Are Soft Top convertible cars safe?
We bought a Mini cooper Convertible in 2019. Its a soft roof car and before buying we were concerned If the Soft roof car is safe to drive.
🌐 This post forms part of my comprehensive Road trip Guide , helps you with Road trip Car Selection & essentials and choosing best cars to rent for Road trips, CAR camping essentials & Explore RVing with pets . Also check out my comprehensive Australia Road Trip Guide.
I did a loads of Research and here is what I found out…According to a new research, modern convertibles are just as safe for passengers as standard automobiles.
If you’re concerned about not having a roof over your head in the event of a crash, put those worries aside. According to recently published data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, droptop vehicles are every bit as safe as a fixed-roof car in a collision — in fact, they are marginally safer in some situations.
Those who were previously scared to get into a contemporary convertible due to safety concerns may now rest easy.
Convertible, roadster, and cabriolet Whatever you name it, chances are you’ve fantasized about having one at some point in your life, and we don’t blame you for that. We bought ours a Mini cooper Convertible in 2019, and since then it is all good.
There is no finer sensation than driving with the top down, the sun on your back, and the wind in your hair.
Also read: Can convertible car be your family car ?[Check out some Child friendly Convertibles]
When purchasing a convertible, it is essential to consider the maintenance requirements. Convertibles, on average, require more maintenance than a regular automobile, however the degree of upkeep varies by type.
Over time, a classic vintage soft top will be highly vulnerable to rain and sun damage. Modern soft-top versions include improved weather-proofing technologies.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which reviewed collision and mortality statistics, late-model convertibles are no riskier than their roofed counterparts since they lack a permanent roof, which many people believe is a vital element of a car’s construction.
The firm discovered that convertibles had lower collision and driver death rates than non-convertible versions of the identical automobiles in a new document titled Crash Rates of Convertible Cars( Source).However the differences in driver death rates were not statistically significant.
Should You Be Concerned About the Roof When Purchasing a Convertible Car?
Imagine driving down the wide road in a convertible on a lovely, bright day with nothing but blue sky above.
If you’re on the market for a new automobile, it’s tempting to become preoccupied with convertibles. They’re stylish, entertaining, and thrilling. They’re also quite cool.
Also Read: Can convertible car be your family car ?[Check out some Child friendly Convertibles]
Soft-top or hard top , Convertibles are also surprisingly safe, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. So, what’s the point of not wanting a convertible?
Actually, there are a few reasons, and we’re going to outline the benefits and disadvantages so you know what you’re getting into before you sign the papers on a new or used drop-top.
Soft top convertible pros and cons
The Benefits of a Soft-top Roof
A significant advantage of a soft-top is its lower cost, as fabric is less expensive than metal and the more complicated components found on hardtops.
If something goes wrong with a soft-top, it’s usually easier and less expensive to repair than with a hard-top due to the mechanical system’s simplicity.
Also Read: What does driving a convertible say about you? Answer is going to surprise you
Additionally, some people prefer the contrasting appearance of a soft-top, with its distinct colour and texture that immediately identify it as a convertible.
Disadvantages of soft Top
A significant downside of a soft-top is that the roof can easily damaged by someone with malicious intent.
Even though the convertible fabric is quite robust, someone could cause substantial damage and obtain access to any valuables stored within your vehicle if they penetrate it with a sharp object.
Additionally, there is increased wind and vehicle noise. The fabric top cannot shelter you from the elements as well as a hardtop can.
Then there’s visibility: While it’s rather easy to see out of a convertible with the top down, it’s quite another story with the top up.
Due to the difficulty of vision, we recommend that you test parallel parking with the top up before purchasing any convertible — to see whether you can live with the visibility.
The fourth disadvantage is peculiar to vehicles equipped with canvas tops rather than hardtop convertibles.
Even with the top down, the vehicle is far more exposed to the weather than a regular car, since it will cool down more quickly and take longer to warm up.
Also Read: Should I buy a Convertible car ? Pros and Cons of owning a Convertible car.
What happens to a soft-top convertible in the rain?
The cloth used to make a convertible (soft) top is vinyl-coated. It is not only completely waterproof, but also quite durable.
They generally do not leak after they are fastened in the closed position and correctly sealed to the windshield frame. So they’re no different than a hard top in that regard.
The way a convertible top controls runoff is one distinction. Most convertible tops are joined to the bodywork beneath the body sheetmetal at the base of the roof.
This, of course, would result in water accumulating and perhaps seeping into the steel body shell.
Manufacturers address this by installing channels and drains at the attachment places.
The rain still falls on the lower, back area of the roof and pours into the bodywork, but it is collected in channels and taken away by drain tubes that leave beneath the car.
It’s the same construction method as most sunroofs.
Also Read: Dos and Donts of owning a Convertible car that you will be glad you know them
It is seen Convertibles are driven differently because they are more of an act of pleasure than a means of transportation.
These people may be paying closer attention to what’s going on around them and so be more prepared to prevent a collision. Because a person is more likely to take a droptop out in nice weather, bad weather is less likely to be a factor in a crash.
Pros and Cons of a Hardtop Roof
The Benefits of a Hardtop Roof
One of the primary benefits of a convertible hardtop roof is the secure protection your car receives from the elements and vandals.
Simply defined, a metal roof provides a level of durability that a cloth roof cannot.
Another advantage, at least to some, is the hardtop roof’s appearance.
It appears much more seamless and is frequently undetectable as a convertible.
Due to the stark contrast in colour and texture between the soft-top and the rest of the car’s body, soft-tops are usually simple to recognise.
Also Read: Do you regret buying a convertible car?
Furthermore, hardtops eliminate the wind and road noise associated with soft-top convertibles.
The calmer ride is well worth the higher price tag associated with hardtops in comparison to soft-tops.
Disadvantages
Due to the components and mechanical systems that go into their production, hardtops nearly usually cost more.
And, as a result of such mechanical systems, when something goes wrong, repairs are more expensive.
Additionally, hardtops weigh more than softtops, resulting in lower fuel efficiency and less manoeuvrability during performance driving.
You cannot manoeuvre as skilfully around twisting roads in a heavy vehicle as you can in a lighter vehicle.
Finally, when a hardtop’s roof is retracted, it travels directly to the trunk, as there is no alternative storage compartment in a convertible.
This may result in reduced trunk room for baggage, food, or any other cargo you intend to transport.
Also Read: Are convertible cars noisy[Noise exposure and convertible cars}
Considerations while Buying a Convetible car
Security
Security concerns are more prevalent with soft top convertibles due to their ease of entry.
Modern automobile manufacturers seek to address the security concerns associated with owning a soft top convertible by incorporating high-tech security mechanisms such as the Mini Cooper’s engine immobiliser, which prevents the engine from being hot-wired.
Consider where you will keep your convertible, particularly a soft top convertible, and the security elements incorporated.
Maintenance of your Convertible
When purchasing a convertible, it’s essential to consider the maintenance requirements.
Convertibles, on average, require more maintenance than regular automobiles, however the degree of upkeep varies by model.
Over time, a vintage soft top will be extremely prone to rain and sun damage.
Modern soft top versions use improved weather-resistant technologies. Certain models, such as the Benz and BMW even claim to be car wash resistant.
However, storing it in a protected environment will prove useful in the long term.
While a hardtop convertible is less prone to weather damage, the electric top has more mechanical moving parts than a standard automobile, which might necessitate routine maintenance and checks to ensure all of these parts are functioning properly.
Also Read: Is convertible car good for winter ? Effective tips to make your convertible winter worthy
Safety
A convertible’s absence of a roof poses an evident danger in the event of a rollover traffic accident.
Having said that, current automobile manufacturers are making strenuous efforts to mitigate the safety dangers connected with driving a convertible.
For instance, the BMW convertible has been lauded for its high safety rating. It performs well in front, rear, and side crashes and features quick-response safety technologies in the event of a rollover.
Certain convertibles have a significantly better safety rating than others, so conducting research is worthwhile.
Comfort level
While driving with the top down may appear to be enjoyable, it may also be rather chilly, windy, and loud.
When shopping for a convertible, make sure to enquire about the type of noise and wind deflectors provided. Certain contemporary convertibles are as comfortable as any other car with the top up.
Numerous convertibles include a wind deflector to help minimise noise when the top is down.
To prevent the airflow that frequently occurs when driving with the top down during the colder months, many current convertibles have seat and steering wheel warming equipment.
What Can I Use to Clean My Roof?
Cleaning products that are good for convertibles can be found at auto shops or big department stores.
Here is Our list of products to clean your Convertible: Click here
Is it possible to drive a convertible through a car wash?
A convertible can go through the car wash, and it’s not dangerous to do so
How to Clean a Roof throughly ?
Clean the roof of your convertible just like you would a normal car, and it will be just as clean as it would be.
Even so, it’s important to use the right cleaning products, not just the soap you use at home to clean.
Soft Top convertible cars for Road trips FAQs
Are road Trips in soft-top convertible automobiles safe?
When properly equipped with safety systems and driven responsibly, soft-top convertible automobiles can be secure for long distance drives.
They do, however, differ from conventional cars in several specific safety concerns, such as the absence of a roof and the potential for rollovers in the event of an accident.
Can I be protected in the event of a rollover in a soft-top convertible car?
In the case of a rollover, soft-top convertible automobiles do not offer the same level of safety as conventional cars since the absence of a roof increases the possibility of damage or ejection.
The risk of injury in the case of a rollover can be decreased by the rollover protection systems and other safety features that are included in contemporary soft-top convertible cars.
Are accidents more likely to occur in soft-top convertible cars?
Accidents do not necessarily happen more frequently in soft-top convertible vehicles than in other vehicle types. But, they might have certain particular safety issues that could make it harder for the driver to avoid collisions, such restricted visibility when the top is up.
Can a soft-top convertible car withstand bad weather while travelling?
Soft-top convertible automobiles can manage bad weather to some extent, although they might not be as prepared as conventional cars for severe weather.
Soft-top convertibles are often well-insulated and capable of offering appropriate weather protection with the top up.
However, they might not offer as much protection as a conventional automobile with a roof in severe weather like hail or snow.
What are some safety recommendations for travelling in a soft-top convertible car?
Wearing your seatbelt at all times, driving conservatively, avoiding high-speed or aggressive driving, and checking the weather before you leave are some safety advice for driving a soft-top convertible car on a road trip.
Before leaving on a road trip, it’s a good idea to make sure your soft-top is securely fastened and in good shape.
Also Read…