Comparison Tests
Forty-something? What's up with that? Bucks, for one. These sun-optional rides roll in luxury territory, most with prices well above $40,000-40-something, in fact. And in that price class, it's a good bet they attract 40-something buyers.
All five cars are rated for four passengers, as distinct from the two-plus-two designation (claustrophobes need not apply). Just what level of comfort those rear seats might actually provide-all day? tolerable for a quick cantina run? torture by the end of the driveway?-is something we set out to quantify.
One other something, of a linguistic nature. Ragtop, a uniquely American term that emerged in the early '50s-probably from the world of hot rods, and predating Henry Gregor Felsen's 1954 novel-is on its way to becoming anachronistic. Since the launch of Mazda's folding-hardtop MX-5 Miata, which proved these devices needn't diminish trunk space or cost a fortune, clothtops are going the way of the Klaxon and carburetor.
Thus, unlike our last luxo four-seat-convertible comparo ["Four Showstoppers," December 1998], we can no longer call 'em ritzy ragtops. That roundup was almost 10 years ago, and there certainly have been changes since. For one, three of the five players this time around have folding tops fabricated from solid materials. For another, all the cars have gone through at least one major makeover since '98, BMW's 3-series the most recent of them.
The makeup of this all-European field is similar to the '98 group, but far from identical. Three of the brands here-BMW, Saab, Volvo-were entered in the '98 contest, but Audi missed out, and VW is a 40-something-convertible newcomer. Mercedes, meanwhile, has left the building. A CLK-class Benz finished second 10 years ago, but since then its pricing-$54,975 base-has vaulted above our test group's $50,000 ceiling.
Beyond that, the news is predictable: Sporty luxo converts are, at least on paper, more capable than those of a decade ago. Stiffer chassis. More power. More features.
And what were our expectations? In terms of thrust, pretty modest. To stay within our pricing boundaries, we wound up with so-so power-the VW was the only car that arrived with an optional engine. And with seats for four, only the innocent would call them sports cars. In fact, a friend who indulges himself in rides such as the BMW M3 and Audi S4 convertibles reviewed this lineup and dismissed them all as "chick cars."
Be that as it may, these are Euro droptops, which means we expect communicative steering, limited body roll, brisk transient responses, and minimal chassis flex. Who would you expect to post top marks in these scoring categories? Hint: In our '98 comparo, a BMW prevailed even though it was an eight-year-old design (E36). In this quintet, the BMW is the newest, the only rear-drive car in the group, and one of only two with a manual transmission.
Still, it's never over till it's over, and in any case, a review of this classy convertible class is overdue. Since late February in Michigan doesn't lend itself to topless frolic, we headed for the sunnier climate of Southern California. Here's how the test shook out.
