Convertible drivers - why keep the roof up?
Discussion
I've always wondered. I had a targa top Camaro for several years and now have a soft top Mk 3 MX-5 - and the top is down on every drive unless its raining. I love open top motoring - there's nothing like driving that way for me. But whenever I'm out driving I more often see convertible drivers with their roofs up! Even on Friday - lovely sunny day around here, and I was out enjoying the drive in the MX-5 and I saw more convertibles with roofs up than down. Why?
1 Because the BMW's frigging window regulator has given up the ghost and the electric roof won't retract as a result.
2 Because that cat from down the road has been sleeping on the Elise's roof again, and if I take it off and roll it up all of the cat hair will end up on the inside of the roof.
2 Because that cat from down the road has been sleeping on the Elise's roof again, and if I take it off and roll it up all of the cat hair will end up on the inside of the roof.
Because the boot of the TVR is full and it's a b
h to stow when we are only going up the road a few miles.
As a rule though if it isn't raining (and sometimes even when it is) the Mrs has the top down on the MX5 - even through the winter and done it a number of times in the snow. Good Lass.
h to stow when we are only going up the road a few miles. As a rule though if it isn't raining (and sometimes even when it is) the Mrs has the top down on the MX5 - even through the winter and done it a number of times in the snow. Good Lass.
Possible reasons could include, but not limited to:
- its cold
- driving a short distance and cant be bothered to put the roof down and up
- driving a long distance and looks like it might rain later. Maybe.
- roof broken
- no suncream for bald head
- don't want people to hear Celine Dion CD
- Cant hear Celine Dion CD
- no hat or sunglasses and last time I got a fly in my eye
- its cold
- driving a short distance and cant be bothered to put the roof down and up
- driving a long distance and looks like it might rain later. Maybe.
- roof broken
- no suncream for bald head
- don't want people to hear Celine Dion CD
- Cant hear Celine Dion CD
- no hat or sunglasses and last time I got a fly in my eye
It depends, generally:
- Motorway journeys. Many people find it just too noisy on the motorway with the top down, especially if you're tired!
- Sunburn. Those of a lighter complexion (or who got burnt at the weekend!) may want to escape from the sun. It's not unheard of for fair haired people to own convertibles and only drive top down when it's cloudy.
- Short journey: if it's a powered hood and you're on a short journey, it can run the battery down to put the hood down and up again with no real time to charge.
- Hands free phone calls (way too much background noise with the roof down).
- Delicate load inside. If you've got paperwork you don't want to be blown about, or a dog you don't want to jump out, it can me sense to keep the hood up.
- Passengers. Some passengers may ask you to not put the top down.
- Makes a change: Driving top up and top down is quite different, and often people may want a change.
- Listening to the radio. If your favourite Radio 4 programme's on, you may want to actually hear it, rather than a load of wind noise!
- Not your car. Mechanics on test drives or delivery drivers will normally drive hood up to avoid the sun damaging the seats and the risk of bird poo.
- Security and hassle in town centres. If you have a nice car then it's not unheard of to be spat at driving through town, and handbag thefts are also common. Some people, women on their own for example, may not feel safe driving top down through a town.
Edited by RobM77 on Monday 15th August 13:52
Edited by RobM77 on Monday 15th August 19:32
Generally
1.) convertible roofs should be kept up whilst parked
2.) they take a valuable 12 seconds to put down and 12 more to put back up adding about 30 seconds to a 10 minute drive
3.) it can be cold driving above 40 mph with the roof down
4.) it can be noisy
So on routes that are longer than 10 minutes but don't involve fast roads (a-roads and motorways) and you don't want to talk to/have someone in the passenger seat and if its warm enough, you should definitely have the top down (so long as it isn't going to rain either).
1.) convertible roofs should be kept up whilst parked
2.) they take a valuable 12 seconds to put down and 12 more to put back up adding about 30 seconds to a 10 minute drive
3.) it can be cold driving above 40 mph with the roof down
4.) it can be noisy
So on routes that are longer than 10 minutes but don't involve fast roads (a-roads and motorways) and you don't want to talk to/have someone in the passenger seat and if its warm enough, you should definitely have the top down (so long as it isn't going to rain either).
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