Roof down in UK winter??

[v15ben]

Sorry if this has already been done but it is a long time since I posted. I have just returned from living in Sydney so the weather in England has almost killed me off! The question is how often can you get the roof down in the current climate? My dad sent me a message to Sydney saying his first roof off trip of the year was January 6th and it was a pleasant 5C! Been out today but didn't get the hood down so how about everyone else, how much can you get the roof down? Surely that is the point of having a Cabrio right?

[Tinkerhell]

As long as it's not going to rain then get the bum heaters on and the roof down. The clear winter days are just lovely for top down motoring.

[HarryHBMCC]

I'm in Canada and I have the top down almost every day! Below zero, no problem! Hat, scarf, gloves, leather jacket, seat heaters and front heat vents to maximum and off I go...

If it's below -10C then I don't operate the top as the manual says not to but otherwise, the sky's the limit

Harry

[deggles]

Had the roof down this weekend

The cold isn't really a problem as long as you're sensibly dressed and crank the heater up. It's no fun for passengers in the back though so I tend to put the roof up if I have company

[Rooster]

Quote: Originally Posted by deggles

Had the roof down this weekend

The cold isn't really a problem as long as you're sensibly dressed and crank the heater up.

I agree. As long as your wrapped up.heaters on, you'll be ok.
Had the roof down twice last week, it was cold but what a buzz fast driving down the a roads . I allways get a few stares,odd looks in winter when the roofs down. I leave work in the light and get home as its just getting dark, I think the majority of people(inc my Neighbour who's got a cabrio,not mini) think the roof should only go down when it's blazing hot . Why buy a cabrio if your not going to use it? Might aswell got a tintop with air con
I wouldn't worry about what people are thinking("that guys nuts").

Remember, your doing it for your pleasure, not to show off.

[jimimini]

i get the top down whenever i can, had it down last night but as I did not get the heated seats (doh!) it was freezing!

man I wish i got heated seats

[v15ben]

Yep I quite agree with everyone! Why buy a soft top car if you don't have the roof down whenever possible? Its hardly a difficult and strenuous task to get the roof down either

[HarryHBMCC]

The heated seats are a must. For a moment before getting my MINI Cooper Cabriolet I considered the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn SKY roadsters but along with being completely impractical (no back seat and 1.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the top down, about enough for a box of facial tissues), there is no option for heated seats! What were they thinking??? Obviously it is just meant as a summer toy car while the MINI convertible is an honest all-year car.

The only time I don't open it is when the top is frozen or wet when the temperature is below zero as I don't want to wreck it. If it is below zero (above -10) but the top is dry, down it comes!

Harry