Roof Preference
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 9
From: Indiana
Personally I prefer the look of the painted roof. Others like the carbon fiber, which is certainly cool-looking stuff, but to me just clutters up the overall look.
In Arizona, the clear roof would turn your car into an 'Easy-bake' oven. It would be great at night, but you probably don't want a clear top as your ONLY roof.
You can buy the clear roof from GM as an aftermarket item .. I'd suggest getting one of the solid-color roofs and deciding later on the clear top as a possible second roof.
Just my $.02
In Arizona, the clear roof would turn your car into an 'Easy-bake' oven. It would be great at night, but you probably don't want a clear top as your ONLY roof.
You can buy the clear roof from GM as an aftermarket item .. I'd suggest getting one of the solid-color roofs and deciding later on the clear top as a possible second roof.
Just my $.02
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Nice to have both tops. I did on my 2008.
I bought the car with just the solid top. Then was ready to pay
1300.00 used for a clear one then a friend got one for me with a discount from the dealer for 749.00 new> amazed me the mark up!
I bought the car with just the solid top. Then was ready to pay
1300.00 used for a clear one then a friend got one for me with a discount from the dealer for 749.00 new> amazed me the mark up!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 44
From: Little Rock AR
Geez!!! I'd give my right eye for a painted yellow carbon roof, which is what was originally ordered. Right now, GM constraints on the 2015 MY for painted carbon roof option at 35%, dual roof option at 0% & retail price for a (primed) carbon roof in the parts dept. at the dealership ~$5000.00!!!
I don't think I'll be getting a carbon roof panel anytime soon, $5000 is too much turd in the sandwich for my liken. It's more like a slap in the face after compromising & accepting the transparent roof in the first place. Lesson learn, you give an inch & they'll take it & then some!
Wormwood
I don't think I'll be getting a carbon roof panel anytime soon, $5000 is too much turd in the sandwich for my liken. It's more like a slap in the face after compromising & accepting the transparent roof in the first place. Lesson learn, you give an inch & they'll take it & then some!
Wormwood
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 853
Likes: 29
From: NJ
From a look perspective, IMO the carbon fiber exposed roof is my favorite - particularly on the light colors (white/yellow/silver).
Unfortunately, i have a hard time paying 2K for that when i can get the standard roof, wrap it in gloss black or faux carbon fiber to get close to the same look!
Aceman
Unfortunately, i have a hard time paying 2K for that when i can get the standard roof, wrap it in gloss black or faux carbon fiber to get close to the same look!
Aceman
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
I loved my transparent roof panel in my C6. It adds a bit of head room and I always enjoyed the open air feeling of being able to see the sky.
I went back to the painted top for my Stingray. Just because I actually liked the look of the painted top best with the roof lines and hatch.
Just to give you a little bit more information (since you asked about the light/heat that the transparent top lets in, here is a great read on a study a member did on the U.V. protection from the transparent top.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...filtering.html
It is written about the C6 transparent panel but the materials and construction are applicable to the C7 panel.
I went back to the painted top for my Stingray. Just because I actually liked the look of the painted top best with the roof lines and hatch.
Just to give you a little bit more information (since you asked about the light/heat that the transparent top lets in, here is a great read on a study a member did on the U.V. protection from the transparent top.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...filtering.html
It is written about the C6 transparent panel but the materials and construction are applicable to the C7 panel.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I have the Carbon Fiber exposed roof. The first time I saw one in person and felt how light it was, I knew that's what I wanted. 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 602
Likes: 119
From: Southern Ontario
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
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Likes: 51
From: Huntersville, North Carolina
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Surprise Arizona
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,793
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
I have had both the glass and painted roof with my last three Corvette's. The Texas heat kept me from using the glass top on my last car. I am only getting the painted top with the 2015.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 2
From: Huntington Beach
I always liked the transparent tops and missed it on my 2003 Z06. Though, on the C7, I would look into painting the sides of it the color of the car. Otherwise, it doesn't look right (in my opinion).
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 295
Likes: 41
From: Central Texas
I believe all painted roofs are also carbon fiber, and thus weigh the same as the exposed CF panel. The transparent top is noticeably heavier than the painted top. Also, to the earlier question, the exposed CF tops are not transparent in any way.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
completely. It's just a matter of personal taste but I much prefer the look of the solid painted top on the Stingray. It's what I ordered and I would have actually paid extra for it if I would have needed to.One thing to keep in mind is that it will cost some serious money to buy a painted top after the fact. They're not available as completed units so the only way to get one after the fact is to buy all of the individual parts, have the outer skin painted, then have everything assembled. If you think there's a chance that you might one day want the painted top, the best thing to do is order the car with it at an extra cost of $0.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 20
From: Denham Springs, LA / Destin, FL
I think the exposed carbon fiber roof looks great on certain colors. However, I chose to order the standard, body colored roof. The C7 will not be a daily driver, so the roof will be off 90% of the time anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 150
From: Texas
Looking to order my first ever within the next week and am trying to decide what roof option might be best here in Arizona. I'm leaning toward the transparent panel but was wondering what some of the advantages are with the dual panel and some of the others available. Appearance wise I like the full transparent but was wondering how much light/heat it lets in.
Last edited by AttyVette; Aug 10, 2014 at 02:35 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 496
Likes: 16
From: Wall Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16