Cabrio versus Coupe

[psychobeth]

I have my Tiny Red cabrio and not only do I love it, I feel perfectly safe in it - side rails in or out. Not having an engineering degree, I trust the people who DO and do it for a living.

And, after all, when you think about it, the only absolute truth in life is that you won't get out of it alive..

[JPaul]

Taking advantage of a promotional $50 merchandise coupon that came with a test drive I took the wheel of a cabrio today (upper 50's) for the first time.
(My passion coupe has 11K miles and 18 months.)

General impression:
It flexes more than the coupe, especially on small bumps (i.e. the concrete slabs joints).
It's very nice with the top down, but feels enclosed with the solid cloth roof closed (I'm used to the see-through clear Makrolon). The ragtop seems to be good quality.
And I didn't feel comfortable changing lanes with the folded roof obstructing the rear view central mirror (65mph on I-95).
Surprise: it had power steering and I don't like it, it makes the car too light headed, even more so on a tight ramp at medium speed.

A Cabrio needs to be driven with the roof down, but not in a congested city during rush hour traffic.
Since my car sleeps under trees (sap and birds...) a cabrio would require too much maintenance. So, I keep the coupe.

scAlexandria, thanks for the test drive. I thought I should share.

[jmatero]

Drove both yesterday and having owned convertibles for years, I failed to notice any flex difference from the passion to the cabrio. I even dropped a wheel purposely off a short curb to see if it affected the way the doors opened and nada. There is a video on youtube (I'll find it) showing a cabrio rolling over and landing on its closed roof intact. Go down to any smart dealer and you'll see the a-pillars in the cabrio are built of hi-tensile steel and are not hollow like the coupe. The funny thing is this: if you're going to be killed in a smart fortwo, it is not from a rollover... it is from a high speed impact into another car or an object. Not because the car doesn't hold up... but because it has no real crumple ability so it bounces off... causing ultra rapid deceleration human organs are not capable of handling.

[cpear451]

So can anyone tell me what that plastic wedge is, in the middle of the top of the windshield frame?



So engineering differences aside, if I ever have to replace my coupe, I would seriously consider the cabrio. My local dealer (smart center denver) still has two BRABUS cabrios (silver) on their lot.

[Terry Stibal]

It's a small spoiler that breaks up the airflow over the passenger cabin, and reduces buffeting of the passengers as a result.

[jetfuel]

..it also prevents the fabric top from flapping in the wind like Godfather's hair piece..

jetfuel...where's my Brylcreem at?

[Mud Pie]

I always looked at owners as being one of two types; rag top lovers and non-rag top lovers.

While the rag top lovers can come up with dozens of reasons to own a rag top, non-rag top lovers can come up with an equal amount of reasons not to own one.

Almost like a Ford vs. Chevy truck arguement.

[nonuro]

A perfect solution-the folding roof of the cabrio with the solid rear hatch of the coupe, like the giant folding sunroofs of the Renault R5.Hello smart...........?There ya go a 3rd model!Now slap in a cdi turbo and I'll be right down with my checkbook!

[GeekGirl]

i owned a mini and also a benz 230C both had panoramic roofs, here in florida it was so hot even when the shade was closed, I dont need it so will stay away put the soft top that was a option but money was a issue

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by nonuro

A perfect solution-the folding roof of the cabrio with the solid rear hatch of the coupe, like the giant folding sunroofs of the Renault R5.Hello smart...........?There ya go a 3rd model!Now slap in a cdi turbo and I'll be right down with my checkbook!

And I'll take your smart...

Anywho, since I'm going to this Auto Show Meet on Saturday I should get a feel in both a cabrio in coupe because as of now I'm leaning towards coupe, but things can change...