Convertible top manual vs. power?
04-26-2008, 11:27 AM
#22
Safety Car
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FL Events Coordinator
You must be in PARK with your foot on the BRAKE in order for the power top to work.
04-26-2008, 11:46 AM
#23
Safety Car
I do not have a power top, but I'm perfectly fine with the manual top. In fact, I can get it up or down faster than if it were power.
Elaine
04-26-2008, 11:59 AM
#24
Race Director
As has already been pointed out, keep in mind that if you get a manual top on a 2009 you'll be looking at a 1LT. This means no side air bags, no seat memory, no HUD, no heated seats, no Bose (which is no big deal), no interior color choices except solid ebony, no ability to order navigation, etc. I know that I wouldn't be happy without most of those features.
04-26-2008, 12:06 PM
#25
Instructor
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I have a power to pa and enjoy having it, especially when it starts to rain by surprise... riding on the highway and a suprise cloud shows up with just enough water in it to start dripping on the car... most times I try to drive through, but sometimes it has started to Pour and having the PT has been great!!!
one warning.... the PT blocks a portion of the trunk that that manual does not... and that has been the worst impact of the PT...
one warning.... the PT blocks a portion of the trunk that that manual does not... and that has been the worst impact of the PT...
04-26-2008, 01:08 PM
#27
Melting Slicks
I imagine those going from coupe to convertible might be more satisfied with a manual top. I'm sure it's still 10 times less work than stowing the targa top.
04-26-2008, 01:38 PM
#29
Team Owner
I would like to have had the manual top...same reasons...weight, complication, repair possibilities etc; and its such a small top that it is very easy to put up by hand...not like an old Cadillac top where it weighed 150 pounds. But they now have it bundled with all the other stuff, so its really tough to do. I love the HUD and the heated seats, and would not want to be without them, so I was really required to take the power top. On the positive side, this top is nothing like any previous american power convertible top. CTS is the company that does it, they are owned by Porsche and Daimler Benz and they also do the tops on Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes, etc etc. Mine is almost identical to the top on my Dad's Boxster. CTS started doing Corvette tops with the C6.
04-26-2008, 02:00 PM
#30
I would like to have had the manual top...same reasons...weight, complication, repair possibilities etc; and its such a small top that it is very easy to put up by hand...not like an old Cadillac top where it weighed 150 pounds. But they now have it bundled with all the other stuff, so its really tough to do. I love the HUD and the heated seats, and would not want to be without them, so I was really required to take the power top. On the positive side, this top is nothing like any previous american power convertible top. CTS is the company that does it, they are owned by Porsche and Daimler Benz and they also do the tops on Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes, etc etc. Mine is almost identical to the top on my Dad's Boxster. CTS started doing Corvette tops with the C6.
A Mazda MX5 has an electronic roof.My new Vert 2008 3LT
greetings from Germany
Siggi
04-26-2008, 02:17 PM
#31
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I have the power top, but really just because it came bundled in the 3LT package with other items I really wanted- HUD and heated seats. the telescoping wheel and homelink I could do without.
I think it's
that GM forces you to buy an expensive package just to get one or two options that you really want. The power top is a very cool option, but I would have thought real hard about dropping an additional $2000 on it (which I believe was the cost when it was a stand-alone option).
I think it's
that GM forces you to buy an expensive package just to get one or two options that you really want. The power top is a very cool option, but I would have thought real hard about dropping an additional $2000 on it (which I believe was the cost when it was a stand-alone option).
04-26-2008, 02:31 PM
#32
Team Owner
I have the power top, but really just because it came bundled in the 3LT package with other items I really wanted- HUD and heated seats. the telescoping wheel and homelink I could do without.
I think it's that GM forces you to buy an expensive package just to get one or two options that you really want. The power top is a very cool option, but I would have thought real hard about dropping an additional $2000 on it (which I believe was the cost when it was a stand-alone option).
I think it's
that GM forces you to buy an expensive package just to get one or two options that you really want. The power top is a very cool option, but I would have thought real hard about dropping an additional $2000 on it (which I believe was the cost when it was a stand-alone option).
Bingo...
04-26-2008, 07:19 PM
#33
Le Mans Master
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Your welcome
04-26-2008, 07:31 PM
#34
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
My opinion? It's a good idea, and a good way to save money. And I guess Corvette heard that message because they're making it a bit more available and to reduce the initial cost.
However, the 3LT only came with power top, and I wanted the features (not all, but some) of the 3LT. So, power top it was.
Now, after using the top, I'd say, it's pretty convenient to have a power top. Is it essential? No, just convenient. Unless you're really doddering, I don't think you'll ever really say, "Gee, I was so dumb not to buy the power top!!!!"
Good luck with your choice.
However, the 3LT only came with power top, and I wanted the features (not all, but some) of the 3LT. So, power top it was.
Now, after using the top, I'd say, it's pretty convenient to have a power top. Is it essential? No, just convenient. Unless you're really doddering, I don't think you'll ever really say, "Gee, I was so dumb not to buy the power top!!!!"
Good luck with your choice.
04-26-2008, 07:31 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I know this has been much discussed but I am thinking of an '09 convertible--mostly because I like the way it looks as opposed to the mere fact of putting the top down. Plus, I understand the radio sounds better and noises are reduced. So the top will maybe get put down a few times a year.
I want to buy a manual top because I am frugal but I don't want to be silly. Is a maunual top a good or bad idea---under my circumstances?
Central Ohio
'07 coupe, 6 spd, Victory Red
I want to buy a manual top because I am frugal but I don't want to be silly. Is a maunual top a good or bad idea---under my circumstances?
Central Ohio
'07 coupe, 6 spd, Victory Red
The power top is the same thing. It is convinent to have a power top.
I highly recommend a power top.
04-26-2008, 08:29 PM
#37
I got the manual top. I've had my car 8 days and I already tore it - the headliner got caught in the mechanis, and now that the hole is there is wants to snag every time. So clearly manual tops aren't infallible.
I got the manual top just for price reasons. A vert is already $8500 more than a coupe. I felt dumb enough paying this. Then the convertible top is $5100. So together that's $13600 to have a power ragtop over a targa, minus discounts plus tax. I had to stop spending somewhere...I considered going halfway to be reasonable compromise.
I got the manual top just for price reasons. A vert is already $8500 more than a coupe. I felt dumb enough paying this. Then the convertible top is $5100. So together that's $13600 to have a power ragtop over a targa, minus discounts plus tax. I had to stop spending somewhere...I considered going halfway to be reasonable compromise.
04-26-2008, 11:03 PM
#40