road_boy

Hello folks,

I'm next in line and waiting for the allocation from my dealer. I had a couple of questions... First off, I opted for the glass roof. We all love the beautiful sunny days, however what about on days that are super hot and humid where the sun is the last thing you need? On those super hot days, does the sunlight make the ride uncomfortable?

I'm also guessing that if the car is left outside for a long period of time, the interior could be affected as well (i.e. leather, high interior temperatures...) This is why i'm debating getting the opaque targa roof. What are your thoughts?

On a separate topic, is there a general rule of thumb on how much clearance is needed for speed bumps or inclines, to prevent any damage to the front end? Can we clear speed bumps approximately 4' in height heading straight at it? Or do you always need to take it at an angle? I understand common sense plays a big factor in preventing damage...Hearing it from guys/gals who have been driving the car for a some time would be beneficial.

Thanks!

HAD2HAV2

Order your coupe with the painted or exposed carbon fiber top. You can always buy a transparent roof later, I did. No experience with bad inclines yet. I have not lowered my car (there is a DIY procedure on this) and I don't plan too. Congrats on your order. We love pictures of new Vettes here.

bob guzzy

I never get a transparent roof simply because it is way too hot in the car with one.

I would just take the solid roof if you want a transparent roof you can buy one anytime they sell here in the 1500 range.

On the height, I'm happy to say the c7 is way better than any c5 or c6 that I have ever owned.

I think mostly its because the c7 is a little higher and there is no center air dam.

RicK T

The glass roof isn't glass......it's polycarbonate plastic.

For the really bad sunny days, you'd probably want to invest in an interior sun shade, most of which suction cup mount. They're actually nicer than they sound.

Here's a reference to read:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...p-options.html


And here's a pic from inside so you can see the level of tint:

xp800

I've had both. Bought my 2014 with the exposed CF roof and bought the transparent afterwards from another owner.

LOVED the transparent. The open feeling being in the car was night and day compared to the solid roof. Liked the way the ECF looked from the outside though; being in it was so much more cramped feeling though.

Yes, sunny days were warmer, but Michigan isn't extreme and the AC was plenty. Yes direct sun meant blowing the AC harder than with the solid roof, but I take the roof off a lot.

Ended up selling the solid roof since I never used it.

I bought my 2015 with the transparent roof rather than solid. Only thing I'd do is have the side spears/fangs painted since I like the roof lines better that way.

Gio's C7

I would recommend to get the color top, you can always buy the transparent top anytime

road_boy

Thanks everyone! Wow, first 10 min and I have received excellent input..

@xp800, what exactly are you referring too when you say paint the side fangs/spears?

Karlba

I thought the transparent roof might be a prob, not so, 100 miles north of Houston, 150 miles south east of Dallas and the roof doesn't generate heat, you get heat from the windshield like any car but sitting in the car you can put ur hand up to the inside of the roof and there is negligible heat transfer

xp800

The base painted roof is a solid color. The exposed carbon fiber roof has the exposed weave in the center (which is essentially black) and body color painted sides; I call them fangs/spears.

For lighter colors, like white, red, yellow, blue, etc. I prefer he contrast of the black center and the side fangs as an accent that carries the c-pillar roof line forward. The transparent roof appears all black, and on my red car it disrupts this styling cue I like. So my only desire is to get the sides painted like the exposed CF roof.

My avatar actually shows the ECF roof before I got the transparent.

ECF fangs



Transparent

EcoBrick Bob

I have the Lexan roof on my VY 15 with black interior. It is not as hot as I anticipated, considering the black interior. Have had both on other Vettes and like the openness of the see-through roof. C7 has a more snug interior than others and when I install my sun shade, interior seems confined. The solid tops also have less head room.

I am one of the people who has the edges done in yellow, as well as having VY "A" pillars.

xp800

Cool. Paint or vinyl for the sides? And any issues with them (color match, evenness, peeling)? Cost? I'm really getting close to doing this, just want some info before I contact a paint shop.

Gio's C7

I forgot to mention that is fun to have both tops, you can always change the contrast of the car by just switching the top. Like I do!! 😎

road_boy

I'd definitely be interested in painting both A pillars and "fangs/spears" the body color. Did you opt for the additional parts painted from the factory or afterwards?

Bencher

I'm down in Houston where it gets very hot during the summer. The transparent roof comes fairly heavily factory tinted. Very confortable even with hot days reaching 100 degrees.

I do agree with others that you should keep the stock painted carbon fiber roof and then buy a transparent roof from someone on this forum, they are selling for around $1500. If the painted carbon fiber roof is bought at a later time it will cost you $3k and up.

alamo1974

I live in Texas and love the transparent roof. The A/C works great and would not use the painted roof. Had both on my C5 and never used the painted roof.

cuds33

For me, I think the matching body color pillar and spear, is the nicest color combination I have seen so far. That is exactly what I will have done, when mine comes in. Thanks for the picture.

Maxie2U

I live in Oregon the more sun the better so a transparent roof is mandatory.

I awaiting delivery on my first Vette (10/5 TPW) so I'm interested to hear responses about speed bump clearance.

Maxie2U

Good thing we have choices because I think the all black look you get with the transport roof looks way better than painted side. Makes it look more "sporty" and cleaner. That said, if the body color continued down the A pillar like the yellow C7 in post#10 then I could go with the sides painted on a transport roof.

Then again, I think adding a rear spoiler destroys the beauty of the rear end's body lines/contour.

LT1 Z51

I enjoyed the Transparent Roof on my C6. Plus it makes getting a helmet on easier as there seems to be "more" clearance.

James Bertuca

I have a LT1 and I scrape every time backing out of my driveway, if I back out straight or on a angle it scrapes, and that is very slow, no scrapes pulling in, and yes backing out I have try to turn to the left and to the right on an angle, no luck. I'm talking about a 2015, I put more air in the front tires no luck with that either, driveway isn't steep just that storm sewer run, but that's part of the street, guys are lowering there cars I would like to raise mine. Hope that helps.