Is a transparent top worth it?
 

I was actually looking to have this option when I purchased a vette but mine unfortunately didn't have it. Didn't think much of it at the time because I knew I could add it later. Question is, it's not exactly cheap, is it worth the $? Considering where I live, there is no issue with the sun beating down on me or really high temps - those conditions last for a week or less around here :(. I just thought the top would add some 'openness' to the cabin when I don't want to drive with it off. Is it noisier in the car with one of these?

:bigears

OH YEAH they are sweeeeet!!!! I had one on my last 2 vette's and my 08 did not come with one and I am looking to buy 1, but just can't pull the trigger on $800-$1000 for a clear top for my 08 YET:D!!!!

It's the only top I use. My painted top just hangs in the garage.

I knew when I ordered my car that all options I wanted later would be $$$. I love the transparent top and that is what I mostly use. Top Flight Reproduction shades are great for the real hot months.

I think it is. I have both tops but only use the clear one. If it's really hot and sunny or I'm going somewhere that it is I take along my DSV removeable headliner. With that combo I have the option of:

1. Top with headliner.
2. Clear top with lots of light (headliner stowed in back).
3. No top.

Besides, I like the look of the car better with the clear (black) top anyway.

Those that have it probably think it was worth it . . .those who don't . . .

I bought mine from another forum member and paid far less that new- and from October to April it's a great feature. In the summer out here, it's like being an ant under a magnifying glass.

I'd think in Upstate NY, you'd have a good 6 months of the year to enjoy it.

Yes it absolutely is! I had both tops with my C5 and do miss it with my current Z. It is a bit noisier than the solid top but the openness more than makes up for the noise IMHO. I enjoyed it 6 months of the year in FL and would have left it in all year if not for the heat from the sun!!

:)

It's an absolute must. We have ours on 90% of the time. We only want the solid roof on on the hottest summer days and even then the transparent top does not let in as much heat as you think. As for the sound, it does not let the sound in any more than the solid one. If you are on a budget right now. The transparent one can be bouught without the hardware and you can put the hardware on it from the other roof.

Love mine :rofl:

When my wife gets in the car she always says: “I want one of these in my next car” :cheers:

Uh.. no.. no it's not.


;)

http://www.trademotion.com/sfimages/...638_269055.jpg



You can purchase the GM C6 Transparent Roof
from Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse.com) at this link:


http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...catalogid=5210



:thumbs:

Is it worth it, I love mine. Makes the car feel more open and real light weight.

I love the clear top. I live in Texas and leave it in nearly year round. Even in the summer it's not bad as far as the sun. Plus, I just think it looks better on the car. The only time I put the other top on is just for a change of pace (which isn't often). Not sure about the noise difference. Must not be much if I haven't noticed it. One thing I do notice is the weight difference when I put the solid top on.

If I had a choice between the two I would definitely choose the transparent roof, but to pay the extra bucks for one, I have to pass.

We purchased our '08 with both tops and find we use both of them. In the winter we use the transparent top so the car stays warmer inside while it is parked and in the warmer months we run with the painted top to keep the temperature down in the car. It does feel a bit more "open" with the transparent top on, and the radio does sound a bit different with the painted top giving a deader, quieter interior and the transparent a bit brighter.

I really enjoyed my clear top in my 05. It really made the machine silver look better with the clear top.

When I bought my Vette it came with both tops.
Before I even left the Dealer I had the Clear top put on .
My thoughts:
I really like the openess it creates and the extra light it lets in, but I personally find it hotter and the weather here isn't even hot yet.
Naturally once the AC cools the interior down it's Nice, but still noticed how much heat gets into the interior.
I find it's a lot cooler with the solid top on.

I'm glad I have both tops and will use each one at different times.
The Top Liner sounds like a great item and a lot easier than changing tops :thumbs:
I also liked the look of the car with the Black roof matching the Black in the Back window.
Gives the car a whole different look in a good way :)

If I didn't have the Clear top, I know I'd wish I had one.
But I would want to try one first to see if I liked it enough to spend the money.
Good Luck with your decision :cheers:

-- Me too -- That's the main reason that I got it. -- :thumbs::thumbs: --

i havent gone back to painted since i got mine

worth it?
 

Yes!

I got both and switch off every 6 months. It gives the car a different look each time.

Like the clear top, especially in the Rocky Mountains!
 

I have both tops and I mainly use the clear, the solid top just collects dust under the bed. My wife doesn't like the wind and therefore I pull the liner off and there we are! Secures the the car on vacation but we can still see out. Nice when we are out in the sun for views with the A/C on. Yes, get the clear top :lurk: ing!

I have had the dual roof option on every coupe which I have bought. That is three C5s from 98 through 04, and three C6s from 05 through now 09. Five of those cars were ordered by me with the dual roof option, and one was bought with low miles with that option.

As mentioned in various posts, the car has a more open feel with the glass roof on. The solid roof is my preference on hot summer days, but most other days I prefer the glass roof. Clearly, you must currently have the solid top and I would recommend keeping it and getting the transparent top.

I think that there is no possibility that you will have any regrets.

Depending on your exterior color it can be a subtle appearance difference or a bold appearance difference. The appearance change-up is one more plus.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think I remember reading somewhere that you can buy the stripped down top from Gene for somelthing like $500? Then you can remove the hardware from your colored top to make the transparent one work.

I am one of those who bought my car with the clear top option and I sold it. Now I wish I had it! Sometime soon I will be purchasing a clear top when I get my windows and halo tinted/painted.

leadfoot88

I just got mine from Gene, and I love it.

:iagree: My painted top has hung in the garage for 2 1/2 years now.

:flag:

The only thing I miss from my 2008 coupe is the clear top. I love my Z06, but hate the closed in feeling I get from the solid (and not removable) top.

I love my transparent top! I use it all the time, and it looks hot!

:) Nikka

The only option I did not get on my 09 was the dual top. I knew the transparent top would be on my car most of the time. Get the transparent top. It's nice:thumbs:

I think this post pretty much tells the story. Those with painted tops seldom use them and the tinted transparent is the top of preference. I mainly perfer the darker look of the transparent top on my DSOM. It make the Vette look lighter and sporter. I have the stippled (black dots) friction/static film that I use during the hot session to cut down on the heat. :thumbs:

I ordered the dual roof option. Love it. I use the painted roof in the winter and the transparent roof in the summer. The transparent roof is lighter as it comes off more in the summer time. Plus it changes the look of your car when you want.

Who said the Z06 top is not removable?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeO56-smgxI&fmt=18

What's a solid top for? Transparent is the only option. My previous Vette had both. I don't believe the solid top was on once in 10 years of ownership living in both Texas and CA. This is one of the great features of the Vette!

I would not get it again.
Too hot in Florida.

The transparent top is clearly worth it's price.

Clear Roof
 

That sux, my 08 came with both roofs!

I love my transparent top :lol:

I passed on the Transparent top They have problems and if I want the top open I take the top off.

My Corvettes have had a transparent top for 24 years. Without the clear top it's just not a Corvette to me. I bought the 2 piece headliner from TopFlight last year but only had it in for about a week. It just isn't that hot here in Alabama and Florida even in the summer. Maybe if I were parking in the sun all day I'd feel different.

Well Worth It !
 

My transparent top stays on all the time.The painted top stays stored and hasn't seen daylight in years ! I live in the Sunny South and the interior NEVER gets hot enought to put the painted top on.I Love being able to see the stars at night through my roof !:thumbs:

:iagree:TX Vette has stated my sentiments perfectly.

Tops
 

I only use the transparent top. My CRM top is wrapped in blamkets and put away.

My 07 did not come with one. I bought one off a local member for $700 and it stayed on my car for nearly a year. It is lighter than the solid top so I ended up taking the top off much more. The only reason the solid top is back on my car now is because the dealer replaced my glass top because of the spiderwebbing and it's soooo clean compared to the rest of my car. :D Once I get the car nice and clean the clear top is going back on.

Me 2. I used to swap my tops depending on season, but I don't have a problem with heat using the transparent top here in Md. I like it a lot, but it was expensive. I would buy it again:crazy:eddie

Curiosity question for those that bought their car new with both tops.

How much was "dual top option" on the sticker?

Also does anyone know what what a glass top goes for without hardware?
I have a friend that has one that I tried to sell for him on here for $700 shipped, but was told that was High.
It's a brand new top that came with his car but he wanted the painted top so they swapped all hardware over for him at time of purchase.

Still wanting to help him out so need to know what is reasonable.

Love mine...use it 8 months out of a year!:thumbs::cool:

:iagree: I have both and only use my transparent one. Painted top has been mostly sitting for the past 2 years.... I really like the look of the black top with the VR paint...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ndvettepic.jpg

Mine came with both tops and I use them both. The transparent top in the winter and the solid for the summer. I agree it does change the look when you swap them :thumbs:

My car came with both tops too, and I change them every six months. It changes the look of the car.
:) Nikka

I have both. Ended up buying the transparent separately brand new from Chev. parts for $800.
I prefer the painted top because of better insulation and keeps the car cooler.
The transparent top looks better on Corvette.

:iagree:

It is the only top I own for our new Vette and the only one I use for our C5:cheers:

Since I have a Yellow I definitely did NOT want the transparent roof, but that's just me.

I opted not to take the transparent roof when I bought mine this week, even though the seller was offering it to me at a great price. With the tinted windows I enjoy looking out and people not being able to look in...it's an odd sensation driving that I really really enjoy.

I have both & never have never used the paint top.