Convertible Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: St. John Indiana
Convertible Question
I have owned 3 coupes a 1977, 1981 & a 1994 have now decided to check out a 2001-2003 convertible and I have a question? Are the convertible tops automatic, electric or manual??? And what about these automatic hard tops for convetibles that I have seen. What do you all think?
Thanks for the advise in advance.
Bob
Thanks for the advise in advance.
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,350
Likes: 38
From: Dix Hills, NY
The C5 only came as a manual top. You can purchase a hardtop for the car from at least two aftermarket manufacturers. I believe in 2001 they changed to a 5 layer top as oppossed to a 3 layer from 1998thru 2000. Good luck with your purchase. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by On the road
C-6 the power top is an option. Manual top takes less than thirty seconds if you are taking you time and it is extremely easy to do. I love mine as I am sure you will love yours. 
The Corvette probably has the simplest manual vert top other than the Mazda Miata, only because the one in that car doesn't hide away under a built-in tonneau, like it does in the C5.
A hard top would be nice to have for winter though...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 343
From: SIOUX FALLS SD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
I like the idea of a power top on the c6 however at almost $2000 extra I dont know how many will be out there with that extra option. It gives it the James Bond look that is for sure. I have seen the Caddy
electric top in operation and that is extremly cool. The problem is the fact that these cars are getting a little expensive as far as toys are concerned. I have owned 2 verts and 2 coupes and I think the next vette I buy will be another convertible. I currently have a 97 coupe and had a 98 coupe but again, the next one will probably be the vert.
As far as ease of putting the top up or down it is very fast and simple. I dont see wind noise as a problem either. Good luck with your choice.
electric top in operation and that is extremly cool. The problem is the fact that these cars are getting a little expensive as far as toys are concerned. I have owned 2 verts and 2 coupes and I think the next vette I buy will be another convertible. I currently have a 97 coupe and had a 98 coupe but again, the next one will probably be the vert.
As far as ease of putting the top up or down it is very fast and simple. I dont see wind noise as a problem either. Good luck with your choice.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Grace Valley: A small, peaceful & beautiful valley in the Volunteer State
Originally Posted by WildWolf
The C5 only came as a manual top. You can purchase a hardtop for the car from at least two aftermarket manufacturers. I believe in 2001 they changed to a 5 layer top as oppossed to a 3 layer from 1998thru 2000. Good luck with your purchase.
I had a '99 and now own a '03. The top is just as easy to put up and down, but the '03 is thicker and is better looking as far as less ribs showing. I've owned 'verts for 35 years, the Vette being my first manual. It is so easy and much less to go wrong.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,553
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burb
Originally Posted by On the road
C-6 the power top is an option. Manual top takes less than thirty seconds if you are taking you time and it is extremely easy to do. I love mine as I am sure you will love yours.
Get the vert, you'll love it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by pinskiC5
The Corvette probably has the simplest manual vert top other than the Mazda Miata, only because the one in that car doesn't hide away under a built-in tonneau, like it does in the C5.
A hard top would be nice to have for winter though...
Some guys claim they can even put the top up without getting out of the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
Manual Vert = less things to go wrong and as everyone has mentioned, get that along with the window valet and you can have the top down in less than 30 seconds. Not sure I could ever live without a Vert now. I am addicted.
Jim K
Jim K
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by pinskiC5
The Corvette probably has the simplest manual vert top other than the Mazda Miata, only because the one in that car doesn't hide away under a built-in tonneau, like it does in the C5.
A hard top would be nice to have for winter though...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 1
From: Toledo Ohio
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Vert-yes. power top no but $2K on the C6. C5 very easy to put up/down while alone. Window valet best Mod for a Vert. Extremly good top liner a very quiet convertable top up ride. A trunk partition and better tires really quiet the ride with top up . Try one You'll be hooked. I put 10K on mine last year 6K with top down. 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
As others have mentioned, the C5 vert top is very quick and easy to raise or lower. A new refined top was added for model year 2001: Model Year 2001 Press Release - More Refinement...
If the automatic hard top is a must have, following is a link for one company that installs them. Just take a good wad of money with you - $10,500 for the C5 vert/coupe and $12,500 for the C5 Z06:
Coach Builders Limited, Inc.
If the automatic hard top is a must have, following is a link for one company that installs them. Just take a good wad of money with you - $10,500 for the C5 vert/coupe and $12,500 for the C5 Z06:
Coach Builders Limited, Inc.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I have two (2) C5 Verts.
I have seen the 'hardtop' for the Verts in person.
With those installed, there is no room in the trunk (other than approximatelt the room you'ed finde in a C4 Vert).
Do not worry though, with the cost of this mod you will have lots of room in your wallet - it will probably be empty for awhile
I have seen the 'hardtop' for the Verts in person.
With those installed, there is no room in the trunk (other than approximatelt the room you'ed finde in a C4 Vert).
Do not worry though, with the cost of this mod you will have lots of room in your wallet - it will probably be empty for awhile
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by CUlookin
Yep, manual... but I can put down mine faster that someone with a power top if that helps! get the vert, you won't be disappointed!
Its a piece of cake to get it down. No probs
