Convertible Car on the Island: good or bad idea?

Neil,
Don't worry about the crime with a rag top, they break the windows.

Here's my take - the sun is very strong so if you "burn easily" having a convertible is not too wise. Also, that same strong sun plays havoc on exposed vinyl so if your car's interior is not cloth or leather it will deterioate very quickly. Finally, there are times when the islands get frequent but brief rain showers throughout the day. Are you comfortable with letting your interior get a little wet now and then or would you rather spend time putting the top up and down several times a day.

I have friends that have convertibles and love having them here... however, I'll admit that in both cases this car is their 'third' car. They drive it for the fun of it, not for trips where it will be parked and unobserved for long periods of time. If they do, they make sure that there is nothing, not one thing, in it, When a car is open and unlocked, the opportunists will usually assume its empty and walk on by, In 10 years I've only had my car broken into one time and it was a soft top jeep. They stole the tool/tire repair kit cause it was in a nifty bag and they thought they had something. So... its a given, rag tops are easier to break into than hard tops, but a determined theif isn't gonna care...like lizard said, they'd break a window.

But ... I say... enjoy your life. If you like having your ragtop, and it makes you happy... bring it down. Just be smart once you are here and don't leave valuables in it. If you live here, or anywhere sunny... eventually the sun is going to cause you to have to get a new top... but, take care of it and it won't last much less time here than anywhere else and when you need a new ragtop for it, you'll find a way to order one.

Crime is everywhere, not just here. Be smart. Be careful. but, do what makes you happy and quit worrying. Life is short, live it.

I am less worried about crime than the previous posters -- It is my experience here in STT that the soft top takes a real beating unless you have some kind of carport - garages are rare - at my house the wetness and trees around my parking area are hard even on my coupe roof so a ragtop is not an option unless I build a carport. I keep one in the States though for vacation. If you have dry parking out of the sun at your home -- the top down driving is great here. A really good car cover might work in some situations?

Boy, those trees can really do a number on a paint job. I can't imagine what they'd do to a convertible top although you could always get a car cover. I could too but don't want to deal with putting it on & taking it off.

I bought my rag-top while living on STX. Shipped it stateside last year, and will be shipping it back with me when I move back to STX.

My Jeep is a ragtop and I have no problems with it....I always leave it unlocked though, incase someone wants to have a looksee....and don't forget to leave cookies on the seat so they wont slash the roof if you have no valuables:) (Apparently highly recomended by VIPD)

Ok...now the other part of my ragtop question.
The dumb thing has black leather seats.

Am I crazy? (about the seats)

If you leave the top down and park in the sun, you'll need to keep towels or something similar in the car to cover the seats while it's parked or you'll loose the skin on the back of your legs. What color are they, black? Worse.

Neil,
I Think you should bring your convertible down, only if you let me borrow it. I have my own suicide knob to put on the steering wheel, a white Tee shirt that I can roll a pack of Lucky Strikes in the sleeve and hang my arm out the window. I can cruise up and down Company street and King street , in town and pick up chicks.

Lizard, you sound like a fun guy.
But with as many chickens as STX has roaming around, I would think you'd have no trouble in any kind of car. 😉

Lizard, you're showing your age & so am I because I remember my older brother looking just like that. Pegged pants & all. 🙂

Trade,
I'm glad somebody knew what I was saying. LOL