Originally Posted by onzedge

IMO, tinted ragtops look goofy. In addition, it is illegal in CA to tint the sides (door windows) so you are asking for trouble.

Imagine this -- you are driving along, enjoying the day, and you get lit up by a copper (the fuzz, man, heat) because you have tinted windows and he has nothing better to do. The officer uses this as probable cause to pull you over. Once you are there on the side of the road, he says, "Hmm, do you mind if I look around in your car?" You agree, of course, but forgot about the contraband in the glove box and the loaded 9mm in the console. Also escaping your memory is the no-bail warrant for your husband's arrest that stemmed from a failure to appear some years back. So -- off you both go to jail -- he goes because of the warrant and you go because he pinned the other stuff in the car on you. The car goes to impound, the kids to CPS and you spend thousands and thousands in legal fees.

Lesson: Do not tint side windows in CA. It is just not worth it.

Further, convertibles driving along with the windows up is a little on the dorky side.