One plus to a soft top (or even a camper top, though not as much) instead of a one-piece, sealed-window hard shell is since the lady probably had her windows up, odds are she would not be able to get out of the car until pressure equalized, at which point it's a long swim up.

With the soft top, water rushed in fast and equalized pressure, letting her open the door and keep her life.

Another reason why I like the option to "go topless." At 37 and a [*ahem*] little excess weight, my neighbors may disagree.

(Newer vehicles with electric windows are *supposed* to somehow let you open the window under water for 30 seconds, but would you trust an electric motor under water? After your car crashed a guard rail and maybe messed up the battery/electrical connections? Odds are, you have to go out through the door.)