I've had a few other convertibles in the past with vinyl tops and plastic windows. It was always suggested to leave the top up as often as possible to keep from damaging it and the rear window.

I have been following the same regimen with my 02 cab for a while. I have a glass window so I'm not so much worried about that. Does it harm the fabric to leave it down? I don't really drive the car unless the top is down so I have been getting in the habit of leaving down all the time (in the garage of course) lately, probably due more to laziness than anything else

Does it really matter one way or the other?

 

You'll get some creases if you leave it stowed for extended periods of time. Should iron right out though .


-Joe

 

Well, I figured how bad can it be? The guys with hardtops leave their tops down for months at a time in cold weather.

 

i found that i did get some creases in the back part of it. They werent to bad but they were noticable. I left mine down quite a lot, same as your thinking, but other then the wrinkles, no big deal i found.

 

The wrinkles go away with a day in the warm sun. No big deal IMO.

 

I leave my top down and hard top on from November to April. No problems. just some creases for a little while then they go away. how much is a new top anyways?

 

I have had my hardtop on since October. I plan on keeping it on until at least March.

I figured Porsche engineers figured that the top down is probably very common...so they must of thought ahead right? I have heard the same...whatever creases or wrinkles you get will stretch out once it warms up. I am not worried...

 

i leave top up when parked overnight. it's fully automatic and easy to do.

i doubt the top will wear faster w it down except for the crease mark others have said which is relatively minor since it'll smooth out with time.

 

i heard a new top (aftermarket) was around 2g's installed. I have better things than a new top to spend that kind of money on

Sounds like it doesn't really matter one way or the other. I don't take the car out of the garage with the top up so who cares if it creases as no one will ever see it

 

if you always drive with the top down and never put it up then you could probably take it out and save the weight, no?

 

Good point. NOw where did I put my sciccors?

Seriously though, it doesn't come out with the top up. I'd rather just drive the Cherokee if I can't go topless. We're kind of lucky in that it's vert weather here in FL about 11.8 months out of the year

 

The problem with leaving the top down all the time is that the fabric will shrink. Over time, this will causue tearning along the seams. It is best to keep the top raised when the car is not in use.

 

I usually put the top up at night to avoid creases. But I don't think leaving it down is bad for the car. The creases should come out (some) if you park the car under the sun for a little bit.

Regards,
Peter

 

maybe it's better to be safe than sorry. i have the one touch option so it's not really a big deal to put the top up or down....

 

I would think that the humidity in Fl may damage the leather if left open like that.