Keep Your Ride Looking Smooth

Keep Your Ride Looking Smooth

Buying A Convertible: Hardtop Vs. Soft-Top

by Max Day

Buying a convertible is an exciting purchase because they are fun to drive and amazing to look at. However, there are many different options to consider when purchasing a convertible. One of the first questions you should consider is whether you want a hardtop or soft-top. Check out the pros and cons of each to determine which is best for you.

Pros of Having a Hardtop

The best advantage of choosing a hardtop convertible is that they offer more security and safety. A hardtop provides more protection in the event of an accident, especially a rollover. Plus, with a hardtop, you can choose one with a rollover protection system, which increases stability and safety. Hardtops also provide more security from the weather. They provide better sealing to keep out moisture, heat and cold. Lastly, hardtops offer more security from potential thieves. Unlike a soft-top, a hard top cannot be slashed.

Cons of Having a Hardtop

A hardtop generally costs more than a soft-top to purchase. However, the costs don't end there. Hardtops have lots of moving parts, which increase the chance of failure and the need for maintenance. That maintenance also tends to cost more than maintenance for soft-tops. Another disadvantage of a hardtop is the weight, especially when it is retracted. This puts extra strain on the rear chassis of the car. This increases the wear and tear and affects the car's handling.

Pros of Having a Soft-Top

Clearly, one of the best advantages of a soft-top is the reduced cost to purchase and to repair. However, there are additional benefits of choosing a soft-top, such as the appearance. More people associate convertibles with soft-tops, and hardtops tend to lose that classic convertible look. Plus, if your soft-top does ever need repair, you only have to remove it and send it in for repairs. You can continue to use your car during the repair process. With a hardtop, you can't detach it, so you'll have to take your entire car in to the shop.  

Cons of Having a Soft-Top

Soft-tops are less durable than hardtops, so you have to be careful where you leave your car. To protect the inside of the car and the material roof from the elements, it's best to park it in a garage or under a covered parking area. Soft-tops offer less insulation, not just from the weather, but from street noise too. Road noise seeps right through the material, making it a loud ride.

Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it's up to you to choose which advantages you need and which disadvantages you can accept. Either way, you are sure to have a lot of fun driving your new car. For more information about choosing between a hardtop and soft-top, contact a dealer or repair shop like Fred's Auto Interiors in your area today.  


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Keep Your Ride Looking Smooth

Making sure that your ride looks good is almost as important it is to ensure that it drives well. After all, the way your car looks says something about how well you take care of it. If there are dings in the body or chips in the paint, chances are that your vehicle's eye appeal leaves something to be desired. Luckily, there are some things you can do at home to make your car look better so that you don't have to pay an auto shop to do everything for you. Sure, you can let your service technician take care of all the heavy lifting for you, but consider using the tips and tricks found on this blog to take care of some of the minor stuff yourself.

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