I was talking to a prospective hybrid owner yesterday. He mentioned he was "waiting for the Prius convertible to come out" before buying. I advised him that I didn't think there would ever be a convertible version, given the aerodynamic requirements of the Prius. But he thought he could buy one anyway and cut off the top to create a custom convertible. My initial reaction was that this would be a profound waste of money, and there would be no benefit seen in gas mileage because the wind would just make a mess of the mpg. I suggested that he maybe look into a VW Golf TDI (Diesel) if he wanted to have a convertible that gets decent gas mileage. I am not sure if VW makes a convertible golf, but even if they don't he could always modify it himself.
I'm wondering if this was good advice.........

FuelEconomy.gov is the place to go to compare the EPA estimated fuel economy of various vehicles (all the way back pre-1992!) as well as emissions ratings and for some models, user-reported MPG (nothing like the number of people who participate here at GreenHybrid, sadly, but still slightly useful.)

- Shannon (Geeky, Wild Texan)

Our database does have non-hybrids in it, check out this link:

http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/m...onhybrids.html

I find that our database is very useful because some cars seem to have trouble hitting EPA figures while others do it with ease. My Vette will beat EPA highway numbers at 70mph with the AC on. My Honda can not. Gotta drive the Honda slow to match EPA.

For speeds under 40 mph, the convertable won't be that much of a loss. In fact, at 'strip' cruising speeds of 30 mph, the car will 'look good' and get great MPG.

What I'd recommend is he make the modification so it becomes a removable hard-top with solidly engineered mount points. It might be a little heavy but hey, what is a little weight amoung friends. Then carry an 'emergency' soft cover in the trunk in cases of excessive 'humidity.'

Given what it will do to the warrantee, I'd recommend getting a Prius beyond the first 3/36000 warrantee interval. Then he should also take a long look at how to 'weather proof' the remaining cabin parts. They really aren't designed for exposure to moisture and direct sun. But if he is going to do a custom job, this is just a nit and will offer some advantages. For example, he could make the sound system something special and weather proof.

Sounds like a fun project . . . just don't do it in GREEN (too many years in the Marine Corps.)

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Wow. Difficult to know where to start. On one hand, it's his money, his project. If that's an interesting thing to him and he is willing to fund it (and live with the results), go for it. I would expect someone would not start with such an undertaking without it being an informed decision.

My opinion on a convertable hybrid is I doubt they'd ever make one. Convertables are small segments of the market to begin with, and a hybrid convertable would be a tiny segment within that small segment. Also, most convertables are considered "sporty" and "fun". Few hybrids are "sporty" in that sense of the word, and are "fun" in a way that's not measured by 0-60 times or skidpad results.

Prius II is essentially a hatchback - seems like a VERY difficult mod with no clear place to put the roof once retracted. Prius I maybe has a better shot. Not to mention the structural integrity considerations once the roof is gone. Sounds like a project for someone with generous amounts of both time and money. Would probably make the cover of a lot of automotive magazines if it were ever built...

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

Bob's idea of the removable hard top sounds a lot easier/cheaper/more functional than an actual soft top convertible.
When car manu. build a convertible is is always 100-200 lbs heavier than the hard top because of the weight of the added frame bracing on the underside of the car.If he doesn't add bracing underneath he will have a very flexy car, if it is a true soft top.The removable hardtops and T-Tops lose less up top,so they don't need much extra stiffening underneath.
Hey,sounds like fun.Tell him to have at it! Luck,Charlie

PS I never had any interest in convertibles.New Orleans is waaay too hot and humid, with too much rainfall and too many bugs to intentionally invite the outside in. I never understood why the Brits liked convertibles; cold, wet and gray really doesn't sound like convertible weather to me.Maybe they have to make the most of their 4 week summer?
PPS Besides, I'm waaaay too deaf to seek out increased noise!

If he really wants a high MPG convertible, I suggest he look back a few years to the Metro/Sprint convertibles. One of those seems like it would be ripe for a total EV conversion as well.

LiberalImage.com

Yeah, whoever wanted to do it is a whack-job. No manufacturer has built a 4-door convertible in ages. It's hard enough to get them to line up correctly as-is, even with a full body. Talk about taking out that C-pillar and there's nothing to hold the doors up, unless you put in a roll bar. You'd have to add a great deal of bracing to keep the car from folding in half.

If you really wanted a hybrid convertible, your best bet would be to chop an Insight. It would still be tough, but at least you'd still have some structural integrity.

Pity VW doesn't offer the Beetle convertible as a TDI.

I'm glad not to have put in a sunroof on the Insight like the CRX (rain and theft problems...)

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated

The Cabrio is/was basically a Golf convertable... but no TDi