When is it TOO hot for the top 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 !

Originally Posted by Mantis

You stud you !

As in 2x4?

I am actually much taller!

[Wret]

I used to think that blasting the AC with the top down was overly decadent, kind of like butter on a donut. I've recently changed my mind though. I'm still quite cool up to mid 90s.

[vipola]

Originally Posted by Wret

I used to think that blasting the AC with the top down was overly decadent, kind of like butter on a donut. I've recently changed my mind though. I'm still quite cool up to mid 90s.

why can you change mind?

[Wret]

Originally Posted by vipola

why can you change mind?

Because, despite how over-the-top it sounds, I've found I really like butter on donuts.

Oh, you meat the AC? I bought this car (and the last one) for it's ability to put the top down. Maybe I'll only get 25 mpg instead of 26, but if I can enjoy another commute leg in the open air, so be it.

The ultimate butter on a donut with whipped cream: Top down, AC blasting (keeping my ice-cold beverage frosty), and a cigar.

[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.

[PWebRPH]

I think my lowest has been in the mid-30's, in the mountains here and at Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite. We did hit about 106 degrees thru the Mojave desert while driving back from where I bought it with the top down. After a couple hours that got a little old but couldn't help myself.

Sounds like a few of you run with the top down and the AC on. That can't be good for the car. I've done this with a rental, but I would never do this with my own car.

[RandallNeighbour]

I'm happy to replace the AC unit if I wear it out. I also watch my temp gauge and it never gets too hot, so I know it's not hard on the engine.

My boxster was one of the very early ones produced and it doesn't have the external temp sensor that changes the climate control unit in comparison to the inside temp sensor below the passenger vent. So, I think in my particular case, blowing the AC with the top down doesn't do any real damage.

I usually keep the AC off if the top is down to get more power from the engine. If it's so hot I need the AC on, I put the top up.

And that's about 75% of the time here in Houston :ah:

That's why I might go for a Cayman S next time around.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Sounds like a few of you run with the top down and the AC on. That can't be good for the car. I've done this with a rental, but I would never do this with my own car.

I doubt anyone will wear out the A/C system doing this unless they keep the car for decades. Unless you usually run your A/C on recirc, the A/C is conditioning outside air regardless of the position of the top. Granted it will run solid, but most A/C techs will tell you that compressors that run all the time experience less wear than ones that cycle on and off.

[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...

[Quickurt]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

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

I took my 85 year old mom to Mt. Dora last Saturday. We rode around the town and all the way around both of the big lakes with the top down, the windows up and the AC on about medium. She was afraid her hair would get messed up. Fat chance, there's more laqueur in her hair than polyurethane paint on the car! The Florida summer 3:00 thunderstorms rolled in and had to put the rag up. She told me she had ridden in her father's rumble seat, but that was the first time she had ridden in a convertible with the top down!

[PSL-Boxster]

Originally Posted by Quickurt

I took my 85 year old mom to Mt. Dora last Saturday. We rode around the town and all the way around both of the big lakes with the top down, the windows up and the AC on about medium. She was afraid her hair would get messed up. Fat chance, there's more laqueur in her hair than polyurethane paint on the car! The Florida summer 3:00 thunderstorms rolled in and had to put the rag up. She told me she had ridden in her father's rumble seat, but that was the first time she had ridden in a convertible with the top down!

yes Florida summer showers ruin the fun on a good day.. especially these past few days over here on the east coast being effected by Bertha and all... but i only tend to put the top down on partly cloudy days with mid - low 80's.. anything past that and i will be cooked in 5 minutes ( im quite pail ) - however, sunscreen is always an option =\.. however, when night comes 100% down always

[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.

[FTD]

Gawd, its HOT out there! Did I mention its hot???? Damn, its hot. I just ran to Lowe's and the car never got cooled down going or coming back. I was trying to get my mower fixed. The self propelled aspect of it is broken. After mowing this weekend in this friggin heat I decided to get it fixed. I will get my exercise some other way. Man, its hot.
:troll: