Reaction to soft tops ?
Discussion
Just wondering what kind of reaction everybody has had when driving a soft top, not worried in the slightest as ride a push bike and have had the odd cretin trying to make me jump so I fall off and the the odd shout of "Waaaannnnnkkkkeeerr" from passing idiots.
So, anyone had comments relating to their choice of car, hairline, sexuality or similar given the propensity of a certain section of society to think with their mouth, I guess there must be some nice comments but really wondering if as a bloke driving an MX5 I will cop for some stick, I expect it off my mates but not random critics on the road !
I suppose it applies to distinctive cars of any type as well but its easier for the slack of gob to get a comment, apple core, can of Redbull in your soft top.
So, anyone had comments relating to their choice of car, hairline, sexuality or similar given the propensity of a certain section of society to think with their mouth, I guess there must be some nice comments but really wondering if as a bloke driving an MX5 I will cop for some stick, I expect it off my mates but not random critics on the road !
I suppose it applies to distinctive cars of any type as well but its easier for the slack of gob to get a comment, apple core, can of Redbull in your soft top.
Depends what kind. Only soft-top I had (well, not really a soft top, more a targa-roof) was a red Fiat X1/9. No-one called me a w
ker or a hairdresser, but it did make me realise that I didn't want another convertible again.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the appeal (wouldn't have bought one myself otherwise), and I can see the point of a 'roadster' (think Morgan, Caterham etc, with a clip-on roof so you know what you're in for from the off - ie a faceful of flies), but with drop-tops I always find that beyond 30mph they're hellbent on ripping your ears off. The more the manufacturers do to 'civilise' convertibles, the more bulky and pointless they make them to the point where you might as well be in the coupe with the sunroof open, given the general lack of exposure.
So, roadster - yes, fine - but I wouldn't get another car that purports to be a civilised coupe and a 'fun' convertible all in one.
ker or a hairdresser, but it did make me realise that I didn't want another convertible again.Don't get me wrong, I understand the appeal (wouldn't have bought one myself otherwise), and I can see the point of a 'roadster' (think Morgan, Caterham etc, with a clip-on roof so you know what you're in for from the off - ie a faceful of flies), but with drop-tops I always find that beyond 30mph they're hellbent on ripping your ears off. The more the manufacturers do to 'civilise' convertibles, the more bulky and pointless they make them to the point where you might as well be in the coupe with the sunroof open, given the general lack of exposure.
So, roadster - yes, fine - but I wouldn't get another car that purports to be a civilised coupe and a 'fun' convertible all in one.
J4CKO said:
Just wondering what kind of reaction everybody has had when driving a soft top, not worried in the slightest as ride a push bike and have had the odd cretin trying to make me jump so I fall off and the the odd shout of "Waaaannnnnkkkkeeerr" from passing idiots.
So, anyone had comments relating to their choice of car, hairline, sexuality or similar given the propensity of a certain section of society to think with their mouth, I guess there must be some nice comments but really wondering if as a bloke driving an MX5 I will cop for some stick, I expect it off my mates but not random critics on the road !
I suppose it applies to distinctive cars of any type as well but its easier for the slack of gob to get a comment, apple core, can of Redbull in your soft top.
Yes, I bought an MX-5 recently and someone asked if I was going to become a hairdresser (from SN actually). Thats been the extent of the piss taking that I have had to endure. Also, my girlfriend was mardy for a few days because she wants an NC or maybe a late Mk2.5 NB...So, anyone had comments relating to their choice of car, hairline, sexuality or similar given the propensity of a certain section of society to think with their mouth, I guess there must be some nice comments but really wondering if as a bloke driving an MX5 I will cop for some stick, I expect it off my mates but not random critics on the road !
I suppose it applies to distinctive cars of any type as well but its easier for the slack of gob to get a comment, apple core, can of Redbull in your soft top.
Unfortunately a soft top does seem to attract the unwanted attention of certain types of people that leads to either verbal abuse or detritus being lobbed. And it can happen anywhere.
i.e. I've had wker shouted on the Kings Road in Chelsea when I stopped for someone at a zebra crossing (This was purely because of the car - you would have thought a convertible is pretty normal there).
Don't whatever you do drive one with the roof down in the snow. You WILL be pelted with snowballs.
Convertibles are associated with being "flashy" and we just don't like this in the UK
i.e. I've had w
ker shouted on the Kings Road in Chelsea when I stopped for someone at a zebra crossing (This was purely because of the car - you would have thought a convertible is pretty normal there).Don't whatever you do drive one with the roof down in the snow. You WILL be pelted with snowballs.
Convertibles are associated with being "flashy" and we just don't like this in the UK
Get the occasional comment in my Boxster, and the very occasional abuse. Almost always from kids. Mostly "Nice car mister", but once "Gob on him!" from a group of youths hanging round a bus stop - fortunately I was already past them before they could act.
Not had a bad word (that I know of!) from friends, family or colleagues. My parents' "Mrs Bucket" neighbour did apparently suddenly become more friendly when she saw that there was a Porsche parked on their drive, instead of a Civic Type-R
Not had a bad word (that I know of!) from friends, family or colleagues. My parents' "Mrs Bucket" neighbour did apparently suddenly become more friendly when she saw that there was a Porsche parked on their drive, instead of a Civic Type-R
Never had any adverse comments when in the MX5 other than jokingly from those I work with. IN the Caterham I only get positive comments, even from some right Chavs/scrotes. Often get comments from the Corsa/Saxo brigade. Seems to me that they are also petrolheads in thier own way but just can't afford something like a Caterham but appreciate for what it is.
Never had any abuse when in the 944. That said people do give you an odd look as Poko mentioned when we have had the roof down during the rain, night and snow. Sometimes we get a thumbs up from people and someone said 'sick car innit' to my dad once, some others encourage us to rev the car up, that usually raises a smile 
The best thing for a mk1 MX-5 (or any convertible I suppose) is to add a rollbar - it balances the whole car and makes it look totally different, more like a racer and not a poser. I've had my mk1 for about 4 or 5 years, with rollbar and twin pipes, roof down every single time it goes out, commuting to work through Dundee city centre etc.., and not had a single bad comment, even from a van-load of builders I was next to in traffic which suprised me.
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