Electric Convertible Top vs Manual Convertible Top

[jhearta]

An electric convertible top is more for looks than function.

Electric tops are known to break down. Mercedes and BMW have it's more than fair share of complaining customers. Why risk the chance of having your car at the shop again?

It requires a motor so it adds weight to the car. Less weight, more HP...isn't that the goal?

And the amount of time to put the top down manually is faster than having to wait for the car to do it automatically.

Any other opinions?

[JohnD]

Originally Posted by jhearta

An electric convertible top is more for looks than function.

Electric tops are known to break down. Mercedes and BMW have it's more than fair share of complaining customers. Why risk the chance of having your car at the shop again?

It requires a motor so it adds weight to the car. Less weight, more HP...isn't that the goal?

And the amount of time to put the top down manually is faster than having to wait for the car to do it automatically.

Any other opinions?

Let's not forget cost...

[coopcj7]

All of my cars are convertibles except one. My Jeep CJ7's top is manual as all of them are, and for years, no one seems to complain about these. it takes me at least 5-7 minutes to put the top down take the doors off and stow them safely.

My 73 eldorado has a power top and on several occasions the bows have gotten crossed and caught on one another making it difficult to close or put down.

the motor over time will wear out and it will most likely be after the warranty is up. Linkages will break or get worn there are just one to many moving parts to power tops to go bad. And when they do there isn't a manual back up to get the job done to get moving down the road

I prefer manual anything over most power options today.
I know power(steering,brakes) are wonderful ,and most cars now require that just to steer or brake effectively. I build classis cars and kit cars with manual everything unlesss customer prefers power.

These power options are just what people have come to expect on cars produced and think that it is an inconvienence if they actually have to do something to their car.

If you truly love this car and which almost all of us do, we don't care that the top is manual.

[xmicro_Redline]

Originally Posted by jhearta

An electric convertible top is more for looks than function.

Electric tops are known to break down. Mercedes and BMW have it's more than fair share of complaining customers. Why risk the chance of having your car at the shop again?

It requires a motor so it adds weight to the car. Less weight, more HP...isn't that the goal?

And the amount of time to put the top down manually is faster than having to wait for the car to do it automatically.

Any other opinions?

I agree. As a side note, the weight doesn't effect the horsepower. It changes the effectiveness of the horsepower!

[GaryH]

This is the first rag top I have ever owned. So, you never miss what you never had. The top is fine with me. I don't mind the 45 seconds it takes to put it up or down.

[CountryGirl]

I've gotten quite adept at raising and lowering it already, considering I've only gotten to drive top-down a half a dozen times.

I agree - one less thing to break. As a matter of fact, my sister-in-law had a brand new Miata hard-top, which would not go past half-way when she was trying to show it off. Who needs that?

[Caramel_guy]

Originally Posted by jhearta

An electric convertible top is more for looks than function.

Electric tops are known to break down. Mercedes and BMW have it's more than fair share of complaining customers. Why risk the chance of having your car at the shop again?

It requires a motor so it adds weight to the car. Less weight, more HP...isn't that the goal?

And the amount of time to put the top down manually is faster than having to wait for the car to do it automatically.

Any other opinions?

..."Everything goes great with Caramel"

...Although i don't mind the manual top on the REDLINE (and it's not nearly as bad to lower/raise as some have printed), however I'd rather own a motorized convertable top..........I once had a motorized top..on my 1998 TRANS AM.....and it was a blast to LOWER / RAISE...especially at a stop light "very impressive" ....however the "heavy top" ... penalized the performance of the TRANS AM's 270 horsepower engine....(0 - 60 was "only" 6.5) ...almost a full second slower!
............Therefore I would LOVE for GM / SATURN..to include a power top for the REDLINE but not before increasing the REDLINE'S HORSEPOWER to say..325......I believe this is the direction GM/SATURN has the REDLINE heading in say 2 yrs....(which is why I have a 3yr LEASE.so I can take FULL ADVANTAGE of it when GM/SATURN...UPGRADES THE REDLINE!

PS - I owned that TRANS AM for 4 yrs..and never once was there a PROBLEM in the MOTORIZED TOP.!!

[NYRhockey23]

I think a powered top is just for convenience, that's it. A powered top will serve the exact same purpose as a manual top, just that you'll press a button instead of getting out of the car. Practical, thats about it.

[rwood411]

I think a part of it is cost. This is supposed to be an affordable roadster, not a $40k competition for a Jag or vette or whatever market. No reason for a automatic top in my opinion.

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by GaryH

This is the first rag top I have ever owned. So, you never miss what you never had. The top is fine with me. I don't mind the 45 seconds it takes to put it up or down.

I'm right there with you Gary. I haven't had a rag top before this so it has become second nature to put the SKY top up or down. And to those folks who can't stand to 'waste' 30 to 45 seconds . . .