Convertible or not??
 

We are driving the coast from San Francisco to LA in mid-October. Is it worth spending the extra money to rent a convertible?

but of course!

Absolutely. Go to http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall and check out the CA albums. The convertible was one of the best impulse decisions I've ever made....

Thirty years ago, I bought an MGB convertible in April. It was sort of fun in the nice weather, though the (sounds of) wind whipping is quite annoying and you cannot hardly enjoy music while driving. I sold it in October. Haven't ridden in a convertible with the top down since, until yesterday.

I work in a Ford dealership. Yesterday, I hopped into a Mustang with the top down and drove a few miles to Dunkin Donuts for an iced latte. It was sorta fun. For such a short trip.

For me, anyway, you can hardly enjoy the views with the whipping wind, as you must strain to keep your eyes in focus. And, also, there's the sun burning down on you. And, still, you cannot enjoy the music...

Reinforced (for me, anyway) driving/riding in a convertible is just not as appealing as it would seem...

I had one on my last trip to California (SoCal) in October of last year, a Chrysler Sebring.
I enjoyed it tremendously. Views are far more unobstructed with the top down than I would have thought.
The trunk was large enough for a convertible (which may be an issue if you carry a lot of luggage), but then there is also the back seats. In general I would advise on scaling down a bit. However, I managed to cram in a pretty big garment bag and a golf bag plus another small bag for overnight use.

I cannot second the previous poster's opinion that listening to music is impossible. Even my rental had a sufficiently powerful stereo system.

Overall, I think you should go for it - driving down PCH with the top down and being able to bask in the sun and smell the flowers or the sea along the way, life simply cannot get any better!

We live in Wisconsin and have a roadster Honda S2000 (convertible)which is great fun to drive. Flew to San Fran and rented a Chevy Malibu Hardtop and drove from San Fran up the coast Hwy 1, over to Napa and then to Yosemite, my wife and I both said many times the views would be so much better in a convertible. You can always put the top up. Driving coast line the speeds are not that great that the wind will be making any noise

I think if you're the one driving, then it doesn't matter as far as "the view" goes because you will be, hopefully, keeping your eyes on the road.

I also think that you can;'t hear the stereo in a convertible. And to me good sound is the single most important item on a road trip.

I also object to convertibles because they are generally smaller cars. I prefer bigger cars or SUVs. I find you don't have the same sense of security (as false as it may be) in a smaller car on twisty roads as you do in a bigger car.

Of course, I'm renting a convertible to drive down to the Florida Keys next week, so what do I know.

Hwy 1 was DESIGNED for a convertible. I would definitely go for it. I've never had trouble focusing my eyes in a convertible (sun glasses) or with the sound of the air whipping around (if I am going to drive 65 mph, I put the top up). On Hwy 1 through Big Sur, the average speed is about 30 mph - plenty slow to enjoy the convertible.

I own a convertible. The stereo just needs to be cranked up a bit (I do have the wide-range speakers with sub-amp, which helps), and if you MUST hear the stereo better, roll up the windows.

I've had the big cars (not an SUV yet, mostly on principle, but that Grand Cherokee...) and prefer smaller cars for the maneuverability, better handling and easier parking. And like J_Correa says, CA-1 was MADE for topless driving! I say go for it.

I can take only so much of my husband's convertible on trips and then we put the top up. I like it when we're on the open road but eventually feel rather wind-blown. And even with the top up convertibles are noisier than hardtops because they are only canvas.

I suggest that you make sure that the "we" in your trip are both OK with the convertible so that it doesn't become a major issue during your trip. With me and my husband, with or without the top down, one of us is forced to compromise. We've learned to deal with it but I'd hate for it to ruin your vacation.

Convertibles are great for two - but if you've ever been stuck in the backseat on the highway - you know it can be a bit much.

SFImporter: But don't you LIKE arriving everywhere looking like Don King?! (that is, if you have hair-- I'm bald, so....) ;)

I look like Don King anyway - LOL. Actually I have crazy, curly hair that never behaves, so I get out of a convertible, push my hair around and go. It doesn't look all that different from when I "do" my hair - LOL.

We live on the Monterey Peninsula. We keep a BMW Z3 just for using on weekends. Nothing beats putting the top down and cruising down Big Sur for a cold one at Nepenthe. Big Sur and convertilbes were made for each other.

Do you want a convertible for your trip? You will be sorry you did not get one when you see the other people driving theirs.

Any thoughts Ifalcone? on all the feedback?

I HATE riding in a convertible!! The noise, the heat when it stops, getting beat up around the head by the wind, having to wear a hat to protect my head, looking awful when I get where we're going--ugh, ugh, ugh.

I'm thrilled for my husband that he has an adorable convertible to drive in the summer, and even more thriled that he doesn't expect me to ride in it.

Hi, I've been away a few days and I can't believe all the replies to my post.

I am still torn. I've ridden in a convertible before and I enjoyed it for the first hour then the wind, etc. became really annoying.

My cousin who is going with me has left the decision up to me.

If you do, it'll be memorable, no matter what happens.

If you don't, you'll always wish you had.

Remember, with a convertible you can have the top down. Or up.

We rented a convertible for our drive up Highway 1 last summer, and were so glad we did! The views are incredible, and you can see so much more with the top down - we felt we would have missed a lot if we hadn't been in a convertible. As others have said, you can't drive all that fast, so the wind wasn't such a problem. I used a visor to keep the sun out of my eyes, as it fit tightly enough to not blow off.

Dear lfalcone,
Hi! It soo worth it. Ive done this (also in mind Oct) and it was awesome. I simply must tell a story, please forgive me :)
My husband and I were in CA for a few days waiting to take a cruise on our honeymoon. We drove from LA to Monterey. As we cruised up PCH, top down, the wind in our hair, carefree, I tell him to step on it, lets have some fun! He points to a sign that reads "speed patrolled by aircraft." I say "come on, do you see any planes around here!?" He smiles and floors it! Wee-Eww Wee-Eww Wee-Eww (police car sirens) Out of absolutely NOWHERE this CA state police car is behind us!! Where he heck did he COME from!? We explained we were on our honeymoon and were heading up to Monterey-he gave us a coy smile and sent us on our way-so cool! Moral of the story: So get the convertible but remember, someones always watching so mind the speed limit-haha!

I can't speak to the coastal trip, but my DH and I rented a convertible for a day trip out to the desert from Las Vegas, and it was the highlight of our trip! The views are definitely better with the top down, and we shared the driving, so both of us got to enjoy it. My hair was a total mess, but that's what hairbrushes are for. We had a blast with the car even though it was just a Toyotal Camry. (It definitely would have been better with a stick shift car, which I imagine you will want on those windy roads if you drive stick).

How about a convertible in the Mid November in Big Sur? Is it too cold? Thanks!

It probably wont be too cold for a convertible (as long as you are wearing a jacket) but it may be too wet.

We haven't had any big storms yet, but it is only a matter of time. Today is chilly, cloudy, and windy in the south bay. I am sure it is similar over on the coast.

For over 4,300 years our families have been able to navigate the airs of California without ever putting a roof over our magic carpets. Why would one consider having a top on their rental cars in such glorious locations as you describe here? For nighttime navigation, we look to the stars, as many territories have no signs or lightings. Do seek the truth in all your travels and you will not be cold or wet or lost.

AR

I travel to Maui every 6 weeks. I always wait at the airport with the luggage for my traveling companion to go get the rental car and drive by and pick me up. The time always flies for me because I am entertained by the families who have rented convertibles. Mom, dad and the 2 kids have brought everything they own and dad drives up with the convertible and they start trying to load all the luggage in. It doesn't fit, so they take it all out and try putting it in differently. I swear to you that they ultimately put some in the back seat and drive away with the kids sitting on the back rim like they are in a parade.

I was raised in L.A. and my first car was a used '56 Chrysler convertible with red leather seats........sooooooo, naturally when I went back on business a few years ago I got a convertible. However, it was a chilly January, .........but, I kept the top down, the windows up, and, because it WAS Chilly, I put the heat on HIGH! and threw a scarf around my neck. It was perfect for great driving down the PCH(Pacific Coast Hway) watching the scenery whip by and the sun setting over the Pacific......I'll always remember that ride. Go for it!