My 2008 Shelby GT convertible's top (they were all cloth) has held up pretty well, but I don't think I'd buy another vert if it was the only car I had. It makes a great weekend car, but the top gets dirty quickly, and pet hair seems attracted to it. I have to go over mine with a lint brush after washing it.

My car is usually under its cover but if there's rain I have no other car so have to drive it. Then rain drips down off the front corners getting you wet as you exit. This is a design flaw and can't really be fixed but isn't that big of a deal. No problems with its operation or with the windows so far. Just be sure to raise the rears first, then the front ones after you've closed the top.

There is a bit of buffeting at speeds above 35-45, but it's not too bad. It can be almost eliminated with a panel, but it is expensive and I don't drive with the top down that often. I will usually just wear a baseball cap, which is also a good idea if it's a sunny day and you aren't wearing sun screen on your head.

Having the top down on the highway does reduce your MPG a little bit. 1-2 mpg on the freeway.

It takes a LONG time for the top to lower and raise. About 30 seconds, which I consider too slow, especially when compared to modern retractable hardtops or my family's old '71 vert Mustang. You can have the windows down first, to make the process quicker, but it still isn't fast enough to do at most stop lights.

 

Yea,especially with the Flow Master exhaust system I have on it.

 

As with others, I absolutely love having the drop top and it is surprisingly quiet with the top up. Mine is not a DD, but rarely gets driven with the top up. No issues yet and I would buy another one in a heart beat!

 

My previous 'vert was an '01 GT in triple white. After that, I said NO MORE WHITE TOPS! Every time I put the top down, dirt would get ground into the folds... nearly impossible to get/keep clean. And an open-air drive on a nice day would leave the interior coated in road grime. I looked at several with the parchment-colored roof/interior... similar problem. So... my '05 GT deluxe has the black vinyl top & black leather interior. Easier to care for, but I still get little checks & cuts in the top in areas where it gets pinched when retracted. I guess it's one of those things that goes with convertible ownership. That said, the 'vert experience IS unique... nothing quite like it on a nice day, or a warm summer's evening.

 

There is a TSB on that issue that notes a problem with support bows 4 and 5 that involves installing some sort of insulator on them to prevent pinching. Might be worth looking up.

 

Maybe your motor is dying, my top goes up / down 15, 20 seconds tops.

Other than the "can't go through the car wash" problem, I love my 06 Convertible. Owning a convertible is an experience every guy should have in their life. WIth how good the car is holding up for me, perhaps an experience for the rest of my life.