Cabrio or Coupe

smartiemisha · 03-13-2009, 10:20 AM

My husband and I are going to buy a smart in the next couple of days. Our dealership purchased quite of few cars so we can basically pick one out and drive off the lot with our new smartie! Anyway, I really can't decide between a cabrio or a regular coupe. They have both in the color we want. Does anyone have any opinions on either cabrio or coupe??? I've gone over the pros and cons of both but just can't decide!!!! I live in New Mexico where it's quite sunny and warm from about March to October so the weather isn't really a deciding factor. Help!!

padi176715 · 03-13-2009, 10:32 AM

We picked up an orphan 2 weeks ago, we live in the Dallas area. We wanted, are on the list for, and got a Brabus. The only one they had on the lot was a cabrio, so we got it. This is the first time either of us has owned a rag top (bought my first car in 1970) and we love it. We do not find excessive road noise and have had a lot of fun with it. The grandchildren also love it. We have used the top down a few times and really enjpoy it. If we had to do it over again we would get the cabrio. The car we had ordered was a coupe. Best of luck and you will have a ton of fun driving whichever car you get.

SubSlr88 · 03-13-2009, 10:34 AM

I got the coupe, but my deciding factor was the ease of loading a wheelchair in the back. With the coupe hatchback style it opens wide so that the frame can be fitted into the back without any problems.
On the cabrio the rear-upper section just lifts a small amount that would increase the difficulty of doing that.
Also the cab has a smaller rear window, decreasing visibility to the rear somewhat.
I'm happy with the coupe, but would have gotten the cab had the wheelchair not been an issue.
You're lucky that the dealer has some in both models that you like. GO FOR IT~!

Padawan · 03-13-2009, 10:36 AM

For me, the only "con" with the cabrio was the increased cost over the coupes. If smart didn't offer the cabrio, I honestly wouldn't have bought a fortwo.

misscatears · 03-13-2009, 10:46 AM

I hate driving with the windows down, so the cabrio was never a choice in my mind. Keep in mind that the coupe has a panoramic roof which will make it heat up more while parked. This may or may not affect your decision.

darrelplant · 03-13-2009, 10:51 AM

If it's over 50 degrees and it's not raining, most likely our cabrio top is down, down, down.

We live in Western Oregon, which -- despite its reputation for rain -- doesn't have the torrential rains of the Southeast or Midwest. What we get is little bits of rain doled out over a lot of the year, with overcast skies. So any opportunity to blow the roof off is an opportunity not missed. We're not in prime soft-top weather, but we love it.

Admittedly, as SubSlr88 mentioned, storage in the back can be an issue. I spent the entire fall on crutches, but in that case the cabrio was actually helpful, because there's just no way to get them into storage without the top down. Either the passenger could hold them in their face or they could fit behind the seat with the ends in the air.

I doubt you're going to get an unbiased opinion from most cabrio owners. Obviously, my own is slanted, but if you're inclined toward one, you should really consider it. My only real concern is how many times can I put it up and down before it busts on me?

ChosMister · 03-13-2009, 11:53 AM

I live in LA with a Cabrio. Almost any chance I get to drop my top, I do. First convertible. I will definitely have one for the rest of my life. I FRIGGIN LOVE IT! Puts a smile on my face every day. And you don't really notice that it is a rag top in the rain or relative cold. I LOVE THIS THING. I am sure you will too.

Good luck.

broberts · 03-13-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

. If smart didn't offer the cabrio, I honestly wouldn't have bought a fortwo.

When I had a family, (before my wife died and before the kids married & left) our second car was normally a convertible - have had several. I "love" the smart cabrio because it is the only convertible I have had where I can lower the top remotely and I can put the top up/down while driving down the road.

The “convertible top” and all the "buttons & whistles" that can be had on the smart (some that former Cadillac’s did not have) was the deciding factors for me!

Bill

Big Panda · 03-13-2009, 12:23 PM

You're in NM....go with the Cabriolet! If $$ hadn't been an issue, I think I would have chosen one as well. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Passion Coupe, but the Cabrio would be soooooo nice in spring/summer!

BigWarpGuy · 03-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misscatears

I hate driving with the windows down, so the cabrio was never a choice in my mind. Keep in mind that the coupe has a panoramic roof which will make it heat up more while parked. This may or may not affect your decision.

I have the Pure which has a solid roof. I really like it. If I had the money, I would have gone with the cabrio.