Hi chap, welcome!
Bought a +4 a year / 7000 miles ago.
Pretty much the same as everyone else, car is daily run-about with something larger and 4x4 for work at weekends.
Hood is pretty waterproof - car lives outside, a couple of drips get through in storms. Quick to put up. Yes, car is less fun, and more of a challenge driving at night in heavy rain with the roof up!
Have driven on longish journeys (Kent to Wales, etc) 'making progress', without problems from noise - apart from when passing noisy vehicles. No need so far for earplugs. More comfortable with screens in at speed - even found myself being pushed forward out of the seat at 'enthusiastic' crusing speeds by wind being 'scooped' by side of the seat.
Brakes are fine, big problem is stopping faster than cars following - possibly they don't expect the car to have a modern system.
Have, and use the carrier. would be rather stuck without it. Suitcase courtesy of eBay, straps from a local saddler. Rack can alternatively carry two small cases and a couple of mandolins!
Cannot beat trying out the cars to see how they suit you - good luck with the journey!
