Clear VS. Painted top?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Clear VS. Painted top?
I am interested in some opinions from the forum. I have a Lemans Blue and am seriously considering buying the clear top. What are some opinions on which top (clear or painted) looks better on this car and do you think it is worth the 1300.00 asking price? Thanks for any input-I'm kind of still undecided.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Black Diamond Washington
I have both, the real difference is the $$$$ it will cost you if you get one and want the other
. I run the clear top most of the time. If you buy the car with the clear top and want the painted one later get ready for sticker shock. When you buy it from GM later it will come unpainted without hardware, and paint matching isn't always easy.
If you buy the car with a painted top you can pick up a clear top on ebay for about $600 there all the same.
Just my thoughts
. I run the clear top most of the time. If you buy the car with the clear top and want the painted one later get ready for sticker shock. When you buy it from GM later it will come unpainted without hardware, and paint matching isn't always easy. If you buy the car with a painted top you can pick up a clear top on ebay for about $600 there all the same. Just my thoughts
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Gonzales Louisiana
Top
When I got my car last year it had only the painted top. I knew I wanted a clear top not only for the open see through feeling, but the car just looks better with the glass top(contrasting tones). Ordered a new one from Gene Culley a week later and have been very happy. You will have to adjust the front mounts on the car(as well as the rear mount on the top) and re index the windows......
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
When I got my car last year it had only the painted top. I knew I wanted a clear top not only for the open see through feeling, but the car just looks better with the glass top(contrasting tones). Ordered a new one from Gene Culley a week later and have been very happy. You will have to adjust the front mounts on the car(as well as the rear mount on the top) and re index the windows......
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Shiloh Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09
I have both clear and solid on one coupe and solid on the other. I mix and match them depending on the weather and the mood. We are going to buy a new C6 sometime very soon and will only get the solid painted top. If I didn't have the clear top, I don't think we would have missed it that much. But it really comes down to economics. What options you really want etc. And trust me, nobody drives around with one top on and the other in the trunk. So then you need to buy the storage bag to keep the other top secured. Hope that helps. The option that we are tossing around is the wheels. We are going with black exterior and we haven't decided on polished wheels or black chrome (stealth look). I didn't like black wheels several years ago, but now our taste have changed. Good luck on your new purchase and post a pic or two.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
I had both tops with my C5. My C6 is a vert.
I don't know what part of the country you live in, you profile doesn't say. If you are down south you may want to consider the painted top for the hottest months. Up north, like me, you could use the clear top all year long.
I don't know what part of the country you live in, you profile doesn't say. If you are down south you may want to consider the painted top for the hottest months. Up north, like me, you could use the clear top all year long.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,125
Likes: 273
From: SC
I had the clear top until my "little Accident" and after doing the widebody conversion I decided to go with a painted top. WOW! what a difference. The painted top has a liner and it keeps the car cooler and reduces noise in the cabin. When the weather is nice, I take the top off anyway, So I find the painted top to be a better "fit' for my lifestyle. Besides, I have painted stripes going over the top of my car, so it looks better with the painted top and stripes!!
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,278
Likes: 8,553
From: Rochester, NY
I have the painted top only as I like the way it looks. I feel the lines of the car flow nicer with the one color. When I want a change of look and feel, weather permitting I just remove the top. The cost of the clear top or having two tops is not worth it to me.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Corinth Tx
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I have both and use both. I have the painted one on now but I'm changing in a few weeks. Makes a nice change both appearance and driving. Find a used one and save some cash.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,209
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
That is what I did when I had my C5, now have vert.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 1
From: Lexington KY
Looks are a personal preference. I prefer the looks of the clear top as I do not like how the painted top meets the black A pillars. The clear top, appearing black, makes a much cleaner line IMHO. Some prefer the looks of the painted top. To each their own on this front.
Having two tops is a pain in that you have to find a place to store the second one when it is not in use. The only 'drawback' to having the clear top only is it can get pretty warm in the summer. I took care of this by purchasing the Down South Vettes liner. This covered piece of foam attaches to the underside of the clear top, preventing the sun and heat from penetrating. It looks factory from the inside and is invisible from the outside.
Having two tops is a pain in that you have to find a place to store the second one when it is not in use. The only 'drawback' to having the clear top only is it can get pretty warm in the summer. I took care of this by purchasing the Down South Vettes liner. This covered piece of foam attaches to the underside of the clear top, preventing the sun and heat from penetrating. It looks factory from the inside and is invisible from the outside.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 37
From: Laurel Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I have LMB also, both tops and just use the clear one. Let's see, where is that painted top? I don't notice any problem with heat during the Summer and we get our share of 90+ days. There is no right answer to this one--eddie
eddie
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 1
From: Houston (Spring) Texas
C5 had painted...switched to clear and hated it...its louder & much hotter. C6 has painted and I'm never switching it....if the weather is nice I remove the roof!
I'm in Houston where the heat is stifling in the summer so I do not want sun coming in thru the roof....plus you have to worry about spider-webbing BS as well
I'm in Houston where the heat is stifling in the summer so I do not want sun coming in thru the roof....plus you have to worry about spider-webbing BS as well
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 2
From: Downriver MI
I am interested in some opinions from the forum. I have a Lemans Blue and am seriously considering buying the clear top. What are some opinions on which top (clear or painted) looks better on this car and do you think it is worth the 1300.00 asking price? Thanks for any input-I'm kind of still undecided.
