As this will be my first summer driving an S ('04, 1300 miles to date), was wondering the effectiveness of top-down driving with a comfort assist from the AC. The car was driven in the winter on nice days when temps reached the 40s. With the top down, just a sweatshirt, cap and the heater usually was quite comfortable. So, on those top-down, hot summer days, does the AC provide the same kind of benefit (or is it just a draw on engine power?)???

 

I've driven my S in 90+ degree weather with the top down and AC on and it did help, but not to the same degree as bundling up in the winter and driving top down with the heat on.

In the summer, I usually only have the AC on if the top is up.

 

FYI...
the a/c takes some power away too... say you are at a red light, then it turns green and you go, you travel slower because of the a/c... acceleration is slower

 

I agree with allkingz. The heater actually does help when the top is down on a cool day, but the a/c with top down on a warm day helps very little and is hardly worth it. I also tend to only use the a/c with top up. It has to really be hot for me to have the top up with a/c on. Much of the time I have the top up with the windows down.

 

We have had a warm April here, and I never run the A/C with the top down. Between the heat and the parasitic drag of the compressor, the car just bogs off the line and feels anemic. I would rather sweat a bit rather than have "Khan" all heated up and fussy.

 

I've found that keeping the windows up helps keep the cool air in, too. If you're going to a dinner party, and it's over 90 degrees outside (or really humid), I'd recommend top up, A/C on. If you're just cruising and don't mind getting a little warm (and possibly sweating a little), you'll do fine with the top down and A/C on.
I generally find myself using the standard upper & lower vents, as opposed to the "top-down" vents, unless I'm cruising on the highway.

 

Install the Hondata Manifold Insulator, along with the Mugen/Spoon cooling combo, and you will find that the A/C bog everyone knows so well on Honda 4 cylinder's almost completely goes away.