Convertible drivers - why keep the roof up?

[andyps]

Iva Barchetta said:

I saw an MGF driver close his roof in traffic, he leaned back ,grabbed it and closed.

Mine's not a faff but I can't do the above due to it all going under a flap to keep it tidy.

I can still get it done quickly when the weather turns bad.

I did it in a Triumph Herald a few times even with the cover initially attached. Helped if I knew the traffic light sequence as it needed a reasonably long red to make it possible.

[k-ink]

I just got back from another great evening drive with the top down of course. Flowing, empty country roads, full attack mode, warm rushing wind, just bliss.

[sinbaddio]

andyps said:

I did it in a Triumph Herald a few times even with the cover initially attached. Helped if I knew the traffic light sequence as it needed a reasonably long red to make it possible.

Ooer, fnarr, fnarr.....

[SWoll]

RobM77 said:

Davel said:

Yeah but this is PH why should a sensible comment ruin it for the rest of us?

Shall I start another 13 pages then?:

There's this guy sitting next to me at work and he's got a pen on his desk that he hasn't used all morning! Why?! Such a waste. idiot.

But is he using a pencil instead because writing with the pen is such a faff or so uncomfortable to use he can't be bothered? Even though the pen was more expensive and a pain in the arse to carry everywhere?

I've always assumed the vast majority of convertibles are bought by posers who quickly realise they are either too lazy to regularly use them, don't like the attention they get as much as they though they would or just don't like the experience on offer. Not read anything so far to change my view.

[jmorgan]

Need to know how expensive the pen is. Gold plated or solid gold?

Come on, PH massive needs to know such details.

[RobM77]

SWoll said:

RobM77 said:

Davel said:

Yeah but this is PH why should a sensible comment ruin it for the rest of us?

Shall I start another 13 pages then?:

There's this guy sitting next to me at work and he's got a pen on his desk that he hasn't used all morning! Why?! Such a waste. idiot.

But is he using a pencil instead because writing with the pen is such a faff or so uncomfortable to use he can't be bothered? Even though the pen was more expensive and a pain in the arse to carry everywhere?

I've always assumed the vast majority of convertibles are bought by posers who quickly realise they are either too lazy to regularly use them, don't like the attention they get as much as they though they would or just don't like the experience on offer. Not read anything so far to change my view.

He's using a pencil because he's drawing and a pencil is better suited to the job. The pen is there if he wants it.

So you don't buy any of those ten reasons I listed on page one, plus a few others written afterwards? They're quite genuine reasons - I'm surprised there aren't one or two that you acknowledge as possibilities.

Regarding your assumption on why people buy convertibles, yes, sure, that's probably one reason, but there are plenty of others. Driving with the top down is really nice for starters; you don't have to be a poser to enjoy it and therefore want a convertible. I've yet to meet someone who hasn't enjoyed the fresh air when the day is right. I love top down motoring, but I'm as far from a poser as you can get.

The other reason of course is that some cars only come as a convertible; the Z4 Coupé for example was a very limited production run over a limited time compared to the Z4, the MR2 hard top was quite expensive compared to the cost of a new MR2 so most didn't bother, the Exige is a different car to the Elise, and to get the S2000 hard top you needed to spend extra on the 'GT' model. What's more, with most of these hard tops (MX5, MGF etc) you need space at home to store them, which many people don't have. I don't think there ever was a Boxster hard top was there? Until the Cayman came along? You don't think there's a chance that someone out there loved the way the MGF, MX5 etc drove, lived in a flat and/or couldn't afford a hard top, and bought the car because they liked it, with the added bonus they could drive top down now and then?

[swagmeister]

I think its called personal choice. I've owned many convertibles, current car is a convertible. My roof goes down if and when I feel like it. I wouldn't question why you wore a blue shirt to work rather than a grey shirt would I ?

[SWoll]

RobM77 said:

SWoll said:

RobM77 said:

Davel said:

Yeah but this is PH why should a sensible comment ruin it for the rest of us?

Shall I start another 13 pages then?:

There's this guy sitting next to me at work and he's got a pen on his desk that he hasn't used all morning! Why?! Such a waste. idiot.

But is he using a pencil instead because writing with the pen is such a faff or so uncomfortable to use he can't be bothered? Even though the pen was more expensive and a pain in the arse to carry everywhere?

I've always assumed the vast majority of convertibles are bought by posers who quickly realise they are either too lazy to regularly use them, don't like the attention they get as much as they though they would or just don't like the experience on offer. Not read anything so far to change my view.

He's using a pencil because he's drawing and a pencil is better suited to the job. The pen is there if he wants it.

So you don't buy any of those ten reasons I listed on page one, plus a few others written afterwards? They're quite genuine reasons - I'm surprised there aren't one or two that you acknowledge as possibilities.

Regarding your assumption on why people buy convertibles, yes, sure, that's probably one reason, but there are plenty of others. Driving with the top down is really nice for starters; you don't have to be a poser to enjoy it and therefore want a convertible. I've yet to meet someone who hasn't enjoyed the fresh air when the day is right. I love top down motoring, but I'm as far from a poser as you can get.

The other reason of course is that some cars only come as a convertible; the Z4 Coupé for example was a very limited production run over a limited time compared to the Z4, the MR2 hard top was quite expensive compared to the cost of a new MR2 so most didn't bother, the Exige is a different car to the Elise, and to get the S2000 hard top you needed to spend extra on the 'GT' model. What's more, with most of these hard tops (MX5, MGF etc) you need space at home to store them, which many people don't have. I don't think there ever was a Boxster hard top was there? Until the Cayman came along? You don't think there's a chance that someone out there loved the way the MGF, MX5 etc drove, lived in a flat and/or couldn't afford a hard top, and bought the car because they liked it, with the added bonus they could drive top down now and then?

I'm just pissing about TBH, and I did say 'the majority' rather than 'all'. There are of course any number of reasons not to put the roof down and it's totally a personal choice. I just see most of those reasons as precisely why the owners would probably have been better off not buying a convertible model in the first place.

Roadsters are a completely different kettle of fish as you point out and in many cases I can understand why the owner would put up with the impracticality of a folding canvas roof for 95% of the british year just for the driving experience. I'd happily put up with it for an Elise for example as it's the only way I could fit in the bloody thing...

I still don't think most of the analogies used so far hold water though. Can you try a few more?

swagmeister said:

I wouldn't question why you wore a blue shirt to work rather than a grey shirt would I ?

See what I mean? Rubbish.

[RobM77]

It's the same with many things really. If you buy a device that does two jobs, it normally does each job not quite as well as something intended solely for the task; but you get the choice, which is nice, particularly if you don't have the money or the space for both.

My DVD player also plays CDs, but perhaps not as well as a dedicated CD player. Almost all home DVD players play CDs though, so I didn't really have a choice for my budget and I have that functionality whether I want it or not. That's your early Boxster/Z4 analogy. As for cars like a soft top 3 series, that's like the laptop my friend at work's just bought where the screen detaches to use as a tablet. The screen is miles heavier than an iPad and not as good, and the laptop itself weighs more than you'd expect too, but the reason he likes it is because he doesn't move around much with his laptop and doesn't use a tablet enough to justify buying a separate one, so his new multi-function laptop suits him well. He's also got both with him all the time and the combined weight and price is less than buying separate devices.

How's that?

[Flip Martian]

RobM77 said:

It's the same with many things really. If you buy a device that does two jobs, it normally does each job not quite as well as something intended solely for the task; but you get the choice, which is nice, particularly if you don't have the money or the space for both.

My DVD player also plays CDs, but perhaps not as well as a dedicated CD player. Almost all home DVD players play CDs though, so I didn't really have a choice for my budget and I have that functionality whether I want it or not. That's your early Boxster/Z4 analogy. As for cars like a soft top 3 series, that's like the laptop my friend at work's just bought where the screen detaches to use as a tablet. The screen is miles heavier than an iPad and not as good, and the laptop itself weighs more than you'd expect too, but the reason he likes it is because he doesn't move around much with his laptop and doesn't use a tablet enough to justify buying a separate one, so his new multi-function laptop suits him well. He's also got both with him all the time and the combined weight and price is less than buying separate devices.

How's that?

I don't think any of them work.

Soft top car - any tt with a knife can rip open your car and steal from within but if I park anywhere, I always put the top up as it might deter someone just leaning in to see what they can nick or damage. Driving with the soft top up is a compromise in terms of noise, comfort, space, compared to a hard top designed for the purpose - which usually has better head room and noise insulation. I once drove around Windermere in slashing day long rain and yes, I had the roof up for that (I'm allergic to drowning) and it was ok - but I wouldn't choose to drive that way normally in the MX5 as it was a compromise and not what it was PRIMARILY designed for (not shouting, just emphasising. I would have preferred (on that day) to have driven my Focus.

Again, only my opinion and other POVs are valid (although comments about white and blue shirts or pens and pencils have no relation to this at all I don't think).

[SWoll]

RobM77 said:

It's the same with many things really. If you buy a device that does two jobs, it normally does each job not quite as well as something intended solely for the task; but you get the choice, which is nice, particularly if you don't have the money or the space for both.

My DVD player also plays CDs, but perhaps not as well as a dedicated CD player. Almost all home DVD players play CDs though, so I didn't really have a choice for my budget and I have that functionality whether I want it or not. That's your early Boxster/Z4 analogy. As for cars like a soft top 3 series, that's like the laptop my friend at work's just bought where the screen detaches to use as a tablet. The screen is miles heavier than an iPad and not as good, and the laptop itself weighs more than you'd expect too, but the reason he likes it is because he doesn't move around much with his laptop and doesn't use a tablet enough to justify buying a separate one, so his new multi-function laptop suits him well. He's also got both with him all the time and the combined weight and price is less than buying separate devices.

How's that?

Your analogies lead me back to my original thought though. If you are going to compromise everyday functionality then why not use it at every opportunity to make that compromise worthwhile? If laziness, poor performance, bad planning or discomfort are the reasons not to use it then why bother in the first place?

I'd have thought Roadsters are more like dedicated CD players though. Specifically designed to do the best single job but less functional overall due to this purity of purpose?

[CABC]

e46 verts have a thick mohair roof that's more akin to CC type car. I used mine mostly as a saloon and it was very quiet. whenever i wanted the roof down it was a joy. i had the choice.
Worst compromise wasn't even the handling, it was the 185kgs of steel added to stiffen it!
open top driving at it's best is invigorating and life affirming, especially when no traffic across the moors on a late summer's evening. On a sunny day in town & traffic it goes up and ac on.
I never understand the hate or criticism.

[swisstoni]

SWoll said:

RobM77 said:

It's the same with many things really. If you buy a device that does two jobs, it normally does each job not quite as well as something intended solely for the task; but you get the choice, which is nice, particularly if you don't have the money or the space for both.

My DVD player also plays CDs, but perhaps not as well as a dedicated CD player. Almost all home DVD players play CDs though, so I didn't really have a choice for my budget and I have that functionality whether I want it or not. That's your early Boxster/Z4 analogy. As for cars like a soft top 3 series, that's like the laptop my friend at work's just bought where the screen detaches to use as a tablet. The screen is miles heavier than an iPad and not as good, and the laptop itself weighs more than you'd expect too, but the reason he likes it is because he doesn't move around much with his laptop and doesn't use a tablet enough to justify buying a separate one, so his new multi-function laptop suits him well. He's also got both with him all the time and the combined weight and price is less than buying separate devices.

How's that?

Your analogies lead me back to my original thought though. If you are going to compromise everyday functionality then why not use it at every opportunity to make that compromise worthwhile? If laziness, poor performance, bad planning or discomfort are the reasons not to use it then why bother in the first place?

I'd have thought Roadsters are more like dedicated CD players though. Specifically designed to do the best single job but less functional overall due to this purity of purpose?

A convertible has seats in and moves about. That's its primary purpose. If access to the sky was the primary purpose, people could just sit in the garden and not bother with a car at all.
Opening the roof is an OPTION.

[k-ink]

SWoll said:

If you are going to compromise everyday functionality then why not use it at every opportunity to make that compromise worthwhile? If laziness, poor performance, bad planning or discomfort are the reasons not to use it then why bother in the first place?

That is how I view it as well. With the roof up my car is cramped and noisy. With the top down I have an incredible connection to the scenery with fresh air and amazing views all around. It is the difference between travelling a to b and making some great memories to savour. To miss out on one of the those experiences would be such a shame. Live life to the full as you never know when it will be game over

[lostkiwi]

Nothing like trying to rationalise emotions is there?

People buy a convertible because they want to.
They put the roof down when they want to.
They put the roof up when they want to.

Its as simple as that.

For me I will put the roof down when I feel the need for fresh air and the airy feeling no roof gives.
If the roof is wet it stays up until dry (so most mornings if there's been rain or condensation).
If the weathers too hot it goes up (36 degrees last month in the south of France was too much).
If the weather is wet it stays up (aversion to cold showers).
When parked the roof up/down is dependent on where its parked, what the weather is like, and how likely I feel it is to have something lobbed in/stolen out of it.
I'm pretty fortunate in that the central locking also locks all the cubby boxes, arm rest bins, gloveboxes, even the ashtray(!) so its only stuff in view is at risk so I'm possibly more inclined to leave it open than many as damage to the roof will usually be more expensive/hassle than anything lobbed in.

[heebeegeetee]

Driving with the top down is really nice for starters; you don't have to be a poser to enjoy it and therefore want a convertible. I've yet to meet someone who hasn't enjoyed the fresh air when the day is right. I love top down motoring, but I'm as far from a poser as you can get.

Yep, that's me too.

CABC said:

e46 verts have a thick mohair roof that's more akin to CC type car. I used mine mostly as a saloon and it was very quiet. whenever i wanted the roof down it was a joy. i had the choice.
Worst compromise wasn't even the handling, it was the 185kgs of steel added to stiffen it!
open top driving at it's best is invigorating and life affirming, especially when no traffic across the moors on a late summer's evening. On a sunny day in town & traffic it goes up and ac on.
I never understand the hate or criticism.

Me too to a tee.

When out and about in nice countryside I *really* like having the roof down. In mountainous areas it can be, as said, life affirming.

At pretty much all other times the roof is up. In even an old Boxster it's hardly a compromise, more like the best of both worlds imo.

[RobM77]

k-ink said:

SWoll said:

If you are going to compromise everyday functionality then why not use it at every opportunity to make that compromise worthwhile? If laziness, poor performance, bad planning or discomfort are the reasons not to use it then why bother in the first place?

That is how I view it as well. With the roof up my car is cramped and noisy. With the top down I have an incredible connection to the scenery with fresh air and amazing views all around. It is the difference between travelling a to b and making some great memories to savour. To miss out on one of the those experiences would be such a shame. Live life to the full as you never know when it will be game over

What if they are using it "at every opportunity" though? Some occasions there may not be a practical opportunity to drive with the top down, or it might not be beneficial overall. The reasons are all listed throughout this thread and they're all very valid.

[k-ink]

Each to their own. I've just lost count of the number of cabs with the roof up dawdling along at a snails pace on perfect roads in perfect conditions. Some would just be better in hatchbacks and SUVs. If they are filled with joy then so be it. Let them go about their business as I will mine

[SWoll]

swisstoni said:

A convertible has seats in and moves about. That's its primary purpose. If access to the sky was the primary purpose, people could just sit in the garden and not bother with a car at all.
Opening the roof is an OPTION.

Nope, worst analogy yet.

A vehicle has seats and moves about. A convertible vehicle is pretty much always more expensive, heavier and less safe in order to provide 'access to the sky' as you put it. To then not use that access for many of the reasons listed in this thread makes no sense to me.

For me it's like a bloke having a penis extension and then declaring himself celibate. Why go through all of that pain and expense only to keep it in your pants other then when you need to piss?

k-ink said:

Each to their own. I've just lost count of the number of cabs with the roof up dawdling along at a snails pace on perfect roads in perfect conditions. Some would just be better in hatchbacks and SUVs. If they are filled with joy then so be it. Let them go about their business as I will mine

Totally agree, just seems silly doesn't it? Donlt plan on losing any sleep over it though.

[anonymous-user]

Another reason for keeping my top up