by "Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
Published 02/13/2017 at 18:26
by "Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
Published 02/13/2017 at 18:26
No Tags
STARS: 6
Tried to drag myself out of the house today to run some errands. Had to put the top down because not only is it a beautiful day in SoCal, but why own a convertible if you aren’t going drive top down? I still have plans to do the EcoBoost Mustang, Fiat, MX-5 ND and Sky reviews once chemo stops kicking my ass and I don’t feel like death, too.
I love the way this car looks with the top down though and decided to take a quick
potato
iPhone snap, and just had to share.
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
02/13/2017 at 18:30, STARS: 2
Lieutenant Columbo usually drives with the top up, but that’s okay because he’s Lieutenant Columbo.
"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
02/13/2017 at 18:41, STARS: 0
Err, chemo?
It’s been perfect convertible weather here in LA recently - feels like the sun was set to ‘reheat’ and not ‘broil’ when the rain stopped. I even kept the top down for a bit even during last Friday’s rain.
"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
02/13/2017 at 18:42, STARS: 0
And this is why I’m going to have a hard time when I buy a Miata. Whilst I like the light weight and lower CG of a convertible, I hate getting the sun in my eyes. What’s the point of having to put on a hat with a visor just so that you can see? Most of my last several cars have had sunroofs or moonroofs, and the only time I really used those was to pop up the back to ventilate out some heat. They were all used cars, so I didn’t have a choice of options, and on some models (E-Class, 5-series) the hole in the roof was standard.
The only time I’ve actually enjoyed being in a convertible was on a warm summer night, two couples enjoying a leisurely drive through the back roads of Irvine/Tustin, with the smell of orange blossoms strong in the air as we passed by some of the last groves left in Orange County. This wonderful memory will be with me forever.
"camaroboy68ss" (camaroboy68ss)
02/13/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 0
I drive top up because while this was the first nice clear and dry weekend of the year, it was still low 40 degree temps, but the drop top had not moved since September so it was nice to at least drive it.
"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
02/13/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 0
I own a 2002 Miata with a hardtop that I am bolting to the chassis. Why? I got the Miata because it is “The Answer”. Want a reasonably priced lightweight RWD manual car that isn’t terribly old with good handling and a ton of cheap parts and mods? Buy a Miata. Don’t want a convertible? Tough shit, bud. I hate convertibles. I like them as a second car or as a concept but they’re rattly, noisy, leaky, and easy to break into or vandalize. By bolting my hardtop to my Miata it is: More secure, quieter, less rattles, the chassis is stiffened somewhat, it’s more weatherproof, and it looks better (imo).
Also, Sky? You have a Saturn Sky?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/13/2017 at 19:02, STARS: 1
I feel the same. I understand keeping the top up when it’s raining or cold or you need to have a conversation. But, when I see someone alone in the car on a beautiful day with the top up, I want to yell out, “hey, you’re wasting your car!”
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/13/2017 at 19:28, STARS: 0
I was surprised how pleasant my cousins vert mustang was in the winter at full heat w/ top down. One of the coolest drives I’ve been on.
"comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer" (00cyclonefan)
02/13/2017 at 20:12, STARS: 1
See, this is kind of like I tell Mrs Comes Over...what’s the point of her having bewbs if she’s gonna have her top on all the time and never pull it up? She didn’t feel it was a valid question, so she rolled her eyes and went back to ignoring me.
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
02/14/2017 at 06:05, STARS: 0
Taking the roof off my MR2 is fiddly bullshit. I do it as often as I can. I drive past a lot of cars with 1-button-roofs that have the roof up. Why?
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
02/14/2017 at 06:07, STARS: 1
How often do you really get the sun in your eyes? How often is it really between the windshield and the edge of your peripherals, such that it only affects you because the roof is down?
That’s happened to me, but I can count the instances on one hand. And how long does it last while you’re driving and the sun is orbiting?
Also, sunglasses. Because the sun is in your eyes when you’re not in a ‘vert too
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 0
Sunglasses. I agree with what Nauraushaun said.
All three of my “true” convertibles (Sky, MX-5 and 124) have had the most useless sun visors anyways, and so the only way to not suffer is sunglasses.
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 1
Hardtops look so wonderful on the NA and NB, that I would have no objection to bolting down one permanently. I’m still undecided on hardtops for the ND or 124, although the RF looks wonderful. I disagree about convertibles being more rattly, noisy, leaky, and easier to break into; but my past experiences are different than yours it seems, so your opinion is just as valid. Strangely enough, both cars I’ve ever had broken into were not convertibles (Focus and Mustang).
I previously owned a 2008 Saturn Sky Redline (Turbo) up until fall of last year. Sold it and bought the ND in it’s place. I really regret selling it now and miss it dearly, as it’s probably my favorite car I’ve ever owned. I keep telling myself once the girlfriend and I have a house with a three car garage, I’ll buy another one (or a Solstice Coupe); but we’ll see how that turns out.
Here she is after a long day of crushing corners up in the Santa Monica Mountains:
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0
Crank the heater up, set it to both upper and lower vents, keep the windows up and enjoy crusing around with the top down while still staying nice and warm. At least, that’s my solution in those situations.
Also, beautiful Camaro! I love the stripes and how they work with the hood scoop. I really wanted one of those later years fourth gens in high school and now I’m bummed out because I realize I never see them on the road anymore.
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 0
I’ve tried similar logic with Mrs ZachR in the past and also got the eye roll and being ignored as a response. I still don’t know why she puts up with me, but I’m glad she does.
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 0
There’s definitely times where top up is needed, and I perfectly understand that. However, I live in San Diego and the weather is perfect most of the time - yet nearly every convertible I see driving around has the top up and it just feels like a waste. I bought my convertibles to enjoy that open air feeling, and I’m going to get my moneys worth.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/14/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 1
Yes, if you’re too hot, you’re not driving fast enough. :)
Or turn on the A/C if you’re a real wimp. Don’t need the top up for that.
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 0
Cancer sucks. Chemotherapy is the worst. 0/10, would not recommend. I’ve beat it before though and I’ll do it again, it’s just draining more than usual this time around for some reason.
San Diego has been the same way, perfect sunny weather after this weirdly large amount of rain lately and I’ve been trying to enjoy it while I can. There’s just something so much nicer about driving top down...
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 0
Same! Nearly every convertible I see has the top up and I can’t help but wonder why buy a convertible if you’re never going to put the top down? Just buy the non-convertible version and save yourself some money.
I need more MR2 details though please! AW11, SW20 or ZW30?
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
02/14/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 1
I’ve surprised a few friends the same way - going out on a colder night, throwing the top down and cranking up the heat. As long as you have the windows up in the 124/ND, and the heat at least on medium, you’ll stay nice and toasty while still being able to enjoy the open air top. It’s a ton of fun!
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
02/14/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0
The only time I’ve actually enjoyed being in a convertible was on a warm
summer night, two couples enjoying a leisurely drive through the back
roads of Irvine/Tustin, with the smell of orange blossoms strong in the
air as we passed by some of the last groves left in Orange County. This
wonderful memory will be with me forever.
Warm nights, and pleasantly cool evenings/mornings are some of the best convertible weather.
Living as I do in the great white north, I always felt a convertible would be a bit of a waste. But now that I own one, I’m surprised how wide a range of temperatures I enjoy it. I do maintain that a removable hard top is the way to go in the winter, but the rest of the year the top is down if there is no rain and the temperature is above 40 degF or so, or for long highway drives when it is *really* hot and sunny (then the A/C provides some nice relief).
I will say a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock are handy if you are going to do much top-down driving in the sunshine. I’m one of those people that will *not* go outdoors without a hat of some kind, regardless of weather, so a good bucket hat to shade my face, ears and neck is perfect.
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
02/14/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 1
Want a reasonably priced lightweight RWD manual car that isn’t terribly
old with good handling and a ton of cheap parts and mods? Buy a Miata.
I agree those are the biggest pros of the Miata, and certainly was what drew me to getting one.
The convertible aspect is quite nice in the good weather, but the car would be plenty of fun even with a solid roof.
"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
02/14/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0
I’ve never personally had a vehicle broken into, but I have broken into a couple Honda Civics (my own and my girlfriend’s) and can’t imagine any car with a ragtop being harder to get into (stab key into vinyl, slice open, reach in, unlock doors). The RF does look amazing. The reason I say more rattly is that a bathtub is going to be more flexible than a box, so convertibles generally are more susceptible to torsional twisting which makes doors/body panels/trim pieces/etc. rattle around. The NA, being a floppy spaghetti noodle of a car, is especially prone to this. My NB with its hardtop and underbody braces and upgraded bushings manages to feel far, far more compliant since the suspension is able to do the work instead of the chassis becoming a part of the suspension. The independent suspension feels far more truly independent.
My mom has an ‘08 automatic base model Sky. I was considering one in manual guise when I ended up with my NB. They’re fantastic looking cars but I find myself glad I went with the NB. It’s so much more practical and nicer inside. Of course, I’ve never been in a redline, my only experience is base model automatics and one base model manual that highlights just how horrible and slushy the autobox is in these.
It does handle fantastically well with those ridiculously wide tires all around. I hate working on it though. As neat as it is, the front-hinged hood and super-wide wheel wells make getting to the engine an obnoxious affair to fix things on the perpetually-breaking 2.4 ecotec (to date: intake VVT solenoid, exhaust VVT solenoid, coil, coil, starter motor).
"camaroboy68ss" (camaroboy68ss)
02/14/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 0
Yeah, I can’t drive with the top down and windows up. It’s something that’s bugged me since I was a kid, I go windows down, top up.
Also thanks! Yeah you rarely see any 4th gen on the road today. Most are beat up 6 cylinder cars. Rare to see SS cars, but they are low production. This is one of 48 White SS 6spd drop tops built in 2000.
"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
02/14/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 0
That’s really rough, man. Good luck.
If you’re ever in LA and feel like doing a comparo drive with a slightly beat S2000, let me know. Would highly recommend ditching work/school/life for a weekday carving the Malibu canyon roads.
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
02/14/2017 at 16:42, STARS: 0
Save some money, get better NVH, better durability, better security, better water-tightness...Soft and hard convertibles have a number of drawbacks, why do it if you’re not going to DO IT!?
I’ve made a few
posts
about it :) It’s a JDM non-turbo SW20. And I’m in Australia, so it’s correct-hand-drive. I had a number of 300ZXs before it and wanted something lighter but with no less t-toppiness, so here I am :)