Do you put top up when parking at the grocery store, etc?

[new2bxstr]

Not sure if putting the top and down over and over several times a day is a bad thing, but if it is, I wonder if it's generally safe to leave the top down when going to the grocery store, a restaurant, and so on. After all, bikers don't have a top to put up.

[KRAM36]

Never, people are too envious. They do stupid things like spit gum in the car, toss a lit cigarette in the car. At work I park my car in the "back 40" along with the rest that drive nice cars to avoid door dings. At the grocery store I park further out and behind a little island. The first time I drove the car to the grocery store I came out to find a shopping cart up against the front fender, dent and paint scratched.

People suck.

[new2bxstr]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

Never, people are too envious. They do stupid things like spit gum in the car, toss a lit cigarette in the car.

That's a good point that I didn't think about. I could see some d-bags who are thinking "f you Porsche guy!" and spit in it or throw trash in it.

[antny]

I just do not leave anything in the car I want stolen. Part of being a convertible and motorcycle owner here. Honestly I do not even lock the doors because it will just lead to damage to the vehicle from a thief. Nothing will stop anyone if they want something. All you can do is protect your valuables and not leave them in your car while you are not in it. If someone wants it they will get it so I do no give them a reason to break anything if they want it. I leave my top down a lot. Only problem I see with raising and lowering the top would be if you still have a plastic window and having to do the chop or risk cracking the plastic in colder weather by multiple opening and closing. One of the main reasons why I spent the extra money to replace my top with a glass unit.

[Giller]

A lot would depend on WHERE you are leaving it. I'm in a small town and leave the top down all the time. I take my ipod with me and tuck the garage door opener out of sight. I don't keep anything in the trunk or frunk that I would miss.
My biggest fear is that a bird will fly overhead and leave me a present.

[antny]

Originally Posted by Giller

A lot would depend on WHERE you are leaving it. I'm in a small town and leave the top down all the time. I take my ipod with me and tuck the garage door opener out of sight. I don't keep anything in the trunk or frunk that I would miss.
My biggest fear is that a bird will fly overhead and leave me a present.

That is true. I live in Oklahoma so most people don't even know what it is in the first place. I would not leave the top down in a rougher part of town but I am safe 95% of the time. I do get the point where people would throw stuff in the car but I all depends on your location.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Giller

My biggest fear is that a bird will fly overhead and leave me a present.

My first convertible was an 01 MR2 Spyder. Stopped at a parts store one day for a quick in & out, so I left the top down. When I came back just a few min later, there was a splotch of bird poo about 3 inches in diameter on my windshield and windshield post. Thankfully none in the car. Too close for comfort. Never leave the top down since. Birds love the opportunity. They do practice runs on my driveway, just waiting for the chance to bomb Punkin with her top down.

And here's a cpl photos of Carmen being bombed. Had to leave her outside one night and the birds took advantage.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

My first convertible was an 01 MR2 Spyder. Stopped at a parts store one day for a quick in & out, so I left the top down. When I came back just a few min later, there was a splotch of bird poo about 3 inches in diameter on my windshield and windshield post. Thankfully none in the car. Too close for comfort. Never leave the top down since. Birds love the opportunity. They do practice runs on my driveway, just waiting for the chance to bomb Punkin with her top down.

And here's a cpl photos of Carmen being bombed. Had to leave her outside one night and the birds took advantage.

This is a risk with convertibles. I'm pretty sure there are some forum members that have been bombed while driving with the top down. One reason I usually wear a hat when the top is down.

[Box4two]

I've actually left mine with the top down all day in my underground parking spot downtown Toronto, no issues (so far)

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

My first convertible was an 01 MR2 Spyder. Stopped at a parts store one day for a quick in & out, so I left the top down. When I came back just a few min later, there was a splotch of bird poo about 3 inches in diameter on my windshield and windshield post. Thankfully none in the car. Too close for comfort. Never leave the top down since. Birds love the opportunity. They do practice runs on my driveway, just waiting for the chance to bomb Punkin with her top down.

And here's a cpl photos of Carmen being bombed. Had to leave her outside one night and the birds took advantage.

OMG, this is soooo true. I left my car in the driveway overnight about a week ago and it looked like the birds had a pooping party on my car. From the front bumper to the back bumper, poop everywhere.

[Duezzer]

I leave it retracted and as antny stated - no valuables - The area I live in does a hot car police decoy - this has really dropped the instances of theft and vandalism of nice vehicles.

[DrCactus]

I personally leave the top down (if weather is fine) and put my windows up. I also use the 'Little Red Clip' so that if someone trys to reach into my car for some reason the alarm will go off. My brother learned this lesson as someone ended up cutting his roof just to get a little change from the glove box... ended up costing thousands for $2 of change... I learned from that, keep roof open and save yourself some problems. Thiefs are out there and if they want something they will take it.... leave nothing in view in your car and you should be good.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by DrCactus

I personally leave the top down (if weather is fine) and put my windows up. I also use the 'Little Red Clip' so that if someone trys to reach into my car for some reason the alarm will go off. My brother learned this lesson as someone ended up cutting his roof just to get a little change from the glove box... ended up costing thousands for $2 of change... I learned from that, keep roof open and save yourself some problems. Thiefs are out there and if they want something they will take it.... leave nothing in view in your car and you should be good.

if you dont have the red clip, you can just push the microswitch with your finger and turn off the car. You dont need to keep the clip in once it is shut off

[particlewave]

Nope. People everywhere can be jealous pricks. Eventually, someone will throw something or spit in it, etc.
I'm not worried about thieves, it's the vandals.
And yes, even small towns have them.

[CraigM]

It looks so right with the top down. Worth the risk.

[healthservices]

Wow, I guess I must be in a better part of town as my car would be considered just another old car. I guess I would be considered the low life with the oldest car in the parking lot.

At Walmart parking lot...

Second is the local starbucks....

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by healthservices

Wow, I guess I must be in a better part of town as my car would be considered just another old car. I guess I would be considered the low life with the oldest car in the parking lot.

At Walmart parking lot...

Second is the local starbucks....

That is too funny. Around here a Porsche is a rare sight, except for the Cayenne. People stare at my car, people walking on the sidewalks even point at it lol. Going through a drive through and someone always says nice car!

I took my daughter to Kohls one day, she just needed to run in and out, so I stayed in the car. 3 girls are walking towards the car, starring at it, once they get to the car one girl sees the hood emblem and says ecstatically "It's a Porsche!".

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

That is too funny. Around here a Porsche is a rare sight, except for the Cayenne. People stare at my car, people walking on the sidewalks even point at it lol. Going through a drive through and someone always says nice car!

I took my daughter to Kohls one day, she just needed to run in and out, so I stayed in the car. 3 girls are walking towards the car, starring at it, once they get to the car one girl sees the hood emblem and says ecstatically "It's a Porsche!".

Just got done taking my daughter to buy an iPod from a person off Craigslist. We role up on a school bus full of kids and we here one of them yell "Wow look at that Lambo!" lol.

[rdass623]

depending on the length of time I am away from the car will determine if the top goes up or stays down. generally, it will go up if I am away. if left in my driveway the top may stay down for hours on end, but with the amount of trees in new Orleans, you may consider putting it up. also at night in new Orleans during the summer you may also get the bonus of the flying cockroaches confusing it for a carrier flight deck, which may break your concentration while driving.

[nobrakes]

Two little deterents to make jerks think twice before messing with your interior with the top down are old biker classics.........#1 Get an empty gun holster and strap it somewhere in plain sight like the rearview mirror. #2 Put a sticker on your windshield that says " IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE AS MUCH AS I VALUE THIS CAR DONT F@#K WITH IT". You would be surprised how effective these things are......