C6 Power Top Option

[Gorgon]

I picked up the curent copy of Motor Trend to read the C6 vert article. The one question I had on the power top option was answered in this article and it was how much weight was added for this option. Was I surprised to find it only add 15 pounds! Wow! They added that it will take 18 seconds to lower the top (not sure about putting it back up). I think they also mentioned it would be a $2000 option. At this point I'm pretty impressed and look forward to seeing this top in action.

 

[c5vetter]

if you want to see how it will operate - find a Cadillac XLR - will basically be the same

 

[motorman]

if you want to see how it will operate - find a Cadillac XLR - will basically be the same

WRONG the C-6 has a soft top not a folding hard top like the XLR

 

[Gorgon]

It will operate the same as the C6 non-powered top and C5 top. It will only be powered. There is no comparison to the folding mechanism used in the XLR due to the hard top and the way the rear decklid opens to accept the top.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

For 15 pounds, 18 seconds and $2000.00 I will just put my top up and down manually thank you.

 

[LongTimer]

Can't sat I blame you. $133.33 per lb. is a bit much. However, I think they at did a pretty good job keeping it at only 15 additional lbs. They need to work on the price next. Is that a NASA motor or what?

 

[Gorgon]

I admit the price is high and if I was to order it I would not opt for it at that price. But a used one down the road I would consider as the $2000 would be eaten up by depreciation.

 

[Greenie]

18 seconds for the power top while it takes 22 seconds to manually operate it! Silly IMHO.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

I'm glad it is an option and not standard. It's nice for those that want it. I just wish they had more performance engine options.

 

[motorman]

I'm glad it is an option and not standard. It's nice for those that want it. I just wish they had more performance engine options.

the cost to goverment certify the other engines is cost prohibitive with a small number of corvette sold. you would not even have the engine you have now if it was not for the engineering done for the truck engines. there is no way that the corvette sales could afford all that development.

 

[jazzlove]

Save your $2000.00

It is so quick and easy to raise, and lower the top on my C4, it seems a waste of money to pay for the power option. It's also something else that can experience a malfunction. Spend the bucks on some other option.:cool

Wayne

 

[Rob]

For 15 pounds, 18 seconds and $2000.00 I will just put my top up and down manually thank you.

I would have to agree with this.

 

[LongTimer]

the cost to goverment certify the other engines is cost prohibitive with a small number of corvette sold. you would not even have the engine you have now if it was not for the engineering done for the truck engines. there is no way that the corvette sales could afford all that development.

I agree Motorman, I think the only way to get more engine options is to share the engines with other GM cars. As you recall back in the hay days when the vette had 7 or 8 optional engines, many of those were available in Camaros, Novas, Chevelles, Impalas and Caprices.

Exclusivity has a cost - limited options. However, this does NOT explain why they refuse to offer the LS7 in Coupes and Verts - this is just a marketing ploy that they refuse to budge on, IMO.

 

[motorman]

I agree Motorman, I think the only way to get more engine options is to share the engines with other GM cars. As you recall back in the hay days when the vette had 7 or 8 optional engines, many of those were available in Camaros, Novas, Chevelles, Impalas and Caprices.

Exclusivity has a cost - limited options. However, this does NOT explain why they refuse to offer the LS7 in Coupes and Verts - this is just a marketing ploy that they refuse to budge on, IMO.

they only sold 3000 FRC in 2 years before they made you buy one to get a ZO-6. they were in the bag for the engineering costs and the comitment to the suppliers of the parts for so many a year and if you made the ZO-6 option available in the coupe and conv the FRC would sell a couple of dozen a year except to true road racers that want the 80# less weight in the top.

 

[JBsC5]

I like the power top. Its probably a great option if a bit pricey. 4% the cost of the car? ??


Back in 1969 a convertible 350 firebird was around 3500 dollars new..500 of which was the power convertible option. (including the convertible compared to the coupe.. 1/7th the cost of the car..

Today coupes list at what? 44000 ....convertibles with the power top? 54,500?

I'm guessing with these two numbers on the 2004/5 models but the 10500 dollar difference is about 1/5th the cost of the car with the power top..?

Seems fair..?

 

[Gorgon]

they only sold 3000 FRC in 2 years...

As a correction, they sold 6000 FRC's in two years, 4000 in 99 and 2000 in 2000. Either way it was a small number...

 

[69_Dream]

Just look at a 58 vette. $140 for the power top option, $3591 base price. Seems in line, $3500-$44000 is the current cost.

That's 4% either way, so I guess if you want to fault GM for anything, it's consistency. My 2 cents.

For the record, I'm with Rocketblock, Rob and others... manually, thx.

 

[jason marks]

Too mush$

 

[Tomrw]

My 2 cents worth 100,000 times, I just can't see the cost being worth the benefit. I very much will take a look at the C6 with a eye to buy, but my options will not include the power top.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Took a look at the power top system in c6 at BG when I was there.
Nice unit, the power option functions for the rear tonneau and the fulcrum of the top only. You still have to manually release the front windshield header, which is a 90 degree turn latch at the center of the top.
Also, on the power top, you will have a partition in between the rear storage and the top section to elimate the stored stuff getting squashed. The partition will also aid in noise reduction. Also, the power top only added 8 lbs, if you can believe that. Storage area has not been compromised. Controls of the top are in the right upper area of the trunk, out of the way.
Riding in a convertible, it was truly the quietest convertible Corvette I have ever been in.
Here is a CGA windscreen that is in the developmental stages for c6.
Allthebest, c4c5