What Convertibles Have A Roof Problem?

The sunny days are back, and you wish you could feel that warm breeze on your face while you drive? In a previous article, we've talked about five convertibles to enjoy summer.

This time however, we’ll address their downsides. First, you have to know that convertibles do not offer the same protection as a fixed roof car in case of an accident, the same frame stiffness in high speed turns, or the same level of soundproofing.

Having a retractable roof, whether it’s made of fabric, vinyl or rigid plastic, implies the presence of seals to prevent water infiltrations when it’s raining. This is not really a problem when the vehicle is new, but it can become one a few years down the road. As a matter of fact, it’s not rare to see these rubber seals becoming dry and cracked over time, letting water creep into the cabin in various amounts …

Unfortunately, these infiltrations can be even more problematic than they first appear to be. For example, if the water goes into hidden spaces instead of making your seats wet, some components could be slowly affected by rust and go unnoticed until the damage is done.

In addition, the mechanism that makes the roof open and close can also be subject to electrical or mechanical failures. These problems are prone to occur when opening the roof while driving, for example, because it puts a higher stress on the components.

Now, which ones are more problematic ? Again, it all depends on the way it was used, how it was maintained and stored, etc. It’s difficult to point a finger at particular models, but BMW, Audi and MINI are the ones that are cited the most when it comes to retractable roof issues. It also appears that the Swedish brands Volvo and Saab, already known for inferior reliability in general, also have roof problems.

The best advice we can give you is to consult discussion forums about the convertible model you are interested in. Owner comments and stories about their experience with their car will certainly help.  

Lastly, as with any other pre-owned vehicle, it’s crucial to learn about the its history and validate its good condition with a mechanical inspection. Otherwise, you could be buying a car that’s falling apart, even though this particular model has a good reputation.