Can someone help with a few questions? It looks like there are two options as to the type of top you can have. There's the standard (not sure of the material here) and a cloth top that is an option for more money. Is it also the case that the cloth top is only availlable in black?

Is there a big difference between the two - advantages/disadvantages? Thanks.

 

There is a bunch of threads on this subject but seams the long and short of it comes down to.

Vinyl - More durable/easier to keep clean

Cloth - Richer look but requires more care

Imoa comes down to what your plan's are for the car. If it's an everyday car vinyl would be the better option. If its a weekend rider cloth might be the way to go.

 

That makes sense. Thanks for the feedback.

 

I have a cloth top and think it looks richer. It requires some additional care. i.e., lint sticks to it so occasionally rolling with a lint roller is required. It offers a bit of exclusivity too.

In terms of durability, I wonder if the vinyl is more prone to fading? I have seen several well-faded vinyl tops but I saw am 8 year old Saab convertible with a cloth top and it looked brand new and still a rich black color.

 

Hey Glenn that was my Saab and I had just replaced the cloth top - JK
I have the GT/CS with the cloth top and IMO - it's the only way to go!! I looks sooooo much classier than the vinyl and I don't seem to have any extra effort with it - except you will learn not to use a white cotten towel to dry it Get yourself a lint roller and you will be good to go.

 

In defense of the vinyl top, I have the Parchment, I picked that color because I felt it would be cooler in the summer time. I had a dark car and every time it got about 70 and sunny you had to have the air on. Next car was silver and did not have that problem. My main reason to go with a vinyl top.

 

I agree with Doug, our '07 has a parchment top, looks great.

We keep it sprayed with 303, no problems.

TDS

 

I agree that cloth looks nicer. The vinyl doesn't look bad, the cloth just looks "richer". As stated previously, it depends on what you are looking for. My vert is a fair weather car and I will have the top down just about every time I drive it.....so the top won't even be in view most of the time. I also wanted less maintenence, so I went with vinyl.

 

Thanks again for all the feedback. Seems like the members of this forum are a class act and willing to help with some dumb questions or ones that have already been asked but some of are just learning how to look stuff up.

Speaking of which, here's another one: what is a convertible "boot"?

 

The convertible boot is the cover which is placed over the folded convertible top when the top is down. While the some cars have the boot included as standard equipment, it is an option for the Mustang.
The rational for having a boot is twofold; keeping the dust and foreign matter from getting into the interior compartment where the top is stowed, and to provide a more finished look to the car itself.
The boot can be ordered with the car, or through the dealer parts department. You may also find a better price by checking out EBay sellers!

 

Much obliged Semperfi65!

 

I have the boot and I really like it. It is great for long trips to keep out the debris and it looks great when taking the car to shows. It seems like a pain to get it on at first, but after you get the hang of it you can get it on in a minute or two.

 

I had an 05 vert with vinyl top and now have an 07 with cloth. The cloth IMO looks far classier. Also I got a lot of buffeting with the vinyl top (especially around 18 wheelers on the freeway) and get absolutely none with the cloth top. And finally the cloth top closes right down to the header every time regardless of how cold it is. The vinyl had to be pulled down by hand to latch sometimes. The cloth is definitely the way to go unless you want the parchment color, then you've no choice

 

Hey Tres, long time no see. have you put anything new on the car?
Oh bact to topic, Color is the main reason I went with vinyl, the lighter parchment. Also agree on the part of having to pull the top down to get it latched, when I first got my CS I even took it back to the dealer because I had to hang on the top to get it down. Last time I had it down had no problems latching, guess it has streched enough now. Will see when I get it back.

 

Doug and TMS....
I have the Parchment Vinyl top also....Do you guys get black spots that rub on it from when going down??...How do you get them off and also stop from getting on the Top?
When you use the 303...don't you get run off down the windows that leave streaks everytime it rains?

 

where on the top are you getting these black spots? can you provide a pix?
As for the 303, I get a little bit, just clean it off with some windex, if you are getting a lot of streaking, you are probaly using too much.

 

No buffeting with my vinyl top. Once my vinyl top broke in it, no problems with latching, etc.