Convertible Top Durability
 

I have a strange question (considering I have only had the car for a week)! How long should I expect the 'vert top to last on my '07 GT? I guess also I should ask about all the components ( motor, hydraulics, frame, etc..) and their durability as part of the top. The reason I ask is I have never had a 'vert b4 and I am not sure about normal maintenence on it to make it last as I plan to have it for YEARS to come. The dealer offered an ext plan for 6 years at $750. I have never bought one of these b4, but is it worth it to have for the top? I should add that the car is garage kept and will only be driven 2-3 days per week (with the top down!).
Thanks for any advice!

Tom
Asheville, NC

depends on the usage and the maintenance. if you take care of it then it should last as long as the car.

What type of maintenence? Are you talking about cleaning/using vinyl cleaner on the ext. top? Any maintenence on the hydraulics or anything else?

Thanks again!:metal:

Tom

You should get 7-10 years out of a convertible top. I have seen Fox Mustangs with tops that old that look to be in terrible shape.

since this is garage kept your vinyl top will be well preserved. However, there are product our there that can better protect your top such as 303 aerospace vinyl protectant and ragg top. Regarding the motor, I think its a crapshoot if you don't abuse it then it should hold up. I never heard of anyone doing any maintenance on the motor.

MY 1999 convertible had the same top material as my 2005, The new car has a solid front section behind the winshield header, which really stops the buffeting. The 99 tan top was in great shape, with maybe one or two dark spots above the bows when I traded it in. The individual who bought it lives around the corner and it still looks and works great. MY 2005 top still looks brand new. I cannot speak for the cloth top, and I am still not sure why some people think the cloth is better. Now let me clarify a couple things, I don't drive my Pony in the winter, avoid the rain as much as possible and the car is garage kept. I use only Mr Clean's auto dry system, and no harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes. I do put the top down at every opportunity during the driving season from March to October.

My top is squeaking when it is down. It seems to be occuring from the top vibrating left to right. Does anyone have any suggestions?

my parchment vert top seems to rub against something while it is down....getting annoying little smudges.

Here are some products that should help. RaggTopp Convertible Top Care: RaggTopp Convertible Car Top Detailing Products for fabric & vinyl tops. convertible top clean...

Nothing to worry about. I have a '95 GT Vert with 102,000 and have had no problems at all.
The only thing replaced so far was the top, and that is because some dumba** cut the top :banghead: (Thank god for insurance). Other than that, all Frame components, motors, and hardware are original and in great shape.
Just enjoy it and not Worry. By the time most tops wear out, the car is on the second or third owner.

+1... mine does too... it's annoying. I need to figure it out and it the spot with some lithium grease. :banghead:

anyone know where you can get raggtopp. preferably local store thanks.

Mine seems to be coming from the passenger side, one of the hinges close to where top meets the windshield at the first joint at the top of the "Z" I tried getting some wd-40 in the joint. It fixed the problem for a week and then came back.

My son-in-law has my '96 GT 'vert, and it still has the original top. No parts have been changed out. It still looks pretty good, except for a few small nicks. Those tops should last a long time.

Just don't leave it up or down for long periods of time, if you put her away for winter remmeber to put the top up/ down every few weeks.

Ragg Top. I have had lots of comments about how good it looks. Sold all of my friends on it.:nice: