I heard a rumor that a black *cloth* convertible top would be offered but I don't know if it's true and, if so, if it'll be available at the start of 2005 convertible production or if it'll be a future model year option. Anyone know?

 

Vinyl.

 

All the mustang convertible tops have been vinyl except for the later years of the last cobra iteration which had a black cloth top. The cloth top definitely looked better and richer. I'd hate to buy the first '05 vert and then see a substantial upgrade like cloth roof offered soon after production starts. The possibility of a cloth top and chrome 18 inch wheels have me holding back on placing my order.

 

Why would the wheels hold you back, IMO there are better looking ones available in the aftermarket.

 

BOB, My thoughts exactly

 

I'm an engineer by trade and I've never been a big fan of aftermarket anything. My feeling is that no one can design it better than the factory, plus there's the cost factor - I'd spend big $$$ on aftermarket wheels and get very little back for them later. I really like the look of the chrome 5-spoke wheels on the show cars. I like the standard bullets but I have them on my '02 and I'm looking for something different and like the flash of the chrome.

 

Ummm, Ford doesn't make the wheels, thats why they are not available, there were supplier issues.

 

Looks nice when completely cleaned up. You'll need a lint roller with pleny of refills to go with that cloth top it's a huge lint trap. I would prefer the vinyl for the up keep.

 

For technical parts like engine and suspension stuff I tend to agree. Even the biggest aftermarket companies don't spend a tenth of the time testing their mod products compared to what Ford themselves do. But what's there to design on a wheel besides the way it looks? Ford doesn't produce wheels. They come from the same Chinese factory that builds nameless replicas and other aftermarket wheels. Basically most stuff they bolt on the car is not produced by Ford, they just assemble it.

 

Aren't cloth tops harder to keep clean?