Air con. Do you really need it?

[Anna_S]

nickjw said:

I've got aircon in our new ICON. I did at first wonder why bearing in mind it's a convertible but having had the car for a couple of weeks, I am glad I've got it. The cockpit can get rather warm (even with roof off!!).

Post us a picture

[TVR_nut]

I agree, especially with the comment about quick demisting (and maybe staying demisted?). My TVR does not have it (and in many ways I am glad, as I have just had to move everything fwd of the radiator to get the rad out for re-coring!), and takes a long while to get demisted if its been outside on a rainy day. And it tends to mist up again in really wet weather unless you have the windows down a bit, not to mention you cooking in there. But on the M-way the spray from lorries comes in the slot, and wets your ear and shoulder!

My MX5 Roadster (collecting tomorrow :-) ) has A/C, which I am sure I will appreciate on warm wet days - have got used to it on the Lexus it replaces.

But if I had to choose, I would keep the the heated seats and lose the aircon - warm seats are great first thing on a winter morning, and direct heat to the back & posterior will be a good way to keep warm when top-down on cooler days.

[Herman Toothrot]

Sortie 10 said:

If you go on a midsummer hoon in the South of France, you will need it - roof up (heresy) you will bake, roof down you will fry (I had to be pulled from my car with the early signs of heat stroke).

Not true.

Don't get this misting problem either, i think people must have let their interiors get wet or something.

I ripped out my AC and i'm perfectly happy. If suns really powerful then I wear a long sleeve T-Shirt and a hat, the breeze going past keeps you nice and cool.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Thursday 24th January 11:34

[NiceCupOfTea]

I guess you've never been stuck in traffic on a hot day!

[Munter]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I guess you've never been stuck in traffic on a hot day!

Thats what I was thinking! Stationary with the sun beating down....it's a rock/hard place decision without A/C. When driving long distance in summer I zip out the rear window.

[I want an Elise!]

BIG DUNC said:

Shameless plug.
I have a new / unused AC comp ( bought for my MX5 )looking for a home. I don't want much for it.
e mail me through my profile if you are interested.

Is it for a Mk1 by any chance.... ?

Mine has demised, post flooded road incident.....

[8Ace]

Munter said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

I guess you've never been stuck in traffic on a hot day!

Thats what I was thinking! Stationary with the sun beating down....it's a rock/hard place decision without A/C. When driving long distance in summer I zip out the rear window.

Agreed - especially if it's on the M40 and you've just been driving for 3 hours so the transmission tunnel is lovely and toasty as well. It's a proper bastard and I really wanted AC at that point. Woudl definitely get it if I get another 5.

[Wigeon Incognito]

8Ace said:

Munter said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

I guess you've never been stuck in traffic on a hot day!

Thats what I was thinking! Stationary with the sun beating down....it's a rock/hard place decision without A/C. When driving long distance in summer I zip out the rear window.

Agreed - especially if it's on the M40 and you've just been driving for 3 hours so the transmission tunnel is lovely and toasty as well. It's a proper bastard and I really wanted AC at that point. Woudl definitely get it if I get another 5.

I know that pain, and on the M40 too!

It's even worse when it's hot, but raining and really muggy too; the interior steams up, you can't put the top down, and there's not a damn thing you can do to make it comfortable without air con.