Are canvas top convertibles soon to be extinct?

More automakers are turning to retractable hardtops as replacements for conventional folding fabric tops on convertibles. Car companies hope to attract buyers to profitable convertibles by offering the allure of open-air motoring and the buttoned-up security and weather resistance of solid tops.

The latest example: Mazda's MX-5 Miata. Long regarded as a simple, affordable, perky roadster with a soft top that could be operated with one hand, it just got a power retractable hardtop. Mazda spokesman Jay Amestoy figures the RHT — industry jargon for retractable hardtop — could become a hefty 30% of all U.S. Miata sales.
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TauronLB - 10/13/2006 12:54:31 PM

+1 Boost

I like rag top convertibles. I get the safety and security of the hard tops but a well done fabric top is still appealing.
T

lexusis350 - 10/13/2006 3:07:13 PM

+1 Boost

I hope the canvas tops go. They're very hard to keep in good condition.

S4cabriofox - 10/13/2006 8:02:25 PM

+1 Boost

No, because for some reason, Audi won't let go of soft tops. They're supposed to be better at "representing the brand", whatever the hell that means.

lexusis350 - 10/14/2006 5:20:26 PM

+1 Boost

Canvas tops don't represent Audi. If anything, Audi should upgrade to the level the other competition has with the hard-top convertibles.

Hyundai - 10/13/2006 8:24:07 PM

+1 Boost

Fabric tops look better.

S4, you can get blue, red, black fabric tops from Audi. I really like the look of a silver A4 with the blue or red top. I think it looks very slick.

A hardtop does not do justice. Look how unproportioned the MX-5 looks!

S4cabriofox - 10/14/2006 12:20:04 PM

+1 Boost

I have a black top... boring.

I've also seen some beige A4 Cabriolets with beige tops- very elegant. They come in a cashmere-beige color, too.

I always thought that the G6 hardtop was weird, the SLK has frumpy styling, and the EOS looks much better with the top down. Maybe the new 3 hardtop will be different... maybe.

But I can kind of understand why Audi would do that. Saves weight and trunk space.

Hyundai - 10/14/2006 1:43:24 PM

+1 Boost

It also looks sexy.

The Audi execs are right, it does represent Audi the best. I am a huge fan of A4 cabs. Some things should never change.

There is something about a ragtop that a hardtop cannot ever replace. Call it: Magic Feel! :P

kart1 - 10/14/2006 1:04:22 AM

+1 Boost

More companies are doing hardtops and I think it is better to go from Coupe to convertible. Looks like the new 3 series will be hardtop too (I like that - maybe the next Z4 will be too).

S4cabriofox - 10/14/2006 12:22:39 PM

+1 Boost

I doubt the Z4 would be, because it's a lightweight sports car, and by the way, the next iteration may actually be Z1 or Z2, signaling a smaller size and lighter weight. The Z4 hasn't gotten exactly rave reviews, as its sales and comparison tests have shown, and I doubt they'd make an even heavier car with a hardtop.

nybimmer - 10/15/2006 2:09:13 PM

+1 Boost

Canvas is definitely alive and kicking !! There are some clear packaging and weight benefits to rag-tops. Retractable hardtops - ala SL500, Volvo, Pontiac, SLK350, Lexus SC, et al - have virtually no trunk space with the top down. If you drive your convertible with the top down, you need the truck to stow anything that's with you b/c it will most likely get blown out.

Also - I suspect there is an equal reliability/inconvenience trade off between replacing the convertible top canvas every 10 years or so and fixing the hydralics/mechanics of the retractable top mechanisms.

What does everybody think?

JUGNU - 10/15/2006 2:26:11 PM

+1 Boost

Hardtops eliminate the need of a coupe.That's the big plus to Carmakers.

But i'll still go for the canvas top.

JUGNU

RCboy18 - 10/16/2006 10:08:24 PM

+1 Boost

I hope so, I hate parking on the street in NYC, always worried about the posibility of someone taking a knife to my top, or even ripping it off to get my head unit.