GTS Roof: Keep on when not in use?

Sorry for the dumb question, but is there any reason to put the roof on when the car is not in use? I rarely put the roof on, even while the car is sitting for awhile. It is any better/worse for the seals?

 

I'd be more worried about dust, bugs, mice, etc entering the car if it's stored with the top off.

Just my $.02

 

+ $.01

Keep your interior clean and put the top on. It's not that much work.

 

which is why you need one of these

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161042

 

Here is my temporary solution, which is why I would like a Carbrella top. I just figure it is less wear and tear on the top to keep it off unless I am not planning to drive the car during the week.
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I'm really lazy.
my 308 has been in the garage all summer with the top off.
I have not met any critters.... yet....

 

How often do you have to wash oil off the car under there?

 

Never. The platform is all metal with removable center sections to allow access.

 

Same here.

 

I always store the top on the car when not in use, it saves space in the garage and is the safest place to store it.

 

I often leave mine off while it's in the garage. I don't have a critter problem. So that just leaves dust.

Seamus

 

I've often wondered that myself. During the summer I often leave the top off for a week or 2 at a time as the car is either in the garage, or else being driven. I often throw a dust cover over the car while in the garage. Critters aren't a problem.

I believe that the top seems harder to install after being off for several days. I think it's because it gives the seals a chance to expand, thus ensuring a tighter seal. However, this is more of a gut feel than anything I've tried to measure.

Hard to tell tho, as my car has always sealed exceptionally well, no water egress from the targa top even while driving in a heavy downpour.

 

I always store my car with the top on although I always drive it with the top off. I don't secure the latches (mine are new) when stored since they seem to be the weak point of the design and are expensive to replace.

 

Ditto and I always use a car cover.

 

As do I.

 

I totally forgot my 308 even had a top!

 

leave the top off my car most of the time.

 

On the other side of the coin, when I put the top on before the car went into hibernation last winter. When I took the top off this past spring, the seals wanted to come off with it! I had to carefully pry the top off while holding the seals in place. No problems since then, though. I agree that the seals expand to their regular shape when the top is off, which is good.

 

This reminds me of when I had a Porsche with a Targa top. I use to leave the top on it all the time. One day I noticed that the top was begining to sag. It looked like it was a sway back horse. One evening I went out to the garage and saw my cat, Sluggo, sleeping on the top. The cat weighed about 15 pounds. I considered taking the top off, but then worried about Sluggo using my nice leather seats for a scratching post. To solve the problem I put a bunch of mouse traps on the roof. The next morning I went out to the garage and found the cat sleeping on the top and all of the traps had been sprung. I finally solved the problem by putting a 3/4 piece of plywood up there and bungied it to the door handles. The idea of getting rid of the cat was out of the question if I wanted to keep peace in the house.

Bob Wassam

 

If the roof's on when I come home it stays on, if it's off, it stays off...saves decision making!

 

The only time mine has been on in the last 2 years is for car shows or if I get caught out in a rain shower while driving. When in the garage I use a good quality dust cover, keeping the interior nice and clean. Keep the top behind the seats with the vinyl cover on, safe and out of the way, ready to use.