Convertibles hold a unique place in automotive culture, ever since the car-driving public first missed the sensation of driving without a roof that the earliest glorified horse-drawn buggies provided. In many ways, innovation has both been a friend and an enemy to the progression of convertibles. In 1939, Plymouth offered the first American convertible with a power-operated top, making it more convenient than ever to either be protected from the elements or enjoy the full glory of a picturesque sunny day. However, by the time the 1970s arrived, safety concerns and air conditioning put a dent in convertible sales and the introduction of sunroofs allowed drivers to get a taste of the world outside their cars without fully exposing themselves to harsh weather.
In the 1980s and 1990s, convertibles experienced a resurgence in popularity, and 2022 convertibles blend the advantages of modern technologies with the experience of the breeze blowing in our hair. Still, some convertibles were better left on the drawing board, with soft tops that are prone to leaking, tearing, or malfunctioning retractable mechanisms. Others simply share the same poor reliability as their coupe or sedan cousins. The issues the following cars suffer can turn what seems to be a wise investment in a convertible into a nightmare costing you thousands of dollars in repairs and maintenance.
10/10 1966 Shelby GT350
In an attempt to make the professional racing-oriented 1965 Shelby Mustang a more viable option for driving on American city streets, Shelby released a 1966 GT350 with a longer noise-reducing exhaust pipe and a backseat with easier trunk access.
Even though Shelby dropped the Mustang name from the 1966 GT350, it remains one of the most popular classic pony cars and convertibles. Prospective buyers can expect to pay well over $100,000 for one in good condition. However, if there are any issues at all with the car, these GT350s can be notoriously expensive to restore or repair, with original Shelby parts in short supply.
9/10 1958 Ford Edsel Pacer
If there is one classic convertible that Ford could forget about entirely, it may be the Edsel first unveiled in 1958. Ford attempted to enhance their market presence with the Edsel brand, but the car was viewed as having unattractive styling and performance that failed to distinguish itself from the competition.
Even worse, the Edsel suffered chronic mechanical problems with faulty welding, failing power steering, and an overly-engineered Teletouch shifter. Not to say the Edsel does not have some nostalgic value, but be prepared to pay a fortune to keep one running.
8/10 1987 Chevrolet Corvette C4
The C4 often gets the reputation as being one of the least desired Corvette models, with Chevrolet selling the model between 1983 and 1996. It seems as if the C4 never was able to establish itself as a better option than older Corvettes with their classic style or more modern cars with superior performance.
Of course, the C4 still has its supporters and Chevrolet made some notable changes in its design from past Corvettes implementing uniframe construction and changing door placement to allow for more interior room. You may be able to pick up a relatively affordable used C4, but be on the lookout for common mechanical problems including hybrid transmission issues with a malfunctioning overdrive system.
7/10 1940 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet
The 1940 Lincoln Continental was a result of a custom-designed 1939 Zephyr convertible that Henry Ford, Edsel’s Ford son, used on a vacation and was met with immediate approval from his companions. When first sold in 1940, the Lincoln Continental was one of the most expensive luxury cars of its day and was celebrated for its European styling and rear-mounted spare tire.
Ford used the Lincoln-Zephyr V12 engine in many of its cars during this era, but unfortunately, it has a reputation for sludge buildup and overheating. Considering a nice 1940 Continental can cost in upwards of $85,000, it’s advisable to get a complete rundown of any contender’s mechanical history before buying.
6/10 1954 Nash Metropolitan
In response to a booming economy and more households owning multiple cars, the unusually compact for its era AMC-made Nash Metropolitan convertible was well-received when it first went on sale in 1954. However, as a small 2-seat vehicle that wasn’t a sports car, it inevitably faced its demise in 1961.
Without expensive modifications, the Nash Metropolitan will struggle to keep up with other cars on the freeway and also suffers from poor handling and rudimentary mechanical brakes. Even worse, the Metropolitan is notorious for suffering rust issues throughout the car.
5/10 1987 Cadillac Allante
The Pininfarina-designed Allante was a commercial disaster for Cadillac, but it aimed to combine European styling with the luxurious features that the brand was known for. The exceedingly expensive 2-seat convertible was the first Cadillac to offer an exterior cell phone antenna, but its complicated dashboard controls could perplex even a NASA engineer.
Costing around $59,000 in 1987, the Allante was innovative but also suffered electrical issues that only specialized mechanics could tackle. In addition, the manual soft-top had a reputation for leaking or getting stuck, an embarrassing problem for an elite luxury car. Finally, in 1993, after years of disappointing sales, Cadillac retired the model for good.
4/10 2015 Ford Mustang GT
The Ford Mustang has a stellar reputation as a reliable high-performance pony car, which is one reason it’s Ford’s longest-running nameplate. However, with the sixth generation of Mustangs launched in 2015, it was not all smooth sailing for the Mustang GT convertible which featured fully independent rear suspension for the first time.
Some common problems that earned shockingly low-reliability ratings from Consumer reports include a malfunctioning rearview camera, an air-conditioning unit that failed to produce cold air, and leaky windows. As a result, both earlier and later Mustang GT models may be safer investments.
3/10 1953 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1953 Corvette was a convertible sports car that was truly a labor of love for Chevrolet engineers. The company struggled to assemble the cars which used an all-fiberglass construction that had only been previously attempted in low-production concept cars.
Regardless, with only 300 made, the timeless styling of the convertible and its obvious significance to the history of Corvettes routinely sees it as an elusive target for classic car buyers. The first Corvette’s suspension was a blend of older parts from Chevrolet sedans and failed to provide the smooth ride later models offer. With some sales exceeding the $100,000 range, be prepared to spend more to give this classic a more comfortable driving experience.
2/10 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport
A Jeep is not the first vehicle that comes to mind when thinking about convertibles, but their removable soft or hard tops allow drivers to experience the thrill of open-air off-road exploring. Inspired by World War II era Jeeps, the 2012 Wrangler premiered a 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission.
Regretfully, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has generally poor reliability ratings with a startling 10 recalls involving problems with airbags and its TIPM. Repair costs for these issues not under warranty range from $1000-$4000, so think twice before committing to a Jeep from this model year.
1/10 2008 Chrysler Sebring
The mid-sized Chrysler Sebring convertible enjoyed a solid run of success, producing around 40,000 cars a year between 2001 and 2005. The Sebring underwent a redesign in 2007, with the convertible reintroduced a year later, and many were less than pleased by its new styling and elongated trunk section.
Adding to the Sebring’s drawbacks was an accumulation of oil sludge that had plagued earlier models with the Daimler Chrysler 2.7 liter engine, often leading to total engine failure before owners realized what was happening. The car was also prone to oversteering and understeering, while its infotainment system frustrated users to the point where lawsuits were filed against Chrysler. The end result was a dead-last PainRank from CarComplaints.com calling it the least reliable Chrysler car in its study. A used Sebring convertible from this era is definitely a purchase you may want to reconsider.
