November in California - mad to choose a convertible?
Oct 4th, 2005, 01:44 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
November in California - mad to choose a convertible?
Dear all
Several of you have already been very kind and helped me out with my itinerary for a two-week visit in November - thank you.
Here's a more specific question: after we leave SF, we're spending three days heading down the coast then turning inland to Death Valley and Las Vegas.
I'd love to rent a convertible, even if we can only have the top down in the desert. Can anyone see any disadvatages? Presumably if it's cold up north we can just keep the top up? I sooo want to feel the wind in my hair (and the sun on my face)!
Several of you have already been very kind and helped me out with my itinerary for a two-week visit in November - thank you.
Here's a more specific question: after we leave SF, we're spending three days heading down the coast then turning inland to Death Valley and Las Vegas.
I'd love to rent a convertible, even if we can only have the top down in the desert. Can anyone see any disadvatages? Presumably if it's cold up north we can just keep the top up? I sooo want to feel the wind in my hair (and the sun on my face)!
Oct 4th, 2005, 02:27 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the suggestion. In fact I'm using a UK company that arranges things from here, so I'm not quite sure who we'll end up with. It'll be one of the big ones, though (Alamo, Hertz etc.). Interestingly, they are charging to fee for dropping off in a different location, whereas most of the US firms I looked at either said it wasn't an option or wanted huge dollars.
Oct 4th, 2005, 02:38 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love how outsiders think that it's always blazing hot in the desert Southwestern US.
Fact is: It gets downright nippy in Las Vegas in late fall and winter. You might see highs in the low 70s, but more likely it will be in the upper 60s, with lows in the 40s. If you want the top down, plan on having the heater blasting hot air at you. Rain is doubtful, so it should be nice and sunny, albeit cool.
Fact is: It gets downright nippy in Las Vegas in late fall and winter. You might see highs in the low 70s, but more likely it will be in the upper 60s, with lows in the 40s. If you want the top down, plan on having the heater blasting hot air at you. Rain is doubtful, so it should be nice and sunny, albeit cool.
Oct 4th, 2005, 02:53 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We live in the SF Bay Area and a couple years ago we wented a convertible in November - had to get some major work done on our car and thought it would be fun to have a convertible to cruise around in for a change. It was terrific - a little chilly in the evennings but that didn't bother us. We just put on our jackets and cranked up the heater 
We took it over to the coast and through the Santa Cruz mountains - had great fun with it.
November isn't typically a rainy month, so you should be able to have the top down a lot.
We took it over to the coast and through the Santa Cruz mountains - had great fun with it. November isn't typically a rainy month, so you should be able to have the top down a lot.
Oct 4th, 2005, 05:12 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sam, I think you're crazy if you DON'T rent a convertible! I live in So Cal and drive a convertible year round. The weather during the day will likely be beautiful and you may choose to put the top up at night if you're cool. I can't imagine that you'll ever want hot air blasting at you. Have a fabulous trip!
Oct 4th, 2005, 07:49 PM
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
we bought our 18 yr. old son an '88 convertible BMW...that kid drives it year round with the top down. I had a friend call me from the freeway one morning at 7:00 a.m. and said "I just saw an idiot on the freeway in a convertible and as I got closer I realized it was YOUR SON. With the heat blazing, gloves and scarf flying in the wind, that kid refused to put up the roof.
Rent it and enjoy...and who cares...its not like it doesn't come with a "lid" you can ALWAYS put the roof up if you are a little cold.
Rent it and enjoy...and who cares...its not like it doesn't come with a "lid" you can ALWAYS put the roof up if you are a little cold.
Oct 5th, 2005, 10:09 AM
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For over 4,300 years our families have been able to navigate the airs of California without ever putting a roof over our magic carpets. Why would one consider having a top on their rental cars in such glorious locations as you describe here? For nighttime navigation, we look to the stars, as many territories have no signs or lightings. Do seek the truth in all your travels and you will not be cold or wet or lost.
AR
AR
Oct 5th, 2005, 04:22 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOVED driving back from Carmel to Monterey to Santa Cruz then up and over Sacto area in late Nov with the top down, heater heating and the wind blowing thru my scalp.
No disadvantages at in IMHO...wish we had that darn car still.
No disadvantages at in IMHO...wish we had that darn car still.
Oct 6th, 2005, 05:37 AM
#19
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did SF to LA last year via PCH FABULOUS and all in a convertible with the heater BLASTING Pashmina wrapped round my neck and the Pacific ocean smells and wind whipping through my hair.
Would so it again i a hear beat go for it... (Plus if you go through Big Sur you have NOTHING to obscure one of the best views in the world....
Would so it again i a hear beat go for it... (Plus if you go through Big Sur you have NOTHING to obscure one of the best views in the world....
