Experian Automotive Says Convertible Owners are Richer and Have More Education

2012 Audi TTS Roadster (Credit: © Audi)

If you drive a convertible, even if only some of the time, you are part of an elite group. At least that’s what can be understood from a recent study conducted by Experian Automotive. The firm states that on average, those who own a convertible are better educated and richer than those who do not.

Could that possible include the notorious Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

Naturally, people are balking at the study, especially those who own toupees and are afraid they will flap away in the wind. Experian has given everyone a look at its research methodology, which included gathering information from car sales for January through March of 2014.

From the information gathered, the firm concluded that close to 19 percent of people who purchased convertibles pull in an annual household income of $175,000 or more. That’s higher than the 10.7 percent of all new car buyers who claimed that level of household income. Even more revealing is that 11.7 percent of convertible buyers boasted a household income of $1 million-plus.

When it comes to education, 38.2 percent of everyone who purchased a car during that period has achieved at least a bachelor’s degree. In contrast, 50 percent of convertible buyers boast at least that level of education.

Naturally, there is a link between education level and income, so the fact that two go hand-in-hand shouldn’t be surprising. Also, considering that a fair amount of convertibles available on the market today are luxury models, that helps explain the differences in education and income. Of course, the market gives what consumers demand. So for now, if you own a convertible you have something to brag about.