Interesting. Usually I don't lower my top during the day, I enjoy it much more when it's cold outside and I'm driving with the top down. Some of the best times I had with my car was with the top down at night, with cool breeze blowing through my hair. In fact, I probably lower my top more in the winter when it's not raining or snowing.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dngo
[B]

I disagree.

 

It's possible that the owner's manual recommends not using the top when it's cold because the ragtop is made of vinyl. The colder it gets, the less pliable (and more brittle) the vinyl becomes. Over time, repeated cold bending will cause the material to develop stress fractures, which will eventually lead to cracks. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't use it in cold weather. I have no clue how long it will take to develop cracks, but I'd guess that most (if not all) convertibles by all manufacturers have some verbiage similar to this to cover themselves from litigation.

Rest assured, your ragtop isn't going to last forever. But being anal about this probably doesn't make sense either because in time the ragtop will deteriorate from UV damage, possible tears, stretching, and God knows what else. So IMO, when it's cold out, minimize the amount of times you raise and lower the top, and try to do it in a garage or in the sun if possible.

 

I say any temp. below 55F I'd rather drive with the top up.

 

I actually find really cold temps to be more enjoyable with the top down as opposed to when it's 108 or something like that.

 

I generally try to avoid lowering and raising the top when the temp is below 50F.

One thing that really helps it soften up when it is cool is to let the car sit in the sun with the top up for a few minutes. The black vinyl absorbs gobs of heat and becomes resonably pliable - just remember to put it back up before it gets really cold - your shivering should be a good indicator that it's time for the top to go up.

 

I can't handle it when its below 50... its just too damn cold.

Now, if its the middle of winter, when it should be below freezing, and the temps get up over freezing, you bet I'll put it down... its a whole different story when you're used to freezing temps.. all of a sudden 40 degrees feels like the tropics!

 

I lower the top in any kind of weather as long as I'm not freezing. Here in California I don't have to worry about that too much but sometimes it is a concern.

More often than not, when the top is up or down depends on whether or not I have 1) a rubber band or scrunchy for my hair and 2) if I'll be driving above 90 mph.

Without something to hold my hair back, it gets mighty annoying having my hair whip me in the eyes. If I'm planning on driving really fast (such as being late or what not), then I leave the top up because I don't want to fall out. Thankfully, I don't drive that fast very often anymore. I've gotten a lot better at time management. It sure does help being able to cruise down the freeway at a leisurely pace and enjoy the breeze.

 

My daughter (17) hates the S because of what it does to her hair. She's always asking me to keep the top up . Sometimes I'll do it for her but if I do it too often, it drives me crazy.

 

if it's not raining I pull the top down... I have even pull my top down on day's when very very light snow was falling. It was so cool driving around at 3:00am (since i didnt want to look to dumb, but just a little) top off and some snow flakes falling down. Let's all agree I was not driving at 60mph either, maybe 25-30mph.

I receive my car in feburary and I wanted to test my top, I called my dealer and asked them if I could since it was cold, and they told me, do whatever you want, it's under warrenty. I'm going to look around I have pics of my car, top down drifting in snow. Well you do have to wear a good jacket and hat, but what the hell let's have fun, beats walking around the block with your G/F to get some fresh air..