11 Cars That Should Have Never Gone Convertible

Convertibles often evoke thoughts of sunny drives and coastal cruising.

But not everything needs a convertible roof. Some things just don’t improve with a removable roof, much like adding chocolate to a chicken pie.

You might argue that adding infinite headroom could only make a car better. We won’t stop you from believing that.

However, before you grab an angle grinder, consider these 11 cars that should never have gone the convertible route.

Cadillac Allante

The 1980s Cadillac Allante aimed to be a cool European-styled convertible with a V8 engine. It featured a Pininfarina-designed body that had some appeal.

Yet, Cadillac made it front-wheel drive, a trait usually reserved for budget cars. The convertible roof didn’t help the handling either.

The Allante only got a decent engine in its final production year. If it had remained a hardtop rear-wheel-drive luxury sports car, it might have become a desirable classic.

Chevrolet SSR

Sometimes, manufacturers imitate each other’s designs. The Chevrolet SSR emerged from the retro-modern craze of the early 2000s. Unfortunately, it resulted in some genuinely hideous creations.

The SSR was a sales disaster right from the start. Chevrolet eventually equipped it with a powerful 390-hp V8. That way, you could at least avoid some of the eggs thrown by onlookers.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible

Chrysler attempted to follow the modern retro trend with the PT Cruiser. However, it only made a mediocre car even worse. Then, they doubled down by turning it into a convertible.

The convertible version didn’t do any favors for its odd looks. Thankfully, convertible production numbers remained low, even though the PT Cruiser lasted 10 painful years.

Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Taking a lackluster sedan and removing its roof is a popular tactic to boost sales.

Sometimes, this results in cars like the Chrysler Sebring Convertible. It’s a car nobody asked for, and very few people bought.

Dodge 400 Convertible

The Dodge 400 was a mid-size sedan sold for a mercifully short period in the early 1980s.

It was slow and unattractive, making it difficult to tell if it was moving forward or backward.

Nevertheless, it was released as a convertible. Of the approximately 57,000 Dodge 400s sold, 10,429 unfortunate buyers chose the drop-top version.

Dodge Dakota Convertible

The first-generation Dodge Dakota pickup truck wasn’t a bad vehicle.

It was sturdy, could be upgraded to V6 or V8 engines, and had many options. One of those options was to chop the roof off.

That decision didn’t go well. The Dakota looked strange with a convertible roof. Plus, offering this option on a work truck made little sense.

Geo Metro Convertible

Old-school often equates to cool. But not when it’s the universally disliked Geo Metro.

While it was highly fuel-efficient, a basic econobox doesn’t necessarily translate into a great convertible.

This became evident when the Geo Metro Convertible hit the market. You probably haven’t seen one on the road, and that’s a relief.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet

The first-generation Evoque wasn’t inherently a bad car. Yes, it was expensive, prone to breakdowns, and too small for a family. However, it did look stylish.

Then came the Convertible, which was a step backward. It made the car even less practical and more expensive. It was a niche market taken too far.

Lexus IS-C

The original Lexus IS was a respectable, though somewhat bland, competitor to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

With the Germans offering convertibles in their luxury sedans, Lexus thought it should do the same.

That idea didn’t pan out well. The IS-C had awkward proportions, resembling a bulbous cheese wedge. The rear end appeared tall and ungainly, thanks to all the convertible mechanisms crammed in.

Lexus SC430

The Lexus SC430 had potential to be a good, maybe even great, car. Its predecessor was quick, smooth, and elegantly understated.

But the second-generation model fell short. It was introduced as a hardtop convertible. From the front, it resembled a frightened fish. With the roof down, it looked more like a beached yacht.

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

SUVs are popular. Crossovers are popular. Sometimes, the line between them blurs.

But the first time you see a Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, clarity returns. Your senses heighten as adrenaline rushes through you at the sight.

Once seen, it cannot be unseen. At least Nissan was thoughtful enough to include a warning in the car’s name.