Hi,

It's starting to warm up and I've enjoyed motoring with the top down. It dawned on me today, sitting in the sun at a stoplight, that it could get quite hot in the car with the top down come July and August.

In the winter I can put the heat on and use the bun warmers. Does running the A/C in the summer help if the top is down? Or will I just have to put the top up sometimes on hot, sunny days?

Thanks,

Paul

 

Unless your in Vegas maybe, then just dress cool
Use the A/C directed at your face with all vents pointing towards you

Other then that enjoy being topless

 

Well sunroof guy here (I know I'm snooping around a bit, I'll get out soon) I have been recently remind to keep sunscreen on hand because of my version of open motoring and stoplights, I usually run around with the fan on cool when its upwards of 85 but I avoid A/C as much as I can.

 

Here in Hawaii the temperature can easily reach 85. And sunny. I almost always drive with the top-down and the AC on. I only wish the diverter on top of the dashboard could be turned off. All that cold air blowing upward does nothing to keep you cool.

 

Here in AL when it is 95 & humid, running the A/C does nada but I still go topless most of the time I have heard that purchasing & using the windscreen helps the A/C cool the Mini better when going topless but I don't have one so I can't speak from experience.

 

Here in Texas, where it often gets well over 100 degrees, I suspect a lot of cabrio owners will go topless in the Spring, Fall, and most of the Winter, which is generally mild. Summer will, ironically, be the time to put the top up, although even then mornings and evenings would prime for some top-down motoring.

 

I live in sunny Florida, During the day in the dead of the summer I may keep the top up, (at least during the week with my nice slacks and shirt on) but if the top is down, the ac is on. Wish they had a A/C seat option instead of heated seats.

 

Comfort seats that have fans and the perferated seats

 

You young whippersnappers... I remember when I was young we drove our convertibles with the top down all summer long. I would have those vinyl seats so damn hot sitting in the sun they would literally fuse themselves to any exposed skin. And the only time you would see AC is when a Shelby Cobra would drive by. It clearly said it on the fender AC something, or other....

 

Funny but I was just thinking that same exact thing yesterday. I was fiddling w/the A/C & was wondering why the top vent was blowing. I mean to me when the vent is blowing air on the windshield that is the defrost setting . My front vents do not blow enough air when it is really hot because of so much air being blown at the windshield. Hec if you could ride on the dash I bet it's nice & cool up there

 

I've tried setting the controls so they blow at my feet only... that does work a little. I just got a windscreen a few weeks ago... will test in the coming months

 

Just a question, especially for the sun belt crowd. Besides the heat, I'd think excessive UV exposure might be another reason for opting to keep the top up now and again.

 

I'm using the 303 protectorant per the detail thread, I'm hoping that will offset all the uv exposure

 

Yes, but I was talking about your skin........although 303 might still be a solution.

 

I wasn't sure what you referring to also

last year, if it wasn't raining, the top was down. If it was too hot, I would wear light colored clothing and a baseball cap. This year, I'll have to remember to put on sunscreen so I can avoid getting that farmers tan from driving too much

 

are you sure you don't mean when a Model-T blew by ya


Sorry, couldn't help myself

 

I taint scared of no stinkin sun

 

I taint scared of the biggest nucular reactor (GWB talk) you can see in the daytime.

 

For long drives, the top stays up for the exact reason gokartride mentioned.

 

Extreme cold is the only thing that keeps me from putting the top down.
That's the reason I bought a cabrio!

Anyway, the weather here in GA has been beautiful lately. Hard tops here must be jealous.

Speaking of the sun, I may just try out one of the "sun tatoos" that Mini sent me.

 

where did you get he windscreen and how much did in run?

 

Hey Cubbyr,

ebay has one for $350 -$375, and some posted that that bought one online from Sterling Mini for $325.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MINI-...spagenameZWDVW

 

Uhhhh.... You're supposed to wear clothes with the top down? I thought topless meant topless..

I guess that explains some of those looks

 

Morristown Mini sells them on EBay for $295 + shipping (which was under $20 to me). I bought some other acessories from them & they do good work
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-...spagenameZWD1V

 

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