Transparent Roof
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
Transparent Roof
So what's your opinion of the transparent roof panel. I test drove a Corvette with the transparent roof panel today and I felt a little like I was sitting on the bottom of a swimming pool. There was a soft blue glow from the light filtering through the panel. It was very noticeable to me, but not in a bad way, at least not on a short test ride, but I wonder what it'd be like long term.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
I personally don't like the way it looks. The absence of color spears along the edges just doesn't flow properly to my eyes. Not only that, but I think it's a rip-off. GM charges a $995 premium to replace the painted carbon fiber panel with the transparent one; no way do I believe that the transparent one costs more to produce.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
My dealer ordered a transparent roof at the parts counter because I could not order both a painted and clear roof for my 2015. Price was $750 for a stock clear roof. Latches up the price to $1000. There is weather strip and some other parts I don’t have the cost on yet but will. Hopefully I can tell you the wholesale cost by midweek. My guess is $1400 dealer cost. I’ll let you know. I hope to pick up my clear roof next week. From my C6 days, the clear roof makes the interior seem larger because of more light from the roof. Definitely lets in more solar heat in the winter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 263
From: Henderson, Nevada Nevada
I don't like the way it interrupts the lines along the roof of the car. I greatly prefer the appearance of the car with the body colored roof.
Also I think having the sunlight coming through 100% of the time would wear on me.
Also I think having the sunlight coming through 100% of the time would wear on me.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
You guys have touched on everything that went through my mind as I sat in the car. The car is much brighter inside with the transparent roof, but I'm from Texas, and the thought of the hot Texas sun beaming through in August worries me. A shade would be great and I'm surprised it doesn't come with one. The other issue I had was the color of the light in the car. It was an overcast day and there was a definite blue cast to the light in the car. It was very definitely blue if you let your eyes drift up. Is it less blue when the sun is shining brightly or when its cloudy?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 469
Likes: 23
From: Schaumburg IL
When I ordered my car, the regular roof was on constraint, and I think it still is. I was told if I wanted my car right away, I had to get the transparent roof, which I did. I would rather have had the normal roof, but I can live with the transparent one. And yes, on a hot day, you can feel the heat coming thru. Next summer I plan on ordering some sun shades for it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 683
From: Austin Texas
St. Jude Donor '15
Ho way in hell, it gets really hot inside. Austin is not for see through roofs.
Others will say that you can just get a shade for it, some will say it looks good, some enjoy the extra light that comes in, that is nice....but over all it is just HOT in the car, PERIOD.
Others will say that you can just get a shade for it, some will say it looks good, some enjoy the extra light that comes in, that is nice....but over all it is just HOT in the car, PERIOD.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
When I ordered my car, the regular roof was on constraint, and I think it still is. I was told if I wanted my car right away, I had to get the transparent roof, which I did. I would rather have had the normal roof, but I can live with the transparent one. And yes, on a hot day, you can feel the heat coming thru. Next summer I plan on ordering some sun shades for it.
Last edited by b4i4getit; Nov 16, 2014 at 01:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
I don't see how it couldn't be louder. It's really just a think piece of plastic. It seems not only would it transmit sound from the outside the car, but also amplify sounds in the car. I have only driven the one so I can't compare it to other roofs? Rooves?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
How the transparent roof looks is strictly a matter of personal opinion.
Had the transparent roof on my C6. In AZ I drive with the roof on only 10% of the time. So the roof got little use in the first place. Then, the hot AZ sun penetrated the roof too much the few times I chose to put the roof on during hot summer days. Not worth it for me back with the C6, here in AZ.
Had the transparent roof on my C6. In AZ I drive with the roof on only 10% of the time. So the roof got little use in the first place. Then, the hot AZ sun penetrated the roof too much the few times I chose to put the roof on during hot summer days. Not worth it for me back with the C6, here in AZ.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; Nov 16, 2014 at 09:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 440
From: Fonthill Ontario
My Z will be a daily however and we travel extensively from Niagara through the States. I am wondering if the glass would provide that much more of a sound barrier, as well as a better base to close off the sun on long trips.
The question then arises whether it is better buying the glass 3rd party than with the order, as losing the painted CF seems a bit dumb for the price paid in order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
My C6 has one and so did my C5, and I love them! It's nice because even when the top is on, you don't feel claustrophobic. I have never liked having a solid roof above my head, it's nice having either a sunroof or a clear targa roof. From May to September my roof is always off on my Corvette as well, so during that time it doesn't even matter which roof I have, since it's always in the trunk 
22 Hypersonic Grey HTC
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 506
Likes: 144
From: Austin Texas
Here's my opinion on the transparent roof OP:
I've had my Arctic White coupe about 9 months. It has the transparent roof. I wouldn't have it any other way!
For me, it's the open feeling all the time with the blue sky above whether the top is on or off, whether it's cold or hot outside. I sat in a coupe with a carbon fiber roof and I felt too closed in.
I don't notice any blueness inside the car - I have Brownstone interior so if there is any blue coming in I don't notice it.
I also like the look of the transparent top from the outside. I personally like the contrast of Arctic White with the black roof. The other tops have color on the "side" but the look is no different when the three tops are off.
I haven't driven in a coupe with a carbon fiber top so I can't comment on whether the exterior sounds are louder, etc.
I went through a Texas summer and didn't think it was too hot in the car with the transparent roof on. Of course it depends on the position of the sun, but I noticed most of the time the sun is blocked by one of the pillars and you aren't getting hit with direct sun.
I've had my Arctic White coupe about 9 months. It has the transparent roof. I wouldn't have it any other way!
For me, it's the open feeling all the time with the blue sky above whether the top is on or off, whether it's cold or hot outside. I sat in a coupe with a carbon fiber roof and I felt too closed in.
I don't notice any blueness inside the car - I have Brownstone interior so if there is any blue coming in I don't notice it.
I also like the look of the transparent top from the outside. I personally like the contrast of Arctic White with the black roof. The other tops have color on the "side" but the look is no different when the three tops are off.
I haven't driven in a coupe with a carbon fiber top so I can't comment on whether the exterior sounds are louder, etc.
I went through a Texas summer and didn't think it was too hot in the car with the transparent roof on. Of course it depends on the position of the sun, but I noticed most of the time the sun is blocked by one of the pillars and you aren't getting hit with direct sun.
