Convertibles

I’ve heard that “compared to Europe and the U.S., the percentage of people choosing the Cabriolet model among the 911 lineup in Japan is very low.” For Porsche, the split between coupe and Cabriolet is almost even in Europe and the U.S., but in Japan, it’s reportedly only about 10%. Indeed, it’s rare to spot convertibles on Japanese streets.

Before, when I saw someone driving a convertible, I sometimes looked at them a bit coldly, thinking “they probably just like to show off.” (…Sorry!) Because of how others might see you or what neighbors might think, many people might avoid choosing the open-top model.

Even after our family got a Boxster convertible, I was hesitant to drive with the roof down for a while. I worried things like “people might think I’m overconfident even though I’m not a great driver” or “I don’t want to attract weird attention when I’m not trying to stand out.” So I often waited until I was somewhere like the Royu Driveway, where no one was around, before opening the roof. (Looking back, that was seriously overthinking it, lol.)

But once I experienced driving with the top down during the pleasant seasons, I got hooked on how amazing it feels, and now I can’t help but open the roof whenever I can (laughs). I still feel a little embarrassed sometimes, but I drive with the top down almost every time.

Recently, our family’s 911 Cabriolet was delivered. The weather was just cooling down, so I took it out with the roof down around the neighborhood on a sunny day—and it felt absolutely wonderful.

So, here’s a little summary of what I’ve learned from driving convertibles like the Boxster and 911 Cabriolet.

About Convertibles

Wind Buffeting

Before driving a convertible, I imagined “long-haired women’s hair would be a total mess, like being in a typhoon.”

For the Boxster (981/718), wind buffeting is said to be quite noticeable, but since my hair is short (about a bob), it doesn’t bother me much. However, I think long-haired women driving a Boxster at high speeds on the highway would definitely feel the wind buffeting quite a bit.

On the other hand, the 992-generation 911 Cabriolet has a rear window diffuser that pops up at the push of a button, which almost completely eliminates wind buffeting. I was surprised that even when driving in the fast lane on the highway, the wind buffeting was minimal.

The Roperaio Channel’s episode on the 911 Cabriolet (992) also introduced it as “No wind buffeting! Amazing!.”

However, if there’s a passenger in the rear seat, you can’t raise this diffuser, and I think the rear seat still experiences a fair amount of wind buffeting. (When my daughter sat in the back, her hair got tangled around her face and it was quite a hassle.)

Two Cars in One

A convertible feels like a completely different car when driven as a coupe versus with the roof down. My husband often says:

The Cabriolet is great because it’s like owning two cars in one, each with its own charm. When you want a calm, focused drive, you keep the roof up. But when the weather’s nice or the scenery is beautiful, you open it up. It’s twice the enjoyment with just one car.

I really agree with that.

Winter Is Fine, Summer Is Tough

Before driving a convertible, I thought “winter must be freezing, and summer might be easier to handle,” but it’s actually the opposite. Driving with the roof down in summer feels dangerously hot—direct sunlight is intense, and I almost get heatstroke. The sunburn is also severe, so I don’t open the roof in summer.

In contrast, winter isn’t so bad. Wearing a down jacket, turning on the heater, and using the seat warmers make it very comfortable.

In fact, it feels like a winter hot spring with warm feet and a cool head. Driving on a crisp winter morning with clear air feels incredibly refreshing and pleasant.

My Husband Says, “Opening the Roof Turns a Weekday into a Weekend”

My husband says about convertibles:

He used to really dislike convertibles, saying things like “I just don’t get the point of those things,” but after owning one, his opinion changed 180 degrees. Now, he feels like he’s missing out if the model doesn’t have a roof that opens. Our GT3 only comes as a coupe, so he often wishes it had a convertible option. Driving in traffic or city streets isn’t fun at all, and he even thinks eco cars are more comfortable in those situations. But with the roof down, it’s a completely different experience. You hear the engine directly, feel the wind and sunlight, and your mood instantly lifts. It’s like turning a weekday into a weekend (laughs). Also, he realized that people don’t actually stare as much as he thought. He admits he was a bit self-conscious before driving a convertible.

I totally get that!

I also want to drive our Boxster and 911 Cabriolet with the top down on some amazing roads in Tohoku, Koshinetsu, and Shikoku under a bright blue sky.