I think that this question sort of goes along with the favorite part of a
Vanagon/Westy.  I have a 2000 Cabrio with leather seats.  It is a fun car
for around town.  This is one of many convertibles that I have owned over
the years.  So here is my opinion on the Cabrio, and convertibles in
general:

1) Expect the inside to be constantly dusty.
2) If you park with the top down check for bird presents before you sit
down.
3) Cloth seats are more comfortable than leather seats.  ( My wife pointed
out that men's shorts are longer than women's shorts.  The length
difference means that while my legs are fine, her legs burn when she gets
in the Cabrio after it has been sitting in the sun.)
4) The rubber coating on the inside door handles flakes off. (VW replaced
mine free)
5) If it is a cold night you can put the top down turn the heater on and be
comfortable looking at the stars as you drive.
6) If it is a sunny and warm day you may get too hot.
7) An eight hour drive in my Westy is more comfortable than an three hour
drive in my Cabrio.
8) What hair I have left is cut short.  My wife hated driving with the top
down.  After she had her hair cut short for the summer she loves driving
with the top down.
9) The VW wind deflector that goes behind the front seats does work.
10) I am amazed at how smooth and quite the Cabrio rides with the top up.
11) VW did an excellent job of insulating the top so that you are warm in
the winter and cool in the summer with the top up.
12) After 1 and 1/2 years and 21k miles I have had no problems with the
car.
13) No one I know with a Cabrio or Cabriolet have any horror stories about
the cars.
14) I guess that my only criticism of the car is that it lacks the
character of other VW's I have owned.  That may be because it always runs.
The bond that is built over time, scraped knuckles, and engine rebuilds on
the side of the road is not there.

Scot
82 Diesel Westy (Puka Puka)
00 Cabrio (The Cab)
88 Mazda 323 GTX (The Zoom)
52 MG TD

"Royston, Jerry" <gmr@OBPA.USDA.GOV> on 07/20/2001 06:44:58 AM

Please respond to "Royston, Jerry" <gmr@OBPA.USDA.GOV>

To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:    (bcc: Scott Sullivan/Disco_Corp)
Subject:  VW Cabriolet Question

Sorry for the non-Vanagon question but I know there's alot of VW-wide
knowledge out there.  I am looking for another fun car to go with my '87
Westy and was thinking about a Cabriolet convertable.  Does anyone have one
or know anything about them?  Recommendations, what to look out for, etc.
Feel free to email me directly to avoid bothering the rest of the list.

Gerry Royston
'87 Westy