I know there was already a thread awhile ago but I'd like to revisit this topic, since it's on the top of my would-be-awesome list.

Has anyone had a mechanic or electronics guru figure out how to disable the sensor where you have to hit the brake while lowering the top?

Most of the newer convertibles coming out allows you to open/close up to a certain speed (around 30mph). CMON there's gotta be a way for OUR cars!!!

 

Why would you wanna close you top at 30 m.p.h or less? I don't get it.

 

+1. Give it a break man. Why would you want to show off like that?

 

Not something I would recommend at anything over 10 mph. I saw a Firebird vert do it at 65, and it wasn't pretty. The guy popped the latch on the highway and the top ripped completely off the vehicle. Doing it at 30 or so, I could see your tonneau cover being bent or broken from that speed, not to mention the top frame damage that would occur.

 

True, the cover would act like that active wing on the new SLR's. Might shorten our stopping distance by 20 to 30 feet.

 

I would like to be able to do it at 3-5mph. The reason for me is I commute on a train (15 minutes) to my car. When the train arrives the parking lot is a mess to get out of and I would like to be able to put the top down in the bumber to bumper traffic while getting out.

 

It takes 20 seconds... do it while the car is warming up. I think that you just want to be cool and impress the ladies by going topless while moving. Show them you can do two things at once.

Or you are in a pissing contest with a Miata.

 

Guys, being stuck in traffic and going less than 10mph makes me want to be able to do it. And this is everytime I bring my Z to work.

I'd like to close it when the sun is annoying in traffic and open it back up when traffic is about to flow again. It's sort of lame how I have to sit there for 20 seconds and wait for it to open/close while traffic is going at a snail pace of 2mph, hold up traffic behind me, and watch jackasses from the left lane cut me off since I gave them a chance.

Obviously I'm not dumb enough to do that when the car is going above 25 or so. Whoever does that is an idiot.

 

Actually...I would like to do the opposite.

I often find myself wanting to put the top up while on the road.

Usually I just wait for a stop signal or pull over, but if I'm on the freeway in bumber to bumper trafic I would still like to to so.

I'm guessing you can still work the top up/down while your foot is barely on the brake.

I'll try it out today.

 

Even if your foot is on the brake, I don't think the top moves until the car is stopped - 0 MPH. I was in a panic one time because I didn't stop when it first started to rain. I pulled over when it got heavy and hit the button before the car stopped, nothing. the 20 seconds seemed forever watching and feeling the rain.

 

[QUOTE=
I'd like to close it when the sun is annoying in traffic and open it back up when traffic is about to flow again. QUOTE]

Me too. I open the top when I get in the car not when I'm underway (very very rare). Sometimes my trip starts out sunny and changes to overcast or even rain making me want to close the top. Has nothing to do with showing off-just looking for some more practicality that's all.

 

Ha ha - I would only be impressing my wife, who has a reserved parking spot next to me.

 

To anybody that can host - I have taken several pages out of the shop manual that relates to the circuitry for putting the top down. If anybody can host 15 or so adobe pages I can send them over.

The sensor for 4 km/h may be difficult to overide, but the brake switch overide doesn't look too hard.

 

This just sounds like a really bad idea...

 

It would be fun to watch it parachute.

 

Not the best idea I read.

Avoid warranty, chance to break your top etc...

 

It'd be nice to be able to do it without totally stopping. Like pulling up to a red light you wanna get a jump on it in case the light turns green.

 

Exactly - I wouldn't want to put the top down at 50 mph. The other day I was at a red light, thought I could put the top down in time, and I ended up holding back a lane of traffic for 10 seconds.

 

Hmmm, any upgrades to your car avoids a part of the warranty. If you replaced the stereo system, then any electronical problems would be YOUR FAULT or so the dealerships will say.

Obviously, this mod would be for people who aren't idiots and drive fast while putting down the top. It's not about showing off, it's about usability. We're very limited to when we can put down/up the top and I'd like to just make it so we have more control.

Edit: If you turbo/supercharge your car, there's a possibility of blowing your engine. I don't see how doing a slight modification to the top is such a big deal.

 

Well, if you blow your engine you are paying for the replacment out of your own pocket. Warranty is not going to cover it. Same goes for a broken top that you defeated the safety feature and tried to open it at 50mph. People do dumb things, and warranties are not meant for folks like us that tweak the hell out of the car.