Convertible Cars

2014 Lexus IS 350C: Day 2, Driving the USA Pro Challenge

Retractable hardtop convertibles are the answer for car owners who like driving convertibles but who live in areas where ragtops can wear quickly or prove otherwise troublesome (like leaking or freezing) in inclement weather. The 2014 Lexus IS 350C hardtop convertible joined the increasing supply of retractable hardtops in 2010. The current 2014 edition is my vehicle for the weeklong USA Pro Challenge, a pro bike race from Aspen to Denver, Colorado. The mountain drive from Snowmass Resort to Aspen is only about 7.5 miles, but it was warm and sunny Monday morning, so after a nearly a five-hour ride yesterday from Denver with the top up, a top-down ride seemed only right. The Lexus IS 350C hardtop retracts electronically

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2014 Lexus IS 350C: Day 1 driving the USA Pro Challenge

The 2014 Lexus IS 350C, via the manufacturer’s description, is an entry level retractable hardtop offered by Toyota‘s upscale line. It’s hard to think of a $55,000 car as an entry level machine, but I’m not here to squabble. The two-seat V6, 306 horsepower automatic is The Weekly Driver’s test vehicle during the USA Pro Challenge, the weeklong professional bike race in Colorado. I’ve just finished a nearly five-hour stint in the car from the Denver International Airport to Snowmass Resort. The navigation system detailed a 203-mile route with a 3-hour, 38-minute journey involved. But my trek included a few quick small-city diversions along the way for restroom, stretching and coffee breaks. (OK, I checked email, too.) The day’s adventure,

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PREVIEW: 2015 Ford Mustang: Sleek new convertible

The 2015 Ford Mustang fastback and convertible is available with a variety of engines, a newly designed, more efficient convertible top system, more connectivity options and a new exterior and interior design. The new engine type includes a new turbocharged EcoBoost 2.3-liter and an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 with more than 420 horsepower and manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The convertible roof uses a new electromechanical drive and single-handle center latch to lower in half the time of the current car. Roof features a standard fabric outer layer and is fully lined and insulated for a quieter ride. More compact roof and independent suspension contribute to segment-leading trunk space that can hold two golf bags – even with the premium audio

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BEST — — USED CARS: 2006 Mazda MX-5, 2006

(Editor’s note: TheWeeklyDriver.com is now 10 years old. We’re visiting our archives to review cars once new and now well-suited for best-buy status in the used car market. The 2006 Mazda MX-5 is one of our choices.) Certain cars acquire their reputations via buyers’ gender or age group rather than the size, style, price or performance of the vehicle. Volkswagen’s Beetle and Chrysler’s PT Cruiser are surprisingly popular among women drivers. The Honda Element was marketed to appeal to young drivers, but it’s been successful among urban families who enjoy recreation. Like the Beetle and PT Cruiser, the Mazda Miata has had great success among women drivers. And it’s become the world’s best-selling two-passenger convertible. But Mazda had other plans,

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Best Used Cars: Volkswagen Beetle, 2003 GLS Convertbile

No one forgets their first car. For me, it was a 1962 Volkswagen Bug. With my own savings, I bought it from family friends in 1972 for $500. It was beige, in near-pristine condition, had a four-speed stick shift, the original Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo radio and chrome front and back bumpers. The VW insignia shield, a rare decal near the front trunk handle, was intact. I drove the car everywhere and washed and waxed when it didn’t need cleaning. I learned how to change the oil and adjust the valves, which to this day is the full extent of my mechanical knowledge. (Editor’s note: We’re visiting our archives to review cars once new and now well-suited for best buy status

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2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata: World’s top-selling, two-seat roadster

The Mazda MX-5 Miata was a sensation when it arrived as a 1990 model. It was an alluring, reliable copy for only $13,800 of the unreliable-but-respected 1960s-70s Lotus Elan costly low-volume sports car. The 2013 MX-5 Miata, which I tested in new “Club” trim, hasn’t lost the original’s charm. The first Miata quickly won over male auto buffs and replaced the Volkswagen convertible as the most desirable car among female high school and college students. And never mind that this two-seater lacked the Volkswagen’s back seat. The Miata is still very much with us, and is the record-holding top-selling two-seat roadster, with more than 900,000 produced. That means many have had two or three owners by now. Mechanical upgrades have

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2014 prices unveiled for enduring Chevrolet Corvette coupe, convertible

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the iconic sports car that debuted in 1953 and has been produced in seven generations, will be priced beginning at $51,995 for the coupe and $56,995 for the convertible. The respective MSRP prices for the coupe and convertible include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license. Standard features on the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray include: * Seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, and eight-way power adjustment; * Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes; * New seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching; * 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system; * Carbon fiber

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Chevrolet Corvette 2014 set for Detroit debut with global social media

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which has been described by the manufacturer as “precisely sculpted” will be unveiled January 13, 2013 in Detroit and with a vast social media campaign. Chevrolet has heavily touted the new design and the manufacturer says the car “delivers more than just stunning good looks – every line, vent, inlet and surface has been optimized for performance.” “The all-new Corvette integrates more high-performance aerodynamic features than ever before, many taken directly from Corvette Racing,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “For example, the front grill and radiator flow paths reduce lift, improving vehicle stability at high speeds by keeping the car pressed to the pavement. In addition, functional vents increase track capability by channeling air to

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Chevrolet Corvette, 2014: Out with the old, in with the new in January 2013

The seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette will be introduced Jan. 13 in Detroit, a few days prior to the North America International Auto Show, and will feature little from previous editions of the iconic sports car that debuted in 1953. The new Corvette will have only two parts from the sixth-generation Corvette — a cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel. The current generation Corvette, or C6, was introduced as a 2005 model. As as tease to the 2014 Corvette, the automaker revealed the vehicle’s new crossed flags logo. The new logo was selected from more than 100 logo candidates. General Motors said production of the 2014 Corvette will begin in the third quarter of 2013.

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Fiat 500, 2013: Plenty of 'Pop' in entry level soft top

I drove the Fiat 500 hatchback when it debuted and was generally impressed. The hot rod Abarth version arrived later and was even more fun. But I didn’t get a 500C “Pop” Cabrio model with its quasi-convertible sliding power soft top until late summer. While small, the front-drive, two-door 500 is practical enough, although the rear seat area is hard to reach despite long doors. Moreover, the backseat is only suitable for children, pets or cargo that doesn’t fit in the trunk. Rear seatbacks can be flipped forward to increase cargo space, although they don’t sit perfectly flat when folded. The 500 is fun to drive, and the 500C Cabrio model with its long sliding soft top should make it

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Chrysler 200, 2012: Quiet, comfortable cruiser built for moderate speed

Chrysler significantly redid its aged Sebring model for 2011 and renamed it the “200.” The 2012 version with the optional hardtop and strong V-6 make it a pleasant cruising convertible, and it’s virtually unchanged for 2013. The front-drive, two-door Chrysler 200 convertible with its cloth power top starts at $26,995, but you get far more than open-air driving with it. Standard items include a six-speed automatic transmission instead of the dated entry level 200’s four-speed automatic, power driver seat, climate and cruise controls, adjustable wheel with audio controls, keyless entry and power windows and mirrors. The 200 convertible is offered with a marginal 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder or a smooth 3.6-liter, 283-horsepower V-6, which provides fast merging and passing. The four-cylinder

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Fiat 500C, 2012: Italian city car returns with convertible cuteness, driving fun

Three years ago in France I noticed the new Fiat 500 for the first time in the driveway of a country inn. Then I noticed Fiat 500s parked perpendicularly in big city parking lots and zipping along through traffic on congested city streets. What was not to like? With a huge supply of unwavering cuteness, the new 500 hopes to rekindle all the good, clean fun driving traits of Fiat from yesteryear. Available in the United States for the first time in nearly three decades as a 2012 model, the new Fiat also seeks to have as little as possible to do with its split personality and the best definition ever among manufacturers with less-than-sterling reputations. Of course, we mean

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Honda Pilot, 2012: Best buy midsize SUV/minivan

The mid-size Honda Pilot hits all the sweet spots when it comes to three-row family minivans—plenty of space, good power, decent handling, comfort and even optional all-wheel drive. The Pilot is generally called an SUV, but lines between vehicle categories are blurring. Car and Driver magazine says the Pilot has "minivan-based underpinnings" and thus it is essentially a minivan with an SUV-style body. It could be called an SUV/minivan. Or just a minivan. The 2012 Pilot has sleeker front styling, a redesigned instrument panel, upgraded audio systems and more sound-deadening. Never mind the boxy old-school general styling—it allows plenty of room for passengers with the third-row seat in its normal position. Honda claims the four-door hatchback Pilot seats eight, but

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Rare 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible set for national TV auction

An original, unrestored 1957 Ford Thunderbird, which has been driven 20,000 miles, had one owner and garage kept, will be auctioned May 19 on national television as part of Dana Mecum’s 25th Original Spring Classic Auction. Sold new at O’Shea-Rogers Ford in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Thunderbird is still painted in its original factory-applied Starmist Blue paint. The V-8 powered Ford classic is offered with its original porthole hardtop and wide whitewall tires and is documented with the original bill of sale and a signed affidavit attesting to its actual mileage. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this

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2013 Nissan GTR vs. 2012 Audi R8 vs. 2012 Jaguar XKR-S

By David Colman It isn’t often one has the opportunity to sample three of the fastest sports cars in the world back-to-back on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. But such an opportunity occurred during the recent Western Automotive Journalists’ 20th annual Media Day at Laguna Seca Raceway. The urge to compare the Nissan’s GT-R to Audi’s R8 and Jaguar’s XKR-S proved irresistible. 2013 NISSAN GT-R Even though this supercar has been on the market for a while and is in its second detail revision, I never had a chance to drive it. “That’s why we brought them out” said Nissan PR chief Tim Gallagher, “Because we know many of you haven’t been in one yet.” Gallagher requisitioned two GT-R Black Edition

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Infiniti G37 convertible, 2012: Stylish, efficient, confident coupe

Now in its fourth year, the Infiniti G37 convertible is the newest of the three body styles and is among five Infiniti G Series model trims. Largely unchanged from last year, the 2012 G37 convertible features a good selection of standard features: leather seating, rearview camera, navigation system with hard-drive music storage, XM Satellite Radio with real-time traffic data, an MP3-compatiable sound system and iPod connectivity Among the most efficient features is the door-mounted button to lower the roof. A Bose audio system is an option as is an advanced climate control system. The Weekly Driver Test Drive This is the Infiniti to drive on a country road in warm weather with the top down. But the testing Infiniti G37's

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