C5 convertible question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: henderson nevada
C5 convertible question
Hi guys(girls) and all others 
Just a quick question. I have a 2001 coupe and after I parked it today at a Vons supermarket, a vert pulled into a space nearby. The silver C5 looked good but man the top looked worn and haggard. Do your tops really start showing wear after what like 2 years if they are a DD? I am just wondering how much sun or rain or whatever can they take. I mean his looked so weathered while the rest of the car looked new....How much is a top replacement too? JUST CURIOUS Thanks in advance 
Just a quick question. I have a 2001 coupe and after I parked it today at a Vons supermarket, a vert pulled into a space nearby. The silver C5 looked good but man the top looked worn and haggard. Do your tops really start showing wear after what like 2 years if they are a DD? I am just wondering how much sun or rain or whatever can they take. I mean his looked so weathered while the rest of the car looked new....How much is a top replacement too? JUST CURIOUS Thanks in advance
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by troy144
Hi guys(girls) and all others Just a quick question. I have a 2001 coupe and after I parked it today at a Vons supermarket, a vert pulled into a space nearby. The silver C5 looked good but man the top looked worn and haggard. Do your tops really start showing wear after what like 2 years if they are a DD? I am just wondering how much sun or rain or whatever can they take. I mean his looked so weathered while the rest of the car looked new....How much is a top replacement too? JUST CURIOUS Thanks in advance
Just a quick question. I have a 2001 coupe and after I parked it today at a Vons supermarket, a vert pulled into a space nearby. The silver C5 looked good but man the top looked worn and haggard. Do your tops really start showing wear after what like 2 years if they are a DD? I am just wondering how much sun or rain or whatever can they take. I mean his looked so weathered while the rest of the car looked new....How much is a top replacement too? JUST CURIOUS Thanks in advance My vert's top shows almost no wear after 2 years. 30k miles. But I do work from home when not traveling so the car isn't parked in the sun or elements for long periods of time. That makes a difference.
My previous car was a 94 Z28 vert. The original top, which was very similar in construction to the vette, got replaced after about 80k miles. It still looked good, but one nice evening, I decided to go for a cruise and lowered the (power) top.... Forgetting I had a Y-pipe in the trunk. The top stalled a bit and I hit the button once more and hear the sound of the glass back window shatteing.
I replaced the top, but until then, the only problem I had with it was a seal problem with the rear window. I would have easily gotten over 100k on the top.I'm sure the sun and weather would take it's toll, but if you take reasonable care of it, the top should last a long time.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Convertible tops typically are expected to last for 5 years before replacement is necessary. That's an average, I expect, because mine is 5 years old and looks practically new. However I replaced the vinyl top on my Camaro convertible after 6 years because it was completely worn out. I haven't priced the replacement cost for a fabric Corvette convertible top, but I guess it would be in the $1,500 range.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I just looked in my Mid America catalog and it shows factory style convertible tops for $499.99 and the headliner is $149.99.
You need to treat your top periodically with RaggTopp. It is available through most after market outlets.
My '02 vert's top still looks like new with 17k miles but it stays in a garage when not being driven.
You need to treat your top periodically with RaggTopp. It is available through most after market outlets.
My '02 vert's top still looks like new with 17k miles but it stays in a garage when not being driven.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: henderson nevada
Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
My vert's top shows almost no wear after 2 years. 30k miles. But I do work from home when not traveling so the car isn't parked in the sun or elements for long periods of time. That makes a difference.
My previous car was a 94 Z28 vert. The original top, which was very similar in construction to the vette, got replaced after about 80k miles. It still looked good, but one nice evening, I decided to go for a cruise and lowered the (power) top.... Forgetting I had a Y-pipe in the trunk. The top stalled a bit and I hit the button once more and hear the sound of the glass back window shatteing. I replaced the top, but until then, the only problem I had with it was a seal problem with the rear window. I would have easily gotten over 100k on the top.
I'm sure the sun and weather would take it's toll, but if you take reasonable care of it, the top should last a long time.
My previous car was a 94 Z28 vert. The original top, which was very similar in construction to the vette, got replaced after about 80k miles. It still looked good, but one nice evening, I decided to go for a cruise and lowered the (power) top.... Forgetting I had a Y-pipe in the trunk. The top stalled a bit and I hit the button once more and hear the sound of the glass back window shatteing.
I replaced the top, but until then, the only problem I had with it was a seal problem with the rear window. I would have easily gotten over 100k on the top.I'm sure the sun and weather would take it's toll, but if you take reasonable care of it, the top should last a long time.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: henderson nevada
This is OT. But I left some pics of my vette for my wife to put in my corvette photos and she put in 2 of my 05 Ford Escape... Gee, I am sure the world will love looking at that white Ford Escape So impressive
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
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From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by troy144
Your top is down in all your pics dude... It looks better that way I guess anyway
That's the secret to keeping it looking new.
And yes... they look much better with the top down.
Last edited by TripleBlackxTwo; Mar 2, 2006 at 09:30 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by FLACHUSNRET
I just looked in my Mid America catalog and it shows factory style convertible tops for $499.99 and the headliner is $149.99.
You need to treat your top periodically with RaggTopp. It is available through most after market outlets.
My '02 vert's top still looks like new with 17k miles but it stays in a garage when not being driven.
You need to treat your top periodically with RaggTopp. It is available through most after market outlets.
My '02 vert's top still looks like new with 17k miles but it stays in a garage when not being driven.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dardenne Prairie Mo.
My vert is a 02 with 40k and the top still looks like new if you treat it with the raggtopp treater and cleaner once a year it will look like new no matter how much it is up in the weather.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by JMc
56k on my '02 top and it looks new. No fading, tears or unusual wear. Looks like it can go another 56k mi.
Just about 40K on my '00 vert, and the black top looks like new. Garaged and coverd most her life, though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Mine is an 02 with 50k on it. It was a daily driver for most of it's life but I have covered garage parking at work and a garage at home. Here in AZ I'm sure it would deteriorate quickly w/o cover. Also remember there is a difference between wht and all the rest. Most don't realize wht is the only vinyl top. I believe it's much easier to clean and treat than the cloth ones. Besides, it's different 
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Treat it right and it should last 5 at least 5 years. Maybe the guy didn't really take care of it all that well.
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mines an 02 with 24k and its a daily driver. It sits in the Vegas sun every day although its garaged overnight. Obviously no rain here in Vegas. The top looks like new.
I've treated it twice with Ragg Topp so I guess it works. Its due another treatment.
BTW, you're right about not having many pics with the top up
I've treated it twice with Ragg Topp so I guess it works. Its due another treatment.
BTW, you're right about not having many pics with the top up
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
Traded in my 98 Vert in June 05, got top dollar. Car was purchased in April 98, no top problems.
FWIW my top is down a lot. I put it in garage and if weather is good it has been down for long periods.
Of course I live in the mountains of upstate NY and the car is only driven a maxium of 6 months a year.
FWIW my top is down a lot. I put it in garage and if weather is good it has been down for long periods.
Of course I live in the mountains of upstate NY and the car is only driven a maxium of 6 months a year.