Yes, the soft boot. Since it's optional, I assume there's no problem driving with the top down without the boot. So I'm wondering how often people use it and for what reasons.

 

OK, here's the deal with the soft boot (which comes standard on the GT): You'll hardly ever use it. The top looks pretty good retracted without the boot, and the boot is a little bit of a PITA to install.

If you get right up close to the car and stare down in there you can see unfinished plastic & metal structure and pieces of foam, etc, when the top is retracted. So the one time I use my boot is for cruise-ins, etc, where I know people will be up-close looking at it. But in the 3+ months I've had my car, I've only used the boot 2 or 3 times.

Others may disagree, but I'd recommend saving the $160 and using it toward something else.

 

Thanks Eric. That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Unfortunately, I already included the boot in the build order but I'm not too worried about $160 over 60 months. I was just thinking that installing the boot would be almost as much trouble as stowing my t-tops in the trunk (which is why I hardly ever take the tops off anymore). I'm looking for open air without the hassle.

 

I would think you could sell your boot locally on eBay or something to recoup most of your $160, especially if you don't open the plastic baggie it comes in. I am hanging onto mine only b/c my car originally came with it, & I want to keep all the original pieces I can (including take-offs from any mods).

If you are of a mindset of not taking off the Ttops due to hassle, you'll probably rarely use the boot either.

PS - I'm still stying to find out top speed allowable with top retracted. It looks like it could scoop air under it if you were going fast enough. Maybe that's a use for the boot....

PPS - Since it's so large even when folded, it takes up a good deal of the trunk space. So I leave the boot at home in the garage at all times except the rare instances when I have it installed.

 

I've always had verts and still like them. I've driven mine in all weather with the top up, windows down, never windows up - top up. I only put the boot on when its nice out and I know I will the top down for days, or I'm going to a show. I admit it could use some suspention upgrades, but if you hang on tight, it's not bad. I really like I can put the driver and passenger windows down half way and I don't get blown around, and I'm sure the coupe is like that. many cars do not allow that. I don't use the air cond. much at all. The one switch for the back windows does't bother me.

I've driven at highway speeds with the top up and windows down and have not noticed any wear because of that. However, listening to music is not good with the top down. There is a setting for convertable in the sound settings but I don't see what it does and have not used that setting.

Mustangs have always looked good with the top down.

 

In our defense, I will say that I take the convertible to work, and windswept hair look doesn't always fly in every work situation. But when I leave, I'll out the top down immediately.

Another thing though -- when I have the top up and the windows down, I get a ticking/cracking sound from where the roof and a-pillars meet. I think there was a TSB for the '06 models. Has anyone else heard about/experienced this?

 

So I drove to work today with the top down and windows up. Of course it was 45 degrees when I left this morning.

So does that make me a wuss

 

At least you DROVE your car. I left mine at home b/c of bad weather and horrible parking at work (1500 extra people on site right now, and no additional parking has been provided - yet). I had to park the CR-V on grass that could just as easily been mud. Ugh!

BTW, when were you going to tell me which exhaust I was going to be buying? EDIT: OOPS, never mind, didn't realize my home e-mail incoming wasn't working today, just the outgoing, and as soon as I got it working again tonight I saw all 3 of your messages! Congrats!

 

My thoughts exactly, such a pain rolling all 4 up/ down. And I like have just 3 buttons.

 

GO FOR GLASS ROOF!!!!