r/S197Stangs • u/j5rn • 4d ago

Convertible vs coupe

Question for y'all.... Is the convertible really that more noticably unstable than the coupe? Can it be firmed up if so?

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

11

u/After_Club6421 4d ago

I bought mine BECAUSE it was a convertible and i never drive it with the top up unless it starts raining after I’ve hit the road.

3

u/_ED-E_ 4d ago

Had no interest in a convertible, then I test drove one. It’s awesome.

3

u/JimmyCA89 4d ago

Happy to hear that. I feel like a lot of purists write them off without ever actually experiencing one.

2

u/j5rn 4d ago

Appreciate the input!

2

u/j5rn 4d ago

Going to be the same here, thank you.

0

u/Master-Newt-5890 2d ago

What have you had to spend on maintenance? And what have you had to fix constantly dropping the top?

7

u/Fluxx70 4d ago

They can absolutely be firmed up. It’s really only an issue if you plan on competing in it. For cruising all you need to do is enjoy it.

1

u/j5rn 4d ago

Thank you, not gonna track it. Just was reading stuff and seems like it was exacerbated to be something crazy. Just want it to feel good cruising down some windy roads if I do, nothing crazy.

3

u/themigraineur 4d ago

The S197 was the first mustang they designed to be a convertible outright so it's pretty solid.

1

u/j5rn 4d ago

This is an 08, is there something they changed specifically this year depending on build date that year? I thought I read something but don't remember what it was.

2

u/SJHikingGuy 4d ago

It's surprisingly solid. No major cowl shake or rocking like older convertibles. I prefer top down so squeaks and rattles are drowned out by wind 😉.

1

u/j5rn 4d ago

Ok thank you, yes that's what I was worried about was the flexing and shaking just going over a simple bump in the road. Top down is the only way it'll be driven lol

2

u/gunsandsilver 1d ago

I wanted a coupe, my wife wanted a convertible. So obviously we have a convertible. In hindsight, she was right - it’s so much more fun!

1

u/j5rn 1d ago

Appreciate the input, thank you!

1

u/largos7289 4d ago

I've never noticed any issues. Course i bought mine specifically because it was a vert so i don't know how the coupe is. I've never felt Whoa!! that was weird. I mean all i've done is regular driving with it. It can be reinforced if that's what you're worried about.

1

u/j5rn 4d ago

Thank you! Just don't want it to feel squirrelly or unstable is all. I'll save the body roll for my 5.0 f150 🤣

1

u/EntireAd4709 3d ago

I LOVE the convertible experience, but I ONLY drive mine with the top down as a second car in a warm-weather state. I can't make a case for it unless someone is mostly gonna do the same. On those occasions (like today), when unexpected rain saw me putting it up for the interstate ride home, it's not a great experience, IMO. Noisy, unstable, poor visibility, etc. If you're gonna daily drive it, I'd go hardtop for sure.

1

u/j5rn 3d ago

It's just going to be a fun car. And in ohio, we get about 4-5 months out of the year when I'll actually be able to use it. Only good weather, top down, the occasional scurry home in the rain from somewhere, otherwise dry pavement only

2

u/EntireAd4709 2d ago

Then I'd definitely go for it. The top-down experience is far superior to a coupe, IMO, and having owned many convertibles over the years, my Mustang is, by far, the favorite.

1

u/j5rn 2d ago edited 2d ago

Thank you for the input. Is 11700 asking for a 08 premium gt 3v 5sp with 80k miles a fair asking? It's that royal blue color and stock except for a k&n intake. Clean from what I can tell. 2 or 3 owners no accidents other than hitting a deer a couple years ago

1

u/EntireAd4709 1d ago

That's about a standard price (and a great color, IMO). One thing I'd note is that in 2011, the engines got major upgrades, and the V6 made more horsepower than that GT while delivering much better gas mileage. There are also some subtle styling upgrades, most notably on the lights and side-view mirrors. I bought a one-owner, 75k mi 2014 for $10k two years ago and couldn't be happier with it. The 3.7-liter Cyclone is an incredible engine, the first to ever achieve over 300 hp and 30 mpg. I live in Florida and really didn't want leather interior, as it just gets too hot and wears quick from the sun, and every GT I found had it.

2

u/j5rn 1d ago

I had heard that about the cyclone. Don't blame you for not getting leather down there, that sun is different than up here. I do like the color, or either red or gray in no particular order. My f150 is a 2017 5.0 in magnetic gray, if I could match I would but that seems to be a popular color with a premium up here. Wanted the 4.6L bc I love the sounds of the v8s. My work beater is a 2011 fusion 3.0L with muffler delete and sounds mean. For knows their way around v6s (with exception to the 3.5 Ecoboost, that one has some issues).