I'm currently a C3 owner, looking to get into a C5 convertible. What is the life expectancy of the top? In other words how often would the top need to be replaced? How costly is a new top and how difficult are they to replace?

 

My 01 has the original top, no issues.

 

Keeping a convertible in a garage makes all the difference in the world.
I have a 2001 with the original top. I also keep it in the up position when not driving the car. My top looks like new, I only wash it with Adams car wash soap and treat and clean it once a year with Ragtop. Never put any pressure on the glass window at the back because some have had problems with the glass separating.

 

'03 with the original top and it still looks like new.

 

I have an '01 with original top. The car is garaged, rarely has seen rain and stored winters.
I clean it with 303 top cleaner and treat it with 303 water repellent. It still looks like new and I do not expect to have to replace it for many years, if ever.
If a convertible top is taken care of it might just last the life of the car.

I would think it would cost 1-2 thousand to replace a top on a C5.

 

I have an '01 with 130k miles, daily driver, the top is just about ready to be replaced (a couple of wear spots where the frame rubs, both on the passenger side), I've seen replacement tops made of the same materials as original in the $500 range, then another $500 or so to install.

 

I have an 01 since new. 150K miles and lived outside the whole time. Picking up the car Friday after having new top installed. $1219.20. Originally a white vinyl replacing with black vinyl. The original hartz cloth top would have been $200 more.

 

It had a white vinyl top from the factory?

 

Have a 2000 that I did have the top replaced. Top was a little rough when I bought it in 2005, also wanted to change from Oak to black. New top will be $1000-$1200 installed, but like others said, taken care of they last a long time, especially if garaged. I am an avid DIY kind a person, but could find very little info on top replacement and most recommendations said have a pro do it.

 

I would have an expert do it. They know all the tricks. I have read several posts about guys doing it themselves and some were not happy with the results.

 

 

My original owner C5 03 50th Ann, 13,000 miles. After any trip, I keep it in garage, plus indoor cover. Like new.

 

I ordered a white top when I bought the car and it was a vinyl like material not the cloth material that all other colors came in. I am calling it vinyl because I do not know what else to call it. The buyers order listed it as "16T white top n/c" I have the original window sticker someplace and when I find it I will let you know if it states anything different. I do know that the black tops were more of a cloth material and the white (for what ever reason probably easier to clean) were a more vinyl like material.

 

I didn't know that.

 

01 Vert - 95K daily driver - so it spends a lot of time outside. Top is starting to look a little old but no issues with seams or tears. No leaks on the top itself. Had to re-glue the back window in a couple of months ago but a rather simple task that only requires patience. I'll probably go another year or two and then have it replaced. (Triple black car).

 

I just picked up my 2000 from shop last night with a brand new convertible top. We bought the car in May with 91K miles. It had the oak top and had some light smudge marks, and a couple of pinholes. We took it to the shop to have that top replaced while we were on the Hot Rod Power Tour in June.

We were given three top material options starting with vinyl, then canvas that was OEM replacement, and top of the line canvas which had a thicker headliner which we were told was "Mercedes grade". There was only about a $100 difference between each grade so we went with the top of the line. We were given a not to exceed cost of $2100. We also switched to black from the oak.

Upon picking the car up the shop owner pointed out some flaws. He was very apologetic and told me he wanted us to take the car and enjoy it during the summer and bring it back when the weather turned cooler and he would replace the top with a brand new one. He only charged $1700.

I contacted him before Thanksgiving and we decided to have it redone in December. We're not driving it much right now so it didn't really matter too much how soon it was done.

Anyway I want to give a shout out to this shop because he was true to his word and replaced the top at no cost to us. I highly recommend Historic Motor Cars in Terre Haute, Indiana. Besides convertible tops they also do auto upholstery.

 

3 months ago I bought a 2004 black vert. The top looked new. Since the car is outside 100% of the time, I bought a cover for the top from Eckler's
manufactured by Ferguson. It not only protects the top but also the rubber around it. If you find a vette that has a good to excellent top and the car cannot be in a garage, think about the cover.

 

That really is great service. I wish we had shops like that around here.

 

Same for my 01

 

My 01 has the original top and is like new & I do not anticipate the need to ever replace it. The car has 45,000 and is always garaged when not in use. It is covered in the winter and as needed during the summer. I have treated it with Raggtopp Cleaner & Conditioners 1-2 times during the summer months.
Car does not see the rain IF I can avoid it!