MustangWorks.com : Ford Forums - View Single Post - Tell me the do's and don'ts of owning a convertible

Topless In Texas · 07-13-2003, 04:35 AM

Well, I just spent a damn HOUR on this and had it TIME OUT... UUGGGHGHGHGHGHGHHG (Im saving it to an email this time...IM NOT gonna type this again!!!!)

I just put on my new top I"ve had sitting in my living room for 16 mos. (money issue).. I had to get it put on before the MCOA NATIONALS in MAY... they did a SHITTY job, and I'm pissed about a few things and I've got to go see them. But, thats another thread later on when I"m in the mood...

The top at hand:
Sunscreen, that is common sense, depending on your tanning ability...

Make a list of 'checkpoints' so you dont ever forget anything:
1) Windows down
2) Latches undone. (I have forgotten to undo the latches and try to put the top down. not a good thing on the motor. I did have my motor to my top replaced about a year and a half ago. I was prolly shy of 100k at that time...it left me high and dry(not really, it was raining) of corse. When it happens, you'll know it.

Not only for SECURITY, you should put your top UP when Your Stang is left unattended in the sun for these reasons:
1) The Sun will CRACK AND LEAVE GAPPING HOLES IN YOUR LEATHER!
2) FADES your CARPET!
3) FADES THE HEADLINER WHERE YOUR TOP MEETS YOUR WINDSHIELD IF YOUR BOOT IS NOT ON!!! leaves it a NASTY lite brown color....I suggest putting your boot on at all times to protect your headliner, if your top is down...once again, school of hard knocks!
I AM NOW DEALING with all this and my interior is SHOT! BUT.....I ALWAYS have to have the top down! Even now, but i"m to the point, the int. is so fkd up right now, whats the point?

I just wish I'd taken better care of my INTERIOR in the first place!

I NEVER had a problem w/ my back window other than the canvas shrinking and exposing glued seams but it NEVER leaked...till I got golf ball sized holes by my hinges. They started as small 'imperfections' and grew over the last couple of years. Duct tape is NOT attractive on a good looking Stang!

A roll bar is not required, if your racing . Down here anyways I think you gotta be in the 13's or less. Mine is just a light bar and not a functioning roll bar. I would suggest subframe connectors to beef it up, although the vertes are a few hundred pounds heavier than the Coupes, the subframes REALLY help beef up your suspension!! Unfortunately, I had to cut mine off when I got my side exaust put on ....

No need to put a bunch of goop on it, just keep it clean, and if you get caught in the rain, wipe down your interior so it does not spot. I myself, and my daughter love to ride in the rain, and have been caught in a few storms....quite a few. But if you go fast enough, You DONT get wet!!!

It does feel good though. Just make sure you take care of it when you get it back in the garage.

I have the hard boot, will only fit stuffed in the back seat, but theres no way anyone could fit back there w/ it. Also, Kids like the back seat, they hold on to the light bar, make sure thier butts are strapped in the seat and NOBODY stands up!

My daughter being raised in it, shes VERY good about it! She knows whats right and wrong, whats safe and whats not and where the cops are, she looks out for the for me.....

If you smoke, Hold your cigarette over your head, the ashes will clear your Stang....Trust me!!!

I never take my car thru a Car Wash, NOONE touches my car but me.

Well, there was something else, but of corse, I cant remember it now!!!

I dont know if this will help you, but by seeing what us 'older' daily driven/Showcar verte owners deal with, I hope It will help..
Here is some pics of when they replaced the top in May...Im haveing SERIOUS issues w/ it now.

http://community.webshots.com/album/74017561eeFTtr

BTW: JEFF....thanks for your kind words about Topless...I really appreciate it! Ya, I got my top on, but now I'm dealing with other problems...its never ending, and I cant seem to get ahead of them....Got 2 broken window motors now....guess that should be expected. I'm about to turn over 116K....uggh......Ive been sitting on fixing them for the last few months....waiting for that money tree to grow in my back yard!

Anyways...best of luck to ya! And I am looking forward to seeing pics of your new baby!!!! I LOVE baby pics! lol!!!!!
Im chilled out now...just as long as this posts and dont time out, I'll be okay!

Good Luck and CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

TNT

07-13-2003, 04:35 AM	#17
Topless In Texas Not broken anymore! Join Date: May 2001 Location: La Porte, TEXASS :) Posts: 1,963	Your new VERTE!!! ;) Well, I just spent a damn HOUR on this and had it TIME OUT... UUGGGHGHGHGHGHGHHG (Im saving it to an email this time...IM NOT gonna type this again!!!!) I just put on my new top I"ve had sitting in my living room for 16 mos. (money issue).. I had to get it put on before the MCOA NATIONALS in MAY... they did a SHITTY job, and I'm pissed about a few things and I've got to go see them. But, thats another thread later on when I"m in the mood... The top at hand: Sunscreen, that is common sense, depending on your tanning ability... Make a list of 'checkpoints' so you dont ever forget anything: 1) Windows down 2) Latches undone. (I have forgotten to undo the latches and try to put the top down. not a good thing on the motor. I did have my motor to my top replaced about a year and a half ago. I was prolly shy of 100k at that time...it left me high and dry(not really, it was raining) of corse. When it happens, you'll know it. Not only for SECURITY, you should put your top UP when Your Stang is left unattended in the sun for these reasons: 1) The Sun will CRACK AND LEAVE GAPPING HOLES IN YOUR LEATHER! 2) FADES your CARPET! 3) FADES THE HEADLINER WHERE YOUR TOP MEETS YOUR WINDSHIELD IF YOUR BOOT IS NOT ON!!! leaves it a NASTY lite brown color....I suggest putting your boot on at all times to protect your headliner, if your top is down...once again, school of hard knocks! I AM NOW DEALING with all this and my interior is SHOT! BUT.....I ALWAYS have to have the top down! Even now, but i"m to the point, the int. is so fkd up right now, whats the point? I just wish I'd taken better care of my INTERIOR in the first place! I NEVER had a problem w/ my back window other than the canvas shrinking and exposing glued seams but it NEVER leaked...till I got golf ball sized holes by my hinges. They started as small 'imperfections' and grew over the last couple of years. Duct tape is NOT attractive on a good looking Stang! A roll bar is not required, if your racing . Down here anyways I think you gotta be in the 13's or less. Mine is just a light bar and not a functioning roll bar. I would suggest subframe connectors to beef it up, although the vertes are a few hundred pounds heavier than the Coupes, the subframes REALLY help beef up your suspension!! Unfortunately, I had to cut mine off when I got my side exaust put on .... No need to put a bunch of goop on it, just keep it clean, and if you get caught in the rain, wipe down your interior so it does not spot. I myself, and my daughter love to ride in the rain, and have been caught in a few storms....quite a few. But if you go fast enough, You DONT get wet!!! It does feel good though. Just make sure you take care of it when you get it back in the garage. I have the hard boot, will only fit stuffed in the back seat, but theres no way anyone could fit back there w/ it. Also, Kids like the back seat, they hold on to the light bar, make sure thier butts are strapped in the seat and NOBODY stands up! My daughter being raised in it, shes VERY good about it! She knows whats right and wrong, whats safe and whats not and where the cops are, she looks out for the for me..... If you smoke, Hold your cigarette over your head, the ashes will clear your Stang....Trust me!!! I never take my car thru a Car Wash, NOONE touches my car but me. Well, there was something else, but of corse, I cant remember it now!!! I dont know if this will help you, but by seeing what us 'older' daily driven/Showcar verte owners deal with, I hope It will help.. Here is some pics of when they replaced the top in May...Im haveing SERIOUS issues w/ it now. http://community.webshots.com/album/74017561eeFTtr BTW: JEFF....thanks for your kind words about Topless...I really appreciate it! Ya, I got my top on, but now I'm dealing with other problems...its never ending, and I cant seem to get ahead of them....Got 2 broken window motors now....guess that should be expected. I'm about to turn over 116K....uggh......Ive been sitting on fixing them for the last few months....waiting for that money tree to grow in my back yard! Anyways...best of luck to ya! And I am looking forward to seeing pics of your new baby!!!! I LOVE baby pics! lol!!!!! Im chilled out now...just as long as this posts and dont time out, I'll be okay! Good Luck and CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!! TNT __________________ R.I.P. my Kinde..Jan. 19,1992-Aug. 22, 2003. Shes Cruisin' doggie heaven in a Blown Verte or a GTO!!! 2005 ROUSH GT Verte SuperStallions of the Net Feature, May 2002 RICE HATERS CLUB MEMBER #38!! O.B.C #5..thank you!! I feel so priveledged!! BONE STOCK~ Hell, its a ROUSH!