Florida residents, do you drive with your top down?
04-02-2015, 11:07 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Florida residents, do you drive with your top down?
I'm looking at relocating to somewhere between Orlando and Miami (I know, pretty big gap there) and I will be buying my first Porsche.
I am looking at a 997.1 or .2 most likely and prior to this move, I had always "known" I wanted a coupe. Now that i'm relocating to Florida, which was somewhat unexpected, I feel like i'm obligated to buy a cab due to the warmer weather.
How realistic is this? Is it often too hot/humid for driving with the top down? The only real reason I prefer the coupe is I like how it looks better.
If I'm able to drive top down at least half the time I think I should get the cab.
I know there are similar threads on the coupe/cab debate but I was specifically curious from anyone who lives in FL and ideally around Orlando/Miami.
Thanks in advance!
I am looking at a 997.1 or .2 most likely and prior to this move, I had always "known" I wanted a coupe. Now that i'm relocating to Florida, which was somewhat unexpected, I feel like i'm obligated to buy a cab due to the warmer weather.
How realistic is this? Is it often too hot/humid for driving with the top down? The only real reason I prefer the coupe is I like how it looks better.
If I'm able to drive top down at least half the time I think I should get the cab.
I know there are similar threads on the coupe/cab debate but I was specifically curious from anyone who lives in FL and ideally around Orlando/Miami.
Thanks in advance!
04-02-2015, 11:30 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
I have been in Miami for all of 2.5 years now and see plenty of people with the top down. You're right, in the summer it's ridiculously hot, but I think it will ultimately come down to personal preference. I am taking delivery of my first Porsche, a 997.2 C4S coupe after almost having pulled the trigger on a cab. Looking back, I'm very happy that I don't have to worry about maintaining the top and being susceptible to sun fade.
I've never owned a cab, so take my opinion with caution, but all I know is that I'm very happy that I ended up finding the right coupe.
I've never owned a cab, so take my opinion with caution, but all I know is that I'm very happy that I ended up finding the right coupe.
04-02-2015, 11:55 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Never in the summer when I had a cab. Way too hot In south Florida. Orlando is milder but still hot in the summer. Winter months it was enjoyable when humidity was low and Orlando is significantly cooler in the winter. If you have a choice as to where you're moving, I suggest south Florida. Way more to do in my opinion. I'm not an Orlando fan.
04-02-2015, 12:05 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Orlando is SCALDING hot in the summer. That said, and keep this in mind - from October through late May/early June the weather is FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.
Even summertime - the evenings and early mornings are great. Would I put the top down in August at 5pm in rush hour? Hell no. Would I put the top down to drive out to the boat at the same time? Yessir I would.
The car does come with AC as a standard feature too. :-)
Even summertime - the evenings and early mornings are great. Would I put the top down in August at 5pm in rush hour? Hell no. Would I put the top down to drive out to the boat at the same time? Yessir I would.
The car does come with AC as a standard feature too. :-)
04-02-2015, 12:33 PM
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Never in the summer when I had a cab. Way too hot In south Florida. Orlando is milder but still hot in the summer. Winter months it was enjoyable when humidity was low and Orlando is significantly cooler in the winter. If you have a choice as to where you're moving, I suggest south Florida. Way more to do in my opinion. I'm not an Orlando fan.
Ill be landing in West Palm Beach because I have a free place to stay for 3-4 months while I settle down somewhere.
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04-02-2015, 01:40 PM
#8
I had 2 convertibles when I lived up north but in S. FL. zero desire to own one and here's why:
-Even when the temperature and humidity are mild, it's still the tropics and the sun bakes. I've had to close the sunroof in 65F temp because the sun was still broiling me. Aside from discomfort, there's the whole UV/skin cancer issue.
-Speaking of which, unless the car is covered during the day, the sun's UV will prematurely age the convertible top no matter what you treat it with. And the interior too when the top is down.
-Even when the sun drops enough not to bake you, there are mosquitos, bees, wasps and other flying insects galore.
-There are sudden downpours here. I mean literally, you can be approaching an intersection in bright sunshine, and it's pouring on the other side of the intersection. Many time's I have barely gotten the sunroof closed in time. If it was a convertible the interior and myself would've been soaked many times.
-Security. I've heard of people in convertibles getting pelted with drinks, cigarettes and other litter tossed from overpasses and even passing trucks and SUV's. And others who have been accosted/harassed at redlights with the top down, either by the beggars who seem to be at every major intersection, or other unsavory characters. I know many people whose tops were vandalized while parked.
The only type of convertible I would ever even consider owning down here is one of those with retractable metal tops, where if I only opened it a few times a year, the rest of the time I would have a nice, tight, structurally-sound coupe.
Just my opinion from 20+ years of living in S. FL. YMMV.
-Even when the temperature and humidity are mild, it's still the tropics and the sun bakes. I've had to close the sunroof in 65F temp because the sun was still broiling me. Aside from discomfort, there's the whole UV/skin cancer issue.
-Speaking of which, unless the car is covered during the day, the sun's UV will prematurely age the convertible top no matter what you treat it with. And the interior too when the top is down.
-Even when the sun drops enough not to bake you, there are mosquitos, bees, wasps and other flying insects galore.
-There are sudden downpours here. I mean literally, you can be approaching an intersection in bright sunshine, and it's pouring on the other side of the intersection. Many time's I have barely gotten the sunroof closed in time. If it was a convertible the interior and myself would've been soaked many times.
-Security. I've heard of people in convertibles getting pelted with drinks, cigarettes and other litter tossed from overpasses and even passing trucks and SUV's. And others who have been accosted/harassed at redlights with the top down, either by the beggars who seem to be at every major intersection, or other unsavory characters. I know many people whose tops were vandalized while parked.
The only type of convertible I would ever even consider owning down here is one of those with retractable metal tops, where if I only opened it a few times a year, the rest of the time I would have a nice, tight, structurally-sound coupe.
Just my opinion from 20+ years of living in S. FL. YMMV.
04-02-2015, 01:58 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
I had 2 convertibles when I lived up north but in S. FL. zero desire to own one and here's why:
-Even when the temperature and humidity are mild, it's still the tropics and the sun bakes. I've had to close the sunroof in 65F temp because the sun was still broiling me. Aside from discomfort, there's the whole UV/skin cancer issue.
-Speaking of which, unless the car is covered during the day, the sun's UV will prematurely age the convertible top no matter what you treat it with. And the interior too when the top is down.
-Even when the sun drops enough not to bake you, there are mosquitos, bees, wasps and other flying insects galore.
-There are sudden downpours here. I mean literally, you can be approaching an intersection in bright sunshine, and it's pouring on the other side of the intersection. Many time's I have barely gotten the sunroof closed in time. If it was a convertible the interior and myself would've been soaked many times.
-Security. I've heard of people in convertibles getting pelted with drinks, cigarettes and other litter tossed from overpasses and even passing trucks and SUV's. And others who have been accosted/harassed at redlights with the top down, either by the beggars who seem to be at every major intersection, or other unsavory characters. I know many people whose tops were vandalized while parked.
The only type of convertible I would ever even consider owning down here is one of those with retractable metal tops, where if I only opened it a few times a year, the rest of the time I would have a nice, tight, structurally-sound coupe.
Just my opinion from 20+ years of living in S. FL. YMMV.
-Even when the temperature and humidity are mild, it's still the tropics and the sun bakes. I've had to close the sunroof in 65F temp because the sun was still broiling me. Aside from discomfort, there's the whole UV/skin cancer issue.
-Speaking of which, unless the car is covered during the day, the sun's UV will prematurely age the convertible top no matter what you treat it with. And the interior too when the top is down.
-Even when the sun drops enough not to bake you, there are mosquitos, bees, wasps and other flying insects galore.
-There are sudden downpours here. I mean literally, you can be approaching an intersection in bright sunshine, and it's pouring on the other side of the intersection. Many time's I have barely gotten the sunroof closed in time. If it was a convertible the interior and myself would've been soaked many times.
-Security. I've heard of people in convertibles getting pelted with drinks, cigarettes and other litter tossed from overpasses and even passing trucks and SUV's. And others who have been accosted/harassed at redlights with the top down, either by the beggars who seem to be at every major intersection, or other unsavory characters. I know many people whose tops were vandalized while parked.
The only type of convertible I would ever even consider owning down here is one of those with retractable metal tops, where if I only opened it a few times a year, the rest of the time I would have a nice, tight, structurally-sound coupe.
Just my opinion from 20+ years of living in S. FL. YMMV.
These are the types of things i'm looking for... thank you for the input I would not have considered half of those prior to this thread.
Keep em comin' everyone! As always you guys are the best.
04-02-2015, 02:02 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
The wife sometimes does 
(She drives a classic Grand Wagoneer) bwahahahahahhaa
What amuses me is that I love riding my Harley, but I have less than zero interest in a convertible. Go figure.
Apologies for butting in - carry on.
(She drives a classic Grand Wagoneer) bwahahahahahhaa
What amuses me is that I love riding my Harley, but I have less than zero interest in a convertible. Go figure.
Apologies for butting in - carry on.
04-02-2015, 02:02 PM
#12
I love roadsters but I would never drive one in Florida, it's too hot and humid in the summer. I visit once year in the summer and hardly see any convertibles with the top down. I sweat with A/C on full blast, how can anyone drive with the top down?
04-02-2015, 08:37 PM
#13
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Tampa, FL
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Do It.
I live in Tampa, which is slightly south of Orlando and I own a Cab. It is my first convertible and have been loving it (about 18 months now).
I lived in Miami for years and would not own one if I lived that far south, or if I lived in apartment without a garage.
First my rule is if its not raining and between 60 and 80 I have the top down. That can be almost 365 days a year in Tampa. Sometimes it is going for a 7am drive on a summer morning. Other times its cruising top down all day. If it starts to rain, top goes up and takes all of 20 seconds.
You will not get as much use from it during the 6 months it gets hot, but with the top up its just as cool as a coupe. Also if you park in a garage Sun Damage is not an issue.
I own my own business so I avoid traffic, but I put 12-15k/ year on my car.
I always have a cap and sunglasses in the car with me. There is no way you will ever regret cruising on a evening with top down. Do it, and look into Tampa. Its a fantastic place to live, I have been here 15 years and love it.
I lived in Miami for years and would not own one if I lived that far south, or if I lived in apartment without a garage.
First my rule is if its not raining and between 60 and 80 I have the top down. That can be almost 365 days a year in Tampa. Sometimes it is going for a 7am drive on a summer morning. Other times its cruising top down all day. If it starts to rain, top goes up and takes all of 20 seconds.
You will not get as much use from it during the 6 months it gets hot, but with the top up its just as cool as a coupe. Also if you park in a garage Sun Damage is not an issue.
I own my own business so I avoid traffic, but I put 12-15k/ year on my car.
I always have a cap and sunglasses in the car with me. There is no way you will ever regret cruising on a evening with top down. Do it, and look into Tampa. Its a fantastic place to live, I have been here 15 years and love it.
04-02-2015, 09:13 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
I lived in Coconut Grove for 4 years and had 2 verts while there, a Boxster S and a Beck Speedster. Most days from mid October to through April were fine for top down motoring. Evenings were fine year-round.
04-03-2015, 01:45 AM
#15
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Join Date: Feb 2015
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No cab here, but considered it for some time before settling in with my coupe. I've been a South Floridian all my life and as nice as the idea of a cab may be, I just don't feel you'd get much time to truly enjoy it in South FL with the consistent 90+ degree weather, Baking sun, random down pours, etc. I'm content with sunroof open and windows down.