Middle age men and convertibles? - Page 4

**Tim Falce** · 20 Mar 2012, 08:47 (Ref:3045150)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

No I think he might have been thinking of something more like this. And to be honest I'm actually tempted!!

That is definitely a white tracksuit and gold jewellery man's car.

**dtype38** · 20 Mar 2012, 09:20 (Ref:3045161)

Perhaps. But I was picturing jeans, white tee shirt with a pack of Malboroughs rolled in the sleeve, and a set of RayBan aviators.

nicanary · 20 Mar 2012, 10:58 (Ref:3045242)

Didn't the actor from the Marlboro ads die recently, from lung cancer?

P.S. The Hawk website has the 2.6 being available with MGB or GT6 engines - why 2.6 designation? Can't beat a wheezy Zephyr motor tuned to within an inch of its life.

**dtype38** · 20 Mar 2012, 11:28 (Ref:3045264)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

Didn't the actor from the Marlboro ads die recently, from lung cancer?

Too late, been there done that. Although these days it would just be for decoration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

Can't beat a wheezy Zephyr motor tuned to within an inch of its life.

I thought we decided we didn't want to spend most of our time in the garage or sat at the side of the road!

The Fat Clerk · 20 Mar 2012, 12:04 (Ref:3045279)

I'm 52 and the Wife's a couple of years older we both love driving our SAAB 9-3 with the lid off

nicanary · 20 Mar 2012, 15:05 (Ref:3045400)

It's interesting about the Saab - Now I have to say that I have seen plenty driven by men with the top down, whereas Audi/BMW/Merc cabrios tend to be driven by the fairer sex.

This car may be the answer - definitely not a Fiat 500 Gamine, unless you have blue shorts and a red hat with a bell.

It does appear that acceptability is down to the individual owner and his ability to ignore/deflect snide comments. Cars that are universally acknowledged as "OK" are usually not practical - Caterham types or Jeep types.

I recall that back in the 60s all the big manufacturers had a soft-top as part of the range, although you didn't see that many on the roads. I seem to remember that this was all pre-"wimmins' movement" and I don't recall too many female drivers on my street. So it must ahve been likely that the convertibles were being bought and driven by men.

All this was pre-Nader, and would stop in the 70s. By the time that soft-tops came back in vogue (206cc ?) there were far more ladies with licences, and they liked the generally more attractive lines of these new models. Am I sexist here - being too general?

Dave Brand · 20 Mar 2012, 15:44 (Ref:3045413)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

By the time that soft-tops came back in vogue (206cc ?)

The 206CC isn't a soft-top, it's a retractable hard-top!

Second comment removed by mod

**bella** · 20 Mar 2012, 16:09 (Ref:3045433)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

All this was pre-Nader, and would stop in the 70s. By the time that soft-tops came back in vogue (206cc ?) there were far more ladies with licences, and they liked the generally more attractive lines of these new models. Am I sexist here - being too general?

not really, i think you're right. girls like pretty cars. guys like it to look The Business. are girls more likely to buy a car on the emotional pull of being able to drive it with the roof off on a nice day?

course, this is all rendered useless by the fact i know two guys with convertible sportscars as second cars, and a total of zero ladies who drive convertibles...

which brings us back to why the heck do people still think convertibles are for girls? is it the grace kelly thing? (yes, we all know how that ended up)

johngee · 20 Mar 2012, 17:52 (Ref:3045490)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

which brings us back to why the heck do people still think convertibles are for girls? is it the grace kelly thing? (yes, we all know how that ended up)

Maybe it's because girls with windblown hair look 'kinda nice'. We blokes, on the other hand, have to preserve, at least the illusion, of still having a full head of hair ........ or is that just me?

**ghinzani** · 20 Mar 2012, 18:23 (Ref:3045504)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

Welll.... I can see that, but colour is going to be really important. Silver suggests you wanted a Merc but couldn't afford a quick one. White suggests you used to deal drugs be are going straight. Red would only work if you're ginger. But I think a nice dark blue or green could work... but only if you don't let anyone sit in back! What do we think?

Its black of course, like my current, beloved 20 year old E36 who I lovingly call 'Shiny', and have had for 15 years,but who is now Matt black thru dullness and in need of an engine rebuild, hence the idea to get a stop gap Convertible for a few months.

JHamilton · 20 Mar 2012, 19:32 (Ref:3045537)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

No I think he might have been thinking of something more like this. And to be honest I'm actually tempted!!

He said squeel the tires, not chirp them when the road is slightly damp. zing!

I think this is more of what he had in mind...

**Adam43** · 20 Mar 2012, 21:29 (Ref:3045628)

Would be fun, but shame about the wheels. Too modern.

**dtype38** · 20 Mar 2012, 23:50 (Ref:3045713)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

He said squeel the tires, not chirp them when the road is slightly damp. zing!

Fair point, and I'd agree if the objective was to squeel your tyres every time you pull away from traffic lights, or a zebra crossing, or after letting an old lady cross the road, or just wanting to creep forward in a traffic jam....!!

I was thinking of something with a little more ...... cruise factor -

mountainstar · 21 Mar 2012, 02:41 (Ref:3045756)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

No I think he might have been thinking of something more like this. And to be honest I'm actually tempted!!

Yep. That is more on target. Ford has engineered and built the Mustang the past few decades with the idea to make it easily modifiable. People can either go with the plain vanilla version or tweak it up as they desire due to the massive aftermarket.

Who wants to wheez along in a nissan when you can listen to this:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/name-th...e-episode-103/

mountainstar · 21 Mar 2012, 02:57 (Ref:3045758)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

He said squeel the tires, not chirp them when the road is slightly damp. zing!

I think this is more of what he had in mind...

Cobras are not bad for that but I've never been a big fan. I do like the Cobra Daytona Coupes though and I like the looks and price of the Factory Five Daytona Coupes.

http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/type-65-coupe/

Not a convertible though.

I've got shopping for a newer car this year and it's a hard choice because there are so many options. I can only imagine all the choices for a soft top out there.

mountainstar · 21 Mar 2012, 03:23 (Ref:3045761)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

not really, i think you're right. girls like pretty cars. guys like it to look The Business. are girls more likely to buy a car on the emotional pull of being able to drive it with the roof off on a nice day?

course, this is all rendered useless by the fact i know two guys with convertible sportscars as second cars, and a total of zero ladies who drive convertibles...

which brings us back to why the heck do people still think convertibles are for girls? is it the grace kelly thing? (yes, we all know how that ended up)

I've never really seen it either way preferring men or women, but over here in the USA we don't have the little topless Peugeots, Renaults, Fiats etc. running about like you do in Europe. There is a small market here for those "hairdressers" cars, the old VW Cabriolet for instance was always considered a chick car.

In the USA, you are more likely to see women in cutesy little CUV/SUV's like RAV4's or Nissan Rogues than any convertible.

terence · 21 Mar 2012, 07:16 (Ref:3045787)

Are they all crap drivers as they are in England?

nicanary · 21 Mar 2012, 10:44 (Ref:3045862)

If I hear one more person say "I feel safer" , I'm gonna scream.

A car is as safe as its driver is competent.

Dave Brand · 21 Mar 2012, 12:10 (Ref:3045912)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

A car is as safe as its driver is competent.

Assuming there are no other vehicles on the road, yes.

nicanary · 21 Mar 2012, 12:45 (Ref:3045925)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Assuming there are no other vehicles on the road, yes.

Point taken . My old dad used to say "treat all other road users as if they've just been released from an asylum".

What concerns me about this 4x4 scenario is that if they feel "safe" they might be less wary on the road, dropping alertness levels etc..Each to their own, I suppose.

JHamilton · 21 Mar 2012, 14:06 (Ref:3045969)

Quote:

Originally Posted by terence bower

Are they all crap drivers as they are in England?

Yes, they drive like women.

nicanary · 21 Mar 2012, 15:24 (Ref:3046007)

Ah,like Danica Patrick.

**dtype38** · 21 Mar 2012, 15:46 (Ref:3046020)

We seem to have got a bit diverted from the topic..... Road safety and women drivers may be interesting, but it's not helping find that crucial mix of dignity and everyday usability that will allow men of a certain age to waft their hair... while they still have some!

May I therefore present for consideration that hardy annual that has become a living fossil:

nicanary · 21 Mar 2012, 16:14 (Ref:3046036)

A friend of mine took a test-drive, ordered one when the waiting-list was 3yrs+, and when it was delivered he hated it.

Sold it one week later (not for selfish profit) and bought, naturally, a Triumph Spifire 1500.

But.. definitely OK for a man with greying hair IMO.

JHamilton · 21 Mar 2012, 16:36 (Ref:3046049)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

We seem to have got a bit diverted from the topic..... Road safety and women drivers may be interesting, but it's not helping find that crucial mix of dignity and everyday usability that will allow men of a certain age to waft their hair... while they still have some!

May I therefore present for consideration that hardy annual that has become a living fossil:

It's the dignity part that I'm struggling with. I think that's the American in me having difficulty grasping British reservedness. Just get something loud and yellow or orange (maybe a little chrome) and leave the dignity for when your six feet under.

Ok, one more shot...

Good looking, fun to drive, and reliable.

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