carl418

I want to replace my targa top on my 2002 C5 coupe. I'm looking at Melrose Corvette. They advertise this:

"These newly refurbished blue transparent roofs are manufactured to factory specs and utilize GM frames and hardware, new weatherstripping, new edge trim channels, and a D.O.T approved hardcoated acrylic lens."

The actual website:

https://www.melrosecorvette.com/97-0...roof-exchange/

The cost is $999 plus core and $55 shipping. My questions are has anyone bought one of these? Are they quality? It seems like a pretty good deal but there are no reviews on the website and I'm new to Corvettes so I don't want to make a $1,000 mistake.
TIA

carl418

Nobody?

redzg

No experience with them, but I will note that GM weather strips are $700, and by many accounts the only weather strips that fit properly and work. If it has GM strips and a new lense, $1k is a bargain. I’d have to inquire from the seller which weather stepping is used before a purchase, and if they are non-GM would worry about buying leaks.

CMC76

I bought a new top, aftermarket seller off ebay about a year ago. Cost was about that.
I'm pleased with it. My top was trashed when I bought the car. And I like the transparent better than painted. Like everything else on these older cars. Put your money into the parts that make it enjoyable to drive.
The plus side, for a grand you'll likely never buy another one

carl418

I checked in the C6 forum and found some good reviews and no bad ones. The same goes just checking on Google. According to people on the C6 forum, they've been in business for many years, it's a father/son owned business and they do good work. So I ordered a top. I'll give my own review after I get it but I'm betting I'll be very happy. I hate having to spend money after just buying the car. But I know I'll be unhappy with an otherwise great car so I'm going for it.

jjaaam

I got a replacement from Corvette Tops a few years ago. Price was half what Melrose is. I just checked and their website is still up (corvettetops.com).

Overall I’m satisfied. Some fitment issues but nothing glaringly obvious. Kind of like when I pointed them out to my wife and son they gave me that “you’re being WAY OCD on this” look, LOL!

And, IIRC, the lens doesn’t have any coating. But it may be an option if you’re on a budget. Mine is still going strong; a few scratches but nothing that couldn’t be polished out.

carl418

I saw them earlier when I was googling. The price that's half what Melrose charges does not include new seals. It's just the top itself that gets replaced. And if you don't need seals, that's a great deal. But since my car is now 20 years old, I don't trust the seals to continue working as they should so I opted to spend all the money at once and get everything done.

I'm sure Corvette Tops is a quality shop and I'm not knocking them. I just went by other people's reviews of Melrose and went with them. Thanks for your recommendation though. Much appreciated.

TheBac

Melrose has an excellent reputation for their tops. IIRC, they use the original style blue acrylic. I was going to go that direction until I happened to find a perfect OEM GM top for sale here.
The weather strip Melrose talks about are the two side strips on the top itself. They are expensive when using OEM parts, but not overly so.
The poster who claims the seal is $700 is talking about the halo seal from door to door on the body of the car that the top sits up against. THAT is very expensive, and only the GM replacement really fits correctly. Been there.

I would have no issue with using Melrose for a new top.

jjaaam

Yeah - no problem. Just offering an option I had personal experience with. Hoping all goes well for you!

Vader_C5

I used Melrose and they are very good.

57gman

I had seen a video a few years back on how to sand the scratches out of the top. Maybe that's an alternative before spending a grand. Maybe I can find the video or someone else has it on the web.

C5canuc

I had to replace my top 2 years ago and went with Melrose, excellent fit and finish, highly recommend

Jeff Mohr

I just recieved my new lens from Corvettetops.com. It arrived in great condition and I'll be gluing it on later today. I'm impressed with the service from the company. I give Corvettetops.com a thumbs up 👍

Stingroo

Probably too late to be relevant to OP, but my car has a replacement top from Melrose (paid for by insurance) and it's a great piece. Highly recommended.

T-RAY1978

700 bucks for the two pieces of rubber on the sides of the top, wow that is very expensive..

LittleRiverBK

I just bought their transparent blue replacement roof. The service was quick and friendly. The UPS delivery happened within a couple of days. I sent back my old core in the same box theirs came in and got my core refund quick. Their replacement roof looks great! I am very happy with this transaction and definitely recommend them :-)

Golfingbob

Does Melrose sell the transparent top without an exchange. I have the solid top and would like the transparent.

Davcruz

I wonder that as well.

Missileboy

YES-1695.00

https://www.melrosecorvette.com/97-0...f-no-exchange/