How often do you remove the removable top?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
I don't have a C7 (yet) but with my C6 (and the C5 before it) I generally take the top off in May and don't put it back on again until October. If there is a situation where the car is going to be parked somewhere for a lengthy time and I don't trust the area, the top will go on, but then come back off immediately when I get back to the car again.
The only reason it's not on before May and after October is just that the weather is too cold here during that time, and I don't want to be driving it to work in the morning with the roof off when it's in the low 40s outside.
The summer weather in my area is comfortable enough that driving with the top out is ideal, as it's generally between 75-85 degrees all the time.
The only reason it's not on before May and after October is just that the weather is too cold here during that time, and I don't want to be driving it to work in the morning with the roof off when it's in the low 40s outside.
The summer weather in my area is comfortable enough that driving with the top out is ideal, as it's generally between 75-85 degrees all the time.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 119
From: Bellevue WA
It is off whenever it is warm and not raining. So, it has been staying off for long durations of time. I had two C5 Z06's and until his C7 forgot about the days of my '98 C5 with the removable top. I really, really enjoy the removable top, but don't think it would preclude me from buying one that did not have one. I would be sad though.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,384
Likes: 3,924
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I didn't take the top off my C6 coupe very often. That's one reason I opted for a vert when I bought my C7. Push a button and it's topless. Far less wind noise and buffeting in the vert with the top down than in the coupe with the top off is another advantage.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 642
Likes: 41
From: Between Forest Lake and White Bear Lake in the Land of 10,000+ lakes
1) How often are you removing the top? 15% of the time.
2) Under what conditions? When I'll be driving the car more than 30 miles and it's not real humid.
3) Would you still buy a C7 if it did not have a removable top feature? Yes!
2) Under what conditions? When I'll be driving the car more than 30 miles and it's not real humid.
3) Would you still buy a C7 if it did not have a removable top feature? Yes!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 832
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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In 10 years I took my C6 top off once- to see how it came off. Probably never take the top of C7 so yes I would buy one without the removal top. This is strange to me because all my other Corvettes were convertibles.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,706
Likes: 24
From: Sudbury Ontario
You probably should add a 4th question: What is your age? Had convertibles when I was younger and the top was down whenever the weather was nice. Now my wife and I are 72 and she does not want the roof off. Occasionally when I am out alone and not on a highway trip I take the roof off. But when I was young we were told sun was good for you. Now we're told to keep out of the sun, wear a wide brimmed hat, wear sun screen, etc. I don't remember convertibles being windy and noisy on the highway when I was young but i am sure they were. Now the corvette seems windy and noisy with the top off on the highway. Age changes a lot of things! But the engine growl sure sounds great with the top off!! Would I have bought a non removable top C7, no way! Love listening to the growl and the look with the top off and windows down.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
We owned a convertible back in the eighties and found we didn't put the top down much because it was so danged hot from April to October in San Antonio. It wasn't so much the temperature as the sun beating down on your head. We've had the top off the C7 twice on evening rides in the six months we've owned it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 753
Likes: 166
From: Buffalo Minnesota
1) rarely
2) when its sunny but not so warm I want the A/C or cold I wan the heat
3) Yes. When I bought my 2001 C5 I wanted the hard top (AKA FRC) but the non-Z06 hardtop was no longer made that year so I got the coupe. The removable roof is nice, but about the time its warm enough to take of the top, I'm turning on the A/C so for me its neither here nor there. I certainly would have bought the same car if it did not have it.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 555
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?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 442
From: Jupiter FL
MUCH lighter. 8lbs. Its still a bit cumbersome due to its size but on recommendation from others here on the forum, I got one of those handles with big suction cups they use for handling glass. Makes picking up and replacing the top VERY easy. Was only about $10 and I keep it in the back. It can stay on the top when its stowed in the back.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rip-on-it.html
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 608
Likes: 39
From: NW Ohio
I never remove mine and did not in the '14 I had either.
I nor my wife are lovers of the sun and wind so for us, a removable top is not used.
Glad to have it for trade-in though as many DO love/use the removable feature. It's just not for us.
I nor my wife are lovers of the sun and wind so for us, a removable top is not used.
Glad to have it for trade-in though as many DO love/use the removable feature. It's just not for us.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 642
Likes: 144
From: Chandler AZ
1. I remove my targa any time the weather permits
2. When the weather is between 70 - 85 degrees and shows no signs of rain, excessive wind (dust here in Phoenix), etc.
3. Absolutely. I considered a C6Z before deciding to pull the trigger on a C7 so I already had FRC on my mind. However, I see owning a targa top Vette as a "bonus" and try to take advantage of it anytime the weather permits.
2. When the weather is between 70 - 85 degrees and shows no signs of rain, excessive wind (dust here in Phoenix), etc.
3. Absolutely. I considered a C6Z before deciding to pull the trigger on a C7 so I already had FRC on my mind. However, I see owning a targa top Vette as a "bonus" and try to take advantage of it anytime the weather permits.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 203
Likes: 88
From: South Hadley/Boca Raton MA/FL
1. Mine is off more in the Spring & Fall when the temps are milder.
2. 60's to 70's and when I'm not traveling on the highway. It's so easy on and off I'll even take it off on very short trips. I don't pull it if I'm traveling on the highway.
3. Nope! I looked at the verts, beautiful with the top down, but hate the way it looks with it up, and frankly it would be up 80% of the time. Love that I can pull it off anytime I want.
2. 60's to 70's and when I'm not traveling on the highway. It's so easy on and off I'll even take it off on very short trips. I don't pull it if I'm traveling on the highway.
3. Nope! I looked at the verts, beautiful with the top down, but hate the way it looks with it up, and frankly it would be up 80% of the time. Love that I can pull it off anytime I want.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 506
Likes: 54
From: Tulsa OK
It comes off whenever I can. Sometimes it's too hot or windy but if it's below 95 degrees, (in LV, 95 feels like 80 everywhere else), I'll take it off and wear a cap (prone to sunburn). Love the combination of open top and decent storage space. It's a sports car! The top should come off whenever possible. 
Same for Tulsa except temp target is about 90 degrees (wetter heat) and sunny. 