Discussion
AB said:
I think once you've had a convertible and subsequently sold it you realise that you may as well have the windows open.
Nope, my last 2 daily cars were convertibles and I miss them terribly now that I have a roof again. My next daily will be a convertible again, and quite likely every one that follows. I've had the windows open a lot the last couple of weeks but it's not even close.wormus said:
Back in the late 90s I bought a beautiful XK8 convertible. Think about how s
t most cars looked back then and you'll know what I mean. Anyway, I picked it up from a dealer in Southampton, put the roof down and drove home...through the middle of Shirley. Traffic was heavy so it didn't take long before I started getting the wrong sort of attention and in hindsight I might as well put a condom on my head and yelled "I'M A MASSIVE COCK WITH A TERRIFICALLY BULBOUS, PURPLE HELMET". Kept the car for 6 months then sold on. Never again.
Land Rovers with no roofs (or doors) are very cool. Make mine a series IIA
The first time I drove down the Mutant Mile (Shirley High Street) in a convertible one of the indigenous specimens tried to punch me in the face. Not even kidding. Luckily, as I was only 18 at the time without much in the cajones department, the MX-5 I had at the time had a terrific turning circle to help me flee out of the Chernobyl-rivalling exclusion zone before the hep-C ridden pleb-mobs descended.t most cars looked back then and you'll know what I mean. Anyway, I picked it up from a dealer in Southampton, put the roof down and drove home...through the middle of Shirley. Traffic was heavy so it didn't take long before I started getting the wrong sort of attention and in hindsight I might as well put a condom on my head and yelled "I'M A MASSIVE COCK WITH A TERRIFICALLY BULBOUS, PURPLE HELMET". Kept the car for 6 months then sold on. Never again.Land Rovers with no roofs (or doors) are very cool. Make mine a series IIA
Edited by wormus on Friday 3rd July 17:20
Shirley, never again. You need one of those AK47-proof heavily armoured Range Rovers to survive a trip down the Mutant Mile.
I drive quite regularly the Stratford rd through Shirley,Wednesday was the last time. Only received thumbs up,smiles and praise so far but I'm sure my day will come.
EDITED
Looks like we have two Shirley High streets
.. Would of thought the Birmingham one would of been worse,can the Southampton one be any worse?
EDITED
Looks like we have two Shirley High streets
.. Would of thought the Birmingham one would of been worse,can the Southampton one be any worse?Edited by TVRJAS on Friday 3rd July 23:27
I think there is another level to this convertible hating - a parallel even. I don't believe that the masses dislike the look of a car without a roof or dislike the look of someone enjoying the experience on a sunny day. I think its more to do with the assumption (rightly or wrongly) that the bloke in the car with the roof down is showing off and therefor inviting others to comment.
I think it can be boiled right down to basic human behaviour where people are jostling for position in life. Along comes someone in their cabriolet and people think 'hmmm look at that prick, he thinks he is doing ok and looking good in his sporty drop top and he is here wanting the world to love him. I'll show him....Oi you you look a right prat' etc etc.
I think some people do actually think that the drop top is a way of stating their position in life, maybe displaying their bright feathers to attract the female and inviting (without realising) other males to verbally 'fight' them. Whereas other people (usually in the less flashy cabriolet) are just enjoying the roof down experience.
It's the same when the haters seen someone driving a Ferrari for example, they probably experience those same feelings of jealousy and wanting to challenge but because the Ferrari has a roof then they are unable to shout at them and spit at them like they can when there is a drop top on the radar.
I think it can be boiled right down to basic human behaviour where people are jostling for position in life. Along comes someone in their cabriolet and people think 'hmmm look at that prick, he thinks he is doing ok and looking good in his sporty drop top and he is here wanting the world to love him. I'll show him....Oi you
you look a right prat' etc etc.I think some people do actually think that the drop top is a way of stating their position in life, maybe displaying their bright feathers to attract the female and inviting (without realising) other males to verbally 'fight' them. Whereas other people (usually in the less flashy cabriolet) are just enjoying the roof down experience.
It's the same when the haters seen someone driving a Ferrari for example, they probably experience those same feelings of jealousy and wanting to challenge but because the Ferrari has a roof then they are unable to shout at them and spit at them like they can when there is a drop top on the radar.
lord trumpton said:
I think there is another level to this convertible hating - a parallel even. I don't believe that the masses dislike the look of a car without a roof or dislike the look of someone enjoying the experience on a sunny day. I think its more to do with the assumption (rightly or wrongly) that the bloke in the car with the roof down is showing off and therefor inviting others to comment.
I think it can be boiled right down to basic human behaviour where people are jostling for position in life. Along comes someone in their cabriolet and people think 'hmmm look at that prick, he thinks he is doing ok and looking good in his sporty drop top and he is here wanting the world to love him. I'll show him....Oi you you look a right prat' etc etc.
I think some people do actually think that the drop top is a way of stating their position in life, maybe displaying their bright feathers to attract the female and inviting (without realising) other males to verbally 'fight' them. Whereas other people (usually in the less flashy cabriolet) are just enjoying the roof down experience.
It's the same when the haters seen someone driving a Ferrari for example, they probably experience those same feelings of jealousy and wanting to challenge but because the Ferrari has a roof then they are unable to shout at them and spit at them like they can when there is a drop top on the radar.
This is probably accurate. At a basic animal level, those at the head of the tribe will be less likely to be challenged when they display their plumage - hence crowds are usually more reverential when royalty and leaders parade in their open top carriages and limos. I think it can be boiled right down to basic human behaviour where people are jostling for position in life. Along comes someone in their cabriolet and people think 'hmmm look at that prick, he thinks he is doing ok and looking good in his sporty drop top and he is here wanting the world to love him. I'll show him....Oi you
you look a right prat' etc etc.I think some people do actually think that the drop top is a way of stating their position in life, maybe displaying their bright feathers to attract the female and inviting (without realising) other males to verbally 'fight' them. Whereas other people (usually in the less flashy cabriolet) are just enjoying the roof down experience.
It's the same when the haters seen someone driving a Ferrari for example, they probably experience those same feelings of jealousy and wanting to challenge but because the Ferrari has a roof then they are unable to shout at them and spit at them like they can when there is a drop top on the radar.
lord trumpton said:
I think there is another level to this convertible hating - a parallel even. I don't believe that the masses dislike the look of a car without a roof or dislike the look of someone enjoying the experience on a sunny day. I think its more to do with the assumption (rightly or wrongly) that the bloke in the car with the roof down is showing off and therefor inviting others to comment.
I think it can be boiled right down to basic human behaviour where people are jostling for position in life. Along comes someone in their cabriolet and people think 'hmmm look at that prick, he thinks he is doing ok and looking good in his sporty drop top and he is here wanting the world to love him. I'll show him....Oi you you look a right prat' etc etc.
I think some people do actually think that the drop top is a way of stating their position in life, maybe displaying their bright feathers to attract the female and inviting (without realising) other males to verbally 'fight' them. Whereas other people (usually in the less flashy cabriolet) are just enjoying the roof down experience.
It's the same when the haters seen someone driving a Ferrari for example, they probably experience those same feelings of jealousy and wanting to challenge but because the Ferrari has a roof then they are unable to shout at them and spit at them like they can when there is a drop top on the radar.
IME this jealous attitude is very much a British phenomenon.I think it can be boiled right down to basic human behaviour where people are jostling for position in life. Along comes someone in their cabriolet and people think 'hmmm look at that prick, he thinks he is doing ok and looking good in his sporty drop top and he is here wanting the world to love him. I'll show him....Oi you
you look a right prat' etc etc.I think some people do actually think that the drop top is a way of stating their position in life, maybe displaying their bright feathers to attract the female and inviting (without realising) other males to verbally 'fight' them. Whereas other people (usually in the less flashy cabriolet) are just enjoying the roof down experience.
It's the same when the haters seen someone driving a Ferrari for example, they probably experience those same feelings of jealousy and wanting to challenge but because the Ferrari has a roof then they are unable to shout at them and spit at them like they can when there is a drop top on the radar.
poing said:
Nope, my last 2 daily cars were convertibles and I miss them terribly now that I have a roof again. My next daily will be a convertible again, and quite likely every one that follows. I've had the windows open a lot the last couple of weeks but it's not even close.
Whereas I've had a few convertibles and have just bought a new car. Could have gone convertible but decided there's no point.I suppose I'll miss crisp cold mornings and arriving at work wide awake. But in the sun, give me A/C every time.
Got a convertible for the first time just a few weeks ago, I thought it wouldn't stop raining but we've got good timing for a change.
It's certainly different, top comes off on all but the shortest journeys now.
But I also like my C124 Mercedes, pillarless windows down and the largish sunroof open is great too.
It's certainly different, top comes off on all but the shortest journeys now.
But I also like my C124 Mercedes, pillarless windows down and the largish sunroof open is great too.
Car companies sell more convertibles in the UK as a % of the Mosel than pretty much any other country and I'm going to contend the weather is a huge factor in that.
Rain, as an example London has less rain in a year than Rome, Paris, Miami, Rio, Sydney, Vancouver and lots more. The rest of the UK even the much maligned Manchester doesn't have much rain.
When the weather is a scorching 35 degrees plus it can get uncomfortable with the roof down but it very rarely gets to that, summer in the UK is generally 20 to 25 degrees and that's perfect for roof down, often lasts from April to October that's most of the year.
In the cooler months (even the coldest) it doesn't get very cold, a day of zero degrees is a rarity so even in winter you can get the roof down particularly if your cars has bum warmers and decent windows.
As others have said even in a light drizzle it's not an issue.
So the UK is world leading in its take up of convertible cars and I think it's a good thing.
System up with the top down :-)
Rain, as an example London has less rain in a year than Rome, Paris, Miami, Rio, Sydney, Vancouver and lots more. The rest of the UK even the much maligned Manchester doesn't have much rain.
When the weather is a scorching 35 degrees plus it can get uncomfortable with the roof down but it very rarely gets to that, summer in the UK is generally 20 to 25 degrees and that's perfect for roof down, often lasts from April to October that's most of the year.
In the cooler months (even the coldest) it doesn't get very cold, a day of zero degrees is a rarity so even in winter you can get the roof down particularly if your cars has bum warmers and decent windows.
As others have said even in a light drizzle it's not an issue.
So the UK is world leading in its take up of convertible cars and I think it's a good thing.
System up with the top down :-)
The weather is the reason people use to justify calling you stupid for buying one "But it always rains", yes I live in South Manchester and it does rain fairly often, but I can remove my roof when it doesn't a put it back up again when it does, we have cold crisp days which are great for convertibles of wrapped up and we have lovely countryside to look at.
We have a brilliant climate for convertibles, in hotter countries it is generally just too hot, try one in the Gulf states or Nevada and you will cook.
And anyway, the best times arent the middle of the day, early morning on evening are the best, even when its dark an can be magical, conversely, as mentioned drive through a demilatarized scratter zone in the middle of a hot day and it will be a pretty miserable experience as Tracksuited Greggs enthusiasts decided it is their role in life to shout and gob at people they have never met because they are driving an open car and this represents the life they cannot have because they are rubbish at being human.
We have a brilliant climate for convertibles, in hotter countries it is generally just too hot, try one in the Gulf states or Nevada and you will cook.
And anyway, the best times arent the middle of the day, early morning on evening are the best, even when its dark an can be magical, conversely, as mentioned drive through a demilatarized scratter zone in the middle of a hot day and it will be a pretty miserable experience as Tracksuited Greggs enthusiasts decided it is their role in life to shout and gob at people they have never met because they are driving an open car and this represents the life they cannot have because they are rubbish at being human.
I went out in ours last night about 10pm.
Just for some petrol.
The light was fading it was still warm but not too hot, roof down and some old skool dance stuff on heart Fm
Car felt dead nippy looked great
All I am say is buy one. A 1500 quid Saab or something cheap. If you don't like it sell it on
They aren't for everyone but for me I can't see us not having one ever again
Just for some petrol.
The light was fading it was still warm but not too hot, roof down and some old skool dance stuff on heart Fm
Car felt dead nippy looked great
All I am say is buy one. A 1500 quid Saab or something cheap. If you don't like it sell it on
They aren't for everyone but for me I can't see us not having one ever again
j4ckos mate said:
I went out in ours last night about 10pm.
Just for some petrol.
The light was fading it was still warm but not too hot, roof down and some old skool dance stuff on heart Fm
Car felt dead nippy looked great
All I am say is buy one. A 1500 quid Saab or something cheap. If you don't like it sell it on
They aren't for everyone but for me I can't see us not having one ever again
I think I did the same, think it was Mark Wright on HEART, really cranked it up and because the top was down you didn't need to go fast to feel you were flying, a really nice evening for it too.Just for some petrol.
The light was fading it was still warm but not too hot, roof down and some old skool dance stuff on heart Fm
Car felt dead nippy looked great
All I am say is buy one. A 1500 quid Saab or something cheap. If you don't like it sell it on
They aren't for everyone but for me I can't see us not having one ever again
wormus said:
Back in the late 90s I bought a beautiful XK8 convertible. Think about how st most cars looked back then and you'll know what I mean. Anyway, I picked it up from a dealer in Southampton, put the roof down and drove home...through the middle of Shirley. Traffic was heavy so it didn't take long before I started getting the wrong sort of attention and in hindsight I might as well put a condom on my head and yelled "I'M A MASSIVE COCK WITH A TERRIFICALLY BULBOUS, PURPLE HELMET". Kept the car for 6 months then sold on. Never again.
Land Rovers with no roofs (or doors) are very cool. Make mine a series IIA
......You make the late nineties sound like last century.......Oh st most cars looked back then and you'll know what I mean. Anyway, I picked it up from a dealer in Southampton, put the roof down and drove home...through the middle of Shirley. Traffic was heavy so it didn't take long before I started getting the wrong sort of attention and in hindsight I might as well put a condom on my head and yelled "I'M A MASSIVE COCK WITH A TERRIFICALLY BULBOUS, PURPLE HELMET". Kept the car for 6 months then sold on. Never again.Land Rovers with no roofs (or doors) are very cool. Make mine a series IIA
Edited by wormus on Friday 3rd July 17:20
t, it was, wasn't it ?!I had an E36 M3 Convertible, I loved the car but did at times I did feel a little self conscious while driving with the roof down. I felt a bit more inconspicuous if I wore sunnies and a baseball cap!
The wind in the hair feeling was great, even more so at night. The scuttle shake was not so good.
The wind in the hair feeling was great, even more so at night. The scuttle shake was not so good.
jontbone said:
I had an E36 M3 Convertible, I loved the car but did at times I did feel a little self conscious while driving with the roof down. I felt a bit more inconspicuous if I wore sunnies and a baseball cap!
The wind in the hair feeling was great, even more so at night. The scuttle shake was not so good.
I dont really find the scuttle shake horrendous tbh. The wind in the hair feeling was great, even more so at night. The scuttle shake was not so good.
I agree though, the best place to enjoy the top down is after rush hour when the a roads a quiet and the evening sun is still warm
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