Solid or clear top?
blessed to own a 'vette
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Columbia TN (no front license plate)
Get the clear if you can afford it. Buy used if you can pick up in person to assure it's in good shape. I bought mine used, picked it up on my way home from the dealer when I bought the 2008 Corvette, put the clear top on for the 500 mi. drive. The VR top hasn't been on the car since--almost 3 years ago. My wife & I both love the clear top. No trouble with the heat in the summer in TN. The A/C works just fine, but might need to do something different if we lived in FL, TX, AZ, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 19
From: Levittown NY
Since I got my clear top over a year ago the solid top has never gone back on the car. On a hot day the A/C cools the car quickly. Love the open feeling that the clear top gives and makes interior feel larger. Whoever was in my car prior to getting the clear top now tell me that it was the best thing I have done to my car!
Lifetime NCM Member #2482
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 1
From: West of Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Colored top when it gets hot and smoke top when it gets cool. 
I had a piece of clear bra put on the front of both of my tops. Glad too - I've had rocks hit both and the bra saved it. I've not had any issues with cracks. I wax the tops just like the rest of the car.
I had a piece of clear bra put on the front of both of my tops. Glad too - I've had rocks hit both and the bra saved it. I've not had any issues with cracks. I wax the tops just like the rest of the car.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 22
From: Whittier CA
I love the clear top in sunny California. Replaced the hard top with the clear top shortly after purchasing the vehicle. I have had it for two years, no scratches (knock on wood) and never take it off. IMO, it gives the impression there is more room in the car. 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,150
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You know ... GM was even smart enough back in 1998 to replace the plastic removable tops on the Turbo Trans Ams to tinted glass early in the model year because of problems with the acrylic plastic.
Now, 14 years later, they are still using plastic tops on the Corvette ... unbelievable!
shakes head ...
Now, 14 years later, they are still using plastic tops on the Corvette ... unbelievable!
shakes head ...
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 294
From: St. Louis MO
Have both and love them. Painted makes the car look 'bigger'; glass top makes it look more 'sporty'. That said, i haven't had either on the car in over a month! (weekend & evening cruiser)
Agree that on HOT days, the painted version is the way to go ... although a little heavier.
Agree that on HOT days, the painted version is the way to go ... although a little heavier.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 406
From: Syracuse New York
Picking up a 2009 VR coupe. It is coming with the solid top. Debating whether I should start looking for a clear top.
I am a little concerned looking at all the clear tops with scratches and/or cracks. Is the clear top worth it or should I just live with the solid top? BTW, I have no real ambition to take the top off to drive around.
I am a little concerned looking at all the clear tops with scratches and/or cracks. Is the clear top worth it or should I just live with the solid top? BTW, I have no real ambition to take the top off to drive around.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm sorry you have no ambition to ever enjoy driving without the roof panel. To each their own but I feel you're missing out on something enjoyable. Many love their clear top but I live where's there's relentless sunshine and many (summer) months of high heat. I'm happy with the shade and air conditioning. If I want to drive and see the sky above I remove the roof panel. 
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I've got both. I use the "glass" top the most. It's lighter (easier to put in trunk) and the windshield feels so small already with the angle that sometimes I need to look out the roof to see the light... no kidding! 
All that and I think I am going to black out my halo.
All that and I think I am going to black out my halo.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 708
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I'm sorry you have no ambition to ever enjoy driving without the roof panel. To each their own but I feel you're missing out on something enjoyable. Many love their clear top but I live where's there's relentless sunshine and many (summer) months of high heat. I'm happy with the shade and air conditioning. If I want to drive and see the sky above I remove the roof panel.
The wife and I are pretty much done with the wind in her hair (mine's gone) experience.
The car I'm picking up is VR. Not sure if the dark top looks ok with the VR. I've seen them on the darker cars and I think they look better.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
I think the clear might make things hot in the summer. I don't know how well the clear material resists scratching but the overhead light may be good at other times. (Just thinking out loud.) I drive a vert but in a coupe I think I would prefer the solid top. I would be driving with it removed as much as possible though....
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
I just went to the solid top for the Summer. Even here in the Northeast the Sun radiating throughout the transparent top gets uncomfortable in the Summer but as mentioned, it is great in the Spring/Fall. Which top you select does change the look of the Vette.
