Dual Tops???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 419
Likes: 72
From: Belvidere IL
Dual Tops???
Am shopping for a coupe and prefer the body colored top only. I can even go along with the $750 transparent top, BUT the $1,400 charge for both tops leaves me a bit cold as I would merely have something else to hang in the garage.
Any thoughts out there with you that have the "both tops" option and if I pull the trigger on the "both top" bit, is there any market out there for one of the tops?
Thanks for any feedback.
Any thoughts out there with you that have the "both tops" option and if I pull the trigger on the "both top" bit, is there any market out there for one of the tops?
Thanks for any feedback.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
A minor point: it's not a $750 top, it's a $1400 top. If you get just the transparent top instead of the painted top, you get charged $750 for the difference in the price of the 2 tops. Since you get the painted top with the car for no extra charge, you pay $1400 if you get both tops.
Some here who got the transparent top also purchased an extra liner to put inside it when it gets too hot. I had a transparent top on my C4 and didn't like it because it got too hot in the car.
There seems to be an occasional small market for the extra top.
Some here who got the transparent top also purchased an extra liner to put inside it when it gets too hot. I had a transparent top on my C4 and didn't like it because it got too hot in the car.
There seems to be an occasional small market for the extra top.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
I have both and use each about 6 months a year. But I bought my "glass" top on the aftermarket for about $1250 shipped. The advantage, other than a lower price, is it is yours (not a part of the original equipment) so, if you sell the car later, you can sell the top for $700-800. Or use it on your next C6.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs FL
In seven years the solid top was on the 01 maybe 10 days - and that was probably all in the first few months. Rest of the time under the bed.
The new 08 will be ordered with transparent only (RPO CC3) and I'll get one of those "cool" Down South Vette liners.
Southeast Florida BTW...
Pete
The new 08 will be ordered with transparent only (RPO CC3) and I'll get one of those "cool" Down South Vette liners.
Southeast Florida BTW...
Pete
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Southern New Mexico
I got my vette with the two top option and love each. the look is different with each. With the "clear" the top of the coupe looks black which is cool as heck. With the body color top, all is uniform and looks cool as heck. I can tell you that the body color top makes things quieter on highways, say at 130+mph, so I use the body color for longer trips and the other is my daily (if they aren't both off).
Last edited by coletrickle; Aug 2, 2007 at 08:48 PM. Reason: misspelled
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
If you're in doubt, I recommend ordering with only the painted top (standard at no extra charge). Reasoning:
- If you order just the transparent top but decide later that you also want a painted one, you'll pay through the nose. The painted top is not available as a complete unit through your dealer's parts department; it must be ordered as a lot of separate pieces, painted, and assembled. Fichtner is charging $1895 for this. They order all of the parts, paint the outer panel, and assemble everything for that price. At that point, you've spent $1895 for the painted top plus $750 to change to the transparent top only on the original order for a total of $2645 for both tops.
- The transparent top is available as a complete unit through the parts department. List is $1400 but Fichtner and other dealerships have been known to sell them for around $1200. If you order your car with just the painted top and decide later that you want both tops, total outlay will be only the price of the transparent top, around $1200.
- Retail on the 2-top option from the factory is $1400; invoice is $1162. Even comparing against factory invoice, it wouldn't cost you any more to add the transparent top after the fact than it would to order it (as part of the 2-top package) with the car. As noted above, though, it would cost a lot more to add a painted top after the fact than if the car was originally ordered with one.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
If you're in doubt, I recommend ordering with only the painted top (standard at no extra charge). Reasoning:
- If you order just the transparent top but decide later that you also want a painted one, you'll pay through the nose. The painted top is not available as a complete unit through your dealer's parts department; it must be ordered as a lot of separate pieces, painted, and assembled. Fichtner is charging $1895 for this. They order all of the parts, paint the outer panel, and assemble everything for that price. At that point, you've spent $1895 for the painted top plus $750 to change to the transparent top only on the original order for a total of $2645 for both tops.
- The transparent top is available as a complete unit through the parts department. List is $1400 but Fichtner and other dealerships have been known to sell them for around $1200. If you order your car with just the painted top and decide later that you want both tops, total outlay will be only the price of the transparent top, around $1200.
- Retail on the 2-top option from the factory is $1400; invoice is $1162. Even comparing against factory invoice, it wouldn't cost you any more to add the transparent top after the fact than it would to order it (as part of the 2-top package) with the car. As noted above, though, it would cost a lot more to add a painted top after the fact than if the car was originally ordered with one.
Ditto !!!
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,732
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From: Napa Ca
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Virginia
Get both. Look at the cost as a percentage of the car purchase price and you'll wonder why you ever questioned it. I run the transparent in the winter to lighten up the interior on dreary days, and the painted in the summer to protect against the sun's heat and to reduce the noise level in the car. Since I often run at 100+ here in Germany, the noise level is a factor and the painted top with its liner is definitely quieter. (You don't run fast as often in winter weather so I can easily put up with the noise.) I had an easily removable, after market liner inside my transparent top with my '97 and that is a good investment, too.
I agree with the post that the look is great with either and gives you a choice on how to run. Enjoy!
I agree with the post that the look is great with either and gives you a choice on how to run. Enjoy!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton California
It sounds to me you answered your own question...that you want the standard body colored top, and not a second top you have to store.
One thing for sure is it is easy to get a clear top later, but not so much to get a matching painted top later if you go with the clear only option.
It's all down to personal taste. I bought the dual top option when I ordered my car from a dealer, as I really liked the way both looked on the car. I knew I'd regret not getting both.
As far as a market for selling the spare...you probably aren't going to get as much for it than what you paid the dealer when you bought it new with the car.
One thing for sure is it is easy to get a clear top later, but not so much to get a matching painted top later if you go with the clear only option.
It's all down to personal taste. I bought the dual top option when I ordered my car from a dealer, as I really liked the way both looked on the car. I knew I'd regret not getting both.
As far as a market for selling the spare...you probably aren't going to get as much for it than what you paid the dealer when you bought it new with the car.
Last edited by djfullshred; Aug 3, 2007 at 02:16 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville NC
Originally Posted by Snagle
Get the transparent top and a headliner from Down South Vettes. It is far cheaper than getting both tops, gives you the benefits of both and you do not have to store one.
This is what I did. CC3 + DSV =
it's like having 3 different cars
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville NC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 419
Likes: 72
From: Belvidere IL
Thanks for all the responses guys.
My thought had been why pay $1,400 when all I want is the painted top.
I'm looking at a couple '07's, one with both and one with transparent only. Based on your comments, think I'd opt for both rather than transparent only.
Appreciate the info.
My thought had been why pay $1,400 when all I want is the painted top.
I'm looking at a couple '07's, one with both and one with transparent only. Based on your comments, think I'd opt for both rather than transparent only.
Appreciate the info.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I have both tops and am glad I have both. I use the trans in the summer (that's her see-through summer top-ha ha) and the painted in the winter. Yeah the trans is a bit hotter, but I love hot weather and it doesn't bother me. Plus it lets a lot of light in and reminds me of my first Vette, an 81 with mirrored t-tops. I am happy to have a choice!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
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From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
IMHO 2 tops is a PITA cuz you need a storage place for the top not in use. I wanted 2 when I got my car but they were on "constraint" by Chev. I went with the X-Par top & really love the way it looks on the car.
Someone makes a "static-cling" interior liner for when the sun's beating down. I have felt somewhat uncomfortable at times but have never stopped to put the cling on.
Someone makes a "static-cling" interior liner for when the sun's beating down. I have felt somewhat uncomfortable at times but have never stopped to put the cling on.