Hello all,
As most of you probably have heard, California has been hammered with rain for almost 7 days straight!! Well I have found that the design of the convertible top allows the water to pool in the center of the top and then drain to either side right into the car when the doors are opened!!! The water runs right into and on the leather seats, the dash board and doors. I have owned convertibles before that cost much less than the Crossfire and never did this? Is it just something I need to live with or should I noitify Chrylser of the faulty design? I really love the car and I know it never rains in California, but when it does, this is a real pain in the ***!!!!

 

I have only driven my Xfire Roadster once in the rain, got caught in a sudden down pour. Never had the problem that you are describing. It might just be the amount of water sitting on your top, I know it has been raining really bad in California. I know in the owners manual it says not to keep your car in the heavy rain for long periods of time. I have had several convertibles and none of them leaked, except my Sebring JXi but it sat out for about a 48 hour period during an extremely heavy rain storm. Might be wise to check with your dealer.

 

While it might not be as much of a problem, the coupe does the exact same thing. The water runs off the side and then onto the front corner of the seat. I'd say very poor design but then again what could have been done differently that wouldn't have altered the style of the car?

Oh and just a day or so ago I had the water actually run inside the car then down the front pillar and onto the front corner of the dash.... AGH!

Problem resolution, park wherever there's a slight side hill.

 

Thanks for the tip =)

 

Have never had it happen so far and I have the coupe. I 'll watch for it though.

 

I never drive mine in the rain.But that ragtop problem sounds like you need a rain car too.Or just look forward to being wet ,or should I say wetter !

 

Yea, like a new Firepower! Roofline doesn't look like it should have that problem...

 

I think the Firepower would have the same problem. Designers used to solve the problem with rain gutters or drip rails along the roof line over the windows. Thank God (at least, from an aesthetics perspective) those went away. Carry a small umbrella and open the umbrella as you open the door. I might not keep the inside of the car dry, but it will keep the driver a little drier.

 

Yeah if you want practical buy a Volvo.

 

Oh my gosh - I was going to post the same thing!! YES - I'm in California too and had this EXACT problem with my roadster. I've never owned a convertible before, but I found it hard to believe that it would be like this in other cars.

I disagree it's due to having a collection of water on the roof - this would happen even after having just been driven and parked, with no visible water collected. Just open the door - and in comes the water. After the second day I started to carry a small towel in the car to wipe it up before sitting in it or leaving it there when walking away from the car. What a bummer though for sure. Very dissapointing.

 

Welcome to the world of ragtop ownership. Before I bought my Crossfire (coupe), I owned 3 different ragtops over a period of fifteen years--two Miatas and a Mustang. They all did it!

Pete

 

Well I am glad I am not the only one having the problem. I understand the car is all about design. That is why I bougth a crossfire!!!

Being a designer myself, a good designer is able to look at all if not most problems that could arise from their designs. Don't get me wrong, I still love my car despite the "little rain" problem. Maybe Chrylser's design team will step up to the challenge in future versions of the roadster and design a roofline that holds true to the design and also allows for the drainage of the top properly =)

 

I kind of like the design of the top on the roadster the way it is now. If they made it to mimic the hatch back, the blind spot in the back would be WAY WORSE bdcause I don't think they can make the window any bigger and still have it fold down. Anyway, it looks the coolest with the top down which is why I love the roadster

 

Are those earmuffs actual size ? I bet you have to use a hairdryer to defrost your runny nose after a topless drive !

 

what nose? I think it froze off!

 

I have always had a small squeege in the trunk - and every morning i give it a couple of drags across the rag top - stops it draining into the car when i open the door - and also that nasty vacuumm suck should i put the top down wet.

Jst one of them rag top things!! Like always having a spare baseball cap (preferably clean) in the car so should you offer someone a lift they can keep their hair together - nothing ruins a first date more than messed up hair - for some people.