Convertible first driving experience. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PDXSSCE · 03-31-2016, 01:39 AM

Many years ago, I rode in a Cavalier convertible & later a Mustang convertible, belonging to girls that I knew... I had never driven a convertible. I purchased my Camaro convertible on 11/28/15 & Portland weather hadn't warmed to 70+, so there wasn't an opportunity to drop the top, until my drive home from work today.

Initially, I felt sorta nervous for some reason. It was as if something was wrong - probably due to missing the top half of the car. Then I began to relax & enjoy the ride. I felt a sense of open freedom, so much so, that I passed my house & continued driving another 20 minutes... I would've liked to keep going.

Something odd, there were three cars who came alongside & revved on me - a 2015+ Mustang GT, 1990s T-bird & Subaru ricer. I can only assume they were hating, because it rarely happens with the top up & never more than once on a given day.

Anyway, driving with the top down is a thrilling experience & one that I hope remains as such. Although, I might prefer the top up & A/C when the temperature reaches 90+.

2013ZL1FUN · 03-31-2016, 02:36 AM

You can drive with top down and AC on. It will cool the front passengers, believe it or not.

PDXSSCE · 03-31-2016, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2013ZL1FUN

You can drive with top down and AC on. It will cool the front passengers, believe it or not.

Actually, you made me curious, don't the front seats cool too?

2013ZL1FUN · 03-31-2016, 04:08 AM

No.

Mike J · 03-31-2016, 04:48 AM

Get a windscreen or if the back seat is need a wind restictor. It will extend the top down season, the restictor has a cool factor

myold88 · 03-31-2016, 05:07 AM

Having owned many convertibles in the past I found the best time for driving one with
the top down is during warm Summer nights. During the day when it's in the 80's or
above- Not so much. Also, windscreens or driving with the windows up & top down is
for nerds imo. Congrats on your new Camaro and enjoy.

xnuyokr · 03-31-2016, 07:21 AM

Enjoy! I've had the top down as low as 44 degrees. I can't believe you waited so long but better late than never! Name: me 3.jpg
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'11 cyber grey vert · 03-31-2016, 08:49 AM

congrats!!!

Driving a coupe= okay
Driving a convertible=PRICELESS!!

Enjoy!!!

(mine is still in hibernation)

Ryanbabz71 · 03-31-2016, 08:54 AM

Much better view in a convertible

Ryan

vegas girl · 03-31-2016, 09:22 AM

Driving with the top down....it's my form of THERAPY. Nothing better than driving aimlessly with the top down.
I'm lucky to live in Vegas where the weather is AWESOME probably 340 days out of the year.
I REFUSE to drop the top and have the windows up(it's a pet peeve of mine) but I will drive in summer top down AC on. In winter...I'll drop the top and blast the heat and seat warmer on.

Irace16 · 03-31-2016, 09:44 AM

. In winter...I'll drop the top and blast the heat and seat warmer on.[/QUOTE]

Lol! Heat on in Vegas ??

drew peacock · 03-31-2016, 10:30 AM

i hated the handling with my mustang convertable..was a death trap
do chevy actually reinforce the underneath on our cars?

Beardface · 03-31-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew peacock

i hated the handling with my mustang convertable..was a death trap
do chevy actually reinforce the underneath on our cars?

The strut brace comes standard in the engine bay with the vert. It actually makes the car handle extremely well, especially when you consider it doesn't have a top. I have found the car to be a little more solid than my Altima. You'd be surprised at how solid it feels when you're riding in it, and it doesn't have that bendy feel that some other verts have.

Love mine. As the one poster said, driving with the top down is therapeutic. Been more than a few days where I'll just go the long way home, cutting through the airport, just to have a longer time in it. I will admit to being one of those who has been known to drive top down windows up on the highway, but that's only in the morning on the way to work, knowing if I didn't have the windows up, the 70-80 mph winds would make me look like this:

'11 cyber grey vert · 03-31-2016, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew peacock

i hated the handling with my mustang convertable..was a death trap
do chevy actually reinforce the underneath on our cars?

Yes...extra bracing ..that is why they weigh so much...and the rear seats are fixed (don't fold down like in the coupes)
also the convertibles have a strut tower brace as standard.

03-31-2016, 01:39 AM	#1
PDXSSCE Yee-aay-ee! Drives: 2015 2SS/RS CV CE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: ORegon Posts: 2,573	Convertible first driving experience. Many years ago, I rode in a Cavalier convertible & later a Mustang convertible, belonging to girls that I knew... I had never driven a convertible. I purchased my Camaro convertible on 11/28/15 & Portland weather hadn't warmed to 70+, so there wasn't an opportunity to drop the top, until my drive home from work today. Initially, I felt sorta nervous for some reason. It was as if something was wrong - probably due to missing the top half of the car. Then I began to relax & enjoy the ride. I felt a sense of open freedom, so much so, that I passed my house & continued driving another 20 minutes... I would've liked to keep going. Something odd, there were three cars who came alongside & revved on me - a 2015+ Mustang GT, 1990s T-bird & Subaru ricer. I can only assume they were hating, because it rarely happens with the top up & never more than once on a given day. Anyway, driving with the top down is a thrilling experience & one that I hope remains as such. Although, I might prefer the top up & A/C when the temperature reaches 90+.

03-31-2016, 02:36 AM	#2
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 503	You can drive with top down and AC on. It will cool the front passengers, believe it or not. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

03-31-2016, 04:08 AM	#4
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 503	No. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

03-31-2016, 05:07 AM	#6
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,164 View My Garage	Having owned many convertibles in the past I found the best time for driving one with the top down is during warm Summer nights. During the day when it's in the 80's or above- Not so much. Also, windscreens or driving with the windows up & top down is for nerds imo. Congrats on your new Camaro and enjoy. __________________

03-31-2016, 07:21 AM	#7
xnuyokr Drives: 2012 1LT Drop Top Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Yardley, Pa Posts: 743	Enjoy! I've had the top down as low as 44 degrees. I can't believe you waited so long but better late than never! __________________

03-31-2016, 04:48 AM	#5
Mike J Drives: 2015 Topless Btch RS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Montreal...Land of mostly Mustangs Posts: 579 View My Garage	Get a windscreen or if the back seat is need a wind restictor. It will extend the top down season, the restictor has a cool factor

03-31-2016, 08:49 AM	#8
'11 cyber grey vert "SHARK" Born Apr.26,2011 Drives: 2011 CGM 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mississauga,Ontario Posts: 870	congrats!!! Driving a coupe= okay Driving a convertible=PRICELESS!! Enjoy!!! (mine is still in hibernation)

03-31-2016, 08:54 AM	#9
Ryanbabz71 Drives: 2021 ZL1 1LE Satin Steel Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 6,359 View My Garage	Much better view in a convertible Ryan __________________ Ryan 2021 ZL1 1LE Satin Steel Metallic Build Page: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=632481

03-31-2016, 09:22 AM	#10
vegas girl Drives: 2013 2LT/RS BRM convertible Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sin City Posts: 352 View My Garage	Driving with the top down....it's my form of THERAPY. Nothing better than driving aimlessly with the top down. I'm lucky to live in Vegas where the weather is AWESOME probably 340 days out of the year. I REFUSE to drop the top and have the windows up(it's a pet peeve of mine) but I will drive in summer top down AC on. In winter...I'll drop the top and blast the heat and seat warmer on. __________________ 2013 2LT/RS BRM Convertible

03-31-2016, 09:44 AM	#11
Irace16 Drives: 2010 1SS RS M6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 521	. In winter...I'll drop the top and blast the heat and seat warmer on.[/QUOTE] Lol! Heat on in Vegas ?? __________________ Vararam intake, gmpp exhaust, borla stainless long tubes, cat less, jannetty tune, bmr lowering springs, heritage grill , smoked lenses

03-31-2016, 10:30 AM	#12
drew peacock Banned Drives: 2012 2SS INFERNO ORANGE Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: sweden Posts: 1,841	i hated the handling with my mustang convertable..was a death trap do chevy actually reinforce the underneath on our cars?