I live in Ohio, we don't have a garage. Do I need to buy the optional hardtop?
2006-06-21 08:20:53 · 5 answers · asked by lobotomyzd 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
As a longtime owner of M.G.s and Alfa Romeos, the classic answer about soft tops is that they last between five and seven years if you take good care of them, but only about six years if you don't. :-) Seriously -- soft tops are replaceable items and need to be mentally filed as such. Depending on how you drive, the top may last longer than your tires, but it's definitely a consumable item.
The main advantage to the optional hardtop in Ohio is that it will be warmer during the winter. There's not much insulation in the fabric, and whatever warmth the heater pumps out will get sucked out through the soft top.
The other concern, if you park outside all the time, is whether you'd rather have your top slit or your window broken if somebody decides they really like your stereo, or the lunchbox you left on your seat, or whatever. I never lock the Alfa, but I never leave it parked with anything in it.
2006-06-21 08:34:31 · answer #1 · answered by Scott F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I own a Jag XK8 with a canvas top. About three or four times a years I clean the top with a gentle scrubbing and after it has dried I thorougly treat the canvas with a silicone spray that I buy from an army surplus store. The spray is intended for use in waterproofing canvas tents. Jaguar of course sells their own canvas treatment for about $150.00 a can, but I have found that two cans of the stuff I buy at $7.00 a can does the job very nicely.
The difference is apparent whenever it rains. Untreated the canvas appears to allow the rain to soak in. Treated the water beads on top.
2006-06-21 09:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by anonymourati 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no... your car's ragtop was designed to handle rain and snow. if you scrub the top at least twice a year, once before winter and once before summer, that should prevent any kind of dry rot.
2006-06-21 08:24:17 · answer #3 · answered by pceej 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's probably not necesary. You can Scotch-Guard it, or you can buy products specifically related to cleaning and protecting rag tops.
2006-06-21 08:24:46 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG why the **** did you get a mazda miata?
2006-06-21 08:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by suparnova11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋