It's a Convertible - What Else Can I Say

I purchased this in June, 2008. I traded in a 2002 BMW X5 after the front wheel fell off due to dealer negligence.

This is my 4th convertible and the 3rd I plan to drive in snow. My FIAT 850 was ok in snow, the rear engine gave very good traction. My 1973 Corvette was horrible in snow, even with snow tires. This is also my first ever FWD car, having driven RWD for 40+ years and never had any traction issues in snow.

This is the SLE model, top of the line. Seats 4 in relative comfort, leg room in the back is ok for children or shorter adults (less than 5 ft. 8). The top takes 10 seconds to go down, opening all the windows at the same time. Going up is two steps - the top goe up in about 15 sec and the windows take another 15 sec using a separate button. That button also will lower all the windows.

It has leather seats, rear seat vents, heated seats, fantastic JBL 6-disk CD/AM/FM sound system. This is the only car I have driven that can pick up WGN-AM in Dubuque not only clearly, but almost as good as being in Chicago. FM stations can be picked up farther away also.

The car has great traction on dry and wet roads. I am waiting to see how well it does in snow. The car is rated 18 city/ 26 hwy with the 3.3 L V6. I averaged 26 mpg combined using mid-grade (the 'Cheap Stuff' in Iowa). The car came with a full tank of regular and that gave the worst mileage. On the highway, I get 28 w/ regular, 29.5 with mid-grade, and over 31 with premium.

About the rear vision: The rear vision suffers from 2 areas; the rear window (glass) is small and the rear corner vision is blocked by the top. With the top down, the wedge shape of the body hinders merging using the rear view mirror. I do not have problems as I have always been able to use my side mirrors.

The car has 2 - 12 volt outlets - onr where the ashtray would normally be and the other in the console storage under the armrest. When I plug my GPS into the front outlet, I cannot plug my phone in the console and expect to use it.

The car is fun to drive and front seat occupants do not get buffeted by the wind. It is great on long drives and on back roads.

Update:
I have had the car for 16 months and after driving in all weather, road, and traffic conditions I have decided I REALLY do not like front-wheel drive.

The weather this summer has been downright crummy, I have not had the top down as much as previously. 

The top (actually joint between the windshield frame, window and top) leaks. What is interesting is it does not leak while it is raining, but afterwards. The leak falls on my left thigh.

Rear visibility is non-existant top up or down.  Backing out of diagonal parking spots and parallel parking is very difficult because of not being able to see.

Winter driving is what really disappointed me. Being jerked by the front wheels on slick spots was very annoying.  While I never slid, starting and stopping on snow packed streets was unnerving.  I was wishing I still had my 1990 Mercedes.

My wife could sense my fustration and dissapointment with FWD. I had purchased her a 2005 Dodge Magnum AWD. I discovered I perferred her car to mine. 

Needless to say, I traded the Solara for a RWD car - 2006 Chrysler 300C AWD.  Not only is it RWD (and AWD as needed) - its a Mercedes in Chrysler clothing.