I'm about to do the deal on a convertible... but noticing there are a LOT of used convertibles for sale. would anybody WITH a convertible like to chime in? Is it like owning a swimming pool, where it's really cool for the first couple years but the novelty wears off because of the work/cost involved? I'm thinking after owning coupes all my life, a convertible would be a fun change. Opinions?

 

The most common issue with these are the water leaks into the rear interior from
clogged drains. THIS, on top of the same issue with all the S197 cars for the cowl
drains clogging; water comes in through the cabin air filter housing, and shorts
out the SBJ. I have barriered my SBJ with Dynamat...

Lots of people do not take care of the TOP itself; proper cleaning and conditioning so it lasts.
Lots of people do not take care of the mechanism. keeping it clean and lubricated.

I would not mind a convertible, or even the glass top, but I paid $5800 for my '08
V6, down from $8900, it just wasn't selling, so I watched the price drop three times.
It hit $5900, I asked if I could beat them up on the price, they took another $100 off.
THEN, it cost them $1000+ in parts and labor to fix issues that sprang up driving
home... Trade in on it was $4800, so they didn't make much, if anything.

It's not that it's a lot of work, just a little more preventative maintenance.

 

Yeah, i won't mind extra work to keep it maintenanced. It just seemed odd there are so many used 'verts. But, there are tons of used coupes also I guess.

 

I should have held out for a glass top...

 

I spelled it out in another thread, but my 06 is a 5 speed and the stop'n'go traffic that happens more than I'd like to admit, kills my knee/leg. I wanted an auto... and, just as you said you should have held out, I should have held out for a GT. So, if I was trading up, I found this GT convertible with an auto tranny. I love my v6 but offering it to my son for a great price and I'm tradin' up!

 

I am on my 4th Mustang convertible (1965, 2006, 2013, and 2017) and previously we had a 1993 LeBaron convertible and a 1999 TransAm convertible.


No problems at all with the 2006, 2013, or 2017 convertibles as far as leaks. All have sealed up nicely.


The 1965, the LeBaron, and the TransAm all had sealing issues. Both the 1965 and the leBaron allowed snow to blow in the header plate while driving in snow storms. The TransAm had leaks around the windows - partially fixed when the dealer sent it out to a specialty shop, but still had some leaks.


The S197 and S550 convertibles seal up very well in my experience. And nothing beats dropping the top on a nice day and driving.

 

Thanks Jim, what I needed to hear. I'm seeing the car tomorrow morning. I love my 06 V6 but anxious to drive an almost identical GT vert auto. Both cars are Redfire, they are identical in many ways, just the GT has all the things I wished I would have gotten initially. I'll post the results of my test drive!

 

I think issues are likely because the convertibles are kept outside year around. If you keep it in a garage, the symptoms should lessen, not to mention the fabric will last a lot longer. BTW, I have a swimming pool and the novelty of owning it has not worn off one bit. Especially on those hot, hazy summer days.

 

Actually 07, I have a swimming pool and it hasn't worn off for me either. When I went to buy the house I was told by several previous pool owners, NOT to.
But then I'm also the guy who lived on Oahu for several years and still don't understand what Island Fever is, LOL. I'm easy to entertain!

 

Can you show us how you dynamat the sjb? I have an 06 and drove it once in the rain and now my left turn signal is out. I heard also water pooling where the top rest when its down. Mine is always in the garage.