View Poll Results: For current F-body owners: how would you feel if T-tops were absent from the F5?
No t-tops, no sale!
50
71.43%
Fine with me. I'd just pay extra for a convertible.
5
7.14%
Finally, a sunroof. I've got cigar ashes all over the inside of my car.
3
4.29%
Utter indifference
12
17.14%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
Since we can't agree on Z/28 vs. SS... [B]Poll on T-Tops[/B]
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,954
Poll on T-Tops
I enjoy an open topped car, and the availability of T-tops was the deciding factor in the purchase of my Z28. T-tops don't compromise safety and rigidity, and unlike a true targa, are easy to stow away. This feature has been around since the middle of the second generation, long enough to be part of the F-body heritage.
Should a future F5 have T-tops?
Should a future F5 have T-tops?
Last edited by redzed; Feb 19, 2003 at 01:13 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,121
From: Houston
While I think t-tops are the coolest thing on my car, but I'm not going to let the fact that a car has t-tops or not be a complete selling point on whether I buy a 5th gen or not. I voted that I would get a vert if t-tops wouldn’t be available. Id rather have t-tops over a vert. Id like the safety side of it. I guess I like the idea of still having a hard top even though its open. If I got a vert I'd probably install a roll bar for safety reasons. The way I see it, If they can make t-tops look good in the next gen then go for it, if not just give me a vert for weekend cruising.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Back in 1995 I test drove 3 different Z/28s.
1) Purple coupe - 6spd
2) Black vert - 6spd
3) Green t-top - A4
After test driving al three, I picked #3. The t-topped car clearly had more headroom than the coupe, and I was a little nervous about the threat of vandalism and theft with the convertible.
After almost 8 years of ownership (July of this year will be 8 years) I now am of the opinion that t-tops suck! They add weight. They leak. They're a pain in the *** to remove while you're driving and even in sunny California, I rarely have them off.
Conculsion? If you want to be "WindInHisHair" get a convertible.
If headroom isn't an issue with the Gen-V, I'm getting a coupe. If it is an issue, then I'll have to flip a coin.
1) Purple coupe - 6spd
2) Black vert - 6spd
3) Green t-top - A4
After test driving al three, I picked #3. The t-topped car clearly had more headroom than the coupe, and I was a little nervous about the threat of vandalism and theft with the convertible.
After almost 8 years of ownership (July of this year will be 8 years) I now am of the opinion that t-tops suck! They add weight. They leak. They're a pain in the *** to remove while you're driving and even in sunny California, I rarely have them off.
Conculsion? If you want to be "WindInHisHair" get a convertible.
If headroom isn't an issue with the Gen-V, I'm getting a coupe. If it is an issue, then I'll have to flip a coin.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121
From: South Jersey
The deciding factor for me was t-tops. That's the ONLY reason why I bought a TA over a 2003 Mustang GT... sure the extra power is nice, but I don't really need it and i'm used to driving V6's anyway 
On a side note I vote for SS
On a side note I vote for SS
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 835
From: HOUSTON TX USA
T-Toppers unite !!
Verts rock, but unless they :
1) Make a bigger back window in the 5th gen than the 4th
2) Improve the headroom
3) Lose the 5K freakin' extra they want to charge for it !
I'll stick with the t-tops.
I have only had F that was a coupe - a ' 79 Z28 bought from the original owner for $ 400.00 in 1992.
Yeah, you can get an idea of how good a shape the car was in, but ...
The A/C worked !!
The only reason I bought it was to keep miles off the 10Th Ann T/A I also had at the time. Well, truth be told, beaters are always fun.
But, beyond that, I'll stick with the tops.
Later !!
Britt
1) Make a bigger back window in the 5th gen than the 4th
2) Improve the headroom
3) Lose the 5K freakin' extra they want to charge for it !
I'll stick with the t-tops.
I have only had F that was a coupe - a ' 79 Z28 bought from the original owner for $ 400.00 in 1992.
Yeah, you can get an idea of how good a shape the car was in, but ...
The A/C worked !!
The only reason I bought it was to keep miles off the 10Th Ann T/A I also had at the time. Well, truth be told, beaters are always fun.
But, beyond that, I'll stick with the tops.
Later !!
Britt
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 224
From: Lincolnwood IL
I don't mind T-Tops - but only as an option. I wouldn't miss them if they were not available because I prefer to have a hardtop. If I want more air/sun, then I'd rather have a convertible
I know I'm prolly in the minority on this, but that's my 2 pennies
-Bradster
I know I'm prolly in the minority on this, but that's my 2 pennies
-Bradster
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 859
From: AR (PA born and fled)
No T tops. I've had T tops. I enjoyed them in my '91 but after living with them for 5 years I won't do it again. Too many problems as the miles roll up.
If the next model is to succeed it must distance itself from whatever unfair stigmas it has collected over the years. People (non enthusiasts) look at the F body as a white trash car. They see the T top roof as an anachronism from the 70's. I realize this attitude is stupid and unfair but it exists. I say take the next car more upscale (in perception, not price). Engineer it (somehow) from the start as a targa top like the 'vette, but make it an option.
If the next model is to succeed it must distance itself from whatever unfair stigmas it has collected over the years. People (non enthusiasts) look at the F body as a white trash car. They see the T top roof as an anachronism from the 70's. I realize this attitude is stupid and unfair but it exists. I say take the next car more upscale (in perception, not price). Engineer it (somehow) from the start as a targa top like the 'vette, but make it an option.
