Greetings.
Well, it's going to be nice and warm through November. Lately, I'm parking the Roadster in the garage with the top down and it will sit in there 4 or 5 days at a time..
Is the interior going to get funky doing this? The garage is clean, but I'm more concerned about humidity, bugs., heat, and stuff like that. Thanks
The Beepster

 

i'd be a little concerned about the top shrinking. i have a jeep and when i leave the top off for extended time, it's tough as nails to get it back on. the material is not the same but i'd be interested to hear what others say.

 

Mine stays down 95% of the time and have had no issues.

 

eruby's thought was what I was thinking. I usually leave it up as the default.

 

I make sure to cycle mine at least once a week. It seems that would be best for the fluids and lubrication also.

 

Same here. In the garage (top down) when not driven, and cycle it once a week or so.

 

One time in 4 years I left the windows down on my Audi A6. A cat snuck in and pissed on the carpet. I sold the car and got my Crossfire. I guess I should thank the cat, but it sure did **** me off. (no pun intended)

On a side note, I used to leave the top off of my Wrangler all summer long. The only issue I ever had was finding spiders all over the place.

 

5-27-10

I had a new top built here in Tampa to address the rear window falling-out problem and I asked that very question to the installer and he said when the car is garaged (as I do ) it is better for the top to be left up.
scubaman

 

In reading the Karmann description below, do we all believe that when they say "open the top" they mean stow the top in the trunk ? And when they say " if the top is opened when it is damp " they mean if the top is lowered into the trunk when it is damp ? And. . . " Do not leave the top open for several weeks " they mean do not leave the top closed in the trunk for several weeks ?

Or is it me that has this misunderstanding ?


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Operating the top: ( From the Karmann Website )

" Only open the top when it is completely dry and clean!

If the top is opened when it is damp, this can cause unsightly pressure points. This could also allow mildew to form and produce spots. If a top is opened when it is dirty, this can cause so-called "relative movements" at rubbing points and thus produce changes in its appearance. Of course, it is essential to remove ice and snow before opening the top.

Do not leave the top open for several weeks at a time, but always close it between use so that no discoloration is produced at the points where it folds and also, so that it will not form permanent folds in the material. Furthermore, it could become difficult to close the top under certain circumstances if the top has been left open for a long time. "

 

Answers.......

 

This threw me for a loop. Has anyone in their right mind ever thought about taking their car out with the top down if it had ice and snow on it? The heater in this car is awesome but not THAT awesome.

 

I store the car in the winter with the top up and the windows slightly open.

In the summer, the top is down just about permanently. I do have the luxury of a garage and cover her to keep out dust and dirt. I only put the top up if I am washing it and on the occasional day when I get caught in rain or it is cooler (and the wife insists). Other than the creases on the side, I have never had a problem as I go into summer #6.

 

I do worry about spiders and small critters finding their way in there.
Maybe if I know I'm gone for a while, I'll close it.
I like the idea of keeping those parts moving as well.

 

If you drive a lot of miles with the top stowed or park it with the top stowed some people have experienced the developement of two lines in the top.

Kinda permanent creases. They will traverse the top right to left. One will appear above the rear window about an inch from the frame spar. The other will appear at the next forward frame spar.
The will be about 16" or, since this is a German car about 1/2 of a meter.

I saw this on two Southern California cars I looked at when searching for my Crossie. From having the top dwwn all the time. my guess is it is not storage so much as road vibration with the top down all the time.

Not all cars develope this. Ragtop treated tops and those treated with 303 top cleaner seem to avoid it. But I used ragtop and they have developed on mine. Both the CA cars were 2006's,as is mine. But that may or may not mean a thing.

Use of the rag top Cleaner generally removes the crease, at least the apperance of it.

Flexing the top frequently is a good idea. Lube the cables once a year. I use a dry teflon spray.

Some may remember the original K car convertables. Many were left down all the summer, parked inthegarage like a queen. So when people put them up in the fall they all cracked, exactly the same and exactly in the same place. right above the first frame spar at the rear window, on each side of th ecar where the 90 degree elbow of the frame put the most stress on it. Hardly ever saw one of those cars without that crack.

Or duct tape over it.


roadster with a stick

 

Rudy,

That was an incredible comment about the ice and snow...my xfire is covered for the winter except for the occasional warm sunny days...I do remove snow and ice after each snow and am especially careful on the top so as not to damage from the weight of the snow. I concur with your comment on the heater as well!

 

During winter, the top mainly stays up for me except when it occasionally gets warm. During the summer, the top stays down most of the time unless I'm parking at some public place and I put the top up.

 

I keep it closed simply to keep the interior from getting so dusty.

 

I keep mine up to cut down on the wrinkles in the top.

 

top is always up in the garage....down when it leaves, up when it returns....works for me.....

 

Doc, you cant do that in Oregon.... unless you want a bath while your driving..... we STILL have rain here.... supposed to be sunny this weekend...