Ok - Let's Here It - Passion vs. Cabrio?

[RubySlippers]

Which do you prefer - stationary glass sunroof or convertible - if you have the convertible - how do you like it

[SmartCard]

wow...surprised no one touch this one yet!

If you are inquiring about cab vs coupe because you're on the fence, here are my thoughts in deciding the same question.

One cannot beat the utility of the cabrio. Closed, it keeps you high and dry, part way open, it gives you some of the utility of the panoramic sunroof, and of course, then there's the full blown, rails off, windows down, let it all hang out full blown 'vert feel (of course, which I haven't experienced...yet! )

Main cons with the cabrio would include noise , thermal insulation and durability. The road noise doesn't seem too severe (....I don't plan to use the car zooming around in the 70 -80 mph range much), and thermal insulation can't be too worst then having the big panel of polycarbonate over head. (The Pure hardtop would gain this advantage). Durability always is a negative , I don't care who makes it - metal always holds up better then fabric! However I didn't see too many complaints in the 450 model, and surely the 451 cabrio top must be better.

Other factors- appearance! quite often the softtop has a "negative" appearance over the hardtop.....it usually spoils the lines of the car. But in the fortwo's case because of the roof rails, the 'vert has very much the same appearance - it does not detract from its appearance. I also think the fact that the panoramic roof on the coupe does not open helped my decision. A working sunroof might have tipped the scales back to the coupe...although I do already have one of those in my MINI anyway. So I'm looking forward to our smarts summer arrival, putting on the sunglasses and dropping the top!

[Fredvon4]

I wanted the rag top but I am older, poor hearing, and a reasonably long commute at freeway speeds.... I like old rock n roll, classical, blues/Jazz music... During several test drives I finally conned the young man to let me deviate from their pedestrian "round the block" path and get up on the freeway... at 65~75 there was enough roof flap and road noise to annoy me

SO I optioned away from the Cabrio

To be fair... the Smart Cabrio top up....was much quieter then many convertibles I have owned... All I really proved to myself is that I really prefer a very quiet interior... I have the motorcycles for being "in the wind"

[LorbeerTLC]

I reserved a Cabrio, but would have bought a Passion Coupe if the sunroof would have opened (like the 450's). The plus on the coupe side is the bigger rear window and rear wiper. I love a hatchback.
I've owned convertibles before and after awhile, the sun & ozone takes a toll on the fabric. That said, there's nothing like driving with a top down on a nice summer day. One the other hand... my mother had skin cancer and I've been told by a dermatologist to stay out of the sun. (sigh!)
So I got a cabrio. Screw-it, ya gotta live and enjoy life, right? -lol ;)
-Tom L.

[Smartdavis]

I've driven both and like both, but for $3000+ extra for the cabrio buying some wider wheels for the car and a few other goodies might be a better way to spend your money, so one way to look at is financial. Also, I've owned rag-tops and the novelty wears off pretty soon. I find even my cars with sunroofs are rarely opened so the amount of time you are going to be "top down" is likely going to be limited. It's the "idea" of a cabrio that is so tempting (I hear you brother). I sure wouldn't turn down a cabrio if that's what the dealer had to sell!

[SMARTnTiny]

I ordered a cabrio because this is to be my "fun" car. I have a car for utility and long journeys but this is meant to be my "slap on the shades and tie your hair back" car. I was convinced to go this way because of another friend in town with a Beetle convertible. She loves her car and I'm envious - so we'll be cruising together hopefully in the spring. Come on 1185s!

[stevenvillatoro]

I've had about 10 convertibles, and opted for the smart coupe. Here's why:

1. I hate rattles, and figures that a lightweight car is even more susceptible to them. Convertible = more tendency to have/develop rattles. (Even my Lexus SC430 convertible hardtop rattled.)

2. Wind noise gets very annoying, especially when trying to converse over it.

3. I would rarely put the top down in the winter (too cold) or in the summer (too hot). It's hard to find a "just right" day, even in San Diego.

4. Outward visibility in convertibles is usually more restrictive, and I like to see what's out there.

5. Sometimes I drive to LA and have to leave my car outside in not-so-great neighborhoods. Why take the extra risk?

6. I hate trying to keep fabric roofs clean, and don't like having the expense of replacing them in the future.

7. Even with the top us, there is generally more road noise in a convertible.

8. It cost more.

9. I think the styling of the coupe is "cleaner."

10. The clear panoramic roof of the coupe is awesome. If I want to feel the wind, I can either roll the windows down, or park and step outside!

11. The panoramic roof give me the stars at night, and a great view 100% of the time, and I'd lose that feature with a convertible.

[MicroNut]

No one else seems to have mentioned these, so I'll add my 2¢:

• I would think the structural integrity of the tridion has to be severely compromised on the cabrio when the roof bars are removed.
• Cabrio weighs more, so marginally worse performance and gas mileage.

[SmartAzz]

I was very tempted to get a cabrio, waffled on it quite a bit. In the end went with the coupe for pretty much every reason stevenvillatoro listed. (And re; rattles, I figure those removable roof rails are prime areas to become squeaky and annoying.) There is also the fact I don't think I could comfortably or safely keep my dog in the hatch with the top down.

All in all I have enjoyed renting convertibles but find that I don't keep the top down enough to warrant it, especially weighed against the things I consider drawbacks. I certainly won't rule it out in the future, but the fact is that this car is all about parking for me and the fabric top just makes it less secure and vulnerable to vandalism.

[Carnut]

My three previous/current cars are rag tops. Going for the Pure!

Villatoro nailed all the reasons, plus smart Davis put the icing on the cake. If I drove "topless" a total of 20 days in the past three years that would be a good guess.

As to see through roof, I usually look forward when at the wheel.

BTW, Tridion safety is not compromised with the cabrio, but storage and visibility is.;)