Solid or clear top?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Solid or clear top?
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.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12,122
Likes: 419
From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26
You will get replies for and against. I like the look of the painted top from the outside. Some people with the clear top, with sensitive eyes don't like the brightness in the cabin. I wouldn't mind having the option of both.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
I'm a big fan of having both. So I'd recommend looking for a clear top to have along with the solid top. I use both. My preference is the solid top in the middle of summer. Love the clear top spring and fall. Often use the solid top in winter. Depending upon the color of the car, it really changes up the look when you switch them.
However, with that said there is no reason to be in rush to get the second top. You're fine with the solid only until it is convenient to get the translucent.
However, with that said there is no reason to be in rush to get the second top. You're fine with the solid only until it is convenient to get the translucent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 124
From: Kissimme now from LI,NY
I'm a big fan of having both. So I'd recommend looking for a clear top to have along with the solid top. I use both. My preference is the solid top in the middle of summer. Love the clear top spring and fall. Often use the solid top in winter. Depending upon the color of the car, it really changes up the look when you switch them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
I'm a big fan of having both. So I'd recommend looking for a clear top to have along with the solid top. I use both. My preference is the solid top in the middle of summer. Love the clear top spring and fall. Often use the solid top in winter. Depending upon the color of the car, it really changes up the look when you switch them.
Don't have the clear top with my 2010, but had both with my first C5. Even in Illinois, had to get a liner for the clear. Once I moved to AZ the liner wasn't enough. Summer solid, clear in the cooler months. May eventually get a clear top for the GS. I also liked the change in looks every six months.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
From: Blaine Minnesota
I only have solid, and when I bought mine 6 months ago that is what I preferred. I think the clear would be nice but I really like the fixed roof look and the solid colors make it look like it should IMO. When the tops off it looks sweet too. I think I could find a use for clear, but not enough to justify more than about $150 for one which is obviously not what they cost. my .02
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 577
Likes: 8
From: Black Diamond Wa
I would say get both. That way you have options and if you don't like the transparent top they sell quite easily. In April I picked up a VR 07 that came with the solid top. The car originally came with both. I had my salesman find one (transparent) and when I picked up my car he had put the transparent top on. I haven't changed them out yet but when it starts to get colder out this fall I will use the solid top. I live in the Seattle area so I am of course "back wards" from all the folks down south but with sun being so hard to come by I have to get as much as I can. The best option is with top off but then again that is not very often up here. Like another poster said you can mix it up every now and then and keep it fresh. What a great problem to have! Enjoy! 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 21
From: Arlington VA
Clear + suction cup Cover. You can let the sun in when you want, and block the sun when you dont. Best part is the clear cover is lighter, easier to remove or reinstall and gives more headroom. I dont see a single thing the painted does better, unless you just like look of the painted better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
The novelty wore off quick and it was too hot. I kept it on with the liner, only because is is was quieter that the solid. After I took the solid in for the recall, it didn't make a sound, so I sold the clear.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Are the Corvette's clear tops an acrylic plastic or tinted glass?
I had a 1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am with a removable clear top. The top was tinted glass.
Enjoyed the top, but if it had been plastic, I don't think I would have liked it as much (grazing, scratches, fadeing, etc over time)
BTW ... Some of the very early 89 Turbo Trans Ams had a plastic top, but GM quickly changed the spec to glass later in the model year ... for good reason
.
I had a 1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am with a removable clear top. The top was tinted glass.
Enjoyed the top, but if it had been plastic, I don't think I would have liked it as much (grazing, scratches, fadeing, etc over time)
BTW ... Some of the very early 89 Turbo Trans Ams had a plastic top, but GM quickly changed the spec to glass later in the model year ... for good reason
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; Jun 6, 2011 at 10:06 PM.
