Top

It's been said that the top can shrink if left down too long. I would also worry about damage to the plastic rear window. Just last evening, I had the same thought that you had, wondering about frequent lowering of the top for fairly short drives. I decided that I'd worry about damage from use if and when it occurred. In my part of the country, the top-down driving season is quite short, and I like to avail myself of an open-air drive whenever possible. Fred

 

Hmmmmm. I leave my top down at all times and put a cover. I live in CA so bad weather day is limited and I will not take the car out if it has a chance to rain. I also worry about the wrinkles can cause to the top but the mechanism could be harder, more to be fixed. No?

Now I am really thinking whether I should put the top up when I go home tonight.

 

I would think that cycling the top mechanism would help prevent stuck micro switches, actuators and so on

 

Agree

 

I've left it down for a few months at a time and it still works and functions fine. Any creases in the canvas smooth out after I wash it. Never any shrinking issues.

As a matter of fact, FOSA replaced the entire left side top mechanizm on a spider a few months ago because it was "worn out". I bet that was a lot more expensive than a microswitch. But hey, more reasons to leave it down.

 

x2. I cycle mine all the time, and leave it up parked. The previous owner did not, and I have a crease in back window. Mines a 360.

 

On my 355 I left the top down all the time...it only went up to wash it or when it was not going to be driven for a couple weeks...which was NOT very often, even in winter, I drove with the top down. No long term issues, I had the car for 10 years. I know at least one other 355 spider owner that did the same.

As far as protecting the plastic window, get some Meguiars plastic cleaner polish. Clean both sides every couple months and that will remove/prevent scratches and clouding.

 

I've left my top down for a couple if weeks at a time. Sure, it has some wrinkles, but who cares? Supposedly, running a steamer over the wrinkles with the top up will remove them.

I won't park it in public with the top down unless it is within eyesight so the top gets cycled a lot. The only problem I've had was a broken tensioning cable on both my 360 and 430. It's part of the cost of ownership.