What's your experience of open top driving in the UK?

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Expensive_Welder_338@reddit

Great when the weather is just right - oddly not summer when it's too hot though, tend to find Spring & Autumn best (also you'll get funny tans if you're not careful, drivers arm is normallly more exposed.) I've had soft tops and currently got a hardtop C70 - none of them leaked though soft tops were louder for sure, and the hardtop rattles a bit on really uneven surfaces and weighs a bell of a lot more. I live down South Wales area so generally speaking opportunities to open the roof are there, as are scenic drives which is where they really shine - motorways you could imagine are touch and go depending on traffic but dual carriageways are fine. I think it's inevitable you'll look a berk in one, I think I do but then I don't care as I'm not ever going to see the person again (caveat though to this is DO NOT DRIVE ROOF DOWN IN CITIES OR TOWNS, YOU'LL REGRET IT ESPECIALLY AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. If you have the opportunity to experience owning one I'd say get a softop first since easier to maintain/less issues and go for it, only live once!

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Glad_Buffalo_5037@reddit

I’ve had convertibles for a good few years now and with the English weather getting better you can use it with the roof down for a surprisingly long time in the year. Make sure you get a wind deflector though.

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Ket_Cz@reddit

Have an mx-5 as my only car atm, it’s fantastic. Roof down at every availability.

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jizzyjugsjohnson@reddit

Lovely out on the open road but in town I just felt a bit exposed and a bit of a flash wanker

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Swift_Rz@reddit

That's just the standard British self deprecating thing.

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GetNooted@reddit

Best to keep your trousers zipped up when in a convertible

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TobyChan@reddit

I used to have an open top kit car. Most of the year it was too cold and the roads too risky to head out. On the days when the weather was perfect, I was generally at work. On the other days, I got stuck in traffic, too hot and sunburnt. I loved that car…

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minisrugbycoach@reddit

I used to think they'd be great in summer, but I couldn't understand why you'd occasionally see people driving them with the roof down on a clear but cold day and they'd have their beanie hat and big coat on etc. Then I got an NA MX5 and I totally got it. Driving on a clear crisp day roof down is the most exhilarating thing. So much better than driving roof down during the height of summer. I now have a lotus Elise, yes the roof is off today, but roof down driving is not the reason for that car.

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ace275@reddit

I had an mx5 for nearly 10 years and it was roof down in every outing. Really enjoyed having the roof down but heaters on when it was icy and snowing a little. Crisp and refreshing!

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

I have an NC, and like you, before I had it I did view people driving with the top down in cool/cold weather with a bit of side eye, but then I bought one and I found out the secret, nothing makes you relax quite so well as top down, whatever the weather.

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Subsyxx@reddit

Got the soft-top NC too, and I can even drive with the roof down if I wanted in the winter because the heaters are powerful lol. Only issue is in the 30+ degrees heat, on a sunny day with no breeze, it's annoying when stuck in traffic (my model has no AC)

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loveaduckanytime@reddit

Love it, stay off motorways and dual carriageway, take the B roads and cruise to find the country pub with nice food. Helps being in Suffolk/ Cambridgeshire border

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Dedward5@reddit

I have a Lotus Elise S1. Owned for over 20 years and when I first got it it was my only car that I used to daily drive. I drove it to work etc, roof off a lot, summer winter (sunny days) roof off. I did a tour to the alps in September and drove it roof off all the time, drove all the way across Europe in a day with the roof off.

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Urbanyeti0@reddit

Step dad had one, loved it for those 3 weeks you could actually use it enjoyably, and would then use it another 5-6 weeks of meh weather, but you lose a lot of storage for maybe 3 months of benefit

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PurpWippleM3@reddit

He wasn't using it correctly then, a half decent convertible is usable roof down any time of year.

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dereks63@reddit

You look the business during a heatwave, then a fucking bell end for the other 50 weeks

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FunMathematician4638@reddit

I’ve currently got a mk3 MR2 and absolutely love it, the driving experience is amazing from it being so light weight and handling is the best part. No leaks yet although I do have a few small holes in the soft top that might leak in the future, I did have some water in the compartment behind the seats once but again that was due to the drains being overloaded. I’ve found wearing a cap is perfect for driving it around as the brim perfectly aligns with the top of the windscreen meaning I don’t need to wear sunglasses whilst driving it to see ahead.

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Pericombobulator@reddit

My mum had a few. They were fun up to about 50mph, with the roof down. They got quite noisy then. Dual carriageways and motorways were tedious, so beat put the roof back up. They could be a bit creaky as the body flexed, if you pushed on, but no leaks or anything. Amazingly practical as you could transport ladders and Christmas trees.

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robowns87@reddit

I do get the merits, but I agree with some of the comments above, the use case (for me) is very narrow, so it wouldn’t get used or would feel like a burden if I didn’t use it on any sunny day. Plus I’d feel a knob in town. I’m 37 - I was considering getting a 911 (hard top) last year as an early midlife crisis solution (I live in London and already have a Macan that never moves). Baby arrived in January and I went full middle age - spec’d up a bespoke T6 LWB camper, it’s absolutely class.

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No-Garbage9500@reddit

Loved it. Had a mk2.5 MX5 for about 2 years, 7 years or so ago. It was soft top; I had a detachable hard top but it seemed colder and less watertight (and didn't have a rear window desteamer) so I never used it. It was fine over winter, I'd drive with the top down and heaters on if it wasn't raining. Got rid of it in the traditional manner: ploughing it into a tree. Be careful with a rear wheel drive in the rain, folks. I got extremely lucky with only a few stitches in my head from bashing it into the clamp that held the roof on. It was unlikely to pass another MOT due to rust but I still miss that car.

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schmerg-uk@reddit

I've still got my mk2.5 MX5 with a detachable hard top - the hard top is handy over winter if you don't have a garage, as the fabric roof doesn't leak but it does get wet and the inside gets more condensation etc after a week out in the rain. But when I had to drive up to Newcastle one January, before I had the hard top, I came off the A1 around York and drove the coast roads in falling snow with the top down and it was glorious ! Heated cabin wrapped around you means you only get wet when stationary or moving at less than 5 or 10 mph (for snow at least).

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No-Garbage9500@reddit

I'm very jealous!! Do you have any rust problems? It was definitely going to tank my MOT and the mechanic said it was quite a common problem in them. I actually live near Newcastle and not long after I got it, age 29 and fresh out of a very unhappy marriage, I drove it up and down the coast. Pulled over to take a call at one point, and some kids cycled past and one of them yelled "cool car mister!" Not ashamed to say I rode that high for quite some time lol.

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schmerg-uk@reddit

Had some rust treated a couple of years ago but it seems ok now... Very tempted, should the cash suddenly become available, to give it the [Rocketeer](https://www.rocketeercars.com/) treatment (3.0l V6 drop in that weighs less than the original engine block) if only for the love of the sound of a 6 cylinder burble

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No-Garbage9500@reddit

Damn that's some power in a little car! Hope it lasts you a good long while yet - I miss mine so much.

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manic47@reddit

Had 4. A couple of Spitfires, Micra and a 370Z. Loved them all with the tops down, but for really hot days it's probably better with them up and the air-con on. Only the Spitfires ever leaked, and that was pretty minor.

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GasdaRoceries@reddit (OP)

> Micra CC How did you like that? I've read since frightening things about potentially expensive reliability issues

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manic47@reddit

It was absolutely fine, had it from new and it finally died after 19 years and nigh on 200K miles. Handling felt terrible with the roof down though.

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WoodenEggplant4624@reddit

Fun but long hair gets very tangled, headscarf is a must.

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Vespa_Alex@reddit

I’ve had a convertible Mini for 8 years now and I love it. Unless it’s raining or really grey and overcast I prefer the roof down, and cold but crisp and sunny winter days are some of the best times to be out with heated seats on. Warm summer nights after it’s gone dark too. Mine has an “always open” timer that tells you how long you’ve had the roof down for. In its first year, the previous owner had managed 17 hours of topless motoring. In the second year when I had it, that figure was 117 hours. The lowest I’ve done was about 80, and I’m up to 55 so far.

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underrated_prunes@reddit

I always thought you have to be bald for activities like that in UK

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LordAnchemis@reddit

My friend had a Mazda MX5 - we had the top down once a year in the summer 'Motorway' driving with the top down kills fuel efficiency Winter - lol no

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kwakimaki@reddit

I had an mx5 and you do feel quite vulnerable especially at roundabouts/ junctions when you're next to some whopping huge SUV and can't see shit. Great for if you get a nice bit of country road with no one around.

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Emergency-Try-2193@reddit

Soggy

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QueefInMyKisser@reddit

I have an MX-5 NC with the powered hard top. It’s brilliant! It doesn’t leak but occasionally the roof seal squeaks, but you just put a tiny bit of silicone lubricant and you’re sorted. I’m never getting rid of it, it’s done 100k miles and is 14 years old and still going strong. If it does eventually die I’ll probably just get another one, or something similar at least.

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EUskeptik@reddit

I have an unfulfilled desire for a BMW Z4 3.0 litre automatic with the metal convertible roof. 🥰

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Rh-27@reddit

Same.

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ElectricalPick9813@reddit

Do it! I believe in you!

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EUskeptik@reddit

Thanks for the encouragement! I have two lesser cars to sell first. 😁👍

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TheCannyLad@reddit

I've had many convertibles. Miss them tbh. If you are a *driver* then they do elevate the experience. It is much more raw and fun. However, I do get some of the complaints that others make too. However, for me, it was mostly always positive.

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Nonny-Mouse100@reddit

Had an S2000 for 7 years. The roof was hardly ever up. I took it from 78,000 miles to 152,000.

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JustJezebeluk@reddit

My first car was a Triumph Spitfire. I loved it. Had a soft top in summer and a hard top in winter - Twas perfect.

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Mail-Malone@reddit

Had three, wife liked them, trouble is when it’s hot it’s better to have a roof and air-con rather than the sun beating down on my balding head.

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mebutnew@reddit

100% this. Theyre best in spring and autumn. A mild sunset on a b-roads they're glorious. Middle of summer on a motorway? Hell.

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Normal-Ad2587@reddit

Can't you wear a hat?

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Mail-Malone@reddit

I do wear a hat pretty much all the time, blows off in a convertible though! Suppose I could have worn a swimming cap though, that would have the advantage of preparing me for total baldness as well.

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Pink-socks@reddit

You should have worn a bonnet with a chin strap. Amateur!

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Mail-Malone@reddit

I’m not Laura Ingalls 😂

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Pargula_@reddit

Weird, I've worn hats in mine and they don't blow off.

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Beer-Milkshakes@reddit

Chin strap. Propeller on top for airflow. Rainbow colours just because.

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TheLoveKraken@reddit

If you can drive fast enough you might even get enough lift for the car to take off.

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ThickishMoney@reddit

What are you wearing, a sombrero?

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Mail-Malone@reddit

Australian hat so a reasonable sized brim, has the added problem that the corks keep hitting you in the face.

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Charlie-Bell@reddit

It's mostly fine if you're moving. It's when you get stuck in traffic.

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mebutnew@reddit

Fantastic in spring and autumn. Too hot in the summer, you're basically sat in the blazing sun. Horrible on a motorway, fantastic on b-roads.

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WinstonTheTurnip@reddit

I had MX5s for a significant portion of my life. I always found it great fun. I’d have the top off at 3°c if it was just me in the car. I replaced my top with mohair and it was a fair bit of upkeep. I think the vinyl tops don’t look as nice but you don’t have to treat it all the time. Oh and I didn’t get leaks.

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pinkdaisylemon@reddit

Late 80's had an XR3i white convertible with a white roof and cream leather interior! I absolutely loved it! I thought I was the bees knees and would show off when stopped at the lights by lowering the electric roof! Oh to be young, those were the days! 😄

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MillyMcMophead@reddit

I had an MX5 and the only time I enjoyed having the top down was after I'd just come out of the gym in the evening. Other than that it was a PITA because it was too hot sitting in traffic in sun, I was blinded by the sun despite having sunglasses on, flies and wasps would annoy me in traffic jams and the local kids would occasionally throw sweet wrappers in it. I couldn't hear my music properly either because of road noise and I didn't want to turn it up because I didn't want to be an annoying twat. Traffic pollution smells were grim and driving on the motorway with the roof up or down was too noisy. I would never have another convertible, I dislike them immensely.

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ElectricalPick9813@reddit

Over my adult life, I have owned 20 different cars (45 years). Up until 50, all sensible hardtops (family, children, pets) with a motorcycle just for me. Then, riding a motorcycle got less fun, so since then my partner has the sensible car and I have had a series of 7 convertibles, including a 350z and Fiat Spiders. No roof leaks at all. Parked on driveway. In use most days. Baseball cap for sun protection. Sometimes I like the roof down, sometimes up, mainly because I like to listen to the radio. Hope to continue for as long as l can hold a licence.

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zillapz1989@reddit

Wouldn't recommend it. Only time I travelled in open top as a passenger I got shat on before we made it out of the car park.

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Pargula_@reddit

The universe doesn't hate all of us though.

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glasshomonculous@reddit

Messed up my hair, couldn’t hear the radio, felt like a twat. 1/10 never again

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alltorque1982@reddit

Had a soft top, loved it but was very impractical once child 1 was bigger and it started falling apart. Replaced it with a glass top, loved that too, actually kinda miss it but it couldn't cope very well on bumpy roads and I live near a lot of farm type roads. Also felt like a twat when putting the roof down. People just looked and I felt like I had to grimace and apologise.

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thegreyman1986@reddit

I had a 1989 Mazda MX-5 for about 2 years and I only put the top down a handful of times because I found that once you get above maybe 40mph the wind is unbearable and you get out of the car at the other end looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards, so I got a hardtop for it and pretty much left that permanently on

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doc900@reddit

In a shitbox or a classic it's great, but anything newer you do get abuse. I've got a metallic green golf mk3 cab and little kids wave and shout cool car, get let out alot and people move over on the motorway. Was driven in a new at the time saab 9-3 as a kid and we'd have abuse shouted at us

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Wooden-Bookkeeper473@reddit

Are you gay, pal?

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thebuttonmonkey@reddit

Trying to convince the wife we should lease a Cyberster next time, but I'm 48, 6'6 and overweight. I'm not sure I really want to be That Guy™.

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religionisanger@reddit

Had a Mercedes SLK in my 20’s, drastically boosted my confidence and I put the top down maybe 10 times a year the first year I owned it. By the end it had served its purpose and I didn’t put the roof down for years on end. Moved onto a family car (and a family for that matter). Don’t regret the purchase in the slightest, it was a lot of fun. I’m sure I looked like a complete arsehole for the entirety of my cars lifespan and if I saw a young lad in his 20s with the same car I’d probably think he was an arsehole too, haha.

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vipros42@reddit

I had a BMW z4. If it wasn't raining the top was down. It was great, but for someone over 6' it was cripplingly uncomfortable over long distances and you never really got to drive it properly. Definitely would have a convertible again but something more comfortable

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gr1msh33p3r@reddit

I have an MX5, the RF retractable hard top version. I do virtually no city driving so it's perfect, especially in the summer. I live near a rural town and the countryside so it's great, especially in this weather. Any city driving I do I keep the roof up and the air-conditioning on if its hot.

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publiusnaso@reddit

I’ve had convertibles pretty much continuously for the last 30 years (and my first car in the 1970s was a convertible Triumph Herald, if by “convertible” you include unbolting and removing the roof). I love them. I’ve never had any major leakage issues. The U.K. climate is generally quite well suited to convertibles, although it is tempting to put the roof up and use the aircon when it gets too hot. My favourite time to drive a convertible is through a city late on a warmish evening, once it’s got dark.

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Crusty_White_Baton@reddit

Two words: Trombone Cleaner (former MX-5 owner)

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rev-fr-john@reddit

You have to ignore the strange looks, goggles or sunglasses are a must. Driving below 25mph is great anything above that is breathtaking, because it's difficult to breath, the vehicle is quieter , the seats and you along with everything in the cab get wet, very wet if it rains. https://preview.redd.it/3d6fuyt5m2cf1.jpeg?width=1137&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4aa20146d5e4fe2ecb373c209333d281ce71f73c

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Sad-Bag3443@reddit

Had mx5 and now Mini Cooper convertible. There is a reason that convertibles to people is highest in uk, you can use it most of the year imho. As long as you are moving the it doesn’t usually get too hot. Soft tops can leak, if they get old and not well maintained . If you can get the car as convertible why would you not?

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ZoltanGertrude@reddit

Top usually down unless it's a named storm.

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Clivicus@reddit

I've owned a couple. Lovely in late spring / early summer. Outside of that, roof stays up for heating / air con

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RRC_driver@reddit

I’ve owned seven cars One was a convertible (Volvo C70), which was awesome, until the roof motors started failing. Have a Smart car with a cabriolet roof, which is open on any dry day, whatever the temperature. Have a 3 door freelander with the soft back. The very best thing? Driving in the countryside on a summer night, enjoying the smell of the flowers, fresh cut hay etc

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Isgortio@reddit

I had one for 10 years, sadly had to say goodbye to it in September last year. It was great for the first few years, it was sunny a lot and I had no idea my air con didn't work as I'd just have the roof down all the time. Driving on country roads was great. Sitting in traffic seemed to get people staring at me. Driving on the motorway was noisy but if I put the windows up and had the wind deflector up I didn't really notice the noise as much. When I first got the car at 18, I had comments such as "you driving your daddy's car?", one of those was from a bus driver that almost side swiped me and he shouted at me from his window. People liked to use their windscreen washers when I was behind them, I assume hoping to get me wet, but I had a massive windscreen (2006 Renault Megane) and I'm short so I was always sat underneath the windscreen. The back seats would get wet though. The same if it started raining! The last few years of ownership, well, the roof seals started leaking and I would have to wear a raincoat just to drive the car with the roof up if it had rained or if it was raining, as it'd drip onto my arm. This meant the car steamed up ALL THE TIME, and my fans stopped working properly after years of having to put them on full blast regularly so I drove around with a vacuum squeegee (like the karcher window cleaner) to clear the windscreen so I could see. And then when we finally had some sun, I put the roof down to discover the back shelf (which was underneath a very inclined back window) was covered in mould. Lovely. I didn't buy another convertible, but I do miss having one. It definitely got more use with the roof down when I lived in the south compared to the north. If you were to get one, get a newer one and live in the sunny parts of the country :)

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MiddleAgeCool@reddit

MX5. The most fun I've had driving a car. The practicalities of a family + dogs meant I ended up selling it but I would recommend it to anyone. Have the top down as much as possiable. Sunny = roof down. Cloudy = roof down. Slight drizzle = roof down. Driving at night with only the moon out = roof down.

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cinejam@reddit

My old motor had a v long glass roof. As a ginger not a great idea, tended to keep the blind closed.

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miss-mercatale@reddit

Currently have a 21yo Saab 9-3 convertible. Just done 70k this week so seriously under used. Love her to bits and now I have finally (fingers, toes etc crossed) sorted her battery drain which they can be notorious for (have had a dead switch fitted) I am back cruising around sun on my head and wind ruining my hairstyle…lol. Just wonderful to drive especially in this weather. Now she’s older I put her away for the winter.

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DrHydeous@reddit

Sort of. I used to drive a Land Rover 101 GS. It was a lot of fun, never leaked, and I got rid of it during a period of unemployment when I couldn’t afford to keep the lady in the style to which she was accustomed. She was THIRSTY AS HELL. Like 6mpg thirsty. https://preview.redd.it/ahk61efca2cf1.jpeg?width=320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b0badd16afe590980b4c9c2b7f8391c753b6a9f But that’s not the sort of convertible you’re talking about :-)

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TheOneWithoutGorm@reddit

I bought a Renault Wind last year because I wanted something different. It's got a folding hard top that doesn't leak water in. When I first bought it I thought that I wouldn't open the roof very often, but lately the roof is only closed when it's parked. Bonus point is that I can actually hear other drivers' opinions of the car, my driving style and my parentage.

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danddersson@reddit

Yep, had an Audi A4 convertible from new. Top down driving is OK for a relatively few days per year. In the summer daytime, it is too hot/rto.much UV. In the winter it is often too wet and/or cold. At any time, it is too noisy if you are driving fast. It was best on dry summer evenings, and frosty mornings., when you didn't need to get anywhere. But the killer is, you don't really notice you are driving top-down (apart from noise, wind and heat) as you are just looking through the windscreen. Finally lost patience with it when I arrived at an airport car park,, for a flight, and the roof stuck mid-folding!

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Responsible-Ad-1086@reddit

Had one, great on sunny days and looked nice Downsides, go to put roof down and haven’t pulled the bit down in the boot, if you had it down you hardly had any boot space. Impractical. Now got a car with a big glass roof that open, much better

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0898@reddit

I had an SLK years ago. The best time for having the top down was a summer evening. The sun isn’t beating down on your head but it’s still warm enough.

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Total_HD@reddit

Just, excellent.

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therealhairykrishna@reddit

I've had a bunch. Various generations of MX5, Mk3 MR2 and a couple of kit cars. One of those (Slyva Striker) also lacked a windscreen - I commuted in that through the winter once. They're great fun. My favourite time to have the roof down is at night on a really clear evening. Zooming down country lanes under the stars.

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firthy@reddit

I had a Triumph Spitfire back when the summers were shit. I still loved it

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AccountFar86@reddit

I've had an mx-5 for 15 years or so. Bought it new. I stay dry as long as I stay over 50. Roof is down much of the year. Quite happy with it.

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mcbainze@reddit

Begrudgingly bought an 09 A3 2.0 turbo about 6months ago as I needed a car quickly and it was the cheapest I could find. Wasn't keen on it being a cabriolet... Fast forward to now, and honestly, it's the best car I've ever had!!! Having the roof down turns a mundane commute into an absolute joy!!! Any downsides of a cabriolet are massively outweighed by this fact alone. If you're not sure, hopefully you are now!

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djashjones@reddit

When your stuck in traffic on the motorway, up goes the roof with the air con on full blast or on a really hot day, it's just warm air being blown in.

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sunheadeddeity@reddit

Wind in your hair, flies in your teeth...

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Outrageous_Jury4152@reddit

I've never had flies in my teeth....

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DivineDecadence85@reddit

Then get some teeth.

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Solid_Bee666@reddit

But have you had teeth in your flies?

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wantsomebreakfast@reddit

Yes, had a new MX-5 in my 20s. The good part: driving on warm summer evenings. The bad part: the rest of the time. You realise how bright the sun is, how often it suddenly rains, how exposed you are in city traffic. Loved it, but wouldn’t have another one.

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Naive_Reach2007@reddit

So as some one who never got them, I eventually bought an old audio 80 convertible Absolutely loved it, top only went up when it rained, otherwise it was down all the time. The one I don't get is people who buy them they drive in hot weather with the top up, claiming I've got air con because its hot🙄 Got rid off as ex preferred the minivan and I got a company car and didtn have the space, I'd happily have an old convertible again but not anything new 0s was also handy for the drive in cinema for the kids to sit on the back

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Heehaw_Baws@reddit

Loved my dad's restored MG Midget enough to get an MX-5 fastback as soon as I was able. It's a hard top that turns into an open top and the roof went down any time it didn't look like raining. It was the most fun car I have ever driven. Check out Jonny Liebermann's review of it on YouTube for a taste. I only traded that in because I fancied trying an MG Cyberster. Electric is not as fun as manual but it has real oomph, the hood still goes down any time it's not raining and last week my passenger turned and said 'Do you just get used to people pointing and staring?"

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spyder_victor@reddit

Had a BMW 320i e46 cabriolet I’d drive with the top down at any given moment, was great throwing the top down and keeping the windows up on days like today And nipping into London made the traffic more enjoyable Begrudgingly sold it when I moved to America with work, when I came back to get another prices had gone crazy I think they’re brilliant over here, apart from when it rains

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MysticSmeg@reddit

Bought an MX5 in April. Apart from how incredible it feels to drive, having the roof down on a sunny day is an incredible feeling and really exhilarating. At first I felt a bit self conscious as I’m very much not a show off, now I don’t even think about it and grin pretty much all the way home from work.

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gogginsbulldog1979@reddit

There's nothing better than a drive through the English countryside in summer with an open-op car. A friend of mine used to drive a stunning convertible black TVR Griffith and we'd often go for long drives during summer. However, this being England and the land of bitterness and misery, we'd often get abused for the car. Once, we pulled up to the traffic lights and someone threw a half-sucked Magnum into the car and shouted 'flash cunts'. Why would you do that? So weird.

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MKMK123456@reddit

A very old second hand Ford Ka. Very low so used to speed up and down the M4 London to Bristol. In the summer with top down and foot on the accelerator, it was amazing ! PS - pre COVID so had to watch the speed till Swindon where TV police were active . Then as they say watch the road , not the Speedo.

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Used-Ad9589@reddit

Great honestly, any feelings of discomfort from other people looking/glaring is most often jealousy, don't worry about them, you enjoy your natural air movement/air conditioning. Heck I would drive my convertible down the motorway in the rain as generally 40+ you don't get wet unless it's sideways, and you just have side windows up at that point, all good a pocket of air, keeps you comfy

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Odd-Associate-4587@reddit

Can be very cold had a Audi very nice car needs a garage in winter or the doors freeze shut

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WaltJabsco1968@reddit

It's brilliant in so much as you can actually hear people call you a wanker.

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F1nut92@reddit

Got an MX-5 currently, get the roof down at every opportunity, even during the winter (heated seats and heaters pointed at your feet makes for quite a cosy cabin), it’s a brilliant car as well, plus getting the MX-5 wave is brilliant and not worn off yet.

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Christine4321@reddit

Got mine a decade ago and refuse to give it up. Love it, but find it noisy (with roof closed) at speed so not my favourite on a motorway. Never had leaks…..touch wood, but do use the specialist Autoglym soft roof cleaners regularly and its as clean and flexible as the day I got it and its not garaged.

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chefshoes@reddit

i had a landrover open top was part of the deal.. whether you liked it or not!

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EdmundsonFerryboat@reddit

Had an Mk4 Astra convertible for a year or two a while back and tbh quite enjoyed it. One thing to note: Sounds silly I know, but I was surprised at how windy it can get. You can buy screen things which go across the back of and between the headrests which I imagine would've helped a lot.

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clanshephard@reddit

My wife has had a series of rag tops and one folding metal roof for the last 30 odd years. Only had one that leaked, Cavalier rag top back in the 90's. Had a couple of faults with electric roofs on a Astra twintop and a dodgy connector on the Saab. We have had Cavalier, Astra rag top, Astra twintop ( metal folding roof) and Saab 9-3. In laws had a Volvo rag top and folding metal roof and loved them as well. She loves them, roof down in the winter if it is dry, wooly hat coat and heater on. We have just got back from 3 days driving around Wales in her rag top Saab 9-3 as it was too hot to take the motorbike. Was great fun, nice to share the driving and got to see some lovely scenery and drive some awesome roads. We were going to move the Saab on, but it keeps passing its MOT, doesn't cost much to run and she loves it. I treat all the rubber seals with silicon spray twice a year and treat the roof with Rennovo cleaner and waterproofer once a year.

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Mdl8922@reddit

E36 convertible in Boston Green! Only had it for about 6 months and it didn't leak in that time, great fun though. Drift events especially were fun/challenging, all the smoke & chunks of tyre that normally get blocked by windows... fun

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thickwhiteduck@reddit

Loved it but think I’d get a hard top convertible next time

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BroodingSonata@reddit

I had a mk1 MX-5 as my daily years back, and it was tons of fun. It did leak, so I replaced the original vinyl roof with a mohair one, which also added a heated rear window. Great upgrade, and great car overall. I got rid of it because I fancied a change, and moved to an RX-8. After quite a long time without a convertible (about 15 years), and hankering for one, I bought a used Aston V8 Vantage a few years ago as a "weekend car". It's great to have an open-top option on those warm summer days. I keep it in the garage so it hasn't seen much rain, but I'd be surprised if it leaked.

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MovieMore4352@reddit

I’ve had a couple of MR2 Roadsters and loved them and driving with the roof off. I had to sell when my wife was pregnant but they were great fun. Not fast but great handling cars. They didn’t leak but I did get a wet storage bin when the drains got blocked with dirt and leaves but it was easily fixed with zero mechanical knowledge. The Mica Green one I had had a hard top that I used to leave in the shed but it was rarely on the car, I just used crank the heaters up if it was dry and still enjoy the experience in winter.

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ODFoxtrotOscar@reddit

I love it!! And I only let go of her (reluctantly) when she was fully beyond repair - I’d persuaded the insurance not to write her off one before and kept her going for another couple of years.

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