In Sept we will be visiting California for the first time. We'll spend 3 days of our vacation driving down the coast from SFO to Cambria or so, before turning inland. Is it worth the money to rent a convertible for 2 weeks? Friends tell me it's amazing in a convertible, but it does seem like a real splurge.

It's a personal deciaion. For me, no. I don't like having the wondows open in a car. Riding in a convertible feels like someone is hitting me in the head with a magazine. I wouldn't even take a free one!

Hi---I am with abram in that you could not pay me to ride in a convertible on the highway. I would be in a state of constant anxiety that something would fly up and hit me or fall from above. That is the problem with posts that ask "is XXX worth it?" Such things are very personal. If it is worth it to you, do it!! If you are a person who likes the thrill and the rush, then it *is* worth it, but only you know that.

Just like the recent French Laundry queries. Some thought it was worth every penny and some felt ripped off. It is great to gather opinions but in the end, you know yourself in a way that no one else does.

Kodi....I live in the SF Bay Area and drive a convertible...LOVE IT! It really depends on if you like the wind in your face/hair. September is nice so I'd say do it if you can afford it.

We got ungraded to a convertible in Florida 2 years ago - the first time I had been in a convertible in about 30 years. I felt like I was riding in a sardine can with the lid off. Once we were on the highway and trash from a passing truck kept flying in. In the parking lot of a Dunkin Donuts I went in to get coffee and left my teenage dtr in the car and a truck load of creeps pulled up next to her and she felt very vulnerable.

But the worst was there were no directions on how to open and close the top - and since it was a rental, no owners manual in glovebox. It was not brain surgery, actually very simple when we figured it out, but I had this image of getting the damn top down and not being able to get it back up. So if you do rent one, make sure you know how it works before you leave the lot.

Another convertible driver from the Bay Area here. The weather along the coast in September can be some of the best weather we have all year. It's a great time to put the top down and go for a road trip.

You would think that the panoramic views from a convertible would be spectacular, along with your hair blowing in the wind and enjoying the sunshine...

Except that you can hardly keep your eyes open (even with great sunglasses) with the wind (and other stuff) blowing in them, along with the blinding sun in your eyes (those shades don't block). And, it's often a struggle to just breathe. Along with your hair (all depending) poking you in the eyes, and just whipping like mad all about.

And, you have to hike the music volume full blast, yet it still competes with the wind.

Then, there's the sun shining down on you, which you may think would be very nice...but it's just burning onto your skin...

Add a third Bay Area convertible driver here. We've had convertibles since the early 80s. We can't wait until spring every year to be able to put the top down. (P.S. I've never once had something fly into my car).

Boy - what a bunch of wusses on here! You'd think a ragtop was torture.

If you are roadster types - then Sept is the VERY BEST time of year on the coast and perfect for top down driving.

But if you aren't used to them, don't know how to wear a hat or tie your hair back, or apply sunscreen - then no, you won't want a convertible.

I don't have a convertible now but have had several over the years in both CA and in England - and what the whiners above describe is not my experience at all

Hmm, it depends - For the three days of driving along the coast, I'd say definitely (of course, I don't know how much more you'd be charged, so that matters). When we drove from L.A. to S.F. four years ago, we were given an upgrade to a convertible for a really cheap rate, and we were so glad we did it. The views are spectacular, and you can see so much more in a convertible. If you were driving on the interstate, I could see the negative comments about the wind and passing trucks being valid, but on Highway One there are no passing trucks, and you aren't going all that fast - well, we weren't, we were enjoying the scenery too much to go faster than necessary. I tied my hair back in a ponytail, wore a visor and sunglasses, and put the side windows up when we felt it was getting windy, and it was fine.

However, you talk about renting the car for two weeks - where are you going for the other eleven days? I could definitely see it being worthwhile in Yosemite, if you're going there. There are lots of other beautiful places in California I'd think a convertible would be good for, but not on major high-speed highways. If part of your time will be in San Francisco, do you need a car there? You can get around there just fine without a car. Could you trade in the convertible for a less expensive rental once you're done with driving in the most scenic areas, if that helps the budget? These are things to consider. We could give you better opinions if we knew more about the rest of your trip.

YES!

As the others have said... YES!!!!
Its the only way to drive the coast. If you don't want to spend a lot on a rag top, look into a PT Cruiser Convertible
I haven't used Fox rent a car but have heard they have really low rates.

You only live once. I also say GO FOR IT. But I think I'd rent a Jeep instead of convertible car. Is that an option?

Thank you all so much. It seems many of us are getting older, and I agree about all the 'don't do it side of the coin'.... but the thrill of it would be fabulous.

We aren't palnning on going on many Interstates, After the coast, we are going to Death Valley and then up to Yosemite. It could be awesome there too.

It's been many years since I was in a convertible, but it sounds like it would be great... just to be able to look around at everything and feel the wind..

It's just like Djk says.....wonderful, then the downsides...
Hmmm, I'll have to check out priced and go from there.

Thanks everyone.

I rented a convertible in California and loved it.

Definately worth the extra money.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

It was so much fun. We have wonderful photos and memories of the trip.

Put me in the camp of go for it.

I drive a small convertible at home in Florida most of the year and love it. But are you doing a one way rental or a round trip? I was NEVER able to find any companies that would rent a convertible in California if you were dropping off at another location. Maybe that's changed, as it's been a while since I checked.

We are renting a full size car (CAMRY) for 11 days, picking up in San Francisco and dropping off in San Diego and its costing me $1250!! Since we already booked our air to fly to SF and leave from San Diego, too late to make the change so we can return the car to same rental location. Just some good advice: TRY TO PICK AND UP RETURN CAR TO SAME RENTAL LOCATION!!! You will save big bucks! With the money we are spending, we could probably have rented that cool convertible ,if only we were picking up and dropping off at the same airport!

You will always regret it if you DON'T rent the convertible. We have done this trip twice, each time in a convertible, and it was wonderful. It is worth it if for no other reason than the aroma of the eucalyptus trees. This is such a wonderful trip you owe it to yourself to do it RIGHT! One word of caution, convertibles have limited trunk space; you can expect to have at least one suitcase in the backseat.

A few years ago, we were taking our first trip to California. We planned to fly into LA, pick up a Nissan Altima, and start the drive up the coast to San Francisco. The plan was to spend a night in Santa Barbara, a couple in Morro Bay, one in Big Sur, two in Pacific Grove, then drive up to the City where we'd drop the car off, and after a few days fly back home to PA.

When I was going into the rental car office to fill out the paperwork, I passed a red Camaro convertible. I asked how much an upgrade would be. They said $100. I asked my wife what she thought, and she told me it was my decision (she likes doing that, then I can be blamed later if things don't turn out well.)

I rented the Camaro. We were/are so glad I did! Trunk-space issues, to be sure, but an unforgettable trip. Go to http://tinyurl.com/4ysvvh , and you can see the first album, and that great red car!

Our age? I turned 60 that year. And I bouht a Sebring convertible several years ago....