Transparent Top Question
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Transparent Top Question
First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
FWIW: I love my transparent top! Yes, it gets hot inside when parked, but driving a few hundred yards with the windows down will expel most of it, then close the windows and crank the AC up.
A ride at night with the moon out is really nice.
As far as I know, if you ordered it new with the optional trans top, then that's what you got. If you wanted a second top you would have to buy it.
A ride at night with the moon out is really nice.
As far as I know, if you ordered it new with the optional trans top, then that's what you got. If you wanted a second top you would have to buy it.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Mr Atoz I am also new here (my first post) and I'm only a few days ahead of you, having purchased a 2009 coupe last week. It only had the transparent top; I prefer the look of the vehicle with the painted top, but I must admit the trans top is rather fun - in the Winter. The dealer, a well-known shop in Atlanta, recommended the sun shades that are available for under $100, and he says they work well (though I don't believe the one he recommended used suction cups).
In the end, the fact that the car only had the trans top available wasn't a deal-killer; I have no regrets. Yet.
In the end, the fact that the car only had the trans top available wasn't a deal-killer; I have no regrets. Yet.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 699
From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have both tops but have never used the solid color one, I love the lexan top. Get a "static cling" sun shade and use it during the hottest summer months. They are available from several vendors for less than $50 and mine works great. I just remove it for fall, winter, spring and reinstall when hot weather returns. I got mine from West Coast Corvette, like $39 + shipping.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 2,210
From: San Antonio, TX
First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael
If the car you are looking at has everything else you want I'd say buy it. It's very easy to get a used painted top for $300 or so. Or even if you found a different color one and had to have it painted.
The transparent tops are much more expensive to buy or to find one used that's not scratched or has micro-fractures.
If later you don't like the clear top, you could even try to find someone to trade their painted top.
what city or part of the country do you live?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
Transparent top
[QUOTE=Mr Atoz;1596351189]First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael[/QUOTE
when I bought my '09 3LT (01/2017), it came with both tops.
I much prefer the contrast of the clear top. I will use the solid top only when the temps get into the 100's. at that temp, the AC can't keep up.
otherwise, it's the only I use.
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael[/QUOTE
when I bought my '09 3LT (01/2017), it came with both tops.
I much prefer the contrast of the clear top. I will use the solid top only when the temps get into the 100's. at that temp, the AC can't keep up.
otherwise, it's the only I use.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 442
Some C6 owners don't seem to care which top their car has. My Arctic White Coupe came with both tops and I love having the choice of 3 different looks it gives the car. Changes the look of the car 3 ways and all ways look great. No top, clear top, white top. I swap the tops all the time.
You can buy a painted top anytime. If you do, get a storage bag for it.
You can buy a painted top anytime. If you do, get a storage bag for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,501
Likes: 1,827
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 809
Likes: 101
From: MD
Guys Guys Guys & Gals.
If you have the transparent top and like the open view I strongly suggest that you go to a tint shop and check out a CLEAR tint they have that literally appears to block almost all of the heat from the sun.
It is a 3M product line called Crystalline.
3M claims that all films in the Crystalline line reject 99.9 percent of UV radiation and 90 to 97 percent of infrared radiation.
I just picked up a transparent roof and will be taking it in to get the Crystaline tint on it.
I would have done it also on my car windows but on the C6 due to the large curved rear window nobody will do it because it is a thicker film.
Check the Heat Test
If you have the transparent top and like the open view I strongly suggest that you go to a tint shop and check out a CLEAR tint they have that literally appears to block almost all of the heat from the sun.
It is a 3M product line called Crystalline.
3M claims that all films in the Crystalline line reject 99.9 percent of UV radiation and 90 to 97 percent of infrared radiation.
I just picked up a transparent roof and will be taking it in to get the Crystaline tint on it.
I would have done it also on my car windows but on the C6 due to the large curved rear window nobody will do it because it is a thicker film.
Check the Heat Test
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Welcome to the forum Mike.
If the car you are looking at has everything else you want I'd say buy it. It's very easy to get a used painted top for $300 or so. Or even if you found a different color one and had to have it painted.
The transparent tops are much more expensive to buy or to find one used that's not scratched or has micro-fractures.
If later you don't like the clear top, you could even try to find someone to trade their painted top.
what city or part of the country do you live?
If the car you are looking at has everything else you want I'd say buy it. It's very easy to get a used painted top for $300 or so. Or even if you found a different color one and had to have it painted.
The transparent tops are much more expensive to buy or to find one used that's not scratched or has micro-fractures.
If later you don't like the clear top, you could even try to find someone to trade their painted top.
what city or part of the country do you live?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 76
From: Great River NY
First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael
Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!
Michael
works very well....
Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 552
Likes: 37
From: Westlake, OH & Melbourne, FL
We got a transparent top about a year ago, the painted top has not come out of the basement since, the transparant top has the added benefit of being much lighter, so it’s easier to take off and put on.
Last edited by BillytheKidder; Jan 11, 2018 at 10:13 AM.
