Buying a new car is a significant purchase. There are so many makes, models, and body styles available. Choosing a car to fit one’s lifestyle is not a decision that can be made lightly. For anyone who is trying to decide between a coupe and a convertible, there are some factors one should be aware of during this consideration.
Safety factor -Convertibles are bottom heavy and have less tendency to roll over during bad accidents. However, unless the model being considered is equipped with roll bars, surviving such an accident in a convertible is not very likely. The rear window in convertibles is often smaller which allows for a blind spot practically large enough to hide Big Ben. Conversely, when the hood is down there is absolutely no blind spot at all.
Insurance Rates – Because of the decrease in safety and the high probability of theft of sporty cars, the insurance rates for convertibles are noticeably higher.
Fuel Consumption – On average, convertibles are considerably lighter due to the hood being made of canvas rather than metal. This fact alone can help decrease a motorcar’s fuel rate.
Storage – Generally speaking, the convertible hood is designed to be retracted into a separate compartment in the boot of the motorcar. This subtracts from the amount of storage space one would normally expect to have available in the boot.
Climate – If one lives in an area that sees very few clear and sunny days, a coupe really might be a better choice. Cold climates are also not very friendly to convertible owners. Because of lack of insulation in the hood, convertibles are often hard to heat and very rarely offer defrosters for the rear window.
The favorite for the majority will be the coupe due to its safety. However, there is nothing that compares to the sense of freedom from driving a convertible. The feel of the wind blowing through the hair and the warmth of the sun on the face can be well worth some of the inconveniences one may experience with the ownership of a convertible.