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**justjon** · Jul 22, 2009, 11:43 AM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

You let rain get on the car! Do the seats get wet? How can you do that? Don't you realize you are suposed to keep these cars undriven in thier little garages so that they will be "saved" for your grandchildren! How selfish of you to enjoy driving under such deplorable weather conditions or driving it at all for that matter. Your going to get RUST and a cop problem with such recklessness.

**My Raven** · Jul 22, 2009, 11:43 AM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Gordon I used to drive all the time with my top down when I first started using my 04Raven as a daily driver but in recent months the opposite has happened. I like the convertible top up look on our EBs but then the southern muggies are here so that has a factor in the equation too I guess.

**FUN X 3** · Jul 22, 2009, 11:47 AM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Welcome to the club, my Bird has been a daily-driver from day one. My commute is 16 miles each way, so lots of enjoyment daily. It's simply too nice a ride to not enjoy most every day, instead of just on weekends or when it doesn't rain or snow. I've used the stop at a traffic light many times to open or close the top, you do get some finger-pointing and grins, especially from kids. My car has 87,000 miles on it now, I know that hurt the resale value, but when you've made the decision to keep the car for the long haul like me, that becomes a non-issue.

**David M 7173** · Jul 22, 2009, 11:49 AM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Gordon
Seems to me you are doing ok enjoying your Bird. It sounds good to me about putting the top up at stop lights.
David

**Daktari** · Jul 22, 2009, 11:53 AM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Yeah, I know what you mean with muggy weather. I have tried going for lunch with the top down but when it's well into the 90's, I just get too hot when I have to go back to work for the afternoon. It's ok on the way home though, my usual plan as soon as I get home is to get my swim shorts on then straight into the pool to cool down. Coming from Britain I don't think I could handle Georgia summers without it.
One thing I've noticed since using the bird more often. I feel a lot more relaxed with it and I've grown to enjoy it even more. I'm gettin some real use out of it now and I think the car likes it too.

As for getting the car wet. Well, it's surprising how long you can drive in moderate rain without getting wet. Of course, as soon as you stop, then you feel it more. Hopefully by that time, I've got the top up.

All the best, Gordon.

**Ol'Dave** · Jul 22, 2009, 01:05 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

".....As for getting the car wet. Well, it's surprising how long you can drive in moderate rain without getting wet. Of course, as soon as you stop, then you feel it more. Hopefully by that time, I've got the top up"

Yep!! Keeping her at 80+ on the highway, the rain goes right over the windscreen. You stay perfectly dry!! (LOL)

**HKS** · Jul 22, 2009, 01:14 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

I usually drive with the AC blasting at me when I drive topless. This happens after I get through exercising and I am sweaty anyway.

HKS

Originally posted by Daktari View Post

Yeah, I know what you mean with muggy weather. I have tried going for lunch with the top down but when it's well into the 90's, I just get too hot when I have to go back to work for the afternoon. It's ok on the way home though, my usual plan as soon as I get home is to get my swim shorts on then straight into the pool to cool down. Coming from Britain I don't think I could handle Georgia summers without it.
One thing I've noticed since using the bird more often. I feel a lot more relaxed with it and I've grown to enjoy it even more. I'm gettin some real use out of it now and I think the car likes it too.

As for getting the car wet. Well, it's surprising how long you can drive in moderate rain without getting wet. Of course, as soon as you stop, then you feel it more. Hopefully by that time, I've got the top up.

All the best, Gordon.

**FUN X 3** · Jul 22, 2009, 01:58 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Originally posted by HKS View Post

I usually drive with the AC blasting at me when I drive topless. This happens after I get through exercising and I am sweaty anyway.
HKS

That's my approach on really hot days, set it for upper and lower at 70 degrees and that usually keeps you somewhat more comfortable.

**MidLifeBird** · Jul 22, 2009, 02:12 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

My first T-bird was a used '02. I only drove it on weekends and on out-of-town trips in good weather. I only managed to put 20K miles on it in two years. My current T-bird is an '03. The previous owner put 17,500 miles on it in six years. I've decided to drive it everyday and have put 2300 miles on it in the last five weeks. Those are high miles because I made two long trips, but that's why I bought the car. Last weekend I drove over 600 miles in two days with the top down every inch of the way. These cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed. I'm happy for the people that get enjoyment from preserving their cars instead of driving them, but that's not for me. Besides, I'll need another one in four or five years.
I got off track, I meant to just say that I drive mine to work with the top down every day and have often dropped the top at a red light if the mood hits me.
Enjoy.

**FritsB** · Jul 22, 2009, 02:33 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Mine is a daily driver also. Over the last 4 1/2 years I have put 56.000km on it and it was pure enjoyment.
I also do that Gordon, when it starts raining I use the stop at a traffic light to put the top up. It only takes 7 seconds, which makes it one of the fastest tops around.

**Daktari** · Jul 22, 2009, 02:34 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Hi again,

I'm sure there's no law against raising or lowering the top at traffic lights. I did get honked at once because I left it a bit late and the lights changed when the top was only half way back up. I then had to lock it in, place it back in drive and I was away. Unfortunately the guy who had honked was stuck at the now red light. I would have been annoyed too, ha,ha...

Now, whenever I raise or lower the top, I make sure that I'm at a long stay red light.

Gordon.

**SR71Blackbird** · Jul 22, 2009, 07:03 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

I am guilty of removing and replacing top at stop lights. What I haven't seen is anyone talk about the one feature that I love, the one latch top. All the other convertibles that I have owened had two that never lined up if you tried to put the top up at a stop light you would make a lot of people mad because it took forever to get them latched.
Dennis

**BIRD 42** · Jul 22, 2009, 07:51 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Trent I readly agree with you. I will probably need another one in 4 or 5 years and really glad people are keeping my next bird in the garage for me until I am ready. The bird is just too much fun not to drive as often as possible especially with the top down. In the summer the AC is on full and in the winter I have the heat and the heated seats going. It really makes my day when someone makes a comment about the bird.

Mike

**5bird7** · Jul 22, 2009, 08:05 PM

Re: Daily Driving means more topless driving.

Embarrassed to say that we had a relatively cool evening tonight (86degrees) and I left the top up after we had dinner out and drove all the way home before I realized what I had missed!

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