Convertibles...

tom_nieto said:
The hood in my MGTF was great as you could operate it on the move by reaching behind you and flipping it over with one arm. S2000 needed the handbrake on (although can mod that apparently). 911 can do it, but you look like a Wally with the roof going up and hitting the limiter in first gear when moving away from the lights (manual box). Guess that’s what the auto box is for.
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Pull the hand brake 1 click. It's enough to put the light on the dash and allow the roof to move.
 
sovietspybob said:
We've had a couple of MX5's back in the day before kids and loved them, we used to have the top down any time of year really as long as the rain wasn't too hard!

If you've got heated seats its amazing on a clear winters day, i actually found i didn't want the top down in the peak of summer as it was just too hot on my head unless i was wearing a hat but then i really don't like the heat and sun at the best of times.
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the thing which scared me a bit about my mates MX5 was........... (and he took a picture of it as well). when i sat in his car, my head was significantly higher than the roll bar protectors at the back of the seat. so much so that with his roof up you could see a bulge where my head was pushing it if i didnt slouch down.

its not even like i am that tall (6 foot 2 but i have short legs and long body).

i would hate to be in one of those and be in an accident where the car rolled.

i have never sat in a soft top 350z but the hard top one at least has much more headroom. maybe i am being daft but this would absolutely be something i would check out before contemplating buying a soft top.
 
bigmike20vt said:
the thing which scared me a bit about my mates MX5 was........... (and he took a picture of it as well). when i sat in his car, my head was significantly higher than the roll bar protectors at the back of the seat. so much so that with his roof up you could see a bulge where my head was pushing it if i didnt slouch down.

its not even like i am that tall (6 foot 2 but i have short legs and long body).

i would hate to be in one of those and be in an accident where the car rolled.

i have never sat in a soft top 350z but the hard top one at least has much more headroom. maybe i am being daft but this would absolutely be something i would check out before contemplating buying a soft top.
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Yeah that is true, i'm lucky as i'm 5'9 so i fit really nicely in the smaller Japanese cars but it's definitely something to be aware of if you're tall.
 
bigmike20vt said:
the thing which scared me a bit about my mates MX5 was........... (and he took a picture of it as well). when i sat in his car, my head was significantly higher than the roll bar protectors at the back of the seat. so much so that with his roof up you could see a bulge where my head was pushing it if i didnt slouch down.

its not even like i am that tall (6 foot 2 but i have short legs and long body).

i would hate to be in one of those and be in an accident where the car rolled.

i have never sat in a soft top 350z but the hard top one at least has much more headroom. maybe i am being daft but this would absolutely be something i would check out before contemplating buying a soft top.
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TBH you don't want to roll an MX5 whether you are 6' 2 or 4' 2 :p

Depending on what mk it was those roll hoops would likely snap clean off in a crash. Looking at those skinny A pillars and complete lack of ant roll bars in my mk 1... Let's just say I've got no delusions over it's occupant protection in a roll over!
 
Yep, the hoops you see in most MX5s are called Style Bars for a reason, they'll do next to naff all. I had a proper bolt in half cage put in mine when I was doing a lot of track days.
 
wesimmo said:
Yep, the hoops you see in most MX5s are called Style Bars for a reason, they'll do next to naff all. I had a proper bolt in half cage put in mine when I was doing a lot of track days.
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They have bars inside then I think. Afaik they have to to pass safety tests.
 
Nasher said:
They have bars inside then I think. Afaik they have to to pass safety tests.
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The silly chrome ones you see on NA and NBs will just fold as they're aftermarket. NC as a proper 'structure'.



I've got a half cage to have bolted in soon, as I don't trust it on track. On road it's fine I imagine.
 
I too would not give up my convertible. I first got an MG Midget (which I still have but it's not on the road) an NB MX5 which was awesome, then I got to the point in life more seats were needed so got a SAAB 93 aero which was OK. Last year I decided to scratch my v8 itch as I don't do many miles and purchased a B7 S4. Which is much better drive wise than the 93.

If its not raining the roof is down. One of my favorite things is roof down at night in the summer on warm evenings. It's a whole other experience.
 
I've had an E89 and now an E85 Z4 and wouldn't be without a convertible now.

The E89 was far more suited as a GT than the E85, which is more akin to a proper roadster. Both incredibly reliable however and so far only the roof motor of the E85 has failed me (as it's notorious for).

Can't beat the straight 6 soundtrack on an empty B road with the roof down.
 
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Had a few convertibles here and love them! Really feels great cruising around in the sun and maybe displays an optimistic outlook on the British weather?

But also don't forget, as long as it's something reasonably modern with heated seater running around on a crisp sunny winters day is just as fun!
 
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