The time of year has arrived that we'll see a lot of posts asking "how cold do you drive with the top down?" There is not a single answer to this question, of course, so as I've varied my attire over the past few weeks, I put it into this chart. But I'll be the first to admit, I'm crazier than most, so your temp's may vary. . .

 

That's pretty darn close to my personal behavior.

(go wolfpack)

Not a lot of NCSU fans in Indiana, probably....

 

wolfpack who!!!

I'm glad to see that your chart NO WHERE mentions top down and ALL WINDOWS up...PPPP-Please...

Go-HEELS

 

wait doesnt he say windows up?

does that not mean all windows up and top down? lol

 

Uh, dude, that's what the cells that say "windows up" mean. Which is EXACTLY the way I drive A LOT. Doesn't look so weird with clear windows.

And even if it did, I don't care. It's not about how I look to people I don't even know...

 

Well you left off humidity as the Z-Axis.
I've said it before but top-down and windows-up is like wearing socks with sandals. Not saying it is bad and I'm not saying I don't but ...

 

Uh, sorry. . . I didn't mean to re-start the "windows up top down" debate. My philosophies are #1 I don't care what other people think (if I did, would I drive with the top down below 50F?) and #2 anything that gives me more top down time is a good thing.

Think windows up and top down looks strange? You ought to see the looks I get wearing earmuffs with the top down!

 

If I cared what other people thought, I would have bought the Mercedes convertible I considered, instead of the MINI.

I didn't know it at the time, but it would have been cheaper.

 

47 degrees is my limit for top down motoring, however, I will say there is a difference between 47 in the sun and 47 at night. At 46...top goes up.

And I never drive with the top down and windows up...it's like, well, lets say 'swimming with a rain coat on'.

 

+1

 

I'm with The Red Wolf (and I'm a Tar Heel fan). Who cares what other folks think?? If "windows up" gives me more "top down" time, I'm doing it!!

My best friend, who has a VW cabrio, would never drive with her windows up and top down. So when the weather is cool and we're riding around in my Rascal with the top down, I sometimes put the windows up just to see if I can get on her nerves... Evil, you say?!?? Well, my personalized plate is "MS.BHAVE".

 

There are two valid times to use top down windows up imo:

1) Crosswinds. Here in the land of perpetual wind, 20mph crosswinds are called "breezes", lol. Sometimes the crosswinds are so bad that driving with the windows down feels like your head is constantly being slapped... which according to the wife may be a good thing.

2) Rain. How many of you got caught in a rain shower on the highway? I have, and believe it or not even a heavy shower will not get you wet if you just put the window up... all the water just blows right around and over you. Even the back seats stay dry.

I like the chart, pretty close to mine except I'm getting a bit too old geezer to do the 20F topless runs, ear muffs or not.

 

In the year that I have had my 07 MCc, I think I only ever motored with the top up 6 or 7 times. Top down, windows up, rear wind deflector in place I stay warm to about 20f. Of course the heater is on as well as the seats.

 

Man, what did I get started!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hehehehehehe!!!!!!

 

I find myself driving top down with my windows up a fair amount of the time.

- When it's cold.

- In the late afternoon when the temperature is dropping and I don't want to put the top up or pull over to put on jacket (if I have one).

- On the highway I'm usually driving about 70 - 80. Unless it's hot, it's more comfortable with the windows up. Also, if someone else is in the car it's easier to talk.

- On windy days when the wind is crossing the car.

- In those inevitable times when I'm on the phone.

I have no problem driving with my windows up whatsoever. I do what's comfortable to me at the time, and if driving with the windows up extends my top down time I'm all for it. Driving top down with the windows up is 1000 times better than top up.

 

Amen, Moocher.

 

I love SoCal, We hardly see 40 deg, even in the winter.
If I had a garage, I might just remove the top and windows from the car completely!