Good Morning to you all----------It was 44 degrees and sunny yesterday and I have been really anxious to try my car with the roof down. I DID IT!!!!!!!! It was great, I was not even cold, (I followed Java's advice and dressed for it). Put the windows up and the great little heater on full blast, I actually had to turn the heat down, I was melting. My head was wrapped in a scarf, I had on gloves and a Navy Pea-coat (not sure on the spelling of that, but I think you will know what I mean). This was so great, I am famous for always being cold and I really had my reservations about putting the top down in winter, but I have been reading the forums and even people in Buffalo do it. So I took the plunge, and I couldn't wait to tell you all. I feel so proud, I may even try it again today if I go out.-------------J

 

Congrats Joyce!
Honestly, driving the stewie with the top down when its a bit chilly outside isnt that bad. Peaple who dont own a convertible dont understand that you dont get hit with the wind and cold air rushing by. And they put really great heaters in this little car.

 

Yer a true gem Joyce!
Peacoat (Ya nailed it) ain't the way'da go. If you're gonna dooitt on a regular basis, a zippable motorcycle-type leather jacket with jus' a little insulation. (Warmth n' cool too)
But I say that with much trepidation. You're dooin' the deed n' I hesitate to mess with that.
'Fore ya knowitt, you're gonna be sendin' in flicks with yer WWI flyers leather cap on yer noggin' while yer sittin' in the pilot'z seat all pre-flighted-up fer take off.

We (Mama Java n' myself) jus' got in from a trip out to PA for breakfast. We left at 07:30 with frost n' ice on everything so, fer Mama'z sake, the top stayed up. But after breakfast Mama'd worn 'er leather bomber jacket so we could drop the top. Sun'z out n' the ride wuz jus' plain ol' enjoyable.

You've no idea how happy I am that you didditt n' you enjoyed yourself.
This one supercedes findin' the secret compartment Joyce. Welcome aboard.
Java
One thing all: I wouldn't be so anxious to drop a top in the cold if:
1) it had a plastic rear window 'r
2) the top'z showin' signs of frozen areas from previous moisture, 'r obviously, snow.
Other than those two conditions, I'd say it's open season.

 

Driving with the top down on a cold day is awesome. I love to do it when I can.

 

JJ I will keep these suggestions in mind, I never thought of a bike jacket. The helmet! we will see!! I do think that a WW1 flyer's cap should only worn by you--it is a trademark. I know about the cautions on the back window and the any residual precipitation, but thanks for the reminder---you are very good at that kind of thing. Mama Java sounds really neat, give her my best.
s2K 4me--thanks for the congrats, I was amazed that the wind did not hit me, I actually think that the faster I went the warmer I felt! Can that be so, maybe the way the air travels over the car, who knows.
The top down a great way to celebrate Ground Hogs Day.

 

That's great news Joyce, but next time............................."you really have to leave the driveway"................................just kidding

Neil

 

As for my motorcycle jacket suggestion: any leather jacket, aviatior style 'r bike style that has a little insulation, cuffs that fit snuggly 'r kin be zipped snug, n' most importantly, a zipper tha'cha can snug up dependin' on how much the cold is botherin' you.
You don' godda gedda jacket that has equal amounts'a leather n' zippers. Unless that'z the kind'a jacket that makes ya happy.
N' if anybody feels funny about the WWI flyer'z cap, try a winter trooper hat. Similar to the old trapper'z fur lined jobs. Certainly less "odd" lookin' than the flyer'z cap if you've a concern about that kind'a thing.
And this year, anybody who'z anybody will be wearin' . . .
'Sorry to turn this into a fashion thread on ya Joyce, but it's jus' too neat ta sit by n' let alodda folks miss out on it.
'Tickled pink that you're believer.
Java

 

Wow. I gotta give it to ya NE folks. I wouldn't even think about doin it below 60 :P

 

As I see it the choices when it gets cold are:
A) Park it.
B) Drive it with the top up.
C) Do whu'cha goddadoo ta drive it with the top down.
It's such a no-brainer that I don't think it warrants a poll.
Java

 

I prefer the top down on a cold day.

Something some of you might know. Use your air condition at least once a week, even in the snow. Sounds crazy but you can crank up the heater at the same time. The reason is that there is an oil in the coolant to keep the seals flexible. If the AC sits without use for an extended time the seals dry and the coolant seeps out over time. Just a few minutes helps you keep your cool.

When that heat wave hits you might find the AC on the week side and in need of charging.

 

Thanks Phil, yet another priceless nugget from the blue that makes me go, "well, yeah, that makes total sense!". Joyce, you're right, with the aero on this baby faster is better, the cockpit is a cocoon when the outside air's blowing around it. I love driving in the very rare rain here at freeway speed (although the rain makes the speed unlikely usually with other drivers) because that stays out too!

 

Did a piece for Rod & Custom so I have done my homework on that. I figured it was pretty common knowledge but worth a reminder for our cool cousins.

 

The bride and I had a nice sunday ride yesterday. Top down in around 40 something F. Absolutely delightfull.

 

Thanks fer sayin' it out loud Phil. I'd forgotten that AC bit n' I'm gonna godda check to see if my havin' never used the AC might'a lightened the car'z weigt by the amount'a coolant I might'a lost.
'Hope ya caught me in time pal.
In light rain, I think as low as 45 we can stay dry.
When it's normal rain it requires highway speeds (drove in from PA in a good rain when traffic wuzzn't bad. Mama Java thought it wuz aces.)
Serious rain requires battenin' down the hatches n' raisin' the top.

A little side note for those of us who almost never have the top up:
'Had the top up yesterday for a bit of a ride n' I'm goin' crazy with all these noises I'm hearin' from the car as I'm drivin' along. Of course, it wuz jus' because I hardly ever had the top up, 'least not in a long time. But, not bein' the shiniest Stewie on the lot, until I realized whut wuz goin' on, I wuz gettin' a little concerned!
Be well gang,
Java

 

FWIW re: the AC thing. If you have not done the infamous AC mod, then every time the defroster runs the AC pump also does it's thing.

 

I am with you man. I am in OK. and it was about 73 degrees yesterday it was awesome.

 

So far the coldest I've had it down was 38 degrees and that was when we had a wicked cold cnap here down south lol....then again I am a top down ***** lol, I've had my S for a month and a week now and it's been up like once......when it rained lol

 

It's currently in the mid/upper 70s in Dallas. I just passed an S with the top UP. If that's not a ticket-able offense, then we just need to pass some legislation!

 

ahhh, the thing I enjoy most about driving with the top down under 35 degrees is the looks on peoples faces. Priceless and well worth the ownership costs....

 

Amen jiggy. One'z godda get one'z satisfaction where one can, y'know?
Be well,
Java

 

wats tha cold? Top down no matter wat, cep rain and snow of corse

 

no it snowed today and its prolly like 30degrees out right now

 

All testosterone-powered talk aside, while I've only this year ventured into the teens with the top down, when the numbers drop below the teens, the sky'z only visible through my windows . . . jus' like every other poor compartmentized schmuck.

An explanatory note if I may:
Up until I got Stewie, I always rode a bike through the winterz. Full leathers into late fall n' snowmobile suit on until spring.
So, for me anyway, sittin' behind a windshield with luxuries like a heater, windows n' the top fer when I'm jus' tired 'r chilled . . . well, I've been pretty up-close-n'-personal with cold; pilotin' Stewie with the top down in the cold izz a cake-walk. 'Z'long'z'ya dress fer it, it's a dooable enjoyment that opens up a whole big chunk'a the year that was previously wasted.
Be well gang,
Java

 

i know right, texas gets colder than people up north think, in a wierd way though like for example yesterday it was around 75degrees outside and today it snowed and tomorrow it will prolly be in the 80s ha, wierdest weather you could possibly live in, it gets kinda annoying at times. im moving to florida in May where i will be able to enjoy the nice
warm weather all year long= top always down.

 

One thing about Texas, if you don't like the weather just wait
20 minutes.

 

hha true that

 

I live in sunny SoCal and much prefer the rare cold snaps to the warm sun. Nothing like driving in the
40's on a cloudy day. You gotta try it.

 

I imagine it's been said of many areas Phil, but that 20 minute weather comment about Texas remindz me'a the version they use about Joisey: If ya don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. N', livin' along a river does definitely allow for damn near that frequent a weather change.
I've driven home most days where the weather was fine for top-down. Get to the low path that the river takes n' anything goes.
But I'm totally riveratt. Any road that follows a natural river'z'jus' beggin' fer some lucky someone to properly apply a Stewie, y'know?
Java

 

Phil, I'm with you. I enjoy a warm winter with occasional cold snaps. It was in the upper 70s this weekend... snowed Monday... and looks to be in the 70s again today.

Winter in Dallas? Average high is about 50... +/- 20 degrees. Perfect. Occasional doses of reality to remind us it's winter. Just as often, a beautiful top-down day to remind us how blessed we are.

 

We've been in Seguin, TX when the weather was in the 70's and suddenly
dropped in to the 20's. A river runs through it.

 

Ok... it was in the low seventies yesterday in Dallas.

Freezing rain now, with two to four inches of snow expected overnight.

Did I already mention how much I hate winter in TX?

 

Wow Swing, this'izz been a real eye-opener fer me. 'Had no idea that Texas also had that kind'a variable weather. 'Guess I don't geddoutt much.
But, I guess no matter whu'cher locale, the top-up weather helps ya ta appreciate the top-down weather.
N' I godda me-too whu'cha said about drivin' past folks whut'z still got their tops up in obvious top-down weather. Strange critterz.
Be well,
Java

 

Hi Red-------I just saw your post, I thought I would take a peek at the NE page and see if any thing was happening in this neck of the woods. I read the Forum everyday, I get such a kick out of it!!!! Such a great bunch of folks. I spent a week in Texas at the beginning of May, in cute wee town called Grapevine, in a very big hotel called ******* Texan, it is near the DFW airport, but except for that short trip out of town I check out the Forum at least once a day if not more. I am not sure where all the women are, I was temped to start a thread about hats to wear when driving the S, beside a baseball cap and of course beside JJ's flyers cap. I thought that might get some communication from the women, but I did not want to get laughed off the page.

 

I did not want to get laughed off the page.

Laughter is the best medicine. Go for it!

 

We don't care about your problems J'

 

I don't understand these last 3 posts, and I see java's been sweepin' up.

I'm glad to see that Joyce is postinig here and getting some driving in also. Hi Joyce!!! I wear a floppy jungle sombrero. I dare anyone to laugh me off the page!!

H20, raw ain't a strong enough word for spring in the northeast this year.
We've been spoiled these last few seasons, going directly from winter to summer, with very little spring inbetween.
I saw it spit snow twice in the last 10 days.....I'm still getting some chilly wet top down riding in. My S2000 is a filthy mess. I'm waiting for the sun to come out, so she can get a bath.


Keep driving folks!!

Regards,
Jagg

 

So, ya gonna post a picture of it in that condition? I promise I won't use it against you.

 

Sure Don, you won't hold it against me...........Lies people!!!
Blatant lies!!!!

You can keep your fibs on the old-timers thread, pops!!!!!!

Indy and Monaco this weekend Don!

Regards,
Jagg

 

I've got a renewed interest in Indy since they merged the 2 groups. Maybe it'll be what it SHOULD be once again. I hope.

 

Whud'ja send the sombrero out ta get the brim starched so it wouldn't bea'cher face ta death in the windstream?
'Believe'att tale'z much'z the one 'bout the "filthy mess". 'Looked mighty shiny last time'ya posted it'n ya prolly ain't hadd'itt oud'a the garage since.
Yer such'a kidder Jagg.
Java