Are there any methods you can take to help prevent tears in common places on your rag top? Thanks Guys!

 

There are some aftermarket straps you can get. (search)
Parking it in the shade/garage when not driving the car.
Keeping the top from getting dehydrated - use a product like 303 Protectant.
They all wear out in time though. If you can get 10 years out of a soft top you are good. Mine is a 2007 so I'm guessing the top is now 12 years old (I'm pretty sure my car was built in late 2006). I've got a few very small tears in it which I could probably ignore for a couple more seasons but I'm replacing it this year anyways it looks tired.

 

 

Same here. #382. 45000 km.

 

Well - I would not say either of your cars are the "norm". I'm assuming both your cars are garaged when not driven.

 

Parking out of the sun is probably the best thing you can do. My 2003 has the original top with minimal wear and no tears. It is stored 6 months every year for winter and is garaged in the summer. I do use 303 Protectant 1-2 times a year.

 

For 5 or 6 months a year the car is garaged. The joys of living in the great white north Never sees rain unless unexpectedly caught out. It has sat out a fair bit on sunny days when I was at work. I did make use of a car cover quite often during the summer. Also used 303 often from day one.

 

I also use 303 on my top, coating both sides each time I wash the car. Also try not to drop the top when the car is parked in the garage or in some shade. Letting the car sit in the sun for a few minutes before putting the top down helps the top slide better. I also help guide the rails of the top so I can reduce the chances of making the side tear worse (Came with the infamous tear). The patch I made for her has been holding nicely for a few years now and has not gotten any worse.

Hope this helps!

 

Mine sits in a garage top- down 95% of the time in May-October.

Top goes up and down <10 times/year.

For winter storage, I leave the top up but UNLATCHED. ie no tension on the top. This probably helps life of the top

BTW- '06 w/32000 miles

 

I've heard leaving the top up but un-latched is actually worst for it.