So it's 46°F out and I go get some gas this morning. As I fill up this guy comes to me and in a slight condescending manner tells me: "Don't you think it's a little chilly out to have the top open". I said, you've got to enjoy life a little. He replies pointing to his truck, that's why I don't let the wife drive the 4 wheel drive . . . I think he missed my point


Admittedly, I'm not sure I would do a lengthy time on the highway at that temperature

 

I find driving with the top down in the 50-60°F range to be quite refreshing, especially if it is sunny. With this temperature range at night, a little heat makes the ride very comfortable. The heated seats are a nice addition for lower temperatures.

My objective is to take advantage of as much TDD (top down driving) as possible. Even our Midwest winters can have warmer days, which I will be looking forward to as the weather becomes less hospitable.

 

Yes, the sun makes a big difference, at least that what my wife was telling me yesterday

My little story happen to me early this morning 8 O'clock-ish so there was just partial sun on some portions. The drive was mostly in the shade though.

I was in a good mood so it helps

 

As I've said before, 30 degrees and sunny=coat, hat and gloves and top-down!

 

It's been quite the summer!!!

I hit 20k miles last night at that moment I had 317 hours with the top down.

Only 15 minutes of rain.. Thats OK the faster you go the less you get wet..

I'm with Spiney all the way........

 

So I've heard.

 

I'll be trying that, spiney, just you wait and see.

 

I left Florida's 80 degree weather Saturday morning, so it's difficult getting used to the cold in Northern Virginia. Fortunately, I'll get some sunny mild days over the next month for TD motoring.

I've driven the car 6 days since delivery and cannot believe the vibrant engine sound and handling of the Roadster. The cool factor is amazing!

 

I had a pretty bad cold last week so the top stayed up for the most part.

Today I left the house for work. It was 22 degrees out. Found my scarf and off I went very nice ride..

So my 37 and sun is gone. Add a scarf and go for it, what a beautiful day......

Andy

 

You got the spirit, Andy.

 

It's been pretty cold here in North Dakota... We have even been well below 0 a few times. The top has been up a lot lately, but the other it was sunny out so I put the top down on the way home from work. After about 8 miles my ears started getting cold and I looked down and realized it was 18 degrees! So I put on a hat. Other than that the heated seats and heater kept me comfortable.

So after having this car since spring our stats are:

192:30 top down time
15,192 miles
44.4 avg mph

So a little math and that means top has been up for 150 hours. Top has been down 56% of the time. Not bad considering this is a daily driver rain, snow, sun...

 

I think that's a record! I gave up at about 25 degrees last year, guess I need to try harder!

 

That's to much statistics...this is like playing Fantasy Top-Down...

Isn't it a one-to-one ratio?...It's either Up or Down.

 

THE LATEST STATS:
5185 miles
110.44 hours top down
52.1 hours top up
Top down driving average is 67.9%

DEPRESSING RESULTS! Not much in the way of opportunity to do much top down driving. The Midwestern weather had been cold and wet. Beside, I can't start my winter TDD yet, I don't have my ski mask picked out.

 

3374 miles
148 hrs driven
105:40 hrs top down

The winter is catching up on us . . . down to something like 71.4%
I'm not too unhappy with it. We even got a chance to drive top down a little in DC, over Thanksgiving, this last few days with 40°F That's the lowest temperature we drove it so far (not on highway).

I'm not going to get worried. It will get way worse by the end of the winter. I'm waiting for a year of ownership to see what's our yearly average. That's more meaningful to me...

 

btw: this is the spreadsheet I did to keep track of the MINI data since we bought it...
It's easy to fill out and gives me a nice record and some fun calculation (I even put some notes to the side that keeps track of tire change, trips, service, etc...)

Ideally, and unless you always drive the same roads, one mistake to not do in your top down calculation is to use the mph average displayed. If your ride varies a lot because you went on a trip for example the calculation will be off. Ideally it would be best to use historical average as I get from the spreadsheet.
But I understand nothing is perfect and one doesn't always have the time, or care to take it for that

 

Agreed, TG. I am more interested in the first anniversary numbers. That will certainly give a more accurate picture of a years worth of driving. Hurry up May!

 

My Roadster has not let me put the top down since the temps dropped below 14 degrees. Is this normal?

 

I have a manual top, so there's only MY limits in play, and 14 degrees is well below them! I hope you find a way to get the top down.

 

Well it certainly wasn't top down weather today! This was from my drive in to work this morning! -18F ambient... 32 degrees below what the Roadster thinks is too cold! By the way it's much too flat here... I clocked it the headlights you see in the distance were 8 miles away!

 

You know what they say . . . it's all the same below numbing temperature so once you get use to 0°F + top down, you're good to go for the rest of the scale


And, you had me look at Landsford, ND. Just the thought of living out there with not much around for miles gives me chills... Talk about farm lands... I'm sure it's like everything else, it's just a question of habit, but I don't know I could live there though...

 

Well I'm in the military and don't much of a choice. Out of all the area around here this wasthe nicest and not too horribly overpriced.

 

I see . . . well some people don't mind it and as you shown us there can be pretty scenery non the less other there! + with a R59 anywhere is fun to drive to.

 

You must be commuting to Minot AFB.

 

Sure am!