Summer is on the way and as the temperatures increase drivers will roll their windows down to feel the warm breeze. You may also see drivers with convertibles, driving with their roofs down and feeling the sun on their faces. The UK has the highest number of convertible owners across Europe, despite our ever changing weather.
Although convertibles can be pricey, these cars come in different shapes, sizes and price ranges to suit different types of lifestyles. The main question crossing most drivers’ minds is ‘Should you buy a convertible?’ The team at Carlover have created a list that you should consider before purchasing a convertible car.
Are Convertibles Big Enough?
Convertibles can be seen as an impractical purchase by some drivers, so the main things to consider is if this type of car would work with your lifestyle and if it would still work for you in a number of years.
As convertibles are small in size, you should consider how your passengers would fit in the back seat of your car and if the car boot would hold their luggage. If a convertible has rear seats, they are usually small and are used for occasional use only. This is similar to the boot that will get smaller when the car roof is down. If you are thinking of purchasing a convertible as your only car, the size should be a playing factor in your purchase decision. At CarLover we have a range of convertibles from major brands in our dealerships across NI.
Will Running Costs Be Expensive?
As most convertibles are sports cars it means that they will not be the cheapest cars to run. Alongside the higher running costs of fuel, you also need to be prepared for an increase in your car insurance. This is due to the fact that convertibles come with less safety features compared to other cars.
As your convertible will be exposed to the sun when the roof is down, this can take a toll on the car’s interior. The car’s surfaces, seats and dashboard can become sun damaged. This may cost you an increased cost in car maintenance, however by properly looking after your car, this can be avoided.
Are Convertibles Safe To Drive?
Many drivers dream of trading their current car model for a convertible, however one of their main concerns is road safety. As convertibles don’t have a fixed roof compared to other cars, many assume that they aren’t as safe to drive. However this isn’t true.
A study carried out by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) shows that later models of convertibles are no more dangerous than other types of vehicles. They also compared convertibles with nonconvertible models of the same car and showed that convertibles had a lower crash rate.
Now that you know more about convertibles and their features, it’s time to consider if this is the best purchase for you. At Carlover we have a range of used cars ni including convertibles from world renowned brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, and much more. If you would like to know more about the range of used convertibles we have in store you can visit our distributors in Belfast and our other locations across Northern Ireland.
