Convertible drivers - why keep the roof up?
Discussion
in my youth I had an X1/9 which really was roof off unless it's raining (and no, snowing doesn't count as 'rain') - did get caught in a downpour in London (having left the roof at home) had a jokey convo with a Jamaican double-decker driver (you have to laugh at that point).
25 years later and we've got an SLK which I love (to be fair the 'air-scarf' is a BIG factor in this) but Mrs Iroc is looking for a C-class instead
I'm hoping I can persuade her to plump for a c-class coupe with panoramic roof which should get some of the roof down feeling.
25 years later and we've got an SLK which I love (to be fair the 'air-scarf' is a BIG factor in this) but Mrs Iroc is looking for a C-class instead
I'm hoping I can persuade her to plump for a c-class coupe with panoramic roof which should get some of the roof down feeling.I used to be very self conscious driving the car with the roof down as the car gets a lot of attention even with the roof up. Now it doesn't bother me as much but if driving through very built up areas would probably keep the roof up.
I would also never have the roof down if driving with a male passenger because it looks a little bit gay in my opinion
. However coming back from the Alps last year my mate insisted we had it down all the way home.
I would also never have the roof down if driving with a male passenger because it looks a little bit gay in my opinion
. However coming back from the Alps last year my mate insisted we had it down all the way home. DaveOrange said:
I would also never have the roof down if driving with a male passenger because it looks a little bit gay in my opinion . However coming back from the Alps last year my mate insisted we had it down all the way home.
There's nothing wrong with looking gay - people will be far less aggressive towards you on the road . However coming back from the Alps last year my mate insisted we had it down all the way home. 
TR4man said:
Exactly.
The point is that it is no-one else's business what you chose to do with your own car. If you want the hood down, fine. If you want the hood up, fine. Nothing to do with anyone else, it's your choice.
The point is, I was asking why they choose not to. Genuine question. Plenty have chosen to answer, and taken it in the light hearted spirit it was intended.The point is that it is no-one else's business what you chose to do with your own car. If you want the hood down, fine. If you want the hood up, fine. Nothing to do with anyone else, it's your choice.
Edited by TR4man on Wednesday 17th August 09:56
I'm keeping the roof up on mine (and drinking no alcohol) for the next two weeks because I was bitten by a f
king tick and am now on antibiotics that mean the sun will bring me out in a painful rash .
Annoying as fk considering the weather is perfect for a roadster.
So:
Q:Why is the roof up?
A:Medical reasons.
king tick and am now on antibiotics that mean the sun will bring me out in a painful rash .Annoying as f
k considering the weather is perfect for a roadster.So:
Q:Why is the roof up?
A:Medical reasons.
Motorrad said:
I'm keeping the roof up on mine (and drinking no alcohol) for the next two weeks because I was bitten by a fking tick and am now on antibiotics that mean the sun will bring me out in a painful rash .
Annoying as fk considering the weather is perfect for a roadster.
So:
Q:Why is the roof up?
A:Medical reasons.
How truly galling, given the weather this week...king tick and am now on antibiotics that mean the sun will bring me out in a painful rash .Annoying as f
k considering the weather is perfect for a roadster.So:
Q:Why is the roof up?
A:Medical reasons.
Rickyy said:
Exactly.
I have an MX5, if it came as a fixed roof coupe, I'd have bought one instead.
I very rarely put the roof down, because I feel like a tt and you can hear people calling you a tt!
That's nothing to do with the roof being up or down, it's to do with it being an MX-5 that you drive, you get called a tI have an MX5, if it came as a fixed roof coupe, I'd have bought one instead.
I very rarely put the roof down, because I feel like a t
t and you can hear people calling you a tt!t. 
I had a mostly positive ownership of my Celica 4ws 183(right model?) Driving alone I always drove topless, even short journeys. Wife hated it although we both loved how easy it was putting the kids + car seats in the back. The boot space was surprisingly spacious, could swallow a double buggy and all the associated crape and a large two week food shop.
Did 3000 miles round France last month and I would say about 2/3rds of that was roof down. The reasons the roof was put up were:
1. Noise/buffeting - After 5 hours at (ahem) '130km/h' you do want to rest your ears a bit.
2. Heat - At 36 degrees its not particularly comfortable and the wine chiller on the rear jump seat wasn't coping well. Roof up and aircon resulted in a quieter cooler environment.
3. Dust - We spent a week near the Canal du Midi near Beziers and there was a lot of dust. Especially near where we were staying on the boat.
4. Sunburn - Yep its easy to get burnt. Even with suncream.
Normally around the towns we left the roof down - the heat was less of a factor and the noise of the V8 wasn't at all intrusive. It was really only the longer motorway slogs the roof went up after an hour or two.
1. Noise/buffeting - After 5 hours at (ahem) '130km/h' you do want to rest your ears a bit.
2. Heat - At 36 degrees its not particularly comfortable and the wine chiller on the rear jump seat wasn't coping well. Roof up and aircon resulted in a quieter cooler environment.
3. Dust - We spent a week near the Canal du Midi near Beziers and there was a lot of dust. Especially near where we were staying on the boat.
4. Sunburn - Yep its easy to get burnt. Even with suncream.
Normally around the towns we left the roof down - the heat was less of a factor and the noise of the V8 wasn't at all intrusive. It was really only the longer motorway slogs the roof went up after an hour or two.
medieval said:
Slightly off tack but driving with the roof down on a summer night in the dark is a real joy
No idea why but just found it a real treat and must do it more
I must say, this thread inspired me to go out last night with the roof down. It really is an incredible experience. Was a stunning night last night too.No idea why but just found it a real treat and must do it more
Flip Martian said:
ooh, an R129? I was thinking about 1 of those before I bought the MX5. Very nice too.
It's great, no sports car but the feel good factor is immense. Looks like I'm going to have to sell it and go back to a tin top as I've lost my garage space. Either that or one of those folding metal roof jobbies but none of them within budget really appeal.
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