Convertible questions

A couple of convertible questions: 1. Given the car will be stored for 5 to 6 months through the winter, which is a better choice: Stowing the convertible top and put the hard top on or leave the hard top off and keep the convertible top extended? And any rationales to support the recommendation. Note that there is no point to have the hardtop if I store the car with the top extended through the winter! 2. I cleaned and treated the fabric a few weeks ago with the RaggTopp fabric convertible top kit, probaly used about 2/3 of the aerosol fabric treatment after the fabric had dried off from the cleaning phase and I even rub the fabric treatment into the fiber as initially the spray on chemical seems to just float on top of the fabric, should the fabric completely repel water once it is dried? i.e. should water bead up such as on freshly waxed painted surface? It rained heavily today and the convertible fabric was completely soaked without any signs of water beading on the surface, however there was no wetness under the fabric that I can tell when I quickly stuck my hand in between the top and bottom layers of canvas material. I have not used the RaggTopp before so not sure what I should be expecting to see! TIA

I don't know what the official storage recommendation is, but I'll leave this here. I bought my car in LA from a person who NEVER put the top up. Ever. Therefore, when I put the top up for the first time (pre-sale, I knew what I was getting into), there was a crease where the elastic straps pull the top in during storage. The elastic straps themselves didn't have enough resistance and pulled the top in when I tried to put it up. It took me an hour or so to correct this and 'retrain' the fabric to lay flat. Just FYI: This didn't happen over a winter, but probably years.

If you're going to store the car indoors for the winter, you might as well leave the hardtop off and leave the convertible top up. That being said, you're missing a lot of enjoyment by doing that. With the hardtop on, it's like driving a different car. Porsches are fun to drive in the winter. Put some winter tires on that car and drive it! I was able to find a set of mounted snow tires at a reasonable price.

For winter storage the soft top is much happier to be up and taut. It will keep the fabric in shape and wrinkle free. Often cars that have the top folded for months on end develop near permanent creases or wrinkles that seem to set in. Also you will note some abrasion occurs along the set wrinkles that is permanent. I have owned a '99 Boxster with its top and plastic window still in mint condition since '01. I had a '99 996 Cab for 7 years sold it last year with 61k miles, top was near mint.

Indoor winter storage with no driving? Soft Top Driving during the winter months? Hard top

With a hardtop lift, it only takes me about 6-8 minutes to remove or replace the hardtop. I agree with the post above that the hardtop makes it a completely different car. I absolutely love mine.

I just put my hardtop on last weekend. I drive my car as often as the weather is nice during the winter. I think it is better on the car to drive them more often then to leave them sit for 3-5 mths. Thats said if your not going to drive it at all I'd leave the top up. My car is 11 yrs old and the original top still looks pretty good. If your going to put the hard top on make sure the window foldes flat and straight, I put a soft towel between the plastic. It has worked well for me the last two winters. Last year I treated my top with porsche brand top protector and it still somewhat beeds. Although I try not to drive it in the rain alot.

Your P-car will be much happier if you can simply drive it during the winter months w/ the hard top on. Get a set of winter wheels and tires and enjoy the experience.