danzio56

Hey guys,

I've been scouring the net for several weeks and finally found a car that meets all of my major buy criteria except that it does not come with a color matched top. Only the clear Lexan. I live in Southern Cal. so driving around in the summer with the clear top is going to be brutal. I know there are inserts that can be installed to help mitigate the heat but I still would want a color matched top.

So my question is, how difficult (read: expensive) to get a color matched top?

Or, do I simply put the insert in and drive it?

I didn't think finding my dream car would be this difficult .

bartsky

I live in Texas, and it gets HOT here! Glass top is fine with tinted windows...

Cedar

The body colored tops are cheaper than the lexan tops like you have.You might be able to find a body colored in the parts section of this forum. Post a WTB ad with the color top you're looking for and you never know, a neighbor around the corner might have exactly what your looking for.

bartsky

Yep should be able to pick one up for less than $500.

J3TVETTE

Don't let that stop you! But I like the body colored top a lot more as well.

HBsurfer

I have both tops and rarely use the see through top. I don't like having the sun beating down on me even if the a/c keeps the car cool.
Anyway, I bought the inserts for the lexan top ($129.00 if I recall) and never use them. Go ahead and buy your dream car and I will give you the inserts for free. Even comes with a carrying case. No strings attached. We only live about 15 minutes from each other so the drop off will be easy. This way you can take your time finding a color matched top while enjoying your new car in the SoCal summer heat.

J3TVETTE

This is what I'm talking about! You sir are awesome

jdvann

I had both tops on my C5 and never installed the color top in 3 years...AC and inserts work perfect. You won't regret it.

buckmeister2

Seriously? If this is your dream car, BUY IT!! Use the absence of the top as leverage for reducing the price. But, buy the car!

You can pick up a colored top, or inserts, along the way. Watch CL in your area. I see them fairly regularly for $300 to $500. You might find that, with the inserts, you don't need the colored top.

What color is your car?

BTW, I was raised in Pomona, before there was a Diamond Bar. I used to hunt quail and rabbits there. I recall when they first broke ground for that development. I went to MSAC, just a short ways from there... "And that is all I have to say about that" (from Forrest Gump).
Good luck with the car.

Gman in NC

Paint it.

danzio56

Thank you guys, all of you for the replies.

First of all, I'm not sure this is my dream car, my point was that I didn't think it would be this hard to find that car. I've not even physically seen this car yet but on paper it meets all the major criteria. I am planning on seeing it Saturday and if it shows well I may finally own my first Corvette. Something I've wanted since I was a young boy.

My main concern was that I've read many posts on the CF where guys were baking in the heat from the Lexan. My other concern was even if I find a matched color top, how well will the color match?

As said, I will see this car Saturday, hopefully and we'll go from there.

HBsurfer, that is a genuinely outstanding gesture and if this does turn out to be mine, I may take you up on your extremely generous offer. However I would be compelled to at least trade you a case of your favorite brew, or a bottle, if you would accept.

BTW: This car is exactly the same color as the one in your avatar!

Thanks again guys.
Dan

HBsurfer

Post pictures when you get the car. The shades are here waiting for you.

TorchRedFred

Danzig, I was in a similar situation to you. My car had the Lexon top and I wanted to find a color matched top to go along with it. It took awhile to find one in the right color. I was about to buy another color and have it painted to match when I came across one on the forum. When I got it, the color matched perfectly but unfortunately it was damaged in shipping. I ended up having to get it repaired and repainted anyway. A good top should cost you about $500 plus maybe shipping if you don't find it locally. Expect to pay about $300 more if you go with another color and need it repainted to match. If you definitely don't like the Levon top and don't care to use it, you could always sell it in the future to offset the cost of the color matched one. I do like and prefer having both though.

TorchRedFred

HB, great gesture! Props to you!

cb1980

I was in the exact opposite situation, my car only came with the colored top and I wanted the lexan top, I eventually found one in very nice condition for a good price, in my search though, would always see the solid tops for sale in the $300 to $500 range depending on color

jrose7004

You can find solid tops on eBay all of the time. You may have to paint it to match.

J3TVETTE

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/pts/...178397079.html

TorchRedFred

A lot of the ones for sale are missing their weatherstripping and hardware which can be very expensive to replace. If they don't specifically mention the weatherstripping and hardware and/or show pictures of the entire top, be wary of the ad and don't assume they are included. If you find one with all the parts and nothing missing, (it's difficult to find one under $400), it's a steal.

ruxvette

HB, you da man!

NVA2010

To the OP, don't worry too much about it. The color roof panels come up for sale all the time for fairly cheap. Just make sure you get the right color to match the body. If the car checks all the boxes you have and you like it in general, even minus the color roof one, buy it.

The lack of the color top can only fairly be used as a negotiating tactic if the car was initially optioned with the dual roof option or color roof only IMO. If the seller is desperate enough, they might deal, but most likely won't.

For example, if I were selling a base coupe with only the clear top that it was optioned with from the factory and someone tried to do what you are saying, I'd most likely make the argument I just did and deny budging. Or, if I were of a mood, I'd say "Sure, I'll drop the price for it not having the color roof that it was never even optioned with. Let me remove the clear roof first and you can take it without a roof at all."