Anonymous wrote:We do not have a climate in DC that is amenable to convertibles. California, maybe. Here, it is either too cold for the top down or too muggy/hot to enjoy it. The spring/fall temps are fleeting.

Get a fun car like a Mini Cooper or the like but skip a car that you won't be able to enjoy most of the year.

Not true. Sure, we have some hot and muggy days but we also have days like today. Perfect convertible weather!

We do not have a climate in DC that is amenable to convertibles. California, maybe. Here, it is either too cold for the top down or too muggy/hot to enjoy it. The spring/fall temps are fleeting.

Get a fun car like a Mini Cooper or the like but skip a car that you won't be able to enjoy most of the year.

Anonymous wrote:OP here— thanks for the replies!

I always wear sunscreen and a hat outside since I’m fair.

As a widow, I don’t really care if I rollover and die. (Sorry if that’s grim).

I don’t believe Bell’s Palsy is caused by sitting next to an open window! We used to drive from MI to TX every summer in a car w/out AC and that never once happened.

The equilibrium thing gives me pause.

I think I will rent one and see how I feel about it. What make do the rental car companies carry?

I had a VW Cabrio for ten years- gave it up when pregnant with my first (9 years ago). I still miss it. Go for it if you like the rental!

I love convertibles - I would have top down a lot. Cant wait till kids are gone so can have one again. I have owned. 4 classic convertibles
1963 Dodge Dart Convertible
1967 Firebird Convertible
1975 450Sl Convertible
1976 CJ7 Convertible

A newer Wrangler Convertible.

I like the Audi, BMW convertibles, some have retractable hardtops.

BTW the higher end convertibles like Mercedes the windshield is extra strong in case of roll over.

They are very practical. So many times got plants from Home Depot, Bushes, Lumber all type of off things that fit out of roof.

Nothing like driving to beach in a convertible. Greatest joy in world that hardtop drivers will never enjoy.

OP I am NOT talking you out of this. It's your best idea yet! I'm 53 DW with two teens, and one is old enough for my old SUV now, so I just bought a convertible last month.

I bought a used one--you save so much money!

For me, I had it narrowed down...first I wanted a hard top, because when on the freeway, the top will be up and I don't want any rollover issues. Ok I'll confess I'm in California, but that shouldn't deter you. Most of the time the top will be up.

Oh I have to add...I wanted it to be quiet when the top is up, so that's another reason for a hard top.

Second, I still need four seats in a pinch, so that reduced my choices to one: The BMW 4 series. Now on this car, the 35i (bigger engine) is worth the money. With the top down, you can quickly pop on a little shelf (included) so you can have very little wind in the cabin if you like.

OP, driving it is a dream. Yesterday I was on Sunset Blvd, a very windy and hilly street, and it was sooo responsive. No regrets! So find one with one owner and no damage history, and go for it!

If you want a company that specializes in one owner/no damage BMWs that have just come off their lease, go where I went...California Beemers (website is probably californiabeemers.com). They won't negotiate on their price, fyi, but they will get it delivered to you. Or better yet, find one there and go out to test drive it; it's not far from LAX (rent a car to get there.) It would be a fun and easy weekend adventure for you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a 3 series bmw convertible for about 3 years.
It was fun but the only one I ever owned. As mentioned in dc the summers suck so my top was always up. A few nice days here and there but those were often ruined at a stoplight with a visiting bee or something flying in to my car.

Driving at high speeds for prolonged trips also can mess with your ears/equilibrium.
I drove to NJ from dc with the top down and at a toll booth I could not tell if I was moving or stopped after a few hours of driving 75+!
I got a motorcycle for joy rides and fun and bailed on the convertible thing.

I was going to right about the noise -- I HATE IT!!!!!

Do you have a hard or soft top?

Anonymous wrote:I had a 3 series bmw convertible for about 3 years.
It was fun but the only one I ever owned. As mentioned in dc the summers suck so my top was always up. A few nice days here and there but those were often ruined at a stoplight with a visiting bee or something flying in to my car.

Driving at high speeds for prolonged trips also can mess with your ears/equilibrium.
I drove to NJ from dc with the top down and at a toll booth I could not tell if I was moving or stopped after a few hours of driving 75+!
I got a motorcycle for joy rides and fun and bailed on the convertible thing.

I was going to right about the noise -- I HATE IT!!!!!

Anonymous wrote:Go for it! Buy a three year old Mercedes, Audi, BMW and you will save a ton of money and they all have automatic transmission. Don’t listen to the naysayers. You deserve to have some fun. Go on CarGuru and search for used cars in your local area.

There’s an old saying: If you can’t afford a new [insert BMW or Mercedes here] you definitely can’t afford a used one.
There’s some truth to this. However, I went ahead and bought a used Mercedes convertible anyway. I bought an SL and saved a lot of money. I’ve had a few expenses with the car but, overall, not too bad. I’d encourage OP to get a hardtop convertible. You get the benefits of both worlds with that style.

I have a used BMW 430I and love it. Not a lot of room in the back, but enough where I can throw my carry on in there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bell's Palsy. I mean I know hopefully you won't get it, but I know people that got it just by sitting next to an open window in the car or on the bus when it was chili.

Interesting. Is that like the people who catch the flu by going outside in the winter with wet hair? Viruses and neurological conditions are tricky!

Anonymous wrote:I think I will rent one and see how I feel about it. What make do the rental car companies carry?

Mustangs and Camaros are popular, but depending on the location, you will see different options. Best to use Priceline or another aggregator and they will show you the options generally available from the different companies. Note that no companies guarantee a particular make and model though. You could rent a "Ford Mustang or similar" from Hertz and get there and find out that you have a Camaro instead.

The first car I ever bought myself was a convertible and I loved it. Drive around with the top down constantly. Do it!

Anonymous wrote:50 yo widow who’d like to celebrate her mid-life crisis by getting a convertible. I don’t need to haul kids and my dog hates riding in the car. So a two-seater is do-able. I don’t know how to drive a manual, though. I’ve been driving a 2004 Toyota and deserve a treat.

Any advice or recommendations welcome...

Go for it! Buy a three year old Mercedes, Audi, BMW and you will save a ton of money and they all have automatic transmission. Don’t listen to the naysayers. You deserve to have some fun. Go on CarGuru and search for used cars in your local area.

OP here— thanks for the replies!

I always wear sunscreen and a hat outside since I’m fair.

As a widow, I don’t really care if I rollover and die. (Sorry if that’s grim).

I don’t believe Bell’s Palsy is caused by sitting next to an open window! We used to drive from MI to TX every summer in a car w/out AC and that never once happened.

The equilibrium thing gives me pause.

I think I will rent one and see how I feel about it. What make do the rental car companies carry?

I had a 3 series bmw convertible for about 3 years.
It was fun but the only one I ever owned. As mentioned in dc the summers suck so my top was always up. A few nice days here and there but those were often ruined at a stoplight with a visiting bee or something flying in to my car.

Driving at high speeds for prolonged trips also can mess with your ears/equilibrium.
I drove to NJ from dc with the top down and at a toll booth I could not tell if I was moving or stopped after a few hours of driving 75+!
I got a motorcycle for joy rides and fun and bailed on the convertible thing.