Ever leave the top down when parked?

JBinSD · 02-23-2017, 04:51 PM

Obviously, this depends on where you live, both for climate and crime. I live in So Cal, and have yet to leave my car parked with top down, like, at all. Even for a minute to grab something out of my office. I usually don't keep anything in my car (except wallet, which I usually take with me), so sometimes I'm tempted to leave the top down on a quick trip to the store, or to grab a burger, but it feels so vulnerable to birdsh*t, burglars and theives.

Realistically, if someone wanted something inside my car, or the car itself, I'm sure a quick blade through the fabric roof would give them quick access. I've even heard of people intentionally leaving the top down to avoid damage from a motivated thief, but I think I'll maintain my level of paranoia. Is everyone this way?

CyberGuyPR · 02-23-2017, 05:15 PM

I am as risk averse as it gets but since I also do not keep anything of value in my car I can gamble leaving the top down if factors such as weather and location line up. In fact, last weekend was the first time I left it open while I grabbed some reading material at Barnes and Noble.

Kencamaro · 02-23-2017, 06:45 PM

I only put it up if I'm going to be a long time away
To just run into a store
I'll leave it down unless it looks like rain

Chutzpah · 02-23-2017, 07:30 PM

I plan on leaving mine down as much as possible... you only live once and I've decided I can't worry about the little stuff with it being comfortably warm ( not even counting dry) here in Boston 3-4 months a year. I'm on a mission to enjoy this car, my first convertible with over 40 hardtop cars under my belt.

SSSHYBOY · 02-23-2017, 07:38 PM

I live in So Cal also... If there is nothing in the car I have NO problem leaving the top down.

blpadge2 · 02-23-2017, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kencamaro

I only put it up if I'm going to be a long time away
To just run into a store
I'll leave it down unless it looks like rain

Pretty much the same here. Biggest thing is I make sure I do lock the doors, in case some fool does try to mess with her, I will get some notice. This is my 4th convertible, have been driving some kind of rag top since 1991 (90 Chrysler LeBaron, 95 Camaro V6, 06 PTCruiser, 16 Camaro 2SS).

G6CamJK · 02-23-2017, 09:38 PM

When I do leave the top down on the Camaro or leave the Jeep parked somewhere with the doors off I leave a cheap holster empty on the passenger seat. Have not had a problem yet.

1fujifilm · 02-23-2017, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBinSD

Obviously, this depends on where you live, both for climate and crime. I live in So Cal, and have yet to leave my car parked with top down, like, at all. Even for a minute to grab something out of my office. I usually don't keep anything in my car (except wallet, which I usually take with me), so sometimes I'm tempted to leave the top down on a quick trip to the store, or to grab a burger, but it feels so vulnerable to birdsh*t, burglars and theives.

Realistically, if someone wanted something inside my car, or the car itself, I'm sure a quick blade through the fabric roof would give them quick access. I've even heard of people intentionally leaving the top down to avoid damage from a motivated thief, but I think I'll maintain my level of paranoia. Is everyone this way?

I leave mine down too but leave nothing visible, I do roll all of the windows up though as they will have to reach around quite a bit to get to the front seat area.

Bear

Driski · 02-24-2017, 04:05 AM

It has been so long since I have driven the car I can hardly remember (winter sucks). Fortunately I live in a relatively low crime area. If I am just running in for a coffee or something I will leave the top down. The main reason I close it is either rain or concern of the sun baking the interior.

classicrockr · 02-24-2017, 06:08 AM

I always leave mine down. Came out of the grocery store the other day & there were 3 blackbirds standing on the top part of the back seat. And another one on the driver's headrest. funniest thing I ever saw - they were just kinda looking at me when I got next to the car - didn't even fly away. they were probably like "Let's go for a ride, man!". Soon as I grabbed my phone for pics, they took off.

That made me think that I leave myself open to cleaning up bird droppings, but I'll probably still leave it down when I park.

MANNAXMAN · 02-24-2017, 09:56 AM

I live in a city with a low crime rate. For the most part, I think people are good. However, I've learned not to trust people when it comes to my cars. With two of my previous three daily drivers, I've had things happen.
-1964 VW Bug: hub caps stolen, car stolen (but recovered), car stereo stolen
-1996 Camaro Z28: Front emblem stolen, car hit in front while parked in a parking lot, car egged while parked on the street
I don't keep anything valuable in my car. But these incidences are always in the back of my mind.

But I'm more concerned with sun damage to the interior if I were to leave the car with the top down for a long period of time repeatedly. Both of my previous Camaros had T-tops. I used to leave the tops off all the time when I would park them somewhere. I owned the '86 IROC for seven years and the '96 Z28 for just over 20 years. Both had their share of sun damage. If I'm running into the store really quickly, I may leave the top down. But, more often than not, the top will go up when it's parked, as I plan on owning this car for a long time.

camaromike77 · 02-24-2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBinSD

Obviously, this depends on where you live, both for climate and crime. I live in So Cal, and have yet to leave my car parked with top down, like, at all. Even for a minute to grab something out of my office. I usually don't keep anything in my car (except wallet, which I usually take with me), so sometimes I'm tempted to leave the top down on a quick trip to the store, or to grab a burger, but it feels so vulnerable to birdsh*t, burglars and theives.

Realistically, if someone wanted something inside my car, or the car itself, I'm sure a quick blade through the fabric roof would give them quick access. I've even heard of people intentionally leaving the top down to avoid damage from a motivated thief, but I think I'll maintain my level of paranoia. Is everyone this way?

I'm the same as you JBinSD.......

JBinSD · 02-24-2017, 04:49 PM

Interesting, I think Caddyshack had an impact on my decision to put the top up too. . . .

JeffMorse · 02-25-2017, 11:00 AM

My first car was a '67 Mustang convertible. People had no issues slicing my brand new top up and tossing a M80 or something on the seat and blowing it to hell.

People just suck. Leaving it up won't stop someone who wants what's inside. Best option is to just keep it obviously barren inside I guess.

02-23-2017, 04:51 PM	#1
JBinSD Drives: '23 LT Vert M6'16 Hyper 2SS Vert MT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Carlsbad, San Diego, CA Posts: 583	Ever leave the top down when parked? Obviously, this depends on where you live, both for climate and crime. I live in So Cal, and have yet to leave my car parked with top down, like, at all. Even for a minute to grab something out of my office. I usually don't keep anything in my car (except wallet, which I usually take with me), so sometimes I'm tempted to leave the top down on a quick trip to the store, or to grab a burger, but it feels so vulnerable to birdsh*t, burglars and theives. Realistically, if someone wanted something inside my car, or the car itself, I'm sure a quick blade through the fabric roof would give them quick access. I've even heard of people intentionally leaving the top down to avoid damage from a motivated thief, but I think I'll maintain my level of paranoia. Is everyone this way?

02-23-2017, 07:38 PM	#5
SSSHYBOY Drives: 2SS convertible, black,black Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Glendale, Ca Posts: 450	I live in So Cal also... If there is nothing in the car I have NO problem leaving the top down. __________________ A little known fact. Women with extra pounds, tend to live longer than men who mention it.

02-23-2017, 09:38 PM	#7
G6CamJK Drives: 16 2SS Convertible, 08 JKU Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: North Texas Posts: 256 View My Garage	When I do leave the top down on the Camaro or leave the Jeep parked somewhere with the doors off I leave a cheap holster empty on the passenger seat. Have not had a problem yet. __________________ '16 2SS Convertible - Blue Velvet, 6M, MRC, NPP, 56R, Nav, Ash Gray, & Silver Rally. '08 Rubicon JKU - Jeep Green, 6 spd, 5" Terraflex, LoD Off-road armor, Warne 9.5, 4.88 gears, 37x12.5R17

02-24-2017, 04:05 AM	#9
Driski Drives: 2016 Camaro Convertible 2SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mass Posts: 756	It has been so long since I have driven the car I can hardly remember (winter sucks). Fortunately I live in a relatively low crime area. If I am just running in for a coffee or something I will leave the top down. The main reason I close it is either rain or concern of the sun baking the interior. __________________ 2SS Convertible, MRC, NPP, A8, Garnet Red, Blk Bowties GM CAI, Ported TB, Kooks Headers, E85

02-24-2017, 09:56 AM	#11
MANNAXMAN Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 564 View My Garage	I live in a city with a low crime rate. For the most part, I think people are good. However, I've learned not to trust people when it comes to my cars. With two of my previous three daily drivers, I've had things happen. -1964 VW Bug: hub caps stolen, car stolen (but recovered), car stereo stolen -1996 Camaro Z28: Front emblem stolen, car hit in front while parked in a parking lot, car egged while parked on the street I don't keep anything valuable in my car. But these incidences are always in the back of my mind. But I'm more concerned with sun damage to the interior if I were to leave the car with the top down for a long period of time repeatedly. Both of my previous Camaros had T-tops. I used to leave the tops off all the time when I would park them somewhere. I owned the '86 IROC for seven years and the '96 Z28 for just over 20 years. Both had their share of sun damage. If I'm running into the store really quickly, I may leave the top down. But, more often than not, the top will go up when it's parked, as I plan on owning this car for a long time. __________________ 2016 Camaro 2SS, Convertible, Summit White, A8, NPP, NAV, Daily Driver (Sept. 2016-Present) 1996 Camaro Z28 with T-Tops (Sold 10.22.16) 1986 Camaro IROC-Z with T-Tops (Sold) 1961 Volkswagen Beetle with Sliding Ragtop Sunroof (2009-Present) 1964 Volkswagen Beetle with aftermarket Sliding Ragtop Sunroof (Sold) Follow me on *Instagram* - @gen6_2ss_vert

02-23-2017, 05:15 PM	#2
CyberGuyPR Drives: '16 vert 2LT RS NPP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 344	I am as risk averse as it gets but since I also do not keep anything of value in my car I can gamble leaving the top down if factors such as weather and location line up. In fact, last weekend was the first time I left it open while I grabbed some reading material at Barnes and Noble.

02-23-2017, 06:45 PM	#3
Kencamaro Drives: 2016 Nightfall 2lt 3.6 convertible Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: London Canada Posts: 13	I only put it up if I'm going to be a long time away To just run into a store I'll leave it down unless it looks like rain

02-23-2017, 07:30 PM	#4
Chutzpah Drives: Wild Cherry LT1 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,923	I plan on leaving mine down as much as possible... you only live once and I've decided I can't worry about the little stuff with it being comfortably warm ( not even counting dry) here in Boston 3-4 months a year. I'm on a mission to enjoy this car, my first convertible with over 40 hardtop cars under my belt.

02-24-2017, 06:08 AM	#10
classicrockr Pills are for Pansies Drives: 2023 2SS Red Hot Vert Camaro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Citrus Springs FL Posts: 1,296	I always leave mine down. Came out of the grocery store the other day & there were 3 blackbirds standing on the top part of the back seat. And another one on the driver's headrest. funniest thing I ever saw - they were just kinda looking at me when I got next to the car - didn't even fly away. they were probably like "Let's go for a ride, man!". Soon as I grabbed my phone for pics, they took off. That made me think that I leave myself open to cleaning up bird droppings, but I'll probably still leave it down when I park.

02-25-2017, 11:00 AM	#14
JeffMorse Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 211	My first car was a '67 Mustang convertible. People had no issues slicing my brand new top up and tossing a M80 or something on the seat and blowing it to hell. People just suck. Leaving it up won't stop someone who wants what's inside. Best option is to just keep it obviously barren inside I guess.

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