having grown up in the NE, I sympathize with you folks who are still in the throws of winter.... however, here in northern cal, spring has shown signs of life. My question is, at what temperature will you regularly drop the top? First of all, around town, I'll drop it even if it's in the 30's, but my commute is 40 miles of Freeway driving. The external temp gauge was at 64 yesterday when I got in Lily at the BART station. Top went down. By the time I arrived home, I was a bit windswept, and the gauge read 53 degrees. Even with the heated seats, it was a bit chilly. (I was in a thin long sleeved dress shirt)

I've mastered the art of the freeway exit ramp top down/up manuever, but it felt so nice to have the top down all the way home.

 

I just drove out to get lunch and the temp was 46. I went into sunroof mode, but I won't drop the top until much later in Spring.

Here's how stupid I am... as soon as it gets to be 40 degrees in the AM, I'll start riding my motorcycle.

 

I've gone as low as 27 F on a short errand. Typically I'll go to low 40s (sometimes upper 30s) on a longer commute with a heavy jacket. I just got some 180s (ear warmers) which help a bit.

 

I'm lucky. My commute is on a Federal 'Parkway' with a 45 mph speed limit. (And quite a pretty drive, light traffic and scenic along the edge of the Potomac river) Temps in the mid 40's with the deflector is very comy at 45 mph. At 65 mph it's a bit different.

 

Since I was stupid and didn't spring for heated seats, I wuss out at about 58 degrees.

Not having the heated seats makes me reconsider my climate control as well. Sometimes I just want to be able to turn dials to HIGH and HOT and get the visceral satisfaction before the warm air actually starts to flow.

 

If the sun's out, high 30's-40's with a good jacket, a hat, gloves, heated seat, and the wind deflector (windows down).

Clouds and high humidity make it a very different story. Then I hold off until the low 50's.

 

Geez you people are crazy

In early spring when I am feeling feisty & getting a touch of spring fever I will drop the top at 60 but after that it needs to be at least 65 (& I use the seat heaters if it is less than 70)

 

Well lucky for me I live in central Florida. I can drop the top all year round. The temp. actually dropped as low as 28 degrees last week . The high was around 57 and I must say that was too cold for my Florida blood. I really prefer 65 and higher, which is most of the year here.

 

Low 40's here but I had the heat full blast, winter coat, earmuffs & warm wooly mittens

Lois

 

I guess I'm the wuss of the group for now... haven't put the top down yet this season . It reached the low 50's a couple of times, but wasn't able to go for a spin during the daytime. Today is sunny, but cold and windy (as usual in Chicagoland). Anyone have any issues with the roof when it's really cold? Does the material stay flexible? That's my only concern.

I'll keep thinking warm thoughts until then

 

Shirtsleeves, driving gloves, heated seats on low, top all the way down, 68 MPH, 47 degrees F

 

Woohoo was 69 here yesterday. Had the top down for sure

 

I'll probably get yelled at for this, but 60 degree is my cut off temp for putting the top down. If it hasn't been warm in a long time and it is in the high 50's I'll consider it.
I have opened the sunroof portion to a low of about 40.

 

hmmm... it's supposed to get up to the mid 50's on WED, but it's supposed to shower in the AM. If I'm lucky, I MIGHT be able to go top down during lunch

btw... meg.. I just saw your post about being @ Argonne last week. Give a hollar next time you're in Chicagoland

 

Hey Tahoe, Got that top down today???

I love how mother nature lulls and seduces you into thinking spring is here, and then...

WHAM! You got horizontal rain coming at you again!

 

I am sure I will be back, although I don't know how much free time I will have. On this last visit we were working everyday from 9am to 11pm. Not my idea of a vacation.

 

minims....

Holy cow. It actually rained so hard that I had to drain some water out of my pool this morning. It's bad enough that it rained so hard and I couldn't put the top down, but geeze, the car is filthy now. I hate that.

 

LOL...

Wahhhhhhhhhh Wahhhhhhhhhh is all we hear from the Left Coast.

Try not being able to clean your car because if you put water on it it'll freeze in the 15F weather when you drive it out of your garage.

Have a nice day from the Snow/Rust/Salt belt...

(By the way, I'm just kidding about the crying... Really that's how I feel that I can't get my wife to move to San Diego right now.)

 

they go crazy...

I got my car wet....

In ohio, you drive out of the garage and its dirty. Salt, rocks, crappy weather...
I can't wait to get to vegas,LA, cruise, ...etc

you west coast people have it easy.

-alpinamike

 

That's too bad Did you fly into ORD? I'm assuming you stayed somewhere near Argonne. Next time out, check out the CMMC site. Maybe we'll have something going on and one of us can pick you up The 1st cruise of the season is 3/26


Back on topic ... went for a spin during lunch today and rolled the roof back a bit still a little chilly for my butt Supposed to be low 50's tomorrow with the possibility of some rain in the AM. Could be top-down for the first time this season

 

40 degrees=top down

I will admit that most of my driving is in town and not long distance, but when it hits 40, the top goes down. Thats what warm coats, gloves, heater, and heated seats are for(and a hat since I seem to have lost all the insulation that used to be on top of my head).

 

We flew into Midway and got a rental to drive to Argonne. Stayed in their guest house. Next time I am in town, and know I have some free time I will def let you know.

 

alpinamike,

it's funny that you mention Vegas, I have to go out there in July to teach a weekend class, was just talking with a pal about what a great road trip that would be. Top down in death valley in the middle of the night....

Couldn't think of a more fun car to have in Vegas... though valet parking poses a dilemma.

 

And then take it to LA(we will be there a week), but before that aweek in Vegas.

Vegas is not bad to park, most decks are open behind the buildings, and we are staying in my families condo. So thats free parking.
I would love to drive from Las Vegas to LA, with the top down.
I wish i had my Convertible for my trip from Vegas to the Arches in Utah, that was a drive to remember.

And then to Bryce Cayon!

Then back to Las Vegas.

30's in the mountains, then 110 degrees in the valley.

Thats hot!!

-alpinamike

 

Mr Sun has been topless with temps hovering around 31. But I had those heated seats and the front windows up along with the wind deflector. No gloves, but I was wishing for something to cover my ears.