When is it TOO hot for the top down?

[Gary in BR]

I agree with the traffic, usually if I am not going to be stuck in traffic I put the top down, but its 96 degrees here in Louisiana humidity if I was leaving the office I would probably put the top up.

Its not uncommon for me to put the top down and leave it down for a few days, normally over the weekends, top goes down and not back up until Monday morning rush hour.

I say go topless whenever possible, the question is:
Who lowers the top and puts the windows up??

[rick3000]

In my experience women tend to leave the windows up more often than men.
Personally, if the top goes down, the windows have to go down as well. You just can't do it any other way.

[LoveBunny]

Originally Posted by rick3000

In my experience women tend to leave the windows up more often than men.
Personally, if the top goes down, the windows have to go down as well. You just can't do it any other way.

Having the windows up keeps your hair from flying around as much. I still don't ever put the top down and leave the windows up. I got a wind screen and I either wear a hat or a bandana.

As far as heat, I do have days that I just think it's too hot, but a lot of it depends on what I'm wearing. I don't mind sweating in jeans or other casual clothing, but I hate to sweat in a suit. And some days here the heat is just so stifling that it's just too much. I have found though that if I wear a hat it helps a lot with how much I feel the sun. I do turn up the A/C all the way and then at stoplights blow it on my face or under my hat.

[gregdacat]

Remember the song from the 60's by the Lov'in Spoonful, "Summer in the City."

"Hot town Summer in the city. Back of my neck getting hot and gritty. . . Cool Cat look'in for a kitty. Gonna look in every corner of the city. . . Why can't the days be like the nights? In the Summer, in the city."

I live in the inner-city and nothing beats driving top down through the CBD (Central Business District) at night. It's like that car commercial that was running a while back where this group of friends was driving through the city and the girl in the back seat is in awe looking through the moon roof at the buildings.

[csu15919]

i try to ride with the top down as much as possible (1st convertible) and the windows down (unless i have a female passenger who doesn't want to 'ruin' her hair). now that i have the new top, i can let it down when it gets cooler outside!

i have a strange question though...do any of you feel like your windows have to be close to the same height? i know it's kinda OCD, but no matter what car i'm in, if someone's window is down, my window has to be at/or close to the same height lol.

[FTD]

Originally Posted by csu15919

i try to ride with the top down as much as possible (1st convertible) and the windows down (unless i have a female passenger who doesn't want to 'ruin' her hair). now that i have the new top, i can let it down when it gets cooler outside!

i have a strange question though...do any of you feel like your windows have to be close to the same height? i know it's kinda OCD, but no matter what car i'm in, if someone's window is down, my window has to be at/or close to the same height lol.

Sounds OCD to me.
As far as messing up the hair - windows up reduce the annoying hair whiplash.

[fragdude]

Originally Posted by csu15919

i try to ride with the top down as much as possible (1st convertible) and the windows down (unless i have a female passenger who doesn't want to 'ruin' her hair). now that i have the new top, i can let it down when it gets cooler outside!

i have a strange question though...do any of you feel like your windows have to be close to the same height? i know it's kinda OCD, but no matter what car i'm in, if someone's window is down, my window has to be at/or close to the same height lol.

I wonder what James May does when hes in a convertible or someone puts a windows down....after all, he buys tampons to soak up oil splodges inbetween the cooling fins when hes working on his motorcycles...

[9eighty6]

Out here in Buffalo/Toronto summer and winter both linger about 6 months each. In the winter I look forward to seeing a coupe (or at least convertible with a hard top) and in the summer I love putting the top down. I guess I love it no matter what!

[Mantis]

I usually have the top down between 55 and 90 degrees. The combination of a hoodie in winter, heater, windows up, and of course lack of rain, make this range possible for me on the low end...

[Chills]

I hear ya, bmx. It is pretty hot today and will be for a few days. Direct sunlight+80s+black leather means I'll be sweating while I'm driving and I don't like that. I'll have the AC on with the top down until about 88-90 degrees then the top goes back up.

I'm a real wuss when it comes to hot weather. I definitely prefer the cold.

[AUDIOGUY]

Good question. I have had convertibles since 1999. The novelty has worn off. I love top down driving but A/C is a must anytime it is 85 86 up. If it is not that humid, fine. Humid and hot, no way. I deserve a little A/C sometimes!!

I do see alot of people driving with the top down in undesirable conditions. Too cold, about to rain, too hot. I believe them to be "new" convertible owners trying to justify buying one. Just a thought.

The only exception to my rule is when I am at the beach... most of the time top is down unless raining!!

[Jeph]

Hard top comes off in October and March -and maybe a handful of weekends in between. The rest of the time, it stays on. I don't like convertibles (unless they're retractable hardtops).

[renzop]

For me its really humidity and speed dependent. If I am going below 40mph and the humidity is over 80% then its hard to enjoy top down when the temps are over 85F. Go faster, cooler or drier and its top and windows down.

[Quickurt]

top down with the windows up? You bet, it's great! I bought a set of Jay Senoff's roll bar vent fillers and they're great, too. It takes a while to get it just right but I use the vents set to blowing out at my feet and the dash together. If I have to stop, I just hit the max AC button. At low speeds I drop the windows, but at anything above 60, the windows go up and it stays rather comfortable in the car during these 95 degree Florida afternoons, with the blower set about the middle.
My main problem with the windows down is wind noise. When I was young those race engines screaming right behind my head sounded really great inside that helmet. Ear plugs? They were for pussies and old guys.........then add to that going on 40 years of working in shops full of loud machines and people beating on metal. I can't take all that noise when I don't have to have it now days. When there is background noise, like in a noisy resturant, I can't hear much anymore. It all just runs together.
Wouldn't change a minute of it!

[husker boxster]

My temp range is 60 - 85. I don't drive with my windows up but I've been known to do my part to halt global warming. If my date wants her window up but is OK with having the top down, I don't argue.