So I drove to work the other day with my top down and the windows rolled up, as is my custom. I have a wind deflector, and with that configuration the cabin's incredibly calm, I can hear the sound system, make calls, all good.

I get to work - it's lunch, so people are out and about... and I get a lot of grief about driving a convertible with the top down and the windows up. Like it's a geeky thing to do. The feeling on this seems to be unanimous.

Now I don't care -- I'm certainly going to continue to do it-- but I'm curious-- I've only owned convertibles my whole life, and that was the first time I'd ever heard comments on top-down, windows-up being a Loser Look.

Quick question: is that really a thing? Have you heard this? Do any convertible owners here stick with "top-down, windows-down as a policy? Just curious.
Thanks!

 

When we're on our way to some event, and the wife has her hair the way she wants it, it's "top down, windows up". But on the way home, it's "top down, windows down" all the way!

When I'm on the freeway/tollway, and there's any sort of cross wind, I'll put the windows up, just to keep my hat from blowing off from a cross wind.
(The one time I did have my hat blown off on the highway, it landed on the back of the wind deflector, and was firmly planted there by the down force of the wind coming over the top of the windshield, but I don't want to think that will always happen, so I do put the windows up in the presence of cross winds.)

 

It is usually "top down, windows up for me". If I am wearing a hat, it's the same. When I want to take the wild ride it's windows down. And I agree with the XKR Convertible, a windscreen is "the only" to go.

Who cares what other people might think. You're driving a car that many people want, that many people can't afford, and the best thing is, "you got it".

Enjoy!

..

 

I installed White XKR's remote control top with the optional rear window control. When the top is down, I always drive with all 4 windows up and my rear windscreen up. If you don't have White XKR's kit, I highly recommend it. I occasionally drive with the top up and all 4 windows down.

 

As expected my configuration is based on temperature and speed. So any temp over 70* and speeds less then 50 mph the windows stay down. So in the fall and winter 40* has them up regardless of speed. Also if traveling faster then 50 mph like on interstate roads the windows are up. Nobody has ever told me that driving with the windows up was uncool. I do have the wind screen which is very effective.

 

I agree with Jagtoes, there is nothing uncool about driving a top down convertible! The reason windows can operate when the top is down is because it is designed to give us that option. Only people really envious of your ride care about those things.

 

Slightly off topic, but I don't have a 'vert, but when I drove my Jag for the first time I was so impressed but they way I could drive my XK with the windows down and that I wasn't buffeted by hurricane force winds. I imagine the convertible is just a joy with the roof down. :-)

 

Oh yeah!

 

Thanks all!
So far in my life I've owned:
Jag XKR convertible
Jag XK convertible
Mercedes sl500 convertible
MBZ sl550 convertible
Mazda RX-7 convertible
Mercury Capri convertible (...yep. Sure did. Not gonna lie about it.)
Mustang GT convertible (burgundy with white interior and 1000% AWESOME)
69 Camaro convertible (sold for $450. oops.)

And I've never gotten shade about "top down, windows up" before the other day.

 

Roof down Windows up all the time. Those yahoos are crazy for hassling you.

 

95% of the folks who buy my Remote Top / One Touch top kit also purchase the rear window control option for use when the top is down. This tells me most folks drive with the windows up, at least some of the time!

 

I prefer the windows up with the top down (when I owned the S2000). People who say otherwise probably never owned a convertible or if they did, did not drive much with the top down.

In the S2000, I did notice the rear deflector really caused drag above 90 mph. Tilt it down and the car was more aero...

 

Top down, windows and air deflector up for the majority of the time here in sunny England!

 

I've done both depending on the circumstances. High speeds are best with the windows up. I guess some people think that it is an "old folks" practice. I'm going to do whatever is more comfortable. But yes, I am an "old folk" too!

 

slow speeds windows down.. high speeds windows up.. in fact.. I might be the only one to have asked WiteXKR to include the Windows Up mechanism upon opening the roof in the Remote Top module..

 

Not only does it help reduce the wind buffeting to have those rear quarters closed, I think it also looks better. With the rears down and the fronts up, there is sort of a 'chopped off' look, With the rears up, there is a nice 'flow' for the top edge of the side windows, from the front to the back of the car.
As has been said many times, you did what Jaguar should have included from the beginning. Thanks for that.

 

On the freeway with the ambient temp below 75 Fahrenheit it is top down and windows up. on surface streets below 70 it is also windows up. I also have the Adamesh wind deflector which is always in place. Ambient temp above 75 usually windows down.

I have been waiting for somebody to ask me how I got the rear 1/4 windows to go up with the top down but nobody has ever asked. Have any of you ever been asked?

 

I can take a stab at this...they wouldn't know it is unusual. Not all cars have the limitation set for the rear windows like the XK. My previous BMW could raise all windows, side and rear quarter, with the top down. I am thinking nobody asks because of two reasons 1) they don't care 2) they don't know it is "special"!

 

+1

 

Top down, Windows down.

Since I was 16 I have never NOT owned a convertible. Its very practical to have them up but I hate how it looks. Having said that I was the guy riding around in Chicago today with my top down and a winter coat on with a Cubs winter hat on and the heat blowing on max hi!! I would never knock someone else for what they prefer though...that's why they call it "your" car! But it is a "thing" among many convertible owners around here.