Convertibles - eco friendly or not

[dkmech]

I was thinking about the amount of bad press 4x4s were getting. I agree that a lot of the times there is no good reason for having one, that they are typically heavier, have bigger engines, less fuel friendly tyres and are less aerodynamic than "normal" cars. And sometimes they are a tool for the job and nothing else will do it better.

This got me thinking about other examples of cars which are heavier, less aerodynamic and less practical. And somehow convertibles came to mind.

With no roof to keep them stiff and strong they are typically strengthened elsewhere and have extra weight from folding roof mechanisms. They are less aerodynamic, can carry less people (thus needing more cars for the same number of people, although that isn't often an issue). And if you get your roof down in chilly conditions heating will probably take quite a lot of power too.

So if someone tries to make you feel guilty about your car but has a convertible you can fight back a little That and tell them to eat local food

[5lab]

heating probably isnt an issue - i dont know of a car which uses a heater driven by anything other than engine heat.. aerodynamically and weightwise you've probably got a point, but i think its less so than a 4x4. and also, convertibles are cool.

[jamena]

I'm pretty sure the standard mini (the new one) is less eco friendly than some big fat 4x4s when you look at emissions etc? If you want some 4x4 defence srtategies you'll probably find a few nice tacks to take in Clarkson's various articles on the subject...

[BenW]

Convertibles are more eco friendly in the summer though, they don't need air-con

[dkmech]

It does depend on whether power needed for the aircon is more or less than that wasted by aerodynamic drag caused by having the roof down. And I wouldn't bet on people not using aircons in convertibles either.

[Howard]

convertibles are smaller, less imposing, less ugly (with a few exceptions I'll agree), less of the time bought for the completely wrong reasons (taking your kids to school in a 4X4 springs to mind ) and are easier to park though.. And they don't usually have big engines, huge knobbly tyres or box-like aerodynamics either

[dkmech]

Ah, but I am not comparing convertibles to 4x4s. I am comparing them to equivalent coupe's or just normal cars.

The 4x4 reference was just an example of things that have a bad rep.

[Howard]

Thing is, if someone wants a 4X4, so be it. If someone wants a convertible, so be it. Freedom of speech says they can buy whatever they please.. People who are that fussed about getting one will pay the extra tax required

Anyway that's beside your point...

I don't think going from a coupe to a convertible will make as much of a running cost difference as going from a coupe to a 4X4 would anyway, would it?

[dkmech]

Its not about running costs, its about environmental impact (although a tt cabrio was 5k more than a same engined coupe when I looked for examples). The point is that 4x4s are blamed not just because they have nobbly tyres and big engines - but because they are used by people who balatantly don't need the nobbliness of the tyres or the strength of the engines (unless the kid they drive to school is really really fat, in which case - my condolences).

This is why the cabrio situation is quite similar - you have significant resources being spent to satisfy two desires - posing and the feel of sun/air on your skin. Neither are that essential in the great scheme of things.

I am not just trying to say all cabrios are bad - I would love an MX5 myself, just giving a different perspective.

P.S. I can't see how freedom of speach would have anything to do with what car you are allowed to buy though

[Howard]

This is why the cabrio situation is quite similar - you have significant resources being spent to satisfy two desires - posing and the feel of sun/air on your skin. Neither are that essential in the great scheme of things.

Exactly. So why doesn't everyone drive a Citroen 2CV? They're economical, cheap, and according to something on telly last night, not very easy to roll over, should you get a bit agressive in the corners


Convertibles have a certain air to them though.. No pun intended... my mum drives one, and it's quite nice to breeze about (again, no pun intended) on a hot summer's day with the wind rushing around you

[Konan555]

It does depend on whether power needed for the aircon is more or less than that wasted by aerodynamic drag caused by having the roof down. And I wouldn't bet on people not using aircons in convertibles either.

Just winding the window down on a normal car uses more fuel than air con would.

[Howard]

Just winding the window down on a normal car uses more fuel than air con would.

You sure? On any car? And even though the air con pump is always on regardless of speed ?

[5lab]

that depends on speed of the car, the car in question, and a bunch of other stuff

in town, winding down the window is definately more economical

[Tumble]

I'm pretty sure the standard mini (the new one) is less eco friendly than some big fat 4x4s when you look at emissions etc? If you want some 4x4 defence srtategies you'll probably find a few nice tacks to take in Clarkson's various articles on the subject...

My old 1986 Landy did never less than 25mpg.... the BEST I've got my Mini One to do is 28.7mpg - and that's driving silly efficient. So.. the Mini, although producing less smoke, is probably on a par with CO2 etc...

[Konan555]

You sure? On any car? And even though the air con pump is always on regardless of speed ?

Yes, it's a generalisation. An 800cc 3cyl matiz in town may notice a significant hit on mpg in a carp park with the aircon on as opposed to having the window down.

There's also the issue of air con actually making you cold rather than the roof/window down just giving you fresh hot air.

[Howard]

There's also the issue of air con actually making you cold rather than the roof/window down just giving you fresh hot air.

Which, in the heat of our silly hot sticky summers... Is a godsend, and I can't wait to use mine