I'm driving by a Honda dealership today and see a new S2000 parked outside... with the top half-open! They just started putting it down and stopped half way, then left the car that way to show it's a convertible.

That can't be good for the top, can it?

 

Seems to me you've already answered this. The title of your thread declares it abuse

 

I just assume it's not a good idea, especially since vinyl can stretch quite easily. Thought I'd make sure this wasn't a cool new way to park.

 

Dealers are merely interested in selling as many cars as possible. True car enthusiasts wouldn't treat cars that way in my opinion even if the car is not their own.

 

Why would that be any worse for the vinyl than having it all the way down? It's only tight when fully raised. Halfway down, it's just as loose as lowered. In fact, it may be better because the vinyl isn't creased so severely.

 

that's what I was thinking... I dont see how the top would be any more stretched at half mast than when fully raised. When I first started to read the post I thought he was going to call it abuse because the inside was getting wet/dirty or something.

 

It probably wouldn't do any harm in terms of stressing the vinyl or the mechanical components. I would not want to risk exposing that car to a sudden gust of wind. A 30 mph gust coming from the front is essentially the same as driving at 30 mph with the top in that awkward halfway position. On the other hand, the halfway top does offer significant protection against the bird poop factor,which all of us longer term S2000 owners have experienced at one time or another.

 

That car is fine, I dont see this as abuse at all.

 

 

I leave my top halfway up as I'm detailing the inside and cleaning the convertible tray. Am I abusing the car?

It's really not that big of a deal. It's a car. Drive it. Enjoy it. If it picks up some battle scars, whoop-de-do.

If I wanted something to sit there and look pretty and perfect, I'd buy a fine crystal vase and put it in a display cabinet.