If it is hot as hell and humid, I will use mine but will turn it off before taking off from a stop.

 

I love the ac in the s2000. I think it prob has more to do with how small the cabin is though. I don't get the point in turning it off whenever you pull away from a light. Don't you ever just casually drive?

 

I live along the very hot and humid Gulf Coast and I have not noticed this to be the case. I am always very impressed with how quickly the AC in my s2000 cools the car. Usually before I even make it out of the parking lot at work the AC is already blowing cold... perhaps your s2k is a little low on R134?

 

After seating in sun down here along the gulf coast the car is warm inside the cabin. After having the ac on full blast to get the temps down I have to put the fan on the lowest setting or freeze out in traffic. I guess the small cabin area and being so close to the vents we all must freeze inside the car with the air on. Of course if the sun is shinning the freakin top is down with the air on at stops along the route. As soon as the car is rolling the air is off to enjoy that great motor in our car. Later BD

 

I can definitely feel the loss of power with the A/C on. I can also feel the 101 degree wind hitting me in the face. I guess i'm getting older, but I can't cruise with the a/c off in this kind of heat anymore

 

While the AC blows cold I often have trouble getting the cabin to cool off. The seats stay hot and the black rag top keeps my head warm.

Typically I run full blast for a while until I get tired of listening to the fan.

AC is great, it's also a tiny cabin.

 

I wonder if the other cars are tuned for better MPG with the AC on?

 

I was just thinking about this today. Mine gets very cold, probably the coldest of any car I have ever owned. It would be cool if you could have a custom programmable HVAC system. For example, when driving in town with the top down you could program it for the fan to come up to mid speed and engage the AC any time your speed is 5mph or slower (stop and go traffic). Then above 5 mph, it turns the ac off automatically.

 

Could this be because you're physically closer to the vents?

Most systems cannot run much colder than 35f without concerns over icing. The 'feelings' most of you have are unscientific. I've sat in domestics that were much colder, though I'm not complaining about the S's system - it's not the 'coldest' out there. Heck a dodge Neon I had as a rental years ago froze my ass off.