Targa Top
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 63
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From: Nebraska
To me it just looks better with the painted top, particularly on the car I'm looking at with stripes on the hood and trunk. Also, I have a sun roof on my truck and I rarely pull the shade back. Just my preference although I can see the draw to having both.
Last edited by owenja; Jan 25, 2021 at 08:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Morris County New Jersey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Makes sense. Tho I always assumed they are pretty heavily tinted and it really doesn't let a ton of light through. Am I incorrect in that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,140
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From: Morris County New Jersey
It has been a while since I had my transparent top on, but when I did use it I always had a sun shade on it. It is heavily tinted but in the summer months it still wasn't enough for me. It really depends on the person. Some like the clear top all year round, while others never use it. Then you have those that switch back and forth depending on which season it is. Best bet is to have both if you can, or at least until you know for sure which one you would like better if you did have to choose only one. I would hate to give away a painted top and then realize I want it back. A transparent top is always easier to find and/or replace.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South Carolina
And its more quiet and cozy in the car too imo I seldom ever put my clear top on anymore even in winter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 2,159
From: Schaller Iowa
Any future coupe I own will have both tops. Spring/early Summer and Fall are great for the transparent top. In the dead heat of summer not so much. Back in '12 I did the Kentucky trip to the NCM and one day was planning on the "whiskey tour". Left the hotel around 9 am with the trans top on and a/c running. After 30 min realized the a/c wasn't keeping up (fully charged) so I got the bright idea to take the top off and lower the windows. 15 min later the top was on and a/c on high while I headed back to the hotel. I found a used solid top and touched it up and have never felt like I was in a sauna again.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: North Myrtle Beach SC
The CE came with flat black stripes. If you ordered the clear top, it got the stripes too. My CE came with the clear top only. I would have a hard time going to a solid top. Love the clear.
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Joined: Dec 2020
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From: Nebraska
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
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I would be looking for the carbon fiber metallic to match the 2012 100th anniversary edition. If I do it, I'll likely have to get it painted and then look for the stripes. The car I'm looking at has two of the transparent roofs so I'd be open to a trade for sure if I get it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 63
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From: Nebraska
the 100th anniversary edition corvette was 2012.
https://www.carscoops.com/2011/04/ch...h-anniversary/
https://www.carscoops.com/2011/04/ch...h-anniversary/
Last edited by owenja; Jan 25, 2021 at 01:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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Tricky one here, since you may be buying a defective top that was recalled replaced, and a basket case in the making that found it way out of the back of a dealers shop, instead of in the trash instead.
So when talking to buyer, if he give you the line of selling the painted top, since he replaced it with a clean one and no longer needs the painted top,
Get a picture of the car from some described weird angle (that he can not pull off the internet from someone else photo's), to prove the statement of the transparent top on the car, and the top matching the color of his vet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 399
From: ARKANSAS
I use the solid top with stripes for the summer. Like many have mentioned it blocks the sun better. Also use it with the chrome wheels. For winter I use the transparent top and switch to black wheels. Only issue is that the solid top is heavier to remove during the summer rides.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 174
Likes: 51
From: Washington DC Area
That is exactly my plan with one of my tops. I have and prefer the painted top to my clear but plan to wrap the clear in black and the halo come spring to change the look of the car up.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South Carolina
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,140
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From: Morris County New Jersey
The quality of the tops on eBay are not always what I would consider good or well taken care of. Many are also missing the latches and/or weather stripping. When I was shopping for a top, I wanted one that had all the parts and looked clean.