When is it TOO hot for the top down?

[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.

I've driven hundreds of miles with the top down, heater cranked, windows up and a knit hat on when it is in the high 30's and low 40's. No problem, very comfortable.

I remember coming back from a Concours at the Joliet Autobahn a couple years ago with the top down and it was in the mid 90's. That was smoking hot!

So my top down range is 37-94!!!

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

I've driven hundreds of miles with the top down, heater cranked, windows up and a knit hat on when it is in the high 30's and low 40's. No problem, very comfortable.

I remember coming back from a Concours at the Joliet Autobahn a couple years ago with the top down and it was in the mid 90's. That was smoking hot!

So my top down range is 37-94!!!

You stud you !

[Pilot2519j]

This one is one for the common sense crowd. If it is super hot then leave the top up and crank the AC, variation if it is warm top down and AC. If you are moving and the temp is warm top down is enough, where as if you are stuck in traffice top up and AC. So far this summer I put the AC only going home twice the humidity has been bearable. In the morning I leave early 6:45 or so temps are are cool in comparison to the afternoon temps.

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

I drive top down a lot more now that I'm back in New York. When I lived in beautiful Southern Califronia I actually drove top down a lot less due to the heat. No humidity but that sun was hot!

In NY I'd say 80+ with humidity is too hot in heavy (normal) traffic. I like early morning before 9am and after 6pm for top down driving. Of course the Fall & Spring here are great. Don't drive the car in the winter at all.

[Tom Blue]

I've had several convertibles over the years and I put my top up when it's over 90. It's just too hot for me plus the sweating, dehydration and sun blasting on the interior just isn't worth it. Fortunately living in New Jersey it doesn't get that hot. Last evening with the clear sky, glowing translucent blue western horizon, and full moon...now that's the time for a convertible.

[Perfectlap]

if the temp is above 60F TOP IS DOWN. No ifs ands or buts.
once in Italy I bicycled up the Campitelo Matesse in 90F heat for hours, when I tell you that mountain was steep I mean STEEP.
Sitting in a cushy Boxster is nada. If it gets too hot I just turn on the AC and set it to blow the cool air to my legs. I always keep a bottle of water under the passenger seat in case I hit traffic and it get HAWT (as they say here in NJ).

Whenver I travel to Florida I always see these people in their convertibles with the top up and AC cranking. Makes me laugh...

[TimAustinW]

52 in winter - 92 degrees in summer is my range here in Austin TX. If it's warmer than 92 it has to be overcast to drop the top.