But is that useful? Er, no, because the convertible would have had to be purchased in the first place. Perhaps it would help convince people to not buy a convertible next time after they see how rarely they drop the top.

I’d say, for a modern car, it’s a more useful piece than an oil pressure gauge or a voltmeter. It actually provides you with a real statistical measurement of you using the main feature of the car (DUH). Prius drivers get an MPG gauge, so why should convertible drivers not get an openometer?

The next thing would be to dispense with some gauges and instead rely on other senses (sound and touch, mostly) to convey information. The rev limit beeper on the rotor-motor cars is a great example of that – no need to even look at the tach.

There’s cheeky, and then there’s stupid.

The toggle switches and chronometer-speedo are cheeky. The styling is cheeky. Even the stupid Mini-logo HVAC controls are cheeky. The epitome of cheek is the flower-holder on the New Beetle.

This is not cheeky. It’s not even kitschy. Its fundamental uselessness approaches chindogu status.

This is the kind of thing that would remind you WHY you got a convertible – i think its a damned hell ass shame to see people driving around with the top up and AC on during absolutely beautiful days – why get a convertible in the first place?

This, however, is true. I’m far too tall to fit in any moderately-priced convertible, too practical to suffer the warranty abuse of a new or used European (or a PT), too parental for a Mustang and, well, under 40 for a Camry Solara.

I’d give a kidney to drive a Miata, and it hurts to see people like my neighbour who drive them with the top up. I’d be cranking the floor heat and going top down as long as it wasn’t actively pouring rain.

As a convertible owner, I cherished every moment I had with my drop top Z4 (until my wonderful son came along and out went the Bimmer and Porsche and in came the Civic SI Sedan).

This is the kind of thing that would remind you WHY you got a convertible – i think its a damned hell ass shame to see people driving around with the top up and AC on during absolutely beautiful days – why get a convertible in the first place?

I say, if you wanna pay for it – go for it. I personally wouldn’t waste my money, but if it came with used car I wouldn’t turn it down – and you know the broads will love it.

Some vehicles now have soft gauges so that you can have the gauge measure pretty much what you want. I think we’ll see more of that along with being able to have predefined configurations for different types of driving. For example different configurations for performance driving vs. fuel economy.

Which all seem to be Mini’s target audience.

Unlike the Big 2.Something, Mini isn’t likely to this single quirky option to try and sell the rest of the car (ie. the Volt’s “unique” window sills, the RamBox, etc)

GiddyHitch :
December 4th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

So is it ‘Openmeter’ (as stated in the title) or ‘Openometer’ (as stated in the text)? Vertometer? Aeolometer?

Aetherometer

The only issue I have with it is that it apparently tops out at 50 hours. Personally, I would have the readout go to 100 hours and enable the needle to spin 360 deg like a clock. Inset in the gauge would be a digital N x 100 hour readout.

So is it ‘Openmeter’ (as stated in the title) or ‘Openometer’ (as stated in the text)? Vertometer? Aeolometer?

All good fun and pretty creative, say I.

On a Mini Convertible?! The Cock-O-Meter snapped the needle passing the zero mark.

(as someone who would actually buy a New Beetle Convertible Triple White, I think I’m allowed to say this without scorn)

That’s like having a meter that tells people how much of their lives they’ve spent watching TV. If they knew, they’d probably puke and take a sledgehammer to their HD.

Most videogames do that…and yes, the result is scary…

It can be a great conversation starter if it can easily be seen by both driver and passenger. I can hear it now…

“Uh Oh, Honey. The meter says that we haven’t done nearly enough top-down driving. They make these things so that if you drive top up too much, the car will get depressed and stop running. We don’t want that to happen, do we? Here, let me help with that blouse…”

As the car is built in England, the lack of a gauge that provides the expected remaining life of the electrical system is a serious oversight.

Of course, you’ll know for sure that the problems have started when the gauge stops working.

Where is Top Gear’s Cock-O-Meter?

Better to put a shaver holder and curling irons for those on the 405 every morning. Tools.

That is a brilliant idea! I’ve never even thought of that. Oh man, I would have so much fun with some arrows helping me rev match.

The Mini has its virtues, no doubt…roomy relative to it’s external dimensions, balance of performace/mileage, etc. But the reality is it is also a gimmicky (the Flavor of Love speedo and now this), expensive, unreliable shitbox.

BMW continues on its quest to make MINI a joke.

Given that most convertibles can be driven through icy cold, light rain, and even snow in comfort, I see no reason why so many convertible owners spend 97% of their driving with the top on.

But then again, those are the same people who’d much rather spend their weekend watching TV than hiking. So yeah, bring the openometer on.

OTOH, a rev-matching second arrow for the tach would be a swell idea, too, but nobody wants to do it :(

Same as air bag and ABS lights. Half the world is driving around with them on.