Perhaps this ought to be put in the Wash and Wax forum as well, but I thought this would be a better place given this topic is not about washing, cleaning, or waxing your car.

Anyway, over the past few years, I have been observing the quality and conditions of the convertible tops on countless S2000's. I do this because I have never owned a convertible before and the concept of having any type of fabric (rather, plastic) on my roof seems too finite, with respect to durability and such. I have seen many cars'
tops become "thin" where the convertible bars (the actual structure) meets the fabric. Also, for many S2000 owners who always keep their top down, the top obviously does not get stretched at those points.

So long story short, for those of you (like me) that keep your S2000 stored away during the winter, or for long weeks, my recommendation, if practical in your particular situations, is to keep the car parked with the top closed, but not latched onto the A pillars. This will prevent unnecessary and prolonged stretching of the top and any "thinning" of the top that goes along with keeping it taut. This does not take the place of putting on top protectant and seal grease, but I thought I might pass this along in case in may be useful to any of you out there...

Regards,
- Rick

 

Hmmm. This does make some sense. I may have to climb under the cover and unlatch the top.

 

I don't think the "thinning" that you refer to is caused by stretching at all. I think it is caused by the rubbing and folding that takes place when the top is raised or lowered. The newer tops have thick patches in the vulnerable areas. I have seen some '00 models that have holes worn, but mine has reinforcement in those areas.

 

gernby - I have seen way too many examples that prove otherwise. The thinning is caused by a combination of pulling the top tight (expanding the links between the plastic fabric) and the pressure over those points against the bars (think of stretching a sweater over your arm, then bending your arm extending your elbow for extended periods of time... over time, the sweater will stretch and thin at that stretching area). Also, make a point to see where your folding points are on your top when it goes down and you will notice that they are different spots.

Regards,
- Rick

 

I do the same thing with my S2000 when in storage. Not only does it keep the top from stretching out, it keeps the seal at the front from being compressed. In the long run, I think that this will make a difference.
Good suggestion!

 

It is also recommended that we leave a crack in the cabin to keep the air from getting stale in there.

Some of us though, must drive the car year-round...but I'm not complaining.

 

JohnS2K - great point on keeping the seal from being compressed...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ricklobo
[B]
for those of you (like me) that keep your S2000 stored away during the winter, or for long weeks, my recommendation, if practical in your particular situations, is to keep the car parked with the top closed, but not latched onto the A pillars.

 

That is how I'm storing my car this winter. When I parked it in the garage for the last time and I latched the soft-top down and then I though why? Why do I want to pull this thing so tight and then leave it like that for 5 months. I figure why latch it when you don't need to.

I also have the hard top and was thinking of putting that on for the winter, but as others have indicated, the idea of compressing all those rubber seals did not make sense to me for such a long time.