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I'm looking at a C7 with a solid Roof Panel but I prefer transparent. Which is preferred or valued more? Solid or clear? I like transparent or better to have both I suppose in case of hot days. Also, who is the preferred vendor selling factory or replica transparent targas?
Living in Florida, the transparent top is going to let a lot of heat in. In some older threads, a majority of those in warm/hot climates, that had the transparent roofs, were putting cheap suction cups shades on them. They also said it was a very tacky looking fix. Personally, I would stick with the solid, take it off on nice days, put it on those hot days when only A/C will do.
I prefer best of both worlds - dual tops! I daily drive, and the transparent top is great all winter long to get a bit more light in the car, and to be able to see all around you. It gets pretty hot in the sun, though. Solid top great for summer when you need some shade/cool.
My car had the dual roof option, so I can't help on a vendor recommendation .. although people sell used ones in buy/sell frequently.
Live in Phoenix. Have a transparent top. Don't notice any problems with additional heat, putting the climate control on Auto seems to alleviate any problems with heat.
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From FL as well. My car came with the solid top from new. I bought the transparent top later. I use the clear top in the fall/winter and the solid spring/summer. I bought mine from CF vendor Gene Culley. If you buy one the top bag is worth the investment.
I have both tops and like the openness of the transparent. I leave it on on year round but it does allow interior temps to spike in the sun (think the "bluehouse" effect )... For a shade, I tried the suction cup version but since it's basically a stiff plank I found it a PITA to maneuver about and store in the car. Additionally the suction cups stuck to the roof like a horny octopus (the size and number of cups was clearly overkill).
When the weather turns warm (100+ in the summer) I install a clinging vinyl dot matrix shade... Effectively cuts the heat and still provides some openness.. The silver coating seems to reflect some sunlight and keeps the interior lighter. When not in use I roll it on a cardboard tube which makes it easy to handle and store.
Searching evilBay recently yielded only a black version, but with a couple of yards of dot matrix vinyl a home made version would be easy (and likely cheaper) to make in whatever color vinyl is available.
If you get the transparent top, search CF for its care and feeding... it is reported to tend to craze with ammonia based cleaners and there are a number of suggestions around that.
Cheers!
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The transparent top adds more value to the car, but it can get hot in the summer. When I bought my car, it had just the solid top. I added the transparent top shortly after buying the car though and now I can enjoy both tops.
When I ordered my 2019 Z06, I went with the dual roof option. Living in Florida, I drive with the solid roof on during the longer days (daylight savings time) and then switch to the clear roof during the winter when the sun isn't as high in the sky.
I also custom painted both tops. I added a stripe to the solid top that extends from the hood stinger to the rear deck and then painted the side rails on the clear top to mimic the look of the exposed carbon fiber top.
I enjoy both, however if I had to choose just one, I would go with the solid roof due to my matching custom painted stripe plus I like the quilted headliner and the interior acoustics better.
Cultrag is an excellent vendor found on this forum or on google. He sells the transparent top. I believe he only sells genuine GM transparent tops. I wouldn't sell the painted roof. After several years, a number of roofs will be lost to the flying roof club, folks who forget to lock down their roof before they go for a ride. You'll be able to buy transparent roofs from after market vendors for years to come. But painted roofs are limited to the units that are out there now.
I don't believe that this price is for the complete top. I could be wrong, but I have never seen the GM OEM complete factory transparent top for the C7 for anywhere near this cheep. That's about a thousand dollars off the normal selling price from forum GM parts dealers.for complete tops. I have seen just the panel (less frame, weather strips, latches, pins, etc.), for around this price. The GM part number for the complete transparent top for the C7 is: 84355035. However, the transparent tops for the C7 seem to be on some sort of hold or national back order at present.
Who cares what's "more valuable?" Do as you like; it's nothing much either way and clearly personal taste. Watch the parts-for-sale section here for a while; it's where I and many others have gotten theirs. Be well!!!
Btw, they CAN be shipped successfully. Mine was professionally packaged by a shipping store and forwarded via FedEx (as I recall). It was an "as new" top from a couple month old car and arrived exactly the same. Costs a little, but well worth it.
I don't believe that this price is for the complete top. I could be wrong, but I have never seen the GM OEM complete factory transparent top for the C7 for anywhere near this cheep. That's about a thousand dollars off the normal selling price from forum GM parts dealers.for complete tops. I have seen just the panel (less frame, weather strips, latches, pins, etc.), for around this price. The GM part number for the complete transparent top for the C7 is: 84355035. However, the transparent tops for the C7 seem to be on some sort of hold or national back order at present.
That's correct they do not include any mounting hardware and not in stock either, I emailed them today and got excited with the price.
The value of each top is dependent upon what somebody prefers and how much they are willing to pay for it... some prefer the clear top and some prefer the solid top. Personally I prefer the solid top both for the way that it blends with the body color of the car and the fact that it helps keep the heat level down in the car. If the weather is nice enough that I want sunlight shining on my face nonstop, I’ll simply remove the solid top... no need for a clear top creating the greenhouse effect. The clear top has been known to develop crazing in the glass over time as well.
For those reasons, I would personally pay less for a car with a clear top because I would have to factor in buying the solid top separately. Others who prefer the clear top would likely pay less for a car with the solid top.
However, the transparent tops for the C7 seem to be on some sort of hold or national back order at present.
Back ordered? So this means none are available in the world? Had no idea Targa Tops were so expensive, and difficult to purchase. Hell, the Carbon Fiber Top is priced over $4,000.00. Crazy money for such a small accessory.
Transparent targa question
)... For a shade, I tried the suction cup version but since it's basically a stiff plank I found it a PITA to maneuver about and store in the car. Additionally the suction cups stuck to the roof like a horny octopus (the size and number of cups was clearly overkill).
