Convertible Thought

So I haven't seen anyone bring up this idea, but what does everyone think about the idea of the convertible being a retractable hardtop instead of a ragtop? Of course this goes into pure speculation and if nothing else it might not be an option due to cost. There was just an interesting article today in the paper about how companies are getting away from using ragtops. Personally I think convertibles look great with the top down, but with it up I think a ragtop can take away from the lines of a car. I know I know, I am gonna get flamed for that one, but just a thought.

i think it would add even more weight to a convertable which already weighs a lot more than a coupe... plus there would be a huge sacrifice in cargo room..

i think if i were to buy a convertable, i'd prefer a rag top..

the hard top convertable does have it's advantages of course.. i wouldnt really mind if they went that route.. but i don't think that's gonna happen

I have thought about this as well. I personally am not a fan of ragtops. like you, I also think that a topless camaro looks awsome. The only way i would buy a convertible camaro is if it had a hardtop. I would definitely want to see the numbers though from the added weight as well as how much more the retractible hardtop would cost.

I know it would never happen, but the best of both worlds would be a removable hardtop.

I can see a retractible hardtop being a very popular option on the entry level V-6.

I don't see it as an option for the price range crowd they are shooting for to go hardtop instead of ragtop.

I don't see it as an option for the price range crowd they are shooting for to go hardtop instead of ragtop.

Why not, the hardtop G6 is 29k...I would think that they could do it in the camaro as well.

Personally, i would love to see it, but as time goes on, i am looking for a more performance oriented car, and i would just go with a hardtop

Personally, I think a retractable hard top would look better than a rag top.

Not really sure how much it would add to the cost over that of a rag top or if it would really matter. A convertible is NOT a cheap option to begin with, so I doubt if an extra $1000 or so would really matter to a prospective convertible buyer.

No doubt we would have to listen to a lot more whining over the extra weight causing the car to be a "pig"............:rolleyes:

Several thousand over standard convertible price, no trunk to speak of, plenty extra weight.

If thats something you want to deal with Cadillac has a few cars they would like to show you. Doesen't mix with a budget performance car.

Did some checking on the Corvette site.

Only way to get the power top on the convertible is by ordering the 3LT option. Comparing the price jump going from 2LT to 3LT between the coupe and convertible, it looks like the power top itself adds $2000. That doesn't even take into consideration how much more expensive a hard top might be than the fabric top.

That blows my guess of "only" an extra $1000. I still stand by my thought that convertibles are quite a bit more expensive to begin with, so I'm not really sure how much the price increase would matter. I just don't think the words "economy/affordable/budget" and "convertible" belong in the same sentence.......just my opinion of course :).

Several thousand over standard convertible price, no trunk to speak of, plenty extra weight.


All correct.......so the vert better be a soft top.......because that’s what I plan on buying......

Check out the pic in my profile……….damn it looks good with the top down :D

http://people.tamu.edu/~stars1010/somvert

That's a great pic there! And just to correct I never wanted to suggest that GM should or might make a retractable hardtop. It was just something I haven't seen suggested and I thought it would make for an interesting discussion. I completely agree that it would cost/weigh too much, but you gotta admit it would be cool. I mean how cool was it when they made K.I.T.T. a retractable hardtop. LOL, I couldn't resist

All correct.......so the vert better be a soft top.......because that’s what I plan on buying......

Check out the pic in my profile……….damn it looks good with the top down :D

http://people.tamu.edu/~stars1010/somvert

Yes, but convertibles always look good with the top DOWN.

The problem is how horrible they usually look with the top UP.

Though, I will admit, with the 5th Gen's more angular lines it's possible the convertible top may not look as bad as it did on the fluid looking 4th Gens. The 3rd Gen convertibles were better looking than the 4th due to their more angular look as well.

the idea is to live somewhere where the top is rarely up.....so cal baby

the idea is to live somewhere where the top is rarely up.....so cal baby

You mean Texas right?:D

i would love to have the new camaro in a convertible hardtop instead of cloth . i own a convertible 30th anniversary and love it but i think i would love the hardtop convert even more. easier to keep clean

Yes, but convertibles always look good with the top DOWN.



Not true.

The new Mustang loses its look with the top down and looks plain, boring and ugly. It actually looks much better as a hard top.

Not true.

The new Mustang loses its look with the top down and looks plain, boring and ugly. It actually looks much better as a hard top.

I actually would have used the above description for the hardtop version. (At least one without a body kit anyway.) Convertible is even uglier though I agree...

I don't think a convertible would be a "pig", weigh too much, if done correctly. Look at the weight differences between coupe and convertible Corvettes. I would vote against the retractable hardtop or power rag top. Keep it simple and less expensive. I like the option of a removable hardtop but I don't think that would work on a Camaro. I'm sure the rag top would add about 4k to the price but well worth it IMO.

I think a hard top that you can take off would be almost as cool as a T-top. That also wouldnt add as much wieght, would it?