In a perfect Crossfire world we'll be able to get any parts needed to keep our tops functioning (mechanism not fabric) in the coming years. With the problems people have run in to already that's looking more and more shaky as time passes.

We have a VERY creative membership. Has anyone ever wondered if it would be possible to convert our top mechanisms to work manually, like a Miata ragtop? Just think of the actions that take place when you press that button and everything happens through multiple electric motors and solenoids. Could each of the steps be made manual if there were no other choice?

We had a perfect roadster day here in western MA today and I thought of how bummed i'd be if I were waiting for months for some part to make the top work. I hope to keep my car and just imagining what the parts situation for the top will be three or four years out is scary! What do you think?

 

I've got the 7 year/60k mile warranty just because of the top. Beyond that, I'll just park it in the garage with the top down and only take it out on sunny days. When it rains, I have the SRT6!

 

Probably not a good idea to leave the top down and stored for long periods of time. The creases will be come permanent ... mold and mildew ... ick.

I'd keep the car parked in a garage with the top up, dry and taut. Just my spin.

 

The warranty is a good point. I have a MaxCare for the same reason. I guess my underlying concern is a lack of faith that Chrysler will keep the parts bins full. If the dealer can't get the parts then the car just sits. I see people on this forum waiting for weeks now to get problems fixed. what will the parts situation be like in 2-3 years?

 

See the Owner's Manual for instructions for operating the top manually. This procedure, which requires a tool to manipulate the locking mechanisms, is intended for 'emergencies', but I guess you could do it all the time.

Agreed: the workings of the top IS some nifty engineering. Pretty slick.

 

I put my top up and down manually all the time because of parts i'm waiting on from dealer it takes about 2 or three minutes ,,its better if you have someone help but i manage to do mine myself if you pull the fuses to the hydr. pump the presure on the top is releaved and stays that way , totaly manual top at that point.

 

Roadster is stored for the winter with the top up. But during the summer it is garaged and covered, and I leave the top down just to avoid wear/tear on the mechanism, since I almost always drive it topless. And, yes, there are some crease lines in the corners where it folds but they mostly go away over the winter. I never put the top down when it is in any way damp.

 

This is from the Karmann Website: General recommendations for the maintenance of convertible (fold) tops

so your spin is correct.

 

Duh, I guess reading the manual helps! Thanks to hcarter and dwightdmagee for their input. Since there is a fix i'll probably never have to use the MaxCare... ( I said that very hopefully)