EqnyuRL4RMa3LM%253A%252Cq13Afw1tkm31IM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSq24OO_KpqiMu3SBh1W0pz3B6_dQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjxisG5neHhAhWlc98KHZogBeYQ9QEwCXoECAYQFg#imgrc=EqnyuRL4RMa3LM:

We had a glorious fall driving through New England and visiting our son at college in Vermont. He loved it for 3 months until an older woman ran a red light and totaled it. Then he went back to a nice big sedan.