Maybe I'm too paranoid, but I'm to chicken to park in a lot with the top down. I have an alarm with dual proximity sensors, but still park with the top up and windows closed. Should I reconsider?

 

Well, I think the option #2 is impossible ! (Only if you use your car in your own island or so... maybe)

I always park with the top up, but if I park in a friend house, or in a restaurant with tables in the street, being there, I let the car with the top down.

And, in my hometown, a tiny village in the north of spain, with no risk, where everybody knows everybody, the car is always with the top down when I use it.

 

Guys, this is a convertible. If someone wants to steal the car, the cloth top isn't going to stop them. On the other hand if they just want to steal your stuff, I'd rather them take it w/o having to cut my top too. I think putting the top up may make us feel more secure, but in reality I don't think it's much of a deterent to any theif other than the guy just walking by who steals your change from the little cup holder.

 

always top down and cover on... alarm on
a friend of mine puts his top up but leaves the car unlocked (he had the top slashed before)-

 

I'm not so concerned about theft, just general vandalism -- the last thing I want to see is a coke or milkshake (or worse) all over my interior.
So I'll generally raise the top unless I'm totally comfortable with the location.

 

Good point about the vandalism Helios.

 

Yup. Same here. I've learned to just raise the windows up when I park it with the top down.

When I used to park it with the top and windows down, there would be sooo many looky-loos hovering over the interior with their Starbux lattes, it was driving me insane. The windows seem to work as a barrier for those who deem it necessary to actually peer down into your interior like some sort of Alien multi-legged-armed-slobbering creature.