2001 Sapphire Blue
Enthusiast
Has anyone tested leaving the back window in while on the highway to relieve some of the wind buffeting with the top off? I've seen these wind buffers on commercials and Speed TV on other convertibles. 
Does the back window work as a wind buffer?
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slaughterj
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It's been a while since I've left in my rear window, but IIRC, it seemed like it created more wind turbulence in the cockpit rather than less.
monnieh
Viper Owner
Nope, on my RT it was less windy with it out.
Daffy Duck Viper
Enthusiast
I recall reading something on this. The window in place causes more turbulence than when it is removed.
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Clifton Viper
Viper Owner
Tested this last weekend.
Official tester's hair (my wife) definitely had more "volume" if the window was installed.
Official tester's hair (my wife) definitely had more "volume" if the window was installed.
Gerald
Enthusiast
Had a 94 GenI RT, MUCH less windy in the cockpit with window out...no reason to really leave it in unless you park that puppy outside 
G
G
CitySnake
Enthusiast
The rear window does 2 things well..
It sports my VCA American Flag and since it's tinted, it helps at night with HID headlamps. The wind is MUCH smoother withOUT the window!
It sports my VCA American Flag and since it's tinted, it helps at night with HID headlamps. The wind is MUCH smoother withOUT the window!
99 R/T 10
Enthusiast
Just don't drive in the rain without it!! The rain WILL reverse course to the back of your head
V10 MOJO
Enthusiast
96rt10, LOL you found that out too eh.
yellow94
Enthusiast
Leave it out - top on or off (unless you drive it in the rain.....)=
slaughterj
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Just don't drive in the rain without it!! The rain WILL reverse course to the back of your head
I've driven through some major storms with the rear window out and found that fairly little rain comes back in that way...
Russ M
Enthusiast
I have to disagree with the majority here, the rear window is definitely a wind deflector.
On many occasions I have tested this out at freeway speeds, say 120-150. And with the rear window in its is semi livable with the side windows up. Take out the rear window and you start getting beaten up by air from the back.
On many occasions I have tested this out at freeway speeds, say 120-150. And with the rear window in its is semi livable with the side windows up. Take out the rear window and you start getting beaten up by air from the back.
slaughterj
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Seems you've added the additional qualifier of the windows being up as well...
Wild Bill
Enthusiast
I'll chime in here. When I first bought mine I couldn't figure out how to remove the rear window so I drove with it in for 2-3 days. When I took it out there was significantly less wind in the car.
I have also driven with it out twice when it was raining VERY hard (so hard I was driving 40 mph with the flashers on) and had almost no rain get in.
I have never driven with the top off and the windows up so I have no knowledge of how this would work.
Just my 2 cents worth
Bill
I have also driven with it out twice when it was raining VERY hard (so hard I was driving 40 mph with the flashers on) and had almost no rain get in.
I have never driven with the top off and the windows up so I have no knowledge of how this would work.
Just my 2 cents worth
Bill
99 R/T 10
Enthusiast
I think the difference is that with the windows (door windows) up, and the back window out the air pressure is maintained and so very little water gets in. Although if you were to put your door windows down (or in the case of a Gen I, don't snap the windows back in place), the air swirls and will receive enough water to drown a small puppy. My $.02,
Mike
Mike
Got Venom
Enthusiast
Who would want to drive with the side windows up. Buy a Cadillac then. It obviously does make a difference, and my wife wants them up if it is a cold morning and we have the top off. But as soon as the sun comes up the side windows go down. Window out in the back is always the best for turbulence. Rain does not come in until you hit the brakes :-( I know first hand in a gully-washer, I thought I was doing great until I had to put the brakes on and a wave hit me in the back of the head. Of course we were on mountain roads only going 20-35 mph. If we could have gone faster more water would have blown off the trunk. Now , here is a new one for you. What kind of hat will stay on with the top off and the back window out. I wore my VOI-7 viper hat this weekend, and I tied it to my belt loop with some string. As soon as I hit 70 mph, it flew off. So I am back to using sunscreen for now.
Roland L-Ocala FL
Enthusiast
You can just swing the rear window down on the rear shelf in front of the window, by just pulling down on the spring loaded latches and using the leather "hinges" at each snap to hinge the window down. That way, the window stays up there behind you, you don't need to put it in its baggie, and it doesn't take up room in the trunk! What could be better than that. Yes, it does reduce wind turbulence when it is down. I find that if I turn the sun visors all the way up, they seem to deflect enough air over your head so your hat will stay on, at least for us short people.
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