Have been noticing that even on perfect days convertible drivers not only keep up their tops, but also their windows, which leads me to assume they're running the AC.

I realize some women (and men) may not want to get their hair mussed on the way to work, but the hearty and robust spirit I've always associated with ragtops is sadly evaporating.

I used to love my convertibles and drove with the top down even in snowy weather sometimes. Also realize that historically, the "hardtop" body style developed to serve the needs of those who like the lines of a convertible, but not the actual fresh air and sun of the "real deal".

Anyone else have feelings about this?

Absolutely!

I restored a 1965 Corvair Monza convertible in my early 20's and I still regret the day I sold it! The worst thing about that car was the lack of a decent heater, but I drove it with the top down on cold days, heater going full tilt just so I could enjoy the ride.

My borther and I took it to Canada in 1976. One drove, the other took pictures-- what a great camera platform it made. On the other hand, camping in the Tetons it got so cold that the top could not be lowered until 11:00 in the AM.

I still use the sunroof in my 300D every chance I get, It's great to clear out the cobwebs during a morning commute.

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Nate Stanley
(Currently Benzless)
1985 F-250 6.9l 170K
2009 SCION XB 36.5K
2003 LS430 78K
2012 Kubota B 2320

Jim,
The key to your comment is the possible use of AC. If you suspect them of having it on , you're indicating a hot day. I to am a convertible fan; alomg with the MB roadsters, I have had several Fiats which are incredibly fun cars. I will drive in the early morning and at midnight with the top down in almost any weather, but I put the top up on a hot day. Many people driving in non convertibles envy those in top down convertibles on hot days. I don't, because I know those people are frying like aggs.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

As a Miata owner I feel that anyone driving a convertible with the top up when it is not raining or below 50F should have the car taken from them by force. Of course I don't have A/C and it does get a bit loud on I94 with the concrete surface and the double trailer gravel haulers, but earplugs work fine...

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1983 240D automatic, Orient Red, 174K
1983 240D manual, Biscayne Blue, sold at 341K

You might add some conditions to that if you lived in Florida instead of Michigan.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Oh, come on Rick! Sure, it gets hot sometimes, but it's a dry kind of heat!

(I'll laugh harder at my own joke here if and when I get the A/C fixed on my daily driver!)


-- eskimo

True!

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1983 240D automatic, Orient Red, 174K
1983 240D manual, Biscayne Blue, sold at 341K

did they make any convertible diesels?

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

No convertible diesels were made by Mercedes. Some after market companies chopped the top of some 123 CD's but the body twist was bad.

In my 560SL I have owned since 1995. The hardtop has been in the cradle since 1995. We extend the top down season by either using the AC with the windows up and the top down. In the winter we extend the season by doing the same with the heater. Adding a windscreen helps. It also cuts down on the blowing hair.
Some people are probably so buisy they can't take the time to enjoy the convertible they worked so hard for.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Drove a Valiant S200 with the top down for 15 years in Seattle. (Note- raise the top every time you park it and it will stay flexible enough to latch shut when you need to.) The rain won't hit the riders in the front seat as long as you're moving because of the airflow. Everybody gets a kick out of seeing a convertible with the top down in the rain or snow.

The sunroof strikes me as the worst of both worlds. Get sunburned, and maybe watch your hat blow out, but no panoramic view or real fresh air!

It's a lifestyle, and kinda hard on the upholstry, but if you don't put the top down you shouldn't own a convertible.

I've been a convertible fan/driver for most of my 33 driving years. I have personally owned 7 in past and my workstation computer name was "Ragtop" on the network.

In fact I now have some ( I forgot the term) callous on my eyes attributed to years of wind. I would often drive from NC to Atlanta and back in a day with the top down ( 600 miles). I now wear wrap around style sunglasses to prevent more callous forming, so be careful out there.

Since I got my '92 Mustang I have started wimping out on the 90*+ days in blazing sun and putting the top and using A/C. On every convertible I have had I always kept an old winter coat in the trunk for the below 50* nights. Turn up the heat and maybe roll up the windows and life is great! In most convertibles if you are going over 50mph you can go through mild rain and not get wet.

Nothing better than a 75* summer night with a good road, tunes going with the top down, a V8 rumble and my sweetie.... ahhh... I'll be back later, I think I feel a drive coming on 8).

Chuck