Like it or not summer is over. The leaves are beginning to turn colors and the temperature is beginning to fall. It’s almost time to put on the heat and take the overcoat out of storage. Pretty soon the chilly wind will be blowing and we’ll all have to dress a little warmer. No more shorts and flip flops, coats and boots instead.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy top down driving in your roadster. Cold weather top down driving is as good as it gets, you just have to prepare for the adventure.

I started enjoying cold weather drives way back in the early 1970s in my MG. 40*f, top down and people think you’re crazy, but so what, that just makes it more fun. All you really need is a heavy jacket (leather works real well), a pair of gloves, a scarf (the long aviator type to wrap around your neck) and a hat (optional depending on how cold it gets, recommended at temperatures below 32*f). Start the car, turn up the heater, take the top down, roll down the windows and you’re good to go.

Modern sports cars, like our S2000, are very good for this. The doors come up high and the cockpit surrounds you, trapping in the heat. As long as your heater is working there is never a problem with staying worm. I’ve been top down in 12*f weather without a problem.

As you drive, make sure to look at the faces on the people in the cars around you. That they think you’re crazy will show in the expression on their face. The joke is on them because all the while, you’ll be comfortable and having a good time while they’re trapped inside their car looking at you.

Just because it’s getting to be winter there’s no reason to stop enjoying your car. Get the clothing, put up the heat, take down the top and have some fun in the cold.

 

What is this cold of which you speak?

 

When it gets cold I put the hardtop on, it should be going on in the next few days.
Levi

 

Not what we would expect from a hardened northern boy!

 

I never wanted a hardtop. I was afraid that once I put it on in October it wouldn't come off until May and I'd miss all the fun cold weather top down driving.

 

^^^That's about the time span for mine, most of the winter there is salt on the roads so the car stays inside.
Levi

 

This morning I took the BMW to work, even though it was sunny out. Just a bit too chilly this morning and I didn't feel like driving the S with the top up.

 

Was 45 degrees this morning. Rode the motorcycle. I'll wait for colder weather for top down in the S.

 

It's too hot in Texas to drive top down except at night and in the early morning. I'm definitely looking forward to fall/winter.

 

I second Murphy's comment: what cold?

It was 100 degrees yesterday. Leaves are still green (at least those that have not been consumed by fire) and fall is far in the future. Cold driving here is a frosty 40 degrees in the morning. Top down with a fleece beanie is the roughest it gets.

Year round driving fun. No snow, no ice, no finding the car buried under snow plow leftovers. Just nature. God made this place with the S in mind: