Clear VS. Painted top?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 679
Likes: 5
From: Caught between the moon and New York City TX
Clear top for me...it's the only top that I have. Had a C4 for about 10 years back in the day that had both tops. In 10 years the only time that the solid top was on the car was one time to see if it actually fit.
If you are tall, there is one definite advantage to the clear top. You can see through it. If you are making a left turn at an intersection with an overhead stoplight, you can pull out while you wait for the traffic to clear and still see the stoplight through the top, so you know when it turns yellow and/or red. If you have the solid top on, when you pull up a little the view of the light is hidden by the top.
Just my 2¢
If you are tall, there is one definite advantage to the clear top. You can see through it. If you are making a left turn at an intersection with an overhead stoplight, you can pull out while you wait for the traffic to clear and still see the stoplight through the top, so you know when it turns yellow and/or red. If you have the solid top on, when you pull up a little the view of the light is hidden by the top.
Just my 2¢
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Wow, thanks for all the input. I know this is a personal choice thing but I'm (as well as the members who left input) are so divided. I like the looks of the painted top but I did try a clear top also, and I agree with some that the lines of the car appear a little better with such. The money is not an issue, I just don't know if it is worth the price. I did go the used route via auction but when I received such it was in terrible condition-for 900.00! I learned my lesson so I will only buy new after this one is sent back. Does anyone have good pictures with the LMB and clear top-seeing the car out in the daylight vs. a dark garage for a few minutes may make a huge difference. Thanks again.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
I am sporting my clear because the color top I have pops so bad and I don't feel like leaving my car with a dealership to fix it. I brought the top in and they told me they needed the car to diagnose the problem. I don't trust them that much so I deal with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 0
From: Roselle Park NJ
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
We also happen to be the oddballs who have the painted top on the car and the clear in the trunl. We were waiting for the new latches and the dealer wanted to have the clear top too! Unfortunately they only ordered one set and now the clear top still sits in the trunk waiting for the other set to come in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 230
From: SoCal CA
I have an Atomic Orange 07 which came with dual tops (it was a leftover 07 in April 08, or I wouldn't have selected dual tops). When I came home from the dealership, I took off the clear top and put on the painted top, and it looked much better. The black look of the top clashed with orange and looked "halloweeney". I think the color of the car dictates whether the clear top makes sense.
I ended up selling the top to a forum member with a black C6, and the clear top looked very nice on his car. Bingee00, I sold the top locally so the buyer could see if he was OK with the condition of the top before buying it. He got a barely used top in great condition (for less than the $900 you mentioned). Just a thought.
I ended up selling the top to a forum member with a black C6, and the clear top looked very nice on his car. Bingee00, I sold the top locally so the buyer could see if he was OK with the condition of the top before buying it. He got a barely used top in great condition (for less than the $900 you mentioned). Just a thought.
Last edited by hokieZ; Feb 4, 2009 at 02:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
From: Marlton NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I have an atomic orange 08, and a clear-top only. I don't think I'd ever use the painted one if I had one. I like the more "open" feel it gives me, and I don't mind the hot days either, whether the top's on or off.
No "Halloweeny" feel or look in my humble opinion. It's already got black tires, so the orange & black is there no matter what.
No "Halloweeny" feel or look in my humble opinion. It's already got black tires, so the orange & black is there no matter what.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
I have a black C6 with both tops. They both look the same on the car, but the painted is quieter, and the clear gives me more head room for the helmet. I just keep the clear on. on a road trip, I would put on the painted.
Lifetime NCM Member #2482
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 1
From: West of Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
me too.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 180
From: Payson AZ
depends on time of the year..
Arizona in the summer months, blazing hot sun.. so for the C6 coupe I put in the painted solid top, winter on the other hand (which could be considered summer temperatures to most of you..
) I put in the clear... and
for my C5 convertible, its top down in the spring until it hits 100, then it's top up weather till fall, unless we take a road trip to the north of the state into the mountains..
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Everyone makes good points and I appreciate the input. I am not concerned about weather, price, etc. I definately would go clear with white, yellow, reds, AO, DSOM, silvers because I think the clear top really sets the car off. However, the darker colors such as LMB it is different with. I think the clear top appears to have better lines or look more "sleek" but I also think the painted roof appears to "flow" together with the whole car a bit more. Oh! decisions, decisions-I know its a personal choice but PLEASE somebody sway me!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 409
Likes: 1
From: El Paso Texas
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Cabot Arkansas
I had both tops on my C5. Most of the time where I live I could not take the heat coming from the sun through the clear top. I only got the painted top with my C6. If it is nice enough to run the clear top that I don't have I just go topless.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
I have both a swap them out with the season. I really like the look of the smoke top on my MS vette, but in the summer its just too hot so I put the painted top back on. I have the sun shade for the clear top but its still hot.
I say get both and use them!
I say get both and use them!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
I had the dual roofs with my 05 and have them with my 08. I like the all business look of the painted top. In the 4 years and 60,000 miles between the 2 i think i've used my clear tops about a dozen times for day trips.
I have the ebony interior and on a hot sunny day it feels like an oven with the clear top on.
I have the ebony interior and on a hot sunny day it feels like an oven with the clear top on.