Heater? worth it? feedback needed

berzerko · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2007, 07:46 PM

taking a poll to see if it is worth the trouble of installing it?
What about heated seats?
I live in metro NY

Any feed back is appriciated

Thanks Bobby

richardferguson · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-2007, 07:53 PM

Heater definitely.

Dwight · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-2007, 08:08 PM

Where do you live?
I live in North Alabama and I use my heater a lot. We can drive most of the winter here. Very little snow and ice.
Dwight

pmfranke · #4 (**permalink**) 08-18-2007, 08:34 PM

really need it in Truckee. Coldest average temp in the country.

convincor · #5 (**permalink**) 08-18-2007, 08:56 PM

I've had September evenings fog the windshield sitting in the driveway. The heat & defrost is a must for me.

WarrenG · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 01:07 AM

Haven't needed it so far in CA, but it was a real nice thing to have in MD in March and April.

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 02:13 AM

If I lived in NY I'd want one, and a defroster and a soft/hard top to go with it.

Hawaii? For get about it, no need at all.

strictlypersonl · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 05:18 AM

Check the Composite Inspection laws. I think that NY requires at least working defrosters.

Tony Aprile · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 06:13 AM

I have a heater/defroster in my SPF, and here on Long Island I rearly use it since I like to drive open cockpit. Unless you have a soft top and side glass I think the heater is totally useless. I also tried driving with the tonnue cover over the passenger side to help retain some heat...felt nothing...

You might want to try the heated seat thing..where you install the element under your seat covers.... or like the motorcycle guy's, heated jackets and slacks that plug into the cigarette lighter...so come on out and freeze your butt off like the rest of us....

55312 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 06:56 AM

It does keep my legs warm in chilly weather. Glad I have it. A warm jacket takes care of the rest.

Tim

Lowell W · #11 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 07:02 AM

You didn't say which brand of car you're building but Strictlypersonl has a good point: check your state MV laws, as this may be a moot issue.

If a soft top is available for your car, by all means get the soft top and install the heater. In NY, it will greatly increase the amount of time you can enjoy your car and I think it will enable you to market your car to a wider area when the time comes to sell it. Also, consider the heated seat option. They're great for early mornings and late evenings when you don't want to bother with the top.

I have a heater and soft top and heated seats, too. I use 'em all.

Lowell

trularin · #12 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 07:18 AM

There are times heat would be good to have. But, since I didn't install it, I don't have it.

I think it is a matter of if you want it.

If you live north and would like to get out in late September into November where it is like 50 degrees outside, heat would make it much more enjoyable.

Just my opinion

jams · #13 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 07:32 AM

Go for it. Got one here in NJ.

stallion112 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 09:28 AM

Here in Charlotte, NC it can be expected to dip down below the freezing mark for a few weeks in the January / February timeframe. I still take mine out even though it does not have a heater or defroster. As long as you are dressed right (layered, loose fitting clothes and gloves) you really don't need the heater in my opinion.

It is a good idea to have the defrosters though just in case the conditions are right for fog / frost on the windshield. As mentioned in previous posts, some states require them to register.

mgilbert · #15 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 09:30 AM

have heater rarly use. i have gone to work and get caught on a chilly night. mine does not have original type shifter boot mine is leather tied up by shift knob. i untie it and hot air comes up keeps one hand warm anyway. but if should you ever start to overheat engine on a blistering hot day crank up heater oh what fun. that a whole different issue but you never know. stay cool Mark G.

jperickson2001 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 09:38 AM

I don't have one myself. But I do have a soft top and windows, which is a necessity in really cold weather. You basically need to dress like you are going to ride the Harley around in January. -John

Mister · #17 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 09:50 AM

We use ours regularly........early mornings, cool evenings, fall drives etc. It extends the driving season in Pa.

Mike

tcrist · #18 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 11:44 AM

Interesting thread. I am putting my Cobra back together and have a heater. I was debating with myself wether to reinstall it or not. I think I will reinstall it and see if I need it or not. My issue is that I like the cold. I used to ride my motorcycle back and forth to work in 40-50 deg temps with a tee shirt and levi's. Now that was a few years ago and now that I am older the cold treats me different now but I still like it. I have a few jackets that hang in my closet that I hardly wear. A heater might be a good sale item if/when I decide to sell.

Terry

Burnd · #19 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 05:08 PM

Put a 427 in it......... you'll have so much heat coming through the firewall, you'll wish the firewall was ceramic coated. I disconnected mine. The back of my engine bay registers 320 degrees; all i do is open the vent and it sucks it right in. Summer is another subject..........

Bernie

sirreal · #20 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 06:29 PM

I live on long island, I have both a heater and heated seats, I drive all year long, the heater (2 spd) is totaly ineffective, the heated seats are fantastic.
I have a soft top (never used it) and a tonneau cover, the tonneau was not much help. I drove out to Captree (eastern end of Jones beach) almost every dry sunday from Nov-March as low 28 degrees. The heated seats kept me very warm. I highly recommend the heated seates.