One of my pet peeves when I went to see the convertibles is, there's a lot less visiblity with the top up. Yeah, go ahead and see for yourself. If you see how much glass space there is on a regular coupe, there's much better visiblity in my opinion. When the convertible top is up, there's only a small area to see out the rear window, and a really bad blind spot. Now, when you drop the top, that's another story altogether!

How much do you intend to drive with the top down? If a lot, then go with the Vert. I had a couple Verts, and Love a Mustang vert. I had Notch Verts, and they were a lot of fun.

One other thing is safety. If you leave a convertible parked somewhere with something valuable they're a big target. Christmastime, forget it.. Go to the gym, you better be careful.

One other negative is if you ever flip the car for some crazy reason, you can count on possibly getting hurt or killed pretty badly if its bad enough. Yeah, you can install a rollbar, but still.. Doesn't mean you're protected anyways.

2 more things too to notice-

You have less Shoulder space in a Convertible and no arm rest. Yes, thats right, less width space and no arm rest. Roughly 5 1/2 inches less width.. Not good if you have people or kids who are a little larger in the backseat.

One thing also people overlook is the fact with the top up, you have a rear quarter window. Kids like it, and nice for a little fresh air in the backseat... Also, nice to put up for the people in the rearseat on a breezy cool day. Creates a barrier for you when you want to eliminate a little air from the cockpit!

I'd love to get both. A coupe and a Vert! My only drawback to a Convertible is also the 5,000 pricetag for it. That changes it for me. Yeah, you can get glass which isn't as fun, but at least it's somewhat convertiblelike.

The last thought I had regarding a Convertible is, you better not leave the top down and have your car rained in... this happens to some people sometimes, and that just plain sucks if you get your car filled with water...

My .02

 

View was one of my main concern, and obviously you have less of it. This wouldn't be my DD but just an occasional driver mostly on week-ends. Of course i live in climate that only allows you to drive 6-7 months a year, so that's another point to take into consideration. Money is no issue, but rear trunk space and less rear seat room is an issue. Didn't think or rollovers but of course you're more at risk. I've never owned one, so i'm wondering if it is worth spending $5000 more on one.
But driving a vert must be one exciting cruise on a nice sunny day. Thing with the glassroof is you can't get the saddle interior, which was my favorite color. I'll have to sink all of this and make up my mind. Ordering is coming soon. Thanks for the input.

 

montreal:

why not rent a vert for the day...it will probably be a V6 but least you will get idea if you like or not.....

 

In my opinion, the coupe looks much better than the convertible.

 

Maybe you should come over for a visit so you can see what mine is like.

 

Thanks for the offer Chris . Is your car out yet ? It's not that i've never sat in one, i did go to a Nascar race in Loudon in a brand new 2005 vert. I liked it, but i'm wondering if in the long run, i won't regret not getting a coupe. Of course they're nice, especially when you rent them .
But like other posters have said, their are obvious downsides like overall space and room, security, view. Maybe i should consider a glass roof. These decisions are killing me. I know, i know their are far worst things in life than choosing options on a new car. Oh well.

 

I've been wanting a Mustang since about when I could walk or talk. I wanted a convertible when I was younger, but it shifted to wanting a coupe for numerous reasons. This past fall the opportunity to buy a 96 Cobra Convertible came up and I snagged it... I absolutely love having a convertible! It's just an awesome experience having the sky above you and the growl from the engine a bit louder. I say go with the vert!

 

Yep, the car is out. Detailed it last weekend, then put it under the cover for the week.

I'll assume that you're going to use the car like I do, heading out on sunny weekends and summer evenings. Mostly top down weather. I really enjoy dropping the top every chance I get, if you go this route, make sure you get the heated seats though. They're awesome in our climate.

Top up visibility is reduced, but it really isn't all that bad, especially if you're not driving during rush hour, and you probably won't drive it with the top up much anyway.

So far none of my adult rear seat passengers have complained about a lack of elbow room, most have said the rear seats are the most comfortable they've been in.

The trunk space is definitely smaller, my car cover (a 3 layer Techlon) takes up almost half the space.

 

Vert all the way

I just purchased a 07 vert, selling off my '99 vert in the process.

Being a Floridian, ya gotta love a convertible. The increased price tag is worth IMO...I paid $3000 extra for the vert in '99...and it was well worth it.

The Mustang is meant as a FUN car, coupe or vert, and perfectly suitable for a DD (as mine is). But a DD for a family with children it is not (IMO) the best choice.

A couple opinions on the "downsides" to a vert
1) weight: C'mon...unless you're buying the car to race at the track or the numbskull ricer in the next lane, is this REALLY an issue?

2) rigidness. Plenty rigid IMO. Verts are not coupes with a hacked off top. Good bracing elsewhere makes for a comfortable car. Perhaps a little more flex than a coupe, but I still love my ride!!

3) Trunk space. I'm sorry, but you gotta be kidding. If you are buying a Mustang (vert or Coupe), trunk space is not what you are buying the car for. If trunk space/storage is really that important go buy a Lincoln Town car, Lexus or SUV.

4) Visibility with top up: This IS a valid issue. You just need to learn to use your mirrors A LOT more and adjust them appropriately, and be more vigilant of blind spots as they are considerable. Concerning the back window in the vert...yes, it is small, but have you seen the one on an Eclipse vert? It makes the Mustang one look huge. The Mustang vert has one of the larger rear windows, but it certainly does not give the rear visibility the coupe does. I'm just used to the blind spots and smallish rear window after driving a vert for the last 10+ yrs.

 

i never thought about a coupe. vert is a ´must´ for me for a mustang. looks better cause ads contrast to the car color. costs more but when reselling you get at least a part back. (look price differences for 65 vert and coupes, needs just bit patient)

 

Diffrent strokes for diffrent folks.... Coupe for me and the wifey

 

Not too many people can afford 30K+ Mustang's as weekend cars. Most will be used as daily drivers. Although certainly not a top issue, trunk space can be important. So can the back seat. So long as the trunk space and back seat remain sufficient, I can use a Mustang as a family car. That's the only way I will get to have a muscle/sports car, and lucky for me, the Mustang still fits the bill.

 

Fortunate soul you are!

 

I won't dispute a thing you wrote: Obviously a Mustang vert is perfect for your family. By the way, what kind of bike do you have (I used to have a couple ZX12R Kawasakis).

 

I'm thinking glass roof as an alternative. Any downside to that option.

 

It's 23 lbs heavier than the coupe, which makes it 100lbs lighter than the vert.

Some have mentioned being concerned about the integrity of the roof in an accident. I've seen photos of one demolished car, the roof cracked, but intact and still attached.

There might be an issue with solar heating, I believe someone mentioned about the sunshade not being completely opaque.

I've also seen pics posted here of someone having applied perforated vinyl that matches the paint colour. Makes the roof disappear from when seen from outside, and would cut down on the amount of light coming in somewhat.

 

I prefer the ttops on my current project car which is a 1985 5.0. In a year or two, I'll be looking for a SN95 black convertible. But, I like hardtops for daily drivers.

 

****, I would hate to see someone killed pretty badly!

 

It's still a fixed roof, can't move. To me, it's no different than the coupe and nothing like a vert.

For those people who don't like the heat and smell of big city traffic with a vert, well it goes up too, not just down. LOL

 

Vert.

Then pump out some Vanilla Ice.....

Rolling, in my 5.0,
With the top dropped back so my hair can blow,


Ya ya ya but he had the right general idea. Who needs back seat room in a segment where the back seat is more of an afterthought. Get the vert, you'll thanks yourself afterwards.