How often do you remove the removable top?
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Morehead City NC
After owning a SSR for several years, and owning the C7 Coupe for a year and a half, we've decided to buy a 'Vert in preparation for a cross-country drive next year.
My wife and I love the top down in the proper temp range.
We have driven the SSR on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Oct in temps of 30*. We had the heater wide open and were bundled quite well.
The Coupe made the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour (all said and done 3900mi) and while all the stowage space was nice, we still had to stop and mail things home three times (no top off, no space).
I expect more of the same with the 'Vert.
Andy
My wife and I love the top down in the proper temp range.
We have driven the SSR on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Oct in temps of 30*. We had the heater wide open and were bundled quite well.
The Coupe made the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour (all said and done 3900mi) and while all the stowage space was nice, we still had to stop and mail things home three times (no top off, no space).
I expect more of the same with the 'Vert.
Andy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 442
From: Jupiter FL
I do love to have the top off in the cooler months (FL here). I usually take it off when I'm on a mindless cruise to nowhere out in the boonies with no traffic. Sitting in traffic and baking while smelling diesel exhaust does nothing for me so in and around town top stays on.
I didn't buy the car because of the removable roof, never thought much about it. I was surprised how much I do enjoy it with the top off in the right situations.
I didn't buy the car because of the removable roof, never thought much about it. I was surprised how much I do enjoy it with the top off in the right situations.
CF Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 686
Likes: 119
From: Chicago IL
From May to October I will have the top off and stored in the trunk about 90% of the time. If it's raining I don't drive the C7. If it's hot, I turn on the A/C and the vented seats and everything is cool. If it's a bit chilly I raise the windows and turn on the heater and seat heater. Maintaining a comfortable cockpit is no problem at all with the roof removed. From November through April it will be stored in a heated garage as I live in the crappy upper Midwest.
I would not have purchased a coupe if the top were not removable as I migrated from an XLR-V which had a convertible hardtop, which I absolutely loved. It was the best of both worlds with plenty of power and style as well. Too bad GM went into it the dumps and Cadillac stopped making them (at BG BTW).
I would not have purchased a coupe if the top were not removable as I migrated from an XLR-V which had a convertible hardtop, which I absolutely loved. It was the best of both worlds with plenty of power and style as well. Too bad GM went into it the dumps and Cadillac stopped making them (at BG BTW).
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
St. Jude Donor '15
Took mine off for the first time last week. Big mistake! Now I need to take it to the dealer because of the rattles now.
Will not take it off again and yes I wish Chevy would offer a non-removable option.
I have had many converts and feel either go all the way or nothing. Sunroofs suck. If I want the open air I jump on one of my motorcycles or take my wife's 550SL.
Will not take it off again and yes I wish Chevy would offer a non-removable option.
I have had many converts and feel either go all the way or nothing. Sunroofs suck. If I want the open air I jump on one of my motorcycles or take my wife's 550SL.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Continental OH
How often do you remove the removable top?
1) How often are you removing the top?
At least half the time in the summer.
2) Under what conditions?
Every time it is between 70 and 90, it is really spectacular on a warm, cloudless night.
3) Would you still buy a C7 if it did not have a removable top feature?
Probably, but I really like the removable targa feature. Lots of people like the vert, but I found them claustrophobic with the top up; and it would be up half the time.
Removing the Targa gives me the open air drive with a large area behind the seat when the top is on. To each their own...
I have no issues with any rattle or creak, mine fits fine.
At least half the time in the summer.
2) Under what conditions?
Every time it is between 70 and 90, it is really spectacular on a warm, cloudless night.
3) Would you still buy a C7 if it did not have a removable top feature?
Probably, but I really like the removable targa feature. Lots of people like the vert, but I found them claustrophobic with the top up; and it would be up half the time.
Removing the Targa gives me the open air drive with a large area behind the seat when the top is on. To each their own...
I have no issues with any rattle or creak, mine fits fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 173
From: Upstate NY
Never have the top off, I bought a coupe for a reason.
Would definitely buy with a permanent roof, prefer coupes over verts anyday. Not into the 'open' driving experience. I'm in the minority, that's just me.
Would definitely buy with a permanent roof, prefer coupes over verts anyday. Not into the 'open' driving experience. I'm in the minority, that's just me.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Corvette #3 was our last daily driven Corvette. Since then... 4,5,6,7,8 have the top removed in April/May... and it stays off until November.
Other than to wash the car.
With our coupes, I will roll the windows up if I get above 50; wife is OK with that during those dressy occasions.
Other than to wash the car.
With our coupes, I will roll the windows up if I get above 50; wife is OK with that during those dressy occasions.
I'm Batman..
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,143
Likes: 921
From: Lehigh Acres FL
Tech Contributor
2 - Anytime there is no chance of rain, and I have more than a 5 minute drive. If its blue skies, and the sun is out and it is 100*, then that's a bit too hot so I don't always remove it then but any overcast or day that is 90* or cooler.
3 - I would, but while the performance was the main factor in buying my car, the removable top was a large factor for me. I have always wanted a convertible car, but HATE they way all convertibles look with the top up. So, I was looking for a targa top or hard top convertible. C7 worked out perfect
Ant
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,910
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
Waiting for my C7 now, but with my C6 I took it off maybe 6 times in 9 years. Every time I took it off, I drove a few miles, pulled over and put it back on. Hated the noise, wind, heat and dirt that it attracted. I wish they made it with a non-removable option so there would be no "rattling" issues. I'd buy it that way.
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 23,011
Likes: 6,047
From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
Mine has never been off.
If the damned thing stays quiet (it has so far), it'll never come off.
Having owned a couple fixed-roof C6s which remained tight, squeak-free and rattle-free their whole time, I'd much rather see the vette offered as fixed roof and convertible.
If the damned thing stays quiet (it has so far), it'll never come off.
Having owned a couple fixed-roof C6s which remained tight, squeak-free and rattle-free their whole time, I'd much rather see the vette offered as fixed roof and convertible.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 432
Likes: 26
From: Trapped near the inter circle of fault OHIO
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
I see many photos of C7's with the removable top on the car.
A few questions.........
1) How often are you removing the top? -- Weekly, weather permitting.
2) Under what conditions? -- Comfortable weather, and when the wife isn't concerned with her hair.
3) Would you still buy a C7 if it did not have a removable top feature?
A few questions.........
1) How often are you removing the top? -- Weekly, weather permitting.
2) Under what conditions? -- Comfortable weather, and when the wife isn't concerned with her hair.
3) Would you still buy a C7 if it did not have a removable top feature?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 199
I'm not into the top down or off modes because of the noise, the heat, and the dirt. A convertible with the top up looks goofy to me so I'd never own one of those. I took the top off of one C5 I had for a short trip and that did it for me. Another C5 and a C6 I had never had the top off and this C7 won't either. But I'll enjoy it just the same.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 1,311
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
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I had an '03 Coupe and took the top off occasionally, and would have done so more often, if it weren't so awkward to take off and put back on- at least for me. I was concerned about either scratching it or the car. But now I hear the C7 top is lighter than the older ones, but by how much? I am thinking about ordering a convertible because of my concerns about the top, but like a few here have commented, I don't like the looks of the car with the top up, and I don't look forward to baking in the (Florida) sun. So how much lighter IS the C7 top?