Out and about with a soft top. Safe?

[Flip Martian]

My Mk 3 is my first soft top and my urge to drive it at every possible moment is tempered by the worry of having it broken into. I go by train to London every day - but never take the MX5 to the station; I always take my daily. I was due to spend 2 nights in Liverpool this weekend and 3 up in the Lake District - and would really like to have taken the MX5 up for that trip especially. But the thought of parking in Liverpool for two nights first (or any urban area for that matter) made me plan to leave it at home.

Am I being over cautious? What are your related experiences?

[seany87]

Flip Martian said:

My Mk 3 is my first soft top and my urge to drive it at every possible moment is tempered by the worry of having it broken into. I go by train to London every day - but never take the MX5 to the station; I always take my daily. I was due to spend 2 nights in Liverpool this weekend and 3 up in the Lake District - and would really like to have taken the MX5 up for that trip especially. But the thought of parking in Liverpool for two nights first (or any urban area for that matter) made me plan to leave it at home.

Am I being over cautious? What are your related experiences?

I had no issues whatsoever with my MK2 in Liverpool. In fact I've never had any issues with any of my cars in Liverpool nor have my friends/family - vehicle crime here is actually (despite every stupid prejudice going) very low for such a large city, Manchester and Nottingham on the other hand... Where will you be parking it if you take it to Liverpool?

I think you're being over cautious, just use common sense, leave nothing on display or any clues that something that's worth taking might be in there such as sat nav wires or marks on the screen from its cradle.

Take the MX5 and enjoy the roads on the Lake district for gods sake, even if the worst happens its insured right?

[drgoatboy]

There are literally thousands of soft tops that sit out in urban areas, I can't think of ever having seen a soft top torn or cut, and I've lived in some grotty places!
Its immobilised and insured anyway, no point having it if you can't enjoy it!! take it with you!
(disclaimer - if your car gets stolen whilst in Liverpool I am in no way liable )

[LordHaveMurci]

A mate of mine had the soft top on his 997 slashed while it was parked on his private drive, this was in a nice part of town in Devon.

If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, take sensible precautions but don't spend your life worrying about it.

[Flip Martian]

See? I knew I was being over cautious really. Nothing against Liverpool AT all by the way - I love the place and my family are from there. Likely to be being parked by the Echo Arena tomorrow.

I might check the size of the luggage we're taking and see if it fits in the MX 5 then. Would be a missed opportunity, I know.

[Dan_1981]

We went to the lakes in my Mk1.

If you don't take it for that trip you might as well sell it and hand in your PH card on the way out!

Used to leave mine in all sorts of places - never had any trouble at all.

[Flip Martian]

LordHaveMurci said:

A mate of mine had the soft top on his 997 slashed while it was parked on his private drive, this was in a nice part of town in Devon.

If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, take sensible precautions but don't spend your life worrying about it.

I would think a "posh" convertible (like a 997) might attract more idiots with knives than an MX5. But that's an unscientific hunch. There are lots of jealous people around though.

[Flip Martian]

Dan_1981 said:

We went to the lakes in my Mk1.

If you don't take it for that trip you might as well sell it and hand in your PH card on the way out!

Used to leave mine in all sorts of places - never had any trouble at all.

Inclined to agree, to be honest. I'll just tell my wife to keep the clothes down

[Munter]

I've had a number of people drive into it when parked.

But nobody has abused the soft top.

Just both the doors, both front wings, both bumpers.

[Freakuk]

When I had my Boxster I parked in Liverpool numerous times without issue, mainly parked at Albert Dock in the multi storey near the Echo Arena

[LordHaveMurci]

Flip Martian said:

LordHaveMurci said:

A mate of mine had the soft top on his 997 slashed while it was parked on his private drive, this was in a nice part of town in Devon.

If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, take sensible precautions but don't spend your life worrying about it.

I would think a "posh" convertible (like a 997) might attract more idiots with knives than an MX5. But that's an unscientific hunch. There are lots of jealous people around though.

To be fair, he left his wallet on the passenger seat. The car was on his own drive though (now gated!). The druggie that did it never got the wallet, caused £2.5k of damage though
He was stupid enough to return, got caught the 2nd time

[Flip Martian]

Thanks for all the replies, peeps. I mentioned the MX5 and - truth be told - wifey is looking forward to going up in that too, so she has an incentive to keep the clothes down. Funny thing though - if I'd suggested last year going in my old Camaro I'd never have heard the last of it. The MX5 is clearly far more to her liking.

See if I can get a few shots of the MX5 in some nice scenery while I'm away I think...

[SmilerFTM]

Munter said:

I've had a number of people drive into it when parked.

But nobody has abused the soft top.

Just both the doors, both front wings, both bumpers.

I've had this problem as well, wing mirror knocked off by passing vehicle, drivers side door dented by someone opening their door into it, front passenger side wing and bumper dented while in a car park. Each time I never did find out who the culprits where. Just bad drivers and being unlucky. Never had a problem with the roof

[MG CHRIS]

Ive never had a problem with the 3 years owing a/various mx5 but the only place I wont leave it overnight is up my mates house in a pretty rough area 2 miles from me.

But that's just me and in reality it may well be fine there.

I can see where your coming from but as long as nothing is on show then theres more chances of body damage then slit rough.

[Flip Martian]

MG CHRIS said:

I can see where your coming from but as long as nothing is on show then theres more chances of body damage then slit rough.

Fair enough really - I'm sure I was worrying over nothing. Setting off early up to Derbyshire around Castleton, then over to Liverpool for an overnighter, then up to Cumbria the next day. Can't wait.

[Tonto]

Freakuk said:

When I had my Boxster I parked in Liverpool numerous times without issue, mainly parked at Albert Dock in the multi storey near the Echo Arena

Parked there many times. No probs. its covered in CCTV and security.

[Dan_1981]

Flip Martian said:

MG CHRIS said:

I can see where your coming from but as long as nothing is on show then theres more chances of body damage then slit rough.

Fair enough really - I'm sure I was worrying over nothing. Setting off early up to Derbyshire around Castleton, then over to Liverpool for an overnighter, then up to Cumbria the next day. Can't wait.

Lovely couple of pubs in Castletonand a bracing walk to the top of Mam Tor to build an appetite!

[blueheron]

Dan_1981 said:

Lovely couple of pubs in Castletonand a bracing walk to the top of Mam Tor to build an appetite!

The caves next to Mam Tor are worth a visit too!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Used my old mk.1 MX-5 as my daily and parked it in all sorts of dodgy areas with no trouble at all. Same goes for my current e36 cab.

[Pit Pony]

Flip Martian said:

See? I knew I was being over cautious really. Nothing against Liverpool AT all by the way - I love the place and my family are from there. Likely to be being parked by the Echo Arena tomorrow.

I might check the size of the luggage we're taking and see if it fits in the MX 5 then. Would be a missed opportunity, I know.

We often park by the albert dock in the mk1. never had any particular problem. My wife won't drive into town with the top down, but I don't understand her reasons.