A pretty new MCS owner here as well as a first time rag-top owner (always wanted one, never allowed able to afford it) and I've been contemplating my use of the convertible top (always open unless its raining or very close to raining) and I wanted to see what others out here do. With the last few weeks here in VA being so d*&*!d hot (and not forecast to get any better in the next couple of weeks), I've been considering NOT driving with the top down even thought that seems to be just east of a mortal sin. It's been quite nice in the AM when the temps are around 80 degrees F but on the afternoon commute home with the temps hitting 105+ (not counting the stupid heat index) it is getting a bit brutal. I'm finding it just awful when the traffic is just crawling along and even when I get to Interstate + speeds for the remainder of the trip home, its still a bit unpleasant and requires a few bottles of H20 (or something a wee bit stronger) to facilitate the recovery process. I've been fortunate enough to drive in cooler temps and the cold weather package is just wonderful then, why can't they make a hot weather package like in the overly expensive MC cousins?

Please bear in mind I'm really not complaining (just not a fan of summers in VA now that I'm getting old), I just wanted to hear what some of you longer term MC riders thought.

 

I haven't owned a ragtop for a couple years now.
When I did, I found the best thing to deal with the heat is to crank the air conditioning up, even with the top down.
It seems silly on its face, but it helps considerably. Nobody outside the car knows what you're doing anyway; so who cares?

 

Hi Mat...I have a Clubman but I always want to drive with the windows open and the roof back...now when my wife gets in the car we HAVE to shut everything up and use air....and I really dislike having to do that. NOW to something perhaps more relevant...I am also in VA, and yes it is hot, I also have a convertible 1975MGB.....the roof hasn't been up on that since 2001...I always drive with the roof down....I drove it this morning with the roof down and I will be out in it this afternoon with the roof down...you just gotta "think cool"...... as to a MINI with the roof up and the air on...well it ain't for me besides with the roof down you get a nice tan
Philip

 

I drive with the windows and sunroof down (CC is a convertible-wannabe) all the time but I've had to put them up in traffic recently because it is so brutally hot round here (MD). Having the windows down and the A/C blowing does help a little in the hardop but I have less space for it to escape too!

My Dad swears by having it blow full blast at his feet when he has the top down (on his car), that way at least some area of the car stays cool.

 

My friend has a Sidewalk edition and it is all or nothing with her. She is in early 50s and down here in FL the only time the top goes up is when its above 96 or below 50ish. I like to drive with my windows do most of the time but, there is sometimes when I can't do it. Mostly it is because this damn Navy uniform is made out of the wrong material and doesn't breathe worth a crap. I think if I were to ever get a convirtible of any kind it would have to have cloth seats or suede of some sort. If it had leahter I would get some kind of cover cause leather is 3rd degree burn inducing when he sun beats down on it.

 

no such thing as too hot LOL. I have two convertibles and the tops are up only in the pouring rain or below pleasant temperatures.

heat and AC also work with the top down. don't let bad memories of your folks yelling at you saying

"junior shut that door do you think I am rich enough to heat the hole neighborhood"
I can still hear that like it was yesterday.

have fun keep the top down as much as possible.

 

My MINI is not a vert but my second car is a Miata which only has the top up when it is raining. I keep the sun roof and windows open on my MINI also.
Maybe it is because I work in an office that is over cooled but when I get out I am ready for the open air.
And so far it has not gotten cold enough here for my to need the top up in winter. Granted here in Chattanooga we do have fairly mild weather for both heat and cold. (However today we will hit 100 )

 

I can relate to that! When I did my time in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club they did the switch from the poly uniforms back to cotton due to the tendency of poly to melt and they also switched us E types back to the crackerjacks. I'm all for tradition (200 + years un-hampered by progress) but those things were such a PIA. Out of curiosity, what part of FL? I spent over two years stationed between Orlando and Pensacola, and man did I love PCola (except for hurricane Dennis (I think)). I've got a sister living in New Port Richey and I keep thinking how much fun it would be to throw some clothes in the boot and make that drive down there topless!

 

LOL, when and where I grew up, there was no such thing as A/C and in the winter we used a coal furnace with passive hot air so the farmhouse was always either too hot or too cold! And yep, my Dad would always yell at us about that and I'm pretty sure I did the same thing to my kid also!

 

If the weather appears to be UN-healthy I will drive with the top up and A/C on MAX. Dehydration is a serious thing.

 

It is too hot when you stick to your seats - your cloth seats...........

Kevin

 

that's pretty funny

 

Why is torturing yourself fun? Tempting heatstroke doesn't sound like fun or overly smart. Put the top up and the AC on max no one is going to laugh nor is anyone going to give you a medal for roasting topless.

 

Some people like to be hot, some hate it. So, the answer is best answered by you (which you did). Put it down when you are comfortable and enjoying it, and up when you are not.

For me that would be spring and fall, no doubt. I love 50 degrees with a coat and the heat on, and hate sweating in a car. My car, my rules, you should just do whatever you like.

 

When is it too hot to go topless?

When you'll sunburn your nipples

 

When is it too hot to go topless?

May - Sept. in South Carolina.

 

I always drove my old Cabrio with the top down and the AC on high blowing the cooooooool air on me and my passenger.

 

I am in Jacksonville right now. Loved Hawaii so far the most.

 

Today is way to hot to go topless...I also live in NOVA my temp gauge stayed on 105 (is that the max) the whole way from tysons till I got home to Occoquan. This is a rough summer.

 

But i agree with everyone... Mines a coupe w the sunroofs, and i'll just stick to enjoying the cold air i'm paying for lol. Used to have an older mustang and could only dream of a 70 degree interior Ill take full advantage of that. No need to be uncomfortable

 

I actually tried that on Friday on the way home (after a few folks suggested it here) and I had very mixed results. I first tried directing the airflow down to the feet so the feet were nice and cool, the rest of me not so much! I then moved the airflow selector so the air was coming out of the dash vents, it did not help at all! So I guess I'll just keep experimenting.

As far as the question about why bother with dropping the top at all if your uncomfortable and this is not ment to be a SA answer, "because its there"! I just love the whole topless experience Since we are now approaching the end of July hopefully the temps will start returning to a more comfortable range in a few weeks.

I really appreciate eveyones comments, it is quite interesting to hear how others deal with this situation.

 

So we don't have to start a different thread:

When is it too cold to go topless?

The last several mornings here have been at 30 degrees F or below but so far it hasn't daunted my love of going topless! Of course I did dig out a pair of winter gloves (hate them, can't hit all of the cockpit or GPS buttons right) and I've had to crank the heater up and place the heated seats on 2, but so far it's a BLAST! The heated seats are absolutely fantastic but the heater, not so much! I don't seem to get much air flow unless I have the fan up to max and even then its not that great. I also wish we could have finer control of the temp and balancing the air flow between the dash and floor. Maybe I'm just old, but I sort of liked the old "slider" switches since you had better control since you didn't have fixed positions like these rotary switches. I end up having to set the air flow to dash, warm up my hands and then switch it back to floor to unthaw the feet! Of course, I haven't calculated the wind chill of 23 degrees ambient and 70 MPH apparent wind while on the interstate (anyone care to do the calculations?). I can't wait for a decent snowstorm so I can ride topless with snowflakes falling on me!

I'm always interested in hearing the experiences of others since I'm still new to the whole MINI culture!

 

Never!! To be fair, I live in So Cal, but as long as it's not raining the tops down. It's been cooler here lately, especially in the morning, 38 degrees top down, seat heater and heater on, jacket, beanie and scarf on too.

 

My first car was a '62 TR. I had it when stationed in Key West and the top never went up. To deal with those afternoon rain showers, I just drilled a couple of holes in the floor boards and threw an old shower curtain over the seats. What with all the electronics in the MINI, that won't work anymore but the top is down whenever the sun is shining or not regardless of temp except when my co-pilot says "OK, that's enough fun for now", bless her heart. I get some remarkable comments from folks when winter comes. My response, "that's what coats, hats and gloves are for". As for summer time; a linen driving cap, sun screen and the promise of a cold barley soda refreshment and/or a shower at the end of the trip. Motor on.

 

For a good pair of inexpensive driving gloves, visit your nearest pro shop or Golf World and pick up a pair of FootJoy winter golf gloves. They use thinsulate, velcro wrist closure, good quality leather and provide excelent dexterity. They are also good for the fall hunt as comfortable shooting gloves.