Questions about upcoming Speedster rental on Turo....

All great tips! Thank you!

We'll be driving straight up I5 in our car in the AM and then taking our sweet ass time coming back down the slow and windy way(US 33), stopping off in Ojai for lunch. Then Santa Barbara for a bit, then Malibu for dinner, so the day will be broken up nicely and we'll be spending no more than a few miles on the 101(short stretch from Santa Barbara before detouring on to the PCH). The vast majority of the time will be spent on single lane each way roads.

I wear a size 8 shoe and have some low profile Adidas Gazelle's so I should be all good on that front.

Thankfully the car has had a USB port retrofitted but we are bringing two little portable chargers just in case. Bluetooth speaker also ready to go.

I've actually been giving the hat thing a bit of thought and I might just not wear one at all while I'm driving. I've already suggested to wifey that she wear her hair up.

Do you think I should drive defensively? ;-)

The best thing I’ve found when driving the speedster are AirPods. They make the trip more enjoyable by reducing the wind. The wind will hit you in the front, the back and both the left and right sides.
Bluetooth speakers are essentially worthless above 25mph.
Conversations are difficult to have above 50mph. It simply becomes shouting at each other.
Airpods are the savior. It took me 2 years of driving to realize this. It’s the only reason why my wife was able to do day 1 (180mi) of the rally last year.

Sounds like a wonderful and long day.  Love the spirit.

@Kevin - Bay Area posted:

The best thing I’ve found when driving the speedster are AirPods. They make the trip more enjoyable by reducing the wind. The wind will hit you in the front, the back and both the left and right sides.
Bluetooth speakers are essentially worthless above 25mph.
Conversations are difficult to have above 50mph. It simply becomes shouting at each other.
Airpods are the savior. It took me 2 years of driving to realize this. It’s the only reason why my wife was able to do day 1 (180mi) of the rally last year.

I will make sure to bring my pair!

I've made many long distance trips in a Speedster and recommend having the top up on the interstate.  It reduces wind and keeps you from getting sun/wind burned.  There's no shame in comfort on the boring interstate.

@Lane Anderson posted:

I've made many long distance trips in a Speedster and recommend having the top up on the interstate.  It reduces wind and keeps you from getting sun/wind burned.  There's no shame in comfort on the boring interstate.

Lane is a friend I respect, but we've always disagreed about this.

Top us is not "comfortable" -- it's miserable. It's like riding in a pickup bed under a tarp (only noisier and less comfortable). Yes, it keeps the sun off, but so does a hat. Having the top up is like being blindfolded inside a drum. It's hot and noisy and sucks all the joy out of the experience. Sight-lines go to zero, and you WILL make a mistake because you just can't see what's happening around you.

If you put the top down, even an interstate slog becomes an adventure.

I live in the middle of this continent, and have been to both coasts in my Speedster. the only time the top goes up is if there's rain or if the temperature drops below freezing. Porsche thought of it as an "emergency top". So should you.

Haha! Appreciate both sides lads. Fortunately I'm going to be on the interstate(101) for all of less than 40 miles (between Santa Barbara and Oxnard) the entire day. Not a chance in hell I'll be putting the top up. :-)

You have to understand that Stan is proportioned like a gorilla, with approximately 90% of his height from the waist up.  It makes for some interesting seating arrangements.  

Haha! I'm short (5'7" on a good day) and the missus is shorter (5'4"), I assume this will help with with us not having our heads up in the wind quite as much?

@Mozza posted:

Not a chance in hell I'll be putting the top up. :-)

Good decision. Have fun and keep your head on a swivel.

You seem to have it BAD for these cars, a sentiment most of us understand. If you still want one at the end of the day, you're doomed.

It will.  In all seriousness I started my first long distance trip (Charleston, SC to Carlisle, PA, ~750 miles) in May of '06 on a beautiful 70 degree day with the top down.  After an hour or so the top went up but the windows stayed off, and I was much more comfortable.  I later learned that if it was cool enough, having the passenger side window in helped and later, after fabricating some plexiglas side windows with moveable vents I was able to make almost any set of conditions comfortable.

@Lane Anderson posted:

You have to understand that Stan is proportioned like a gorilla, with approximately 90% of his height from the waist up.  It makes for some interesting seating arrangements.  

I have no idea what Lane is talking about.

@Stan Galat posted:

Good decision. Have fun and keep your head on a swivel.

You seem to have it BAD for these cars, a sentiment most of us understand. If you still want one at the end of the day, you're doomed.

I am already mentally preparing myself.

@Mozza posted:

Haha! I'm short (5'7" on a good day) and the missus is shorter (5'4"), I assume this will help with with us not having our heads up in the wind quite as much?

Being short is a huge advantage in these cars. I am 5'4" and sit below the windshield. I have driven my car twice* from Chicago to Pennsylvania (~700 miles) with the top down the entire time. I do not suffer as most and have a bluetooth audio system that I can hear clearly at 50mph.

*one trip was with Stan as my right seater and he fit just fine

Enjoy the trip and take pics or it didn't happen

@Joe Fortino posted:

Being short is a huge advantage in these cars. I am 5'4" and sit below the windshield. I have driven my car twice* from Chicago to Pennsylvania (~700 miles) with the top down the entire time. I do not suffer as most and have a bluetooth audio system that I can hear clearly at 50mph.

*one trip was with Stan as my right seater and he fit just fine

Enjoy the trip and take pics or it didn't happen

Definitely will. Your Speedster is stunning by the way. What's that colour? Pistachio?

@Stan Galat posted:

I have no idea what Lane is talking about.

I've no idea why Lane is disparaging my friend.

The way Stan has the seats in his Speedster, I (of normal stature), sit so low I can't see over the dash. I feel like a height-challenged 80-plus Grandpa driving in Florida.

When Stan sits in his car, he looks quite normal, like every other average-sized human driving a Speedster.

Lane, go drive your computer-enhanced cocoon of a BMW.

I'll never understand driving an open car with the top up, unless you absolutely have to. It's against the nature of the thing.

@Stan Galat posted:

I'll never understand driving an open car with the top up, unless you absolutely have to. It's against the nature of the thing.

💯

Usually I agree with that, but long slog interstate driving is a chore anyway, so I just want to get to the destination without sunburn.

As for Danny...

@Mozza posted:

Definitely will. Your Speedster is stunning by the way. What's that colour? Pistachio?

Thanks it is Stone Grey and was an original color albeit special order.

The Romance:

The Reality:

I have driven at least a handful of times with the top up without regret or diminished pleasure.  

The first time was for pure experimentation.  I figured someday I might be caught in a bit of rain so I should know how to successfully raise and lower the top.   Before leaving the comfort of my garage I quickly learned that visibility with the top up and the side curtains installed was awful.  I could not imagine driving this way if it was raining, and certainly not if it was dark and raining.  My hat is off to those who have done so.

I removed the curtains and set out for a little drive.  Visibility was actually decent, in great part because my seat pans are lowered and I have left and right side convex mirrors.  After a bit of surface street driving I cautiously pointed towards a freeway on-ramp to see if the top becomes a parachute without side curtains installed.  To my delight the top alone significantly reduced cabin turbulence and I saw no evidence the top was tugging on the windshield frame.

I have also driven top-up a handful of times when temps are in the 40s and my route will have me drive at speed for several miles, and maybe twice when driving mid day during the hot summer months.  I know, the latter is pretty much sacrilege especially here in coastal SoCal, but I do have a history of skin cancer, so there’s that.  The smile on my face doesn’t change.  YMMV.

I usually put the to up on long freeway drives, like from Michigan to Carlisle.

I have a zipper on the rear window so I don't get wind buffeting.

I have driven quite a few "interstate slogs" as you guys say.

A no top sunny day in the Spyder going from upstate NY to Washington D.C. via the NJ Turnpike is anything BUT boring.

If you let it be fun, it can be fun indeed.

My favorite Speedster color is Stone Grey!  To me, it is a grey stone color with a good touch of green moss mixed in.  Recall going on a Pumpkin Run organized by DrClock in PA.  There was a gorgeous stone grey speedster there with a light plum color interior!  Think this is it (Scott).

@WOLFGANG posted:

My favorite Speedster color is Stone Grey!  To me, it is a grey stone color with a good touch of green moss mixed in.  Recall going on a Pumpkin Run organized by DrClock in PA.  There was a gorgeous stone grey speedster there with a light plum color interior!

If I'm not mistaken, that was Scott Sloan's car originally. That car changed my thinking about Speedsters.

I almost bought that car in 2013. 3rd owner. Had 40k miles on its air cooled engine. Bought a water cooled IM with 10k at the time. In retrospect I should have bought Sloan’s car. It is an IM classic.

This is a recent photo of Stan on our last trip. It’s obvious why Stan doesn’t like driving with the top up.

Lots of great advice from the group! The part about your "head on a swivel" should not be taken lightly. These cars attract a lot of attention whether driving down the road or sitting still. Just be aware that while driving down the interstate, you may encounter fellow driver pulling up next to you and wanting to take your picture. This is a very dangerous situation, as they are looking to take your picture they have a tendency to drive right into the side of your car or cross into your lane. This has happened to me many times over the years. Watch your rear view mirror, if you see a car speeding, going in and out of traffic, chances are, they are trying to catch up to you for the photo op. I usually slow down when they are next to me, and pull in behind them. They get the idea and move on. Just be careful out there and have a fun time. Spend as much time in the car as possible. As you settle in and get to feel the car, you will start to pick up on the things that you don't like about this car. Does it have enough power, are the seats comfortable, should it have wider pedals, is the steering wheel where you want it, is it worth having a stereo in the car, how does it handle? These are some of  the question you should be asking yourself as you drive. Also remember this is just the first car of this type you are driving. Keep reading the post on this site and listen to the folks here and you will gain a wealth of knowledge to help make good decisions when you place your order.

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=921211996704631

THese guys either ... perfect time for aircooled.

What Stan says is absolutely correct.  Also, What Lane says is absolutely correct.  Speedsters must be driven with the top down, unless of course it might be raining and you did not plan correctly.  And even then you only get wet in the rain in a Speedster if you stop.  I have proved that to be true. And those long,  long hours slogging on an interstate with the top up and windows off makes life a lot easier.  And I have never felt like I couldn't see what was going on around me.  And after several skin cancer surgeries,  using the roof for hours on a sunny day makes some sense.  I suppose if you are a gorilla, maybe it just does not matter.

@Mozza posted:

I will make sure to bring my pair!

I’ll second that. I don’t have AirPods but some JBL units with noise cancelling. I wish I could be more disciplined about wearing them but on long drives if I don’t wear them, I wear regular earplugs. Driving my convertible exclusively since last June has taken my tinnitus up a notch, or two.

@IaM-Ray posted:

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=921211996704631

THese guys either ... perfect time for aircooled.

It’s not so bad with a good heater.

@El Frazoo posted:

And after several skin cancer surgeries,  using the roof for hours on a sunny day makes some sense.  I suppose if you are a gorilla, maybe it just does not matter.

I'm on the 6 month plan -- every 6 months, I go it, take off my shirt, my guy identifies the 3 or 4 spots, and he freezes off the pre-cancerous spots and digs out the ones that don't look as benign. Before I was Santa Claus, I was a strawberry blonde who worked outside. It is what it is.

Wear a hat.

@Joe Fortino posted:

Thanks it is Stone Grey and was an original color albeit special order.

Absolutely gorgeous.

@Butcher Boy posted:

Lots of great advice from the group! The part about your "head on a swivel" should not be taken lightly. These cars attract a lot of attention whether driving down the road or sitting still. Just be aware that while driving down the interstate, you may encounter fellow driver pulling up next to you and wanting to take your picture. This is a very dangerous situation, as they are looking to take your picture they have a tendency to drive right into the side of your car or cross into your lane. This has happened to me many times over the years. Watch your rear view mirror, if you see a car speeding, going in and out of traffic, chances are, they are trying to catch up to you for the photo op. I usually slow down when they are next to me, and pull in behind them. They get the idea and move on. Just be careful out there and have a fun time. Spend as much time in the car as possible. As you settle in and get to feel the car, you will start to pick up on the things that you don't like about this car. Does it have enough power, are the seats comfortable, should it have wider pedals, is the steering wheel where you want it, is it worth having a stereo in the car, how does it handle? These are some of  the question you should be asking yourself as you drive. Also remember this is just the first car of this type you are driving. Keep reading the post on this site and listen to the folks here and you will gain a wealth of knowledge to help make good decisions when you place your order.

This is fantastic. Thank you. My wife loves telling me to be safe and take it easy, and this post will only substantiate that.

Hey @Mozza, by now you have probably realized that this site is a bit unusual.  The amount of comradery is very high.  We get together a lot and mess with each other.  We also help each other frequently.  We may occasionally have a tiff but it blows over.  When I first got into this hobby I checked out a lot of site and a lot of types of cars, and was not particularly drawn to Speedsters in the beginning.  That changed when I met some of these folks at Carlisle in '05.  If you join our little corner of madness, you will find that the cars are only a small part of the hobby.  While I no longer have a replica I still hang out here and attend events.  Great bunch of folks.

@Lane Anderson posted:

Hey @Mozza, by now you have probably realized that this site is a bit unusual.  The amount of comradery is very high.  We get together a lot and mess with each other.  We also help each other frequently.  We may occasionally have a tiff but it blows over.  When I first got into this hobby I checked out a lot of site and a lot of types of cars, and was not particularly drawn to Speedsters in the beginning.  That changed when I met some of these folks at Carlisle in '05.  If you join our little corner of madness, you will find that the cars are only a small part of the hobby.  While I no longer have a replica I still hang out here and attend events.  Great bunch of folks.

I used to own an 08 Mini JCW. Fully tuned to nearly 300hp. Used to go to Lime Rock with the Mini Cooper owners club and loved every minute of it. Believe me I know what I would be getting into and am enthusiastic for it

I am from Ireland originally but I’m “black Irish”, meaning I have Spanish sallow skin. I’ll burn slightly day one and then go brown, so not particularly worried about sun exposure. My wife is Israeli, so similar. Lol

@Mozza posted:

Absolutely gorgeous.

And so he moves to the next step already.  Choosing what color he wants to order.  Welcome to the Madness Mozza!  

You can join us at Blinkies donuts on Topanga about a year from now!

@Jon T posted:

And so he moves to the next step already.  Choosing what color he wants to order.  Welcome to the Madness Mozza!  

You can join us at Blinkies donuts on Topanga about a year from now!

I think I want the new metallic oak green GT3 touring launch colour with tan leather and ivory switches etc.