With all the talk about t-tops, I would like to post the question and see what you guys honestly expect. Will the 5th have t-tops?

In my opinion, it won't happen due to what I believe other vehicles on Zeta will have. Do you think GM will design and test different roof designs just to have t-tops on the Camaro? I don't. And I know there will be a bunch of when it happens, but chock it up to improvement. Look at what the Y-body group did to the headlights in order to improve their vehicle. I might be wrong (wouldn't be the first time ) , but I see a sunroof in Camaro's future.

Don't agree? Give me some logical reasons, not just emotional reactions. I loved t-tops in my Z...

 

I don't think the odds are good. It's still possible, but they'd have to solve problems such as roof structure and storage.

Personally I'd love a Targa, but that may stand the same chances. An available convertible is the perfect excuse not to include it.

On the pro side, there were an aweful lot of 4th gen T-tops sold. More popular then hardtop and convertible and I dare say it'd be better than a sunroof.

 

It has to, and I believe it will.

GM will not ignore the public who bought the overhwlming majority of F-coupes with the $1000 option.

 

Honestly, what percentage of those $1000 t-top buyers would also buy a $800 power sunroof that they don't have to fool with taking off and storing in the trunk? I would venture a guess at around 90%

I LOVED having T's on my Z, but I have also owned 2 cars with sunroofs. I think most of the '"target buyers" would rather have the sunroof. Throw in the large profile sunroofs that manufacturers are working on, and I think sunroofs are where it's at.

 

You can get a sunroof on any car... T-Tops are different, a potential draw for a customer.

I have a power sliding sunroof on my Monte SS, and it is absolutely nothing compared to T-Tops.

But, you have a valid point... a lot of people would opt for a sunroof if it were available, and T-Tops were not.

I just hope GM steps up to the plate, and does the right thing, which, IMO, is what Camaro history dictates: Camaro buyers want T-Tops.

 

I guess it matters which focus group Maximum Bob sat in on that day

 

At this point in time, being that no one has actually seen what the car will look like, it's a little premature to be dicussing the fate of t-tops IMO.

 

Really? What if the design of the vehicle has been complete for months? Would it be "premature" then?

BTW- for arguments sake, what would you prefer?

 

While the design may already be done, none of us have seen it, so we really can't say if they fit or don't fit with the overall styling.

As for which I prefer? It depends.

I got t-tops on my 95 Z28 because after sitting in a Z28 ht coupe and then a t-top car, I noticed the t-tops offered slightly more headroom. Therefore, I opted for them. However, the novelty of t-tops eventually wore off. Even here in sunny California, I don't take them off very often because... well because its a PITA! I guess in my case a convertible would've been better, however I prefer the look of a coupe. Heck even a sunroof would be more practical, however, it doesn't fit the image of the Camaro IMO.

So as you can imagine, I'm a little on-the-fence in general when it comes to t-tops.

I plan on ordering my next Camaro loaded with the works. So that may or may not include t-tops.

 

1. T-tops and side curtain airbags are mutually incompatible. Of course, you could say the same thing about any convertible.

2. Compared to Mercedes-Benz's Panorama Sunroof option ($1,240 to 1,530 depending on model), a $995 T-top option seems like poor value.

3. While a huge glass roof like Mercedes is amazing, not to mention great value, I wonder about the durability of all those electric motors?

4. While T-tops seem foolproof, some of those very critical gaskets aren't. I haven't had a single leak in my T-tops, but I'm really careful about taking them on and off. I also garage my car (to limit UV and environmental) and lubricate the rubber seals every fall with the specified dielectric grease.

When it comes down to it, T-tops aren't a sure thing in a F5. However, I still like the idea. If Bentley could use the equivilent of T-tops in the Continental SC (Sedanca Coupe), the idea is more than classy enough for an upcoming Camaro.

Sadly, I don't think we'll get Ts or a Mercedes-inspired glass roof. If GM goes the glass roof route, you can count on the option being more expensive than on a Mercedes. Cadillac gouges the customer for $1,800!!! if he/she is stupid enough to order the "UltraView" power sunroof on the SRX.

 

Actually wouldn't mind seeing something in a top like on the SSR or Mercedes SL-500 roadster incorporated into the next Camaro.

http://www.mbusa.com/media/images/ma...L500R_main.jpg

The only downsides are weight and cost.

 

i look for it to be an option on the 5th gen just like it always has been. (well atleast since the middle of the 2nd gen run) they HAVE to include something like that. it would turn down return or even new buyers that want them, and thats not something GM should do at this point.

i will say that if the 5th gen does not have them i WILL NOT buy one. if i find out well in advance that they are gone, ill go talk to Mr. Saleen about building me a mustang. im sorry but thats really one of the few reasons i would wait for a new 5th gen. if it dont have it ill go someplace where i can get my new car now.

 

Ummm, don't take this the wrong way, but the Mustang won't have T-tops either, so I really don't understand your reasoning here.

 

I don't understand how/why people compare a sunroof to T-tops. There is no comparison.

I'm banking on the 5th having available T-tops or some new derivitive of them. I absolutely love the selling point: open air feeling you don't get with a hardtop coupe (w/ or w/o sunroof) and you don't have the expense AND added weight AND less structural rigidity of a vert. It's win-win IMO.

 

I'm a confirmed sunroof hater. At best, a convential sunroof offers a uselessly small aperture. At worst, it robs headroom, and gives reliability headaches such as burnt out motors, jammed covers and leaks.

However, if you've ever experience a C or E-class Mercedes with the Panorama sunroof you might see it differently. This Benz option involves a huge, nearly full width glass panel that opens over the front seats. Throw in the non-opening glass panel over the rear seat and the built in wind deflector and you have open-topped heaven. For $1,240 to $1,530 you can go wrong.

That said, I love the T-tops on my Z28. I like the fresh air on sunny days and the extra light on cloudy ones. Moreover, the T-tops gave me just enough headroom to make a F-body practical. The T-tops on my car were worth ever penny of the $995 cost.

However, T-tops can't be integrated with side-curtain air-bags. They also require frameless door glass, unlike the Panorama-style glass roof. Sadly, the combination of a true pillarless coupe and T-tops would be problematic as well.