Real world experience of Eurotouring in a convertible?
Discussion
I've got a trip to Italy coming up and I'm considering taking a convertible. Clearly to idea of driving along Lake Como with the hood down sounds lovely, but I'd like to understand the realities of a eurotrip in a softtop?
Noisier on the long boring bits, smaller boot, less secure etc, but can it be too hot with the hood down? For example, it looks like it'll be 37 degrees around Rome this week. I know these are high class problems but I'm sure that this is the perfect forum to ask for opinions.
Noisier on the long boring bits, smaller boot, less secure etc, but can it be too hot with the hood down? For example, it looks like it'll be 37 degrees around Rome this week. I know these are high class problems but I'm sure that this is the perfect forum to ask for opinions.
What's wrong with that video? That could be anywhere...welcome to 2021.
Disclaimer: just got back from 2 weeks in Cornwall lanes ;-) With this experience i would not have forced that pass and let those cars go first. What, are you in a rush or something?
Disclaimer 2: been going to Como for 20+ years so very familiar with how narrow and busy the bottom left V is...east coast much less busy but less interesting.
Disclaimer: just got back from 2 weeks in Cornwall lanes ;-) With this experience i would not have forced that pass and let those cars go first. What, are you in a rush or something?
Disclaimer 2: been going to Como for 20+ years so very familiar with how narrow and busy the bottom left V is...east coast much less busy but less interesting.
Van Dessel said:
What's wrong with that video? That could be anywhere...welcome to 2021.
Disclaimer: just got back from 2 weeks in Cornwall lanes ;-) With this experience i would not have forced that pass and let those cars go first. What, are you in a rush or something?
Disclaimer 2: been going to Como for 20+ years so very familiar with how narrow and busy the bottom left V is...east coast much less busy but less interesting.
It's a video to illustrate that it's a pretty useless place for a wide sports car. If it's an only car then it'll do, but otherwise there are better tools for the job. I tend to stick to wide open roads with good sight lines so that I can wring its neck a bit.Disclaimer: just got back from 2 weeks in Cornwall lanes ;-) With this experience i would not have forced that pass and let those cars go first. What, are you in a rush or something?
Disclaimer 2: been going to Como for 20+ years so very familiar with how narrow and busy the bottom left V is...east coast much less busy but less interesting.
Forced a pass? Hardly.
No problems. I am of the persuasion that everything is more fun in a convertible, but there's little to beat the heat of sun all around you in the car, along with a warm breeze, and above all the smells and more immediate contact with the surroundings you're travelling through.
You need a hat and suncream (and try to get the decent water-based stuff so that your hands aren't greasy on the wheel after reapplication, or the once-a day stuff - but replying after lunch is usually a good idea anyway). it can sometimes get too hot - especially plodding around a city - so worth seeking out more open stretches of roads, or heading for the hills - but again, most convertibles have a roof and a/c and they work very well. best bet is to consider this when you park - finding shade, putting reflective shield on the windscreen, and having the roof up can mean that the seats are not roasting when you get in. You can take a spray bottle of water if you really want as misting yourself does cool you down, but I tend to find that if its that hot, I get sweaty, and then when you go a bit quicker the breeze soon cools you off.
It's probably a bit noisier - but in a modern convertible, not that much. It may be less secure, but I tend to leave nothing in my car that looks pinchable, and often will leave it roof down anyway. Most immobilisers and alarms are decent enough. In dodgy areas, find a secure car park.
More hassle on the autoroute blast - maybe, but consider taking the non-autoroute bits, at least for some of the way - travel a bit slower and have much less noise, better fuel consumption, and much more integration with the place you've come to visit. If you're simply blasting down to drive in an area, consider putting the car on the train, though its not without its hassles and I'm not even sure if the services are still running post covid.
Less storage - maybe, but you're going to a sunny place where all you need is a few pairs of undies, smart and less smart shorts and some t-shirts (plus different shades for different looks) and that doesn't take up too much space. And you can get a lot in - we camped round France in a Lotus Elise once, and still got in 2 cases of wine at Calais.
If it's part of a family holiday, another option is to consider taking the convertible down on a trailer behind something else - you can then have a blast at your destination, and a conversation with the others on the way there.
You need a hat and suncream (and try to get the decent water-based stuff so that your hands aren't greasy on the wheel after reapplication, or the once-a day stuff - but replying after lunch is usually a good idea anyway). it can sometimes get too hot - especially plodding around a city - so worth seeking out more open stretches of roads, or heading for the hills - but again, most convertibles have a roof and a/c and they work very well. best bet is to consider this when you park - finding shade, putting reflective shield on the windscreen, and having the roof up can mean that the seats are not roasting when you get in. You can take a spray bottle of water if you really want as misting yourself does cool you down, but I tend to find that if its that hot, I get sweaty, and then when you go a bit quicker the breeze soon cools you off.
It's probably a bit noisier - but in a modern convertible, not that much. It may be less secure, but I tend to leave nothing in my car that looks pinchable, and often will leave it roof down anyway. Most immobilisers and alarms are decent enough. In dodgy areas, find a secure car park.
More hassle on the autoroute blast - maybe, but consider taking the non-autoroute bits, at least for some of the way - travel a bit slower and have much less noise, better fuel consumption, and much more integration with the place you've come to visit. If you're simply blasting down to drive in an area, consider putting the car on the train, though its not without its hassles and I'm not even sure if the services are still running post covid.
Less storage - maybe, but you're going to a sunny place where all you need is a few pairs of undies, smart and less smart shorts and some t-shirts (plus different shades for different looks) and that doesn't take up too much space. And you can get a lot in - we camped round France in a Lotus Elise once, and still got in 2 cases of wine at Calais.
If it's part of a family holiday, another option is to consider taking the convertible down on a trailer behind something else - you can then have a blast at your destination, and a conversation with the others on the way there.
Toured the Black Forest in the Cali last summer and took the FF to Lake Garda, Verona and Maranello this summer. The FF was the better choice without a doubt. It’s probably as much about the car you take as anything else.
More details on your options (convertible and otherwise) would be helpful.
More details on your options (convertible and otherwise) would be helpful.
Van Dessel said:
What's wrong with that video? That could be anywhere...welcome to 2021.
Disclaimer: just got back from 2 weeks in Cornwall lanes ;-) With this experience i would not have forced that pass and let those cars go first. What, are you in a rush or something?
Disclaimer 2: been going to Como for 20+ years so very familiar with how narrow and busy the bottom left V is...east coast much less busy but less interesting.
Van D…were you running with a cpl of Ferraris and 911s around Cornwall?Disclaimer: just got back from 2 weeks in Cornwall lanes ;-) With this experience i would not have forced that pass and let those cars go first. What, are you in a rush or something?
Disclaimer 2: been going to Como for 20+ years so very familiar with how narrow and busy the bottom left V is...east coast much less busy but less interesting.
ANOpax said:
Toured the Black Forest in the Cali last summer and took the FF to Lake Garda, Verona and Maranello this summer. The FF was the better choice without a doubt. It’s probably as much about the car you take as anything else.
More details on your options (convertible and otherwise) would be helpful.
I have a conference in Liechtenstein and another in Lausanne, so I was planning to drop down into Italy between the 2 conferences.More details on your options (convertible and otherwise) would be helpful.
The choice of cars is between a Ferrari 456 manual or a Aston Martin DB9 Volante.
DeejRC said:
Van D…were you running with a cpl of Ferraris and 911s around Cornwall?
No, rental VW Campervan, hence the over-developed sense of reversing instinctively - no Clapham-like Mexican stand-offs. Lanes around St Mawes were really tight, but that's that's the only place I saw anything decent (DB11).enzoenzo said:
I have a conference in Liechtenstein and another in Lausanne, so I was planning to drop down into Italy between the 2 conferences.
The choice of cars is between a Ferrari 456 manual or a Aston Martin DB9 Volante.
Both great GT cars but there is something special about driving a Ferrari in Italy. The choice of cars is between a Ferrari 456 manual or a Aston Martin DB9 Volante.
I don't think there is a wrong answer in this situation but I'd go with the car which is better at long distance touring. You'll know your route plan so if temperatures will be high (French autoroutes and southern end of the lakes) then you won't be dropping the roof. If you're in the mountains (driving the passes) or at the northern end of the lakes then top down is a real and enjoyable possibility.
hornbaek said:
Bring sunscreen and a cap and you'll be more than ok. A proper sunburn is the biggest risk from driving with the roof open as you don't sense the power of the sun until you get up the next morning with a proper sunburn. So why wouldn't you take a convertible if you could ?
Totally agree,plus sun glasses,long sleeved shirt and cold drinks.I drive round Northern Italy all summer every summer with the hood down (115 Alfa Spider or SLK) and frequently traverse France back to the UK and vice versa similarly.
Apart from hat, cream and hydration, I normally take care to ensure that I am travelling with luggage that can be secured in the boot or that is easily portable to an hotel room. I usually book hotels with secure parking if concerned about neighbourhoods. The only other two accessories that really make a difference are rubber ear plugs in the Alfa because the engine noise at high revs/speed is wearisome, and eye drops as long journeys in high sunshine can cause irritation.
Apart from hat, cream and hydration, I normally take care to ensure that I am travelling with luggage that can be secured in the boot or that is easily portable to an hotel room. I usually book hotels with secure parking if concerned about neighbourhoods. The only other two accessories that really make a difference are rubber ear plugs in the Alfa because the engine noise at high revs/speed is wearisome, and eye drops as long journeys in high sunshine can cause irritation.
The only time I regretted South of France in a convertible was way back in 2006 when I did a tour (FB5K for anyone whos been here a while) in my old TVR Chimaera. Alright when going but in late 30s heat, roof down and stuck in traffic or in the towns I'd have swapped for the first heap of junk that passed me if it had air con.
If your car has decent air con and an easy to put up roof (ie/ you don't need to empty half the boot to put it back on) then you'll have a much better experience in a convertible. Those tunnels and those alpine passes with roof down - nothing quite like it.
If your car has decent air con and an easy to put up roof (ie/ you don't need to empty half the boot to put it back on) then you'll have a much better experience in a convertible. Those tunnels and those alpine passes with roof down - nothing quite like it.
I have a 2015 Mercedes SL, I've never been keen on soft tops so the SL was the perfect solution. Coupe on the motorway, roof down for cruising.
My wife is disabled, we can get a wheelchair in the boot with the roof down. Simply remove the flat floor insert and the boot is huge (relatively) for a hardtop convertible. Plenty of luggage space, plus space behind both seats.
My wife is disabled, we can get a wheelchair in the boot with the roof down. Simply remove the flat floor insert and the boot is huge (relatively) for a hardtop convertible. Plenty of luggage space, plus space behind both seats.
Don’t be afraid to admit defeat and put the roof up & have the air con on, especially in the midday sun. I did a Euro tour four years ago in my Elise and once I stopped being a hero (my Irish spec pale skin doesn’t help), it’s much more pleasant taking a bit of shelter from the sun in the hottest bit of the day.
Early morning or in the warm evening sun there’s little better than driving a glorious mountain pass taking in the views with the roof off.
Early morning or in the warm evening sun there’s little better than driving a glorious mountain pass taking in the views with the roof off.
I drove through Germany down to the south of France recently in a convertible with the roof down other than when it was raining. Did autobahn speeds without any problems and it got up to 35C around Nice. A bit of a/c and you’re fine. I didn’t use any sun protection by the way but depends on your skin I’m sure. Quite nice to not be covered in that stuff, though.
Obviously you can forget about stereo and all that stuff but on the other hand you’re at one with the surroundings and quite a bit more special when the roads get interesting.
Obviously you can forget about stereo and all that stuff but on the other hand you’re at one with the surroundings and quite a bit more special when the roads get interesting.
We take a conertible to Europe most years, One essential I always take is a full reflective sun hat for the car that covers the entire roof and all windows, this removes the risk of sun damage when the car is parked with no shade for several hours, also keeps the interior much cooler. I had to buy the reflective material on line and make the cover, but miraculously it fit my F430, 991 Cab and now the Vanquish.
GG33
Somewhat below the financial mark for this thread but we took our MX-5 to Italy a few years back. We started off with the top down as it felt like the right thing to do. Locals looked at us as if we were mad, possibly because they couldn't understand why anybody would risk disturbing their hair in such a wanton manner, but also because it was so very bloody hot on your head. After a while we started putting the hood up and Mrs B began to understand why you would indeed want aircon in an MX-5, a concept she had previously pooh-poohed.
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