Each to their own-hood up or down! I mostly leave the hood down if I can because I just think the road noise and wind are all part of the experience, but if you don’t like it, thats ok too. I think it might have something to do with growing up on a farm and driving tractors with no doors or windows on maybe. I often wonder why people buy convertibles and keep the hoods up all the time but it is their choice.
Today was the first time I put the soft-top up in around 3 months… It was the first day this year I deemed the weather warm enough to take the hard top off, (Have you ever tried to get road salt out of mohair [:P] )
I have the top down whenever i can, open air driving is just something everyone needs to experience in their lifetime as it’s just so much fun i think. I bought an MX-5 for a number of reasons not just to have the top down! the ride is superb and there is a feeling of unity between driver and machine in my Mark 1 that defies classification!
The MX-5 really is a brilliant car and yes the roof down thing is a big part of it’s appeal i think due mainly to the simplicity of the soft top mechanism when compared to folding metal roof-100-motors-20-pistons-30 seconds to get the thing down!
With regards to other road users giving me abuse it doesn’t bother me in the slightest! what do i care what other people think about me and my lovely car? i pay my road tax and insurance just like everyone else and so i can drive with my top down whenever i want to if i so choose!
At the end of the day i think the reason why my car gets attention when i go out in it is because i try keep it in such nice condition! and i do actually think there are other road users who enjoy seeing something well cared for and a little different on the roads next to their black A4’s/Focus’s/Mini One’s(insert other bland generic car example here!)
Totally agree with this one. I have been to Liverpool on a course from work yesterday and today and both days I have driven home with the top down - even my Sat Nav managed to cling to the windscreen which was rather impressive too! .
I have to say it does get a bit blowy going over Saddleworth Moor (I live in Huddersfield) but with the heater on and being well wrapped up you’re fine. I also think that after a hard day at work you can’t beat the “wind in the hair experiience”. Saw two or three 5’s but none of them had their tops down - wimps the lot of 'em! LOL!
Cheers.
Notorious BRG
In all my time on the forum and now on my 4th MX-5 I have to say this is the only topic I don’t agree with Captain Muppet on.
I drove my new MX5 Mk2 home on Saturday with hood up and really enjoyed it. However, I got home from work early enough to catch some fine weather today, got the hood down and went for a country lane blast - completely different sensation, car seemed sportier cos I could hear the exhaust more, and the overall sensation was just more exhilarating. Hardly surprising - a closed-car roller coaster would be less fun than an open one - feel that rush of wind whooo.
In my Mk1 I never put the hood up - the tonneau cover stayed on the whole time I owned it. I have a feeling the Mk2 will be the same.
I’m of a similar opinion to Cpt. Muppet - I’ve said to friends on a number of occasions that I’d have bought an Mx-5 if they were ugly and a coupe, it’s the driving experience and cost that do it for me. Being able to go topless on nice days and having my female friends complement it are just bonuses.
MIND YOU PAUL. with that lovely new hood you ought to keep it up to look at it some times.
Paul, have you got rid off the Mk3?
Edit: Don’t answer that… just found your post. Didn’t stay away long [;)] how’s the Mk2 compare?
Me too! I am enjoying the anticipation of removing the hardtop on a fine Spring morning in the not too distant future and then going for my very first open top blast for about 5yrs(when I last drove a convertible). I think I will still use the hardtop for a particular Motorway journey I have to do every week though, its 150 miles and I do have aircon…
It’s different! Really reminds me of my Mk1s - like the same car with a curvier, newer bodyshell. I really miss my Mk3 but the Scirocco arrives in a couple of weeks and it would have been madness keeping both! I am just glad Steve gave me the opportunity to stay an MX-5 owner - we did a part exchange of his lovely Mk2 and some money for my Mk3 - everyone is happy!
As an example of how people see the roof up roof down buisness - I let my dad take my mum to work in it the other day, lovely day, roof down.
My mum said it made her feel sick and she hated it. However, my dad has put a deposit down on a Mk2 and a Honda jazz for the school run, and is selling his 6 month old Audi to pay for it. So some strong responses there…