Mustang convertible in Minnesota?

Question

I was thinking about getting a Mustang(v6) convertible in the 2000-2002 range for about $7-$8k. I am very responsible and earned all the money myself, not inheritance.

However, I live in Minnesota and would like one for my high school car, but I have heard about convertibles being vandalized more often and that the tops arent too good in the winter. I live south of minneapolis 45 min, so I only get up to 7 inches of snow, but I can't garage the car.

Are there any good hard top convertibles?(not saab, cause I hear they are problematic), Also, how much do those convertible tops cost and what is the durability and winter possiblity for use of them.

Thanks for all the help,.

Answer 1

I would worry far less about the mustange having a converible top than I would worry about driving a mustang in the snow.  All rwd sportscars suck in the snow.  My college roommates would have problems with thier cars getting stuck even in the driveway.  One had Camero and the other had a Mustang, the Mustang do not get stuck nearly as often as the Camero but it still did a few times over the two WI winters.  I think any rwd vehical would suck in winter, even my Jeep sucks in snow unless it's in fwd (still sucks abit in the snow due to the short wheelbase) so I would hate to be driving during a snow storm.  It can be done though, my roomate with Mustang did just fine but the one with the Camero rearended a cop car after loosing control of the car in the snow, alcohol was a factor though.  As for worring about the convertable top, don't worry too much.  I had three differant Jeeps, two had soft-tops one with a hard top.  All three were cold in the winter, but would warm in the winter well enough for even long trips.  I was hoping for better heat in the winter.  I have never had anything stolen out of my Jeep iether, but you will have to make sure noone can see anything worth stealing.  If you don't conseal something wants bad enough they might be slightly more likely to try but they may have just broken a window to get it on a regular car, at least with the Mustang you will have a trunk.  Insurance will be very costly for a sportscar at your age but you can do it.  Never plan on driving the thing when any amount of snow is on the road.

Answer 2

I don't think you can get a decent hard top convertible in that price range. I've had a few convertibles in my time and never experienced vandalism, so don't let that stop you. Living in Michigan, the weather isn't that much different either. In the event that you might have to replace the top, I'm confident you could get it done for a couple thousand dollars.

Go for it, that would be a decent, affordable car for you to get started with.