[BigTea]

Seriously, how many people do this? It's about that time to upgrade, my 2000 v6 has made it through the last three winters. I want to get an 01-04 GT convertible but I can't decide how bad of an idea that is.

My concerns:
-God forbid I even attempt to accelerate through a turn with snow on the ground, I fishtail like crazy. Of course I can keep it under control with careful driving, but a GT has a little more torque.. how bad is it?
-Unfortunately I won't have access to a garage, this baby will have to be parked outside year round. How deliciate are these tops?
-Price point! Preferably I'm looking for a 5 speed with 70-90k, but looking at the ads in the area I can't help but think the majority of people or dealers are dillusional. (Sorry, i'm not paying $6500 for your 3.8 with 167k on it). What's a fair price?

So far all you guys who daily drive convertibles throughout the winter, is it worth it?

[sonicx]

With a good set of "WINTER TIRES" as well as carefull driving you prob would be okay to drive year round. That is as long as you don't have a bad winter. Your vert being parked outside is going to leak slighly (i'd assume) in the corners of the top. And the top itself will have a short life. a) it's being drove in the winter b) it's being left outside during the winter. The price factory depends upon region & demand. It's hard to say, but the range for what your saying goes for $7-10K (where i am at). Do as you please but take this into factor.

[doubleohvert]

well i live in the south but maybe i can help a little. my car is a 2000. i got it 3 &half years ago. previous owner garage kept it/sunny day drove it. I DD it. it had the original (tan) top when i got it and it didnt take long for it to start getting moldy looking and was a pain to clean. I had a top (black) put on almost 2yrs ago and its doing fine so far. We dont get much snow here, but we did have a couple storms this last winter (one was like 2" and the other 6" lol) and one ice storm. all i can say is I walked or bicycled those days. but again, im in the south and we dont get that stuff offten so I'm sure y'all have better road prep. I would recommend getting a metal carport at the least. and id keep the 6er and drive it as a back up car.

[benleonheart]

Originally Posted by BigTea Seriously, how many people do this? It's about that time to upgrade, my 2000 v6 has made it through the last three winters. I want to get an 01-04 GT convertible but I can't decide how bad of an idea that is. My concerns: -God forbid I even attempt to accelerate through a turn with snow on the ground, I fishtail like crazy. Of course I can keep it under control with careful driving, but a GT has a little more torque.. how bad is it? -Unfortunately I won't have access to a garage, this baby will have to be parked outside year round. How deliciate are these tops? -Price point! Preferably I'm looking for a 5 speed with 70-90k, but looking at the ads in the area I can't help but think the majority of people or dealers are dillusional. (Sorry, i'm not paying $6500 for your 3.8 with 167k on it). What's a fair price? So far all you guys who daily drive convertibles throughout the winter, is it worth it?

Seriously, how many people do this? It's about that time to upgrade, my 2000 v6 has made it through the last three winters. I want to get an 01-04 GT convertible but I can't decide how bad of an idea that is.

Its not a bad idea.

My concerns:
-God forbid I even attempt to accelerate through a turn with snow on the ground, I fishtail like crazy. Of course I can keep it under control with careful driving, but a GT has a little more torque.. how bad is it?
Its not bad, obviously you wouldnt accelerate hard through a hard turn. That's just NOT logical unless you want to fishtail, spin and/or crash.
-Unfortunately I won't have access to a garage, this baby will have to be parked outside year round. How deliciate are these tops?
They're kind of delicate, but with proper treatment you wouldn't have any problem. Please find at least a top or a tent-type thing where you can put the car under...
-Price point! Preferably I'm looking for a 5 speed with 70-90k, but looking at the ads in the area I can't help but think the majority of people or dealers are dillusional. (Sorry, i'm not paying $6500 for your 3.8 with 167k on it). What's a fair price?
Depends on how's your 3.8 with 167k, I think $6500 is your price. Try to haggle a bit, let people offer, if they offer at least 5000 then sell it. I sold my 2001 Coupe 5-speed with 80k on it for $4500...

So far all you guys who daily drive convertibles throughout the winter, is it worth it?
A convertible is definitely worth it. ALL DAY LONG.

[doubleohvert]

the only time I "hate" my convertible is in bumper to bumper traffic with 95+ degrees heat. lol. A/C doesn't work, ill fix it one day

[Taxman]

I love my convertible... wouldn't get a coupe for nothing. You're in a bad spot though. Your top is gonna need to be replaced every few years. I just replaced mine and it was $1,400 but that's for an '07. Just something to think about.

The good part about it is you'll be able to cruise with the top down 6-7 months out of the year. Here in Texas in the summer... ain't happening.

[wannabee]

Your best bet is getting it covered. Since you don't have access to a garage you might look at some sort of tent like benleonheart said or a cover. I actually built a sort of lean-to off the side of the house. It took a full weekend and some lumber, but it keeps my stang out of the snow during our Utah mountain winters and out of the sun during our Utah desert summers.

[Drew420]

Car cover. The cold could still be pretty hard on the top, but at least it won't be covered in snow and ice.

[Swatter32]

Car Cover would be best I live in SC so not alot of snow here but the one thing i did notice about the few times it did snow is you will want to push the snow off the top of your Vert cause it pushed my back glass in with just the weight of it...

[Swatter32]

or like wannabee said get one of those sun covers or what ever for like $200