Convertible drivers - why keep the roof up?
Discussion
I very rarely put the top down on the motorway mainly because of the noise. Mind you after getting off a long overnight flight on Friday morning the 2 hour journey home was done roof down to help keep me awake, plus I got nice brown arms and head as it was a lovely day. Off topic - I always used to think that convertible drivers and fake tans went hand in hand, but it's only since having one that I've realised how much you catch the sun. I've had a few people ask me if I've been on holiday or been on the sunbed after a few days of nice weather.
Back on topic, I love putting the roof down on sunny days in the winter on the drive to work. I do get the occasional funny look at my woolly bobble hat, but it puts a smile on my face and wakes me up before I arrive
Back on topic, I love putting the roof down on sunny days in the winter on the drive to work. I do get the occasional funny look at my woolly bobble hat, but it puts a smile on my face and wakes me up before I arrive
otolith said:
Conscript said:
This is a bit disingenuous though, as unlike a convertible roof, the main selling point of a saloon is probably not that the windows can open.
You don't necessarily buy an Elise or an MX-5 because the roof comes off. 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 t
t and you can hear people calling you a tt!
jshell said:
Wind noise and cold in an SLK, even with air scarf...
From a bikers shop or Halfrauds buy a neck warmer, often sold in 3's & simply a circle of silk-like fabric. Easy & quick to use it takes up no space when tucked away in the centre compartment.Also have hot air directed to all 3 areas, screen, cabin & feet & turn up blower to max. Works a treat especially if you are less than 6' tall & your head well below screen header rail.
This from SLK owner (& ex 60's classic sports cars) who NEVER has roof up unless pouring with rain.
I wanted an SL, love the coupe shape, so bought one in January. I have however only just found out it is a convertible as well. You could have knocked me down with a feather when I read the car manual last week and found it had a hard top roof that folded down into the boot. I mean it's just friggin out of this world the way it does that.
I just assumed all convertibles had a black canvas top and plastic windows, how wrong could I be
It's amazing and I intend to drive it roof down fairly soon. Need to buy a baseball cap first though.
I just assumed all convertibles had a black canvas top and plastic windows, how wrong could I be
It's amazing and I intend to drive it roof down fairly soon. Need to buy a baseball cap first though.
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!
Pffft! Nonsense, who cares what people think! I've been told I drive a "hairdresser's car" more often than I can count - those same people then grudgingly admit the car looks great. I'v never heard 1 person calling me 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. Mind you, with the wind noise I wouldn't 
Besides, I've always got a smile on me face driving the MX...techguyone said:
Never mind the roof, why does almost every convertible vehicle I see now - that does have the roof down, has all the windows up?
If you ACTUALLY owned a convertible you would know why.Whether a 4 or 2 seater when ALL the windows are down there is maximum air swirling around the cabin from the curl-over vortex created by the screen header rail blowing onto the back of your neck & air being 'sucked in' from each side. Lovely in VERY hot weather & when not driving fast.
At speed it's intolerable.
With a 4 seat convertible, fitting a cover over the rear seats, raising the hinged section up behind the seats AND raising the windows makes for an almost draught less environment & in winter with heater at full blast a very warm cosy cocoon. This makes cold weather driving an absolute joy. (Of course with cover over the rear seats you can't take passengers). People will either think you're mad or showing off, either way poor you if you're life is ruled by what you imagine others think. I take the view that I'm not so pompous or self-important to think that others driver are remotely interested in what I'm doing.
Same theory applies to 2 seat sports cars except there's no expanse of body work behind the seats to exacerbate turbulence. In rain having the side windows up minimises water ingress into the cabin although much will leak over the tops of the glass. Great fun actually in ahem 'light' rain!
Note that the Mk1 MX-5 had external mirrors designed to deflect air away from the cabin when the side windows were down & my Mk1 was the least turbulent of all the modern-day 4 seat convertible & sports cars I've owned.
Flip Martian said:
Jasandjules said:
Come December I wear a Santa Hat (with a nice little light on the top) with the roof down. Really who cares what people think of you.......
I have to say I totally approve. I might buy one especially this winter...Flip Martian said:
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!
Pffft! Nonsense, who cares what people think! I've been told I drive a "hairdresser's car" more often than I can count - those same people then grudgingly admit the car looks great. I'v never heard 1 person calling me 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. Mind you, with the wind noise I wouldn't Besides, I've always got a smile on me face driving the MX...I'll probably have the roof more often now, I've had a new mohair roof installed, which drops in seconds, whereas my old one had a window that had to be unzipped and was a faff. But I do admit to feeling a bit self conscious in built up areas with the roof down. Maybe a bright red convertible isn't the right car for me!
Rickyy said:
I haven't either, but I do hope and pray I don't pull up next to a van full of builders with the roof down!
I'll probably have the roof more often now, I've had a new mohair roof installed, which drops in seconds, whereas my old one had a window that had to be unzipped and was a faff. But I do admit to feeling a bit self conscious in built up areas with the roof down. Maybe a bright red convertible isn't the right car for me!
You'll get used to it. Just enjoy it for what it is. At the minute, you might have people staring at you wondering why you have the roof up! I'll probably have the roof more often now, I've had a new mohair roof installed, which drops in seconds, whereas my old one had a window that had to be unzipped and was a faff. But I do admit to feeling a bit self conscious in built up areas with the roof down. Maybe a bright red convertible isn't the right car for me!
Jasandjules said:
I expect one day to come back to find rubbish thrown in the cabin or something, but still....
I found a burnt out hole on the rear seat once. Luckily it had the seat protector on, that I use beneath child seats.Some "funny" character must have flicked a ciggy in (not even a butt - halfway burnt).
And it wasn't even in a convertible, but a Saloon - on a very hot day I left the windows open for a few minutes too long. In Richmond of all places!?!?!
Rant over :>
Good job I wasn't involved in a "car on fire on the M4" incident!
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