hi guys, i'm a daily reader, first time poster...

i fell in love with the roadster and am close to sealing a deal.

but this is my first foray into convertibles and i'm not sure what to do/expect in terms of caring for and/or maintaining a cloth top. the dealer tells me he's had no problems with it (surprise surprise...). i'm an engineer by nature and study and watching all those moving parts when the roof goes down kinda makes me nervous...

any ideas about caring and/or maintenance costs with this baby would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

I've only read about one problem with top hydraulics. Mine has had absolutely no problems. If you need to leave top outside you will have to apply periodic waterproofing to the top.(I would use the same stuff that I use on my boat covers, which can be obtained at a good marine supply store or BOAT USA). If you put the car away for the roadster, follow the directions in the manual. Make sure you leave the top up for the winter. A box of DCON in the car if you put the car away is always good to keep away mice. I had one build a nest in a Fiat 200 from stuffing in the seats. Just wash the top with soap to keep dirt off of it when you put it down. Also you need to indoctrinate your roadster by getting a beautiful women to ride topless in it with the top down. My best was one ride down Rodeo Drive in west palm beach florida on a Saturday afternoon. Enjoy.

 

We might need pictures of that ride...

 

Expect women to line up for a ride... Should be the same for the XFire as the SLK.

 

As a long-time resident of WPB, I don't recall of any Rodeo Drives around here. Perhaps you meant Worth Avenue in Palm Beach?

Either way, the situation as described would be a "best" no matter where it occurs.

 

Had mine for 10k miles and no problems whatsoever.

Kinda loud on the highway with the top up or down.

 

Do you have a windscreen installed between the roll bars to buffer the noise?

 

midnightman, i stand corrected. It was the main drag past all the fancy stores where all the ferrari's and Rolls-Royce's park.

 

nope never installed it.

mine was 100% stock.

 

One thing to expect is a Heck of a lot of fun once the sun comes out next spring!!!

 

The windscreen makes a big difference and worth the expense IMHO.

 

I've Got The Windscreen Too And Not Only Does It Work Nicely It Looks Great. Make Sure You Buy The Mopar Screen And Install It As Directed Here On The Site. No Need For Rivets Simply Use The Industrial Grade Velcro And You're In Business. Best Of Luck With Your Purchase. Mine Has Operated Flawlessly Too.

 

It is spring right now here in Arizona. I just had the top down this morning...

 

Thanks...