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  Dec. 16, 2008 1:13 p.m. rconlon Reader

  I do drop my top in the very hot weather of Oklahoma. I need to drink more water on longer highway drives. I even do this with the Miata that has A/C since A/C saps the power. I can trim the windows to be just as comfortable with the top up if not more so from the lack of sun shine. I just don't do it.
  

  Cheers Ron

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  Dec. 16, 2008 1:41 p.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

  When I lived in Phoenix, I'd put the top up when it was past 110. Other than that, top down.

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  Dec. 16, 2008 4:03 p.m. Jensenman UltimaDork

  The Jensen's interior is black, so in the interest of keeping my burn blisters to a minimum the top generally goes up over about 90-95 degrees. I do wish it had a zip out rear window in the top, I have had other cars with that and it was great! My last MGB had a biscuit interior and was good top down no matter what the temps.

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  Dec. 16, 2008 8:41 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

  When it's really hot and/or I'm hitting the highway, I'm partial to top up and side and back windows down.

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  Dec. 17, 2008 7:06 a.m. MustangSix Reader

  Summertime in Central FL is top-up weather. The sun and the humidity conspire to turn your cockpit into a pressure cooker until sundown. And the afternoon thunderstorms can sneak up on you pretty quickly.
  

  Winter is top-down time here. Today (Dec 17th), is a perfect topless day!

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  Dec. 17, 2008 9:21 a.m. bikesnrovers New Reader

  It's too hard to take the top off of my Land Rover Station wagon quickly, so it stays up in all weather. It does have a nice "tropical top" sun sheet that is s'pose to keep the interior cooler. (snicker)

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  Dec. 17, 2008 11:31 a.m. Sownman New Reader

  Two years ago I made it about 1/2 way across Death Valley in my S2000 with top down and air off. Just wanted to get a slight feel of what it was like. By the time I got to Furnace Creek I had the top back up and the air on. It was 128 that day.

  Steve

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  Dec. 17, 2008 3:09 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

  MustangSix is right, I drove in today with the top down. It was kinda foggy, too. Neat drive.

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  Dec. 17, 2008 3:22 p.m. Ian F Reader

  Living in the NE, if I'm driving one of our convertibles, the top is usually down, regardles of temperature... since only our '07 MCc has a/c, the shade from the top in a Spitfire doesn't make much difference.

  For our trip to Watkins Glen last Fall, we made a point to leave early on Thursday morning and took a meandering, back-roads route from NJ to NY (mainly thru PA) to avoid HWY driving in the Spit and MCc with the tops down. While a little longer it was much more enjoyable.

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  Dec. 17, 2008 4:02 p.m. OFracing New Reader

  If it's not nice enough to drive with the top down I generally leave the Spitfire in the garage and take another car. I was the same way with my Jeep Wrangler, the top never went on all summer. Up here in NY we don't get many days really hot days so I try to enjoy the sun whenever I can. mike

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  Dec. 18, 2008 1:01 p.m. m4ff3w Dork

  I kept the top off the X1/9 all summer here in San Antonio.

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  Dec. 18, 2008 4:02 p.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher

  With my TR-6 the top only goes up if I get caught out in a rainstorm. (tonneau cover)
  

  This isn't always a good idea though. While doing the testing for the tire test (coming in March CMS) I drove out to the test facility with the top down in 95 degree heat. (hour and a half drive) After taking a few laps with my helmet on, I nearly collapsed from the heat. The TR never seemed to notice the heat though, and ran beautifully.

  Of course I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so I drove home with the top down and the sun beating down on my head. It took me a few hours to recover once getting home. Not my smartest move, as I nearly gave myself a heat stroke!

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  Dec. 18, 2008 7:42 p.m. Tom Heath Production Editor

  Unless it's raining, I'm top down.

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  Dec. 18, 2008 8:35 p.m. dougie New Reader

  I keep the top down from early spring through late fall in my '65 AH BJ8. For those of you unfamiliar with the extreme cabin heat a big Healey produces, the top is only up if your in heavy rain or driving with the wife. Here's my son and I during a rally in the high desert area of central Oregon. Temperatures were 100+ all day long...........................lots of water and sun screen. The car ran great, we stretch the legs a little to 110 mph on a long straight while crossing an Indian Reservation, open range though so we shut it down when we saw cattle in the distance.

  

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  Dec. 20, 2008 1:54 a.m. Leo Basile New Reader

  If its over 90, I fold the windscreen down. I never have had the top in the car let alone erected.

  Leo

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  Dec. 20, 2008 7:47 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

  To each his own. When it's stink'n hot and the sun is brutal, I don't feel the need for heatstroke. So top up, windows out, or maybe a/c travel in another car.

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