Cabrios in winter

[exipnaki]

Right now I have a Passion orphan, and my Cabrio is supposed to come in January to March of 2009. I can't decide if I want to trade in the Passion or keep both of them. One reason I was thinking of keeping the Passion is for it to be a winter car since the Cabrio is a convertible and in the past I have always taken convertibles off the road for winter. However, the Cabrios seem to have a more solid convertible top than most.

How does the Cabrio do in the winter, both with keeping warm and handling the weight of the snow? Also, is the roof sturdy enough to hande a car wash? I usually like to keep the salt off and where I live there is a lot of it.

[jwight]

Here's a quote from a Boston owner, posted in March 08:

I'm here in the Boston area and we've had snow, sleet, and rain since I purchase my cabrio on 2/12. I've gone through 2 different car washes and have had zero leaks even when the 100mph wind drys the car. It's currently snowing and has snowed about 4 times since I've purchased the cabrio. No leaks and issues. I can't wait to take the top down and drive in the warm weather.

Highway noise is minor. I'm very, very happy and I love the heated seats.

[exipnaki]

Thanks jwight! That is very good to know

I don't know why my searches don't bring up the old posts that I am looking for I swear I did one first!

[LorbeerTLC]

I've had a few convertibles in the past and the smart fortwo seems to be better than average. That said, I've haven’t lived in the real cold stuff as our lows rarely go below the lower teens during clear winter nights. I also keep my cabrio in the garage.
The only thing I would keep an eye on is where the convertible top meets the top frame of the windshield. I always wipe my seals clean after I wash my fortwo to ensure I have a clean watertight seat. Over a period of time, trapped debris can deform the seals just enough to let water in. If you wash your cabrio in cold winter weather due to salt (understandably so), be careful if the water freezes and you try to open the top to clean the seals. Either it’ll stick and you won’t be able to open it, or you could risk tearing a little bit of the rubber seal off. Since I’m no expert in very cold weather, I would probably keep the top closed after washing until you’re in above freezing temperatures for an extended period of time. Then I would open it to wipe the seals from dirt and salt.
I don’t know if this helps or not.

-Tom L.

[KarenS]

Originally Posted by LorbeerTLC

I've had a few convertibles in the past and the smart fortwo seems to be better than average. That said, I've haven’t lived in the real cold stuff as our lows rarely go below the lower teens during clear winter nights. I also keep my cabrio in the garage.
The only thing I would keep an eye on is where the convertible top meets the top frame of the windshield. I always wipe my seals clean after I wash my fortwo to ensure I have a clean watertight seat. Over a period of time, trapped debris can deform the seals just enough to let water in. If you wash your cabrio in cold winter weather due to salt (understandably so), be careful if the water freezes and you try to open the top to clean the seals. Either it’ll stick and you won’t be able to open it, or you could risk tearing a little bit of the rubber seal off. Since I’m no expert in very cold weather, I would probably keep the top closed after washing until you’re in above freezing temperatures for an extended period of time. Then I would open it to wipe the seals from dirt and salt.
I don’t know if this helps or not.

-Tom L.

That sounds like great advice, I would follow it but I have a coupe!

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by KarenS

That sounds like great advice, I would follow it but I have a coupe!

And your in Atlanta

[Padawan]

Wiping the seals down with silicone spray is also a good way to prevent sticking and keep them lubricated.