Owners with garages ....... summertime question.
 

During the summer months do you park your car with the top down, or, do you put it up. Are there any downsides to leaving the top down for extended periods??

Depends , I find the interior gets dusty with the top down.

I put the top up when I park it in my garage. I want the top to stay stretched and not be all wrinkled. Plus if the plastic rear window got wrinkled when I put the top down, it smooths it out again. In my mind, anyway.

I leave it down a lot. The window always smooths back out as does the top.

I leave it down. Especially if I know I'll have it down the next day.

I exercise the crap out of mine. Up and down sometimes 6 or more times a day. After all that's what it's for. And yes I have replaced almost every component of the top mechanism so I can continue to enjoy the convenience.

Usually down.

Top mostly down in Fl. I also use the speedster Tonneau covers so it is easier to just leave them on. Never had to chop the window either because of the warm climate. Afew weeks in summertime is when I use the top the most because it gets really hot here especially in a triple black car. I like to leave the top up sometimes because I like the smell of the car. So.... top down only downfall is dust and no smell. Top down while driving....fumes and cigs at lights and slow speeds. Other peoples cigs that is. One time someones disguared lit buit almost flew inside cabin

always up and definitely if the top has not been washed or rinsed down in a while. this worked extremely well on my original canvas, it was immaculate for most of its life. If you rinse down the top often and apply the Raggtopp protection regularly keeping the top taught will avoid those weird rub marks that start to show up when dirt gets into the canvas and begins to wear down the fibers. The best thing is to keep it covered top up with one of those sun tops that way you protect the top and interior without rubbing across the paint.

I find if I leave my top down I get 2 circles in the canvas. Once in the garage the top goes up. I usually drive it in as soon a I get home unless going right back out.

Down and don't worry about it. Same on my 84 Alfa which spends lots of time in the garage (dripping fluids...).

What are those from? Having a hard top and therefore the top down anytime the hardtop is on my circles are really prominent but I'm not sure what from.

I leave mine down all of the time. I only put it up if I know we're going to have a week of rain and it won't be driven or we go on vacation for a week or two. I understand what jsceash is talking about. I have four circles on my top whenever I put it up. And, I am sure the wrinkles on the sides are from leaving it down so much.

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My circles are in the exact same spots

I have those circles on my top also.

Doors locked, top up while it's in the garage.

The top is always down unless I park it where I cannot see it or when I am at the track

Summer down - winter up. I have those circles too.

Summer top down most of the time, top up or hard top on during winter months.

Mostly up when it's parked in the garage in the summer. I do tend to put it down in the AM and up in the PM a lot in the summer, regardless where it's parked.

Any idea what causes those circles??? My 13 year old car's top is in OK shape. No rips, but definitely some wear on the rear quarters.

For cold storage, I leave my top up. I think keeping it tight seems better than storing it with the folds. Also keeps dust level down. During the warmer times I usually leave it down.

I also give it a good RaggTopp cleaning with a horse hair brush, followed by the waterproofing treatment - especially on the wear areas and seams.

Top down in summer
 

My '02 has almost 80,000 miles and when the weather is good I leave the top down in the garage and outside I have a cockpit cover. Yes it does get a little dusty, but I have never had a problem with the top mechanism and my to and rear window are in good shape (I always wet wipe the plastic window clean and dry before lowering).
So, I guess it depends on what bothers you more-the potential for mechanism failure or top circles.
Tom

Mine is down most of the summer, even if it's in the garage. It has the slight wrinkle and circles, but I figure less wear and tear on all the convertible motor mechanisms is better. I have the glass window so that's not an issue.

FYI - The circles are from the rubber support mounts under the clamshell/cover.

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Mystery solved. Like crop circles, there had to be an explanation.

Always put it up once I put it away. All the wear I see is directly due to the fold across the back from top down

Top down all summer, then back up in the fall. I have the humps, so it's a hassle to raise the top. I heard it's bad to keep the top down - stretches something?? - but I haven't had any issues.

Depends on the type of rear window. To store the plastic one down for a long time, put a soft felt cloth between the folds so the layers of clear plastic don't abrade against each other and leave marks. Yea that means getting out when it is about 70% down and placing the cloth between the folding window sections.

Clean both inside and outside of the plastic about every 6 months with something designed to clean and polish the plastic. You have to be a contortionist to do the inside but it is worth it in window longevity and looks. I used Novus 1,2,3.

I'd even leave the top down in a Walmart's parking lot. Never had any bad experiences despite living in a less lower average income town.

Top up and under a cover but outside during the winter when the SUV gets the garage space.

X2 for Novus system. I use it along with plexus and mine still is.very soft and in great shape.

top up too many wrinkles otherwise

I leave my down unless I'm leaving it for an extended period. Mine is not electric anymore though so it's more work to go up and down.

Mine's down pretty much all spring/summer/fall - usually only the weather or a long stop will cause me to put it up.

It gets enough of a stretch being up all Winter.

I have driven my car every weekend for nearly 12 years. And I abide by the strict rule of top down if the ambient temp is above 60 F.
I've not had to replace a single mechanical part of the top mechanism. Porsche did a good job in this area.
You are better off protecting the canvas by leaving it fully taught. IMO, a smooth wrinkle-free top in the up position makes this car look fantastic.


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The top was already wrinkled when I got it, and has held up quite well. If I had it new, I'd likely have taken better care of it. The wrinkles don't bother me, it's not a show car, and you only see them in winter daylight. At night it looks the same as yours, and in summer it's down unless it's raining. I'm more concerned about the motors/gears being 13 years old than how it looks with the top up, which is not nearly as good as with the top down.

If I'm not mistaken, you're on your second top, correct P-Lap? What happened to the first one?