Extreme Heat

Considering the battery is 14 years old, I think you should have a plan in the back of your mind regarding how you will address traction battery replacement - regardless of whether the failure is due to hot weather, thousands of charge/discharge cycles logged over the 14 years, electrolyte leaking, etc. I would say that lack of use is more likely to kill the Classic battery vs. hot weather, though.

 

Some have guessed that high heat wears the battery faster. But even for a 1st Gen battery, I don't think one hot summer is going to kill a 4-year-old battery (assuming the previous owner was honest).

 

Maybe your auto insurance will cover vehicle glass? For example I have AAA insurance and there is $0 deductible on glass. I've had occasion to take advantage of that for two windshields on the 2004, and the right side rear glass on the XK.

 

At least some states mandate 0 deductible on windshields. Florida is one.

On the battery, sitting in the hot sun would, I think, be worse for it than driving it with the air conditioner keeping it cool. Assuming the A/C can keep up with those temperatures.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's not quite as hot here as AZ, but with the humidity, it sure is miserable. I went through three or four shirts yesterday.

A couple things seem to have helped lower our car's inside temperature since there is no place in the shade to park. I got one of the custom fit windshield shades from here on the PC store. And I got some window vent covers so I can keep the windows open a little without worrying about rain. I think the inside temperature is about 10° less now, but it's still screaming hot. I may get one of the screens for the back, too. They aren't a fix, but they are an improvement.