This might be a stupid post but I really have this feeling!
I realised for a while I have got this feeling with my 5’s hood down
I feel the car is slightly quicker, faster acceleration, better response, slightly more aggressive
probably is because i can hear more from the engine
do you have the same feeling as me? or do you think its still just a 5 and both ways are good (well it is surely)
Hood down makes you feel more at one with the car… you have more of a feeling of speed through sound etc… it’s a soft top sports car, the roof should be down at ALL times it’s not raining [:D]
See my post 5 and a half hours… all with the lid down… you are describing perfection on the road. it’s addictive [;)]
I’m a bit confused here…
I thought the hood was just a cover you put up to protect the interior when the car wasn’t being driven? [:P]
[:D][H] that’s what I said… ^^^^^^^^
Neither sorry, but both[:)]
I am always amazed at how many soft top cars always have there hoods up. I have seen cars on boiling hot days, windows up and a/c on.
The people that own those metal-foldy thingy cars really have no excuse. Some of those metal foldy top mercs park their tops in about 20secs don’t they?
Bafta, you’re exactly right - it’s an umbrella and a parking cover. Nothing more!
20 seconds is a long time though… That’s one of the things I like about the manual soft top - it’s much faster, especially to put down! Putting it up requires a little faffing with the windows, but it’ll go down in seconds!
And that’s the response I’ve given to everyone who’s asked if it’s automatic. “No, and I like it better this way!”
Oh, and to the original poster… I think you’re quite right that it’s psychosomatic. I don’t think there’s any way the car can be faster and more responsive with the umbrella down, however it can be (and, I think is) a lot more fun with it down. And that’s what matters!
20 seconds… pah useless german rubbish! my carbon fibre foldy thing does it in 11!
Unfortunatley the average pedestrian crossing controled lights are set at 10 seconds [:@]
Tim, somebody has rather sneakily raised your hood, just as you took your avatar photo…[;)]
That’s a good point! My avatar’s got the umbrella up as well! I’d better change that…
[:$]
Soft top up or down makes no more difference to me than driving with a window up or down, or with the glove box open or shut.
It’s just one small feature of the car shared with all the other convertable cars in the world (just like the hideous new beetle cabrio, or that stupid citroen thing a few years ago) - it isn’t what makes the MX5 really special. Enjoy it if you like it, but this “roof down even when it’s hailing or you’re missing out” attitude is silly. I hate all the posts where people are laughed at for having the roof up - if people prefer it like that let them be.
Maybe it’s because I ride bikes, or because I can go outdoors any time I like, but roof down is just extra noise to me, not extra freedom.
[;)]
You are 100% correct - It is a diferrent experience as your senses are bing engaged in a different way.
Imagine how we currently fly in an aeroplane… no imagine doing the same journey but strapped to the wing [;)]
I have a confession . . . I’ve NEVER had my hood down!
I have only had it a few weeks though! I think I just need to ‘pop my cherry’ and gain a bit of confidance, but my excuses have been, only driving a short distance, fear the hood won’t got back up again for some bizarre reason, or it’s too cold.
It’s quite funny being a bit of a wet lettice over it, I’m usually classed as a bit of a loon!
Heh. I’m the opposite - I drove home after buying it with the roof down! Can’t get enough of it. Don’t worry too much about the cold, I’ve found unless you’re doing 70 or so, it’s easy to get enough warm air blowing over you that you don’t get chilly.
I’ve driven with the roof down when there was snow on the ground, and I was fine. Really refreshing!
I think part of the reason I like it so much is my job involves me being in a metal building with no windows and no fresh air all day, so when I get out in the evening, I want to get as much of it as I can!
I’m not having a go at the plethora of soft top/cabrio drivers who insist on driving around with the lid on at all times… just stating that the point of a soft top sports car is exactly that the roof can be taken down easily. If you want to drive around with the roof up all the time, your call, but you are missing what the MX5 was made for as in also the MG midget, Aussi Healey, Triumph Stag/TR’s they were primarily designed to be driven lidless.
My way of thinking follows the original posters comments… which was s personal thought on how their car feels lidless… AWESOME!
For those that choose to hide behind their Motor vehicles with a flimsy cloth roof in the sunshine firmly closed, buy a coupe, the roof is more secure, won’t wear and requires no maintenance.
Oh and by the way, I ride mountain bikes work on yachts spend 100% of my working life outside… so why would I want the lid on if it ain’t raining.
Gary, your right [:$] it was the first day I had the car and one of 6 photo’s taken… I shall rectify as soon as I get a picture of the car with lid off. My bad [:S]
If they made a mk1 MX5 coupe I’d have bought one - because the real unique appeal of the MX5 is the combination of handling, reliability, cost, handling and handling. If anyone is just driving their MX5 to get windblown and sunburnt then they are missing the point.
I think the reason I get so worked up by this topic is because I like to think that those of us in the MX5OC have something in common, and people who seem to love the MX5 just for it’s rooflessness would be just as happy in any pile of bilge without a roof. I apologise for my desperate need not to let people miss out on this fantastic car they’ve bought.
I think it’s similar to the ‘spotlessly clean and shiny’ vs ‘cleaning doesn’t make it quicker’ argument. 's diffrent strokes innit.
I side with the ‘roof-down is part of the charm’ argument and find it a little cramped and needlessly icky with the roof up, but I still love her either way.Certainly wouldn’t have bought a coupe mk1 though!
As long as the RWD and fine chassis is being properly exploited, the sports car gods are happy :)
Slightly off topic but the roof up / down argument with non-convertible owners demonstrates how narrow minded this country can be. Do something that isn’t “deemed normal” or means you dont follow on like a sheep and the abuse starts.
I’m of the “only put it up when parked” brigade because I’ve grown up with kit cars without roofs and really enjoy open top motoring. Even through this cold snap I’ve only had the roof up for a couple of days and that’s because the snow kept melting on my glasses and I couldn’t see much.
I bought a convertible because I want to have the roof down but the amount of abuse I get on the motorway for having the roof down is amazing. Only last night, minding my own business on the motorway when Mr White Van man sped up behind me overtook, beeped the horn to get my attention then gave me a mouthful about having the roof down. Totally unprovoked. White Van man, rep man etc etc it’s a fairly regular occurence - and no its not my driving. Even when I pull up somewhere with the roof down on a not so nice day I get the odd comment or two about being stupid/idiotic/attention seeker from passers by. Does it really matter that I have the roof down when it isn’t sunny?
Seems that the majority of the country is totally baffled by the prospect of a car with a roof that comes down. Despite being the biggest purchaser of convertibles in Europe.
I love the MX5 and I’ve not had the roof down yet, if it gets better with the roof down it will be an added bonus! If I don’t like it, I’ll bosh on a hard top. MX5, freedom on 4 wheels!