Box & Cab. When do you leave your baby topless?

[jredram]

The default position for my Box S roof whilst driving is down. Now some good weather is here and you can drive around all day without too much risk of a shower I am always in a bit of a quandary as to when and where I should put the top up when I leave the car. Do you leave it down outside the country pub when you stop for a bit of lunch if you have your P&J in sight most of the time? What if you pop into the local shop/supermarket for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, half an hour? Outside a mates house when you drop in for a coffee, or outside your own house for a couple of hours before you have to go out again? Has anyone had any problems leaving the roof down?

[wasserboxer]

I've had soft tops for years and leave the hood down almost all the time.

I did, however, decide that it was a bit dodgy in Stockport last week, so put it up when I parked up. But that was the first time in ages that I've put a roof up when parking up somewhere.

[fredt]

jredram said:

Has anyone had any problems leaving the roof down?

Yep. An ex mrs bought a brand new z3 2.8 when they came out. The first night we had it home we left it outside and proceeded to fire up the barbi and started drinking.

Forgot all about the car. Next morning the car parked under a tree, was totally full of tree sap, inside and out.

So yes, leaving it with the top down can cause problems.

[Ady128]

It depends where you leave it. My girlfriend lives in Lytham and it's safe there but I live in Manchester and I don't even park it there!

[NicD]

Never, or almost.

You just never know.

[BIRMA]

If I park in the shade in a non dodgy area I leave the top down. If the sun is pitching down on it I tend to put it up.

[Moog72]

I never leave it with the roof down, ever. You just never know when some "wag/lad/pratt" might come along and decide to make their mark so to speak, just not worth the risk IMO

[wasserboxer]

There is a school of thought that it's better to leave a ragtop with the roof down, and / or doors unlocked, but with all valuables locked away in the boot, than it is to park it with the roof up and / or everything locked, so as to save knife damage to an expensive roof.

[jredram]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I know, I know, always a dilemma. Perhaps you should consider taking them off in summer? The weight saving would be considerable and who would want to nick a Box with no doors.

[Don]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

This. That roof closes in less than a hot minute. 12 seconds IIRC. Keeps out dust, sweet wrappers, kids ice creams, bird st etc. And that's before you get to the malicious dumping of stuff into the driver's seat for sts and giggles.

Someone wanting to vandalise the car will manage it regardless. Its the inconvenience stuff that leaving the car with the roof closed deals with.

And never, EVER leave a convertible parked under a tree! Roof closed or not that st will get into the canvas roof fibres and is a total pain to clean off...

[HappyBoxster]

I leave mine open on the school run, in my garage, or outside a country pub if not under trees. That is about it.

[Zyp]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Well, *some* have a little button to press...

For what it's worth, my roof is off most of the time and unless I'm away from the car for more than 15 minutes I'll usually put it back on.
Generally it's off when in the garage as it's easier to get in/out of the car.

I prefer to park on a busy road with the roof off than in a car park.

[996TT02]

wasserboxer said:

There is a school of thought that it's better to leave a ragtop with the roof down, and / or doors unlocked, but with all valuables locked away in the boot, than it is to park it with the roof up and / or everything locked, so as to save knife damage to an expensive roof.

That's what I do, I do put the top up as otherwise it may be a bit tempting for the local idiot out to impress his mates, but other than that I may have locked my MX5 about twice in 15 years of ownership or more, last I tried for some reason the door lock was practically jammed.

[tb1880]

Nothing too offensive but I had some fortunately empty, McDonalds wrappers chucked in a S2000 once left parked briefly with the roof down on the Kings Road of all places.

I don't think it was the car so much as just an open invitation to a passing low life. Don't think I'd do it again because it could have been much worse.

[youngsyr]

I leave mine down in the local high street, outside friend's houses and on the drive quite often.

I'm probably alone in this, but I feel it shows a level of trust in the area and local people and actually improves the area's image - nothing to do with it being a Porsche, as I felt the same with my old MX-5, but the fact that it's an obvious sign that people (me) obviously feel the place is safe enough to do it.

Of course, there are a few places I wouldn't even take the car, let alone park it with the roof down.