So you really want a convertible? Here are a few tips

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FRANKFURT: When the weather is right, thoughts can turn to the pleasures of driving with the top down. But what are the options for buying a convertible and what do you need to know before you put your money down?

Generally, there aren't a lot of new convertible models for sale and those that are tend to be expensive. There are two main types — four-seat cabrios and two-seat roadsters, spiders and speedsters.

Then there's the roof itself with a choice between a classic fabric hood or a retractable hardtop. The latter looks more suitable for everyday use, but this may not actually be the case.

Today's fabric roofs are just as resistant and offer the same protection against air and noise as a hardtop, says BMW spokesman Florian Moser.

They are also lighter and easier to fold, leaving more room for luggage.

When it comes to the drive type, however, you'll find the options are limited.

Petrol engines are standard, diesels are the exception, and electric vehicles are rare so far. Only the Smart convertible and the Fiat 500 Cabrio offer electric driving, but that may be about to change soon.

According to VW CEO Herbert Diess, the car maker is considering a convertible version of its electric ID3.

And Tesla has announced an electric version of its Roadster for 2022, a supercar that will be capable of a top speed of over 400kph.


Then there's the open-top BMW 4 Series, going on sale soon for around US$64,000. For the first time in two generations, the car will be available with a fabric roof.

Another open-air legend will be revived in the summer when Mercedes unveils the next generation SL, this time with a fabric roof.

At the top of the convertible price range, there are also some exotic and radical innovations, such as the McLaren Elva roadster, which costs US$2 million and not only does without a roof but also windows.

Then there's the Ferrari SF90 Spider, a plug-in hybrid sports car with a retractable hardtop roof that folds away in 14 seconds. The 1,000-horsepower car will cost around US$540,000.

But what if your budget is a fraction of that? Are second-hand convertibles a good choice?

Hans-Georg Marmit, a spokesman for German automotive inspection organisation KUS, advises prospective buyers to do their homework carefully.

"Of course you should take a critical look at the roof and all the seals," he says.

The roof retracting mechanism should also be checked several times and in the case of fabric roofs you should look out for chafing or cracks.

As tempting as a top-down test drive may be, it makes more sense to leave the top up, Marmit advises.

“Unusual wind or fluttering noises indicate a defect. And anyone who drives through a car wash quickly notices whether the roof is really tight," he says.

And there's something else to consider: while convertible drivers enjoy an almost unobstructed all-round view with the roof open, the view when the roof is closed is often worse than you would get in a conventional car.

“That is why you should take a test drive to see whether you can live with it,” Marmit says.