vinyl or C/S cloth convertible top???

[wusthof]

Some junkie fked up my convertible top and now has a nice 10" gash in it. It will be replaced by insurance, but am wondering if I should upgrade to a cloth top and pay the difference (I'm assuming there will be a $$$ diff. and is it worth it). I live in BC Canada where it rains A LOT and am wondering about the durability compared to the regular vinyl version as well as fit n finish, maintanence/cleaning etc - I'm kinda digging the matt finish as well of the cloth - anyone either has converted or has a cloth top have an opinion?? thx a bunch guys!

 

[RedMosesSC]

The cloth looks WAY better, however its not as durable, my top started developing wear holes and fading after 10k miles, im sure the mechanism was messed up but Ford refused to fix it.

If you see a Vynl top side by side a cloth top, youll make your decision in heart beat.

 

[Wicked One]

I have the cloth top. Love it over the other 2 verts at my house with vinyl. Mine developed white wear marks at the hinges, but ford replaced the top with an updated one. Been holding up since.

To clean it, there are so many different ways. I uses a camel hair brush, then treat it with some scotch guard, keeps all the bird shit and crap off.

Good luck and I hope the douchebag that cut your top develops a case of elephantiasis of the nutz.

 

[JeremyH]

Cloth looks nicer, but like said, wears 2 to 3 times faster and isnt as durable/easy to clean.

 

[Charlie Sheen]

Mine was cut last year, I feel your pain.

Cloth looks nicer, but like said, wears 2 to 3 times faster and isnt as durable/easy to clean.

Agreed, that's why I went back to the sailcloth (vinyl).

 

[wusthof]

yea, it's a tough call...........

cloth > looks nicer
vinyl > more durable, easier to clean and keep clean

cloth it is!!! lol
headliner, top replacement and all the particulars....installed would be $3400!!! holy fuck! thank god my deductible is $300. I always say, when you have a vert - it's not if, but when your top is gunna get slashed

 

[Charlie Sheen]

If necessary, don't forget the costs of getting the rear window re-tinted. I did and it was a PITA getting insurance to reimburse me.

 

[wusthof]

I don't have it tinted now, but if I go with a cloth, the black is so much deeper in color, so a tint on the back may be - i'll get it professionally dun..........thx for the heads-up!

 

[AbdullaGT500]

Did any year come factory with a cloth top? Where can I get one?

 

[Charlie Sheen]

Did any year come factory with a cloth top? Where can I get one?

I thought it was cloth on all of the GT/CS and GT500 verts. ???

 

[JeremyH]

I think your right roper, also it was an option on the gt. But it was pricey.

 

[AbdullaGT500]

Oh really, I didn't know that. Wonder how much a new top would cost....

 

[JeremyH]

Msrp is $2200 just for the cloth top trim.

Doesnt include glass, interior trim, framing, molding etc.

 

[AbdullaGT500]

I'll just stick to the vinyl

 

[JeremyH]

Me too. lol

Turbo verts ftw!

 

[lostsoul]

just tell your insurance its a cloth top.. maybe they wont know the diff.. hehe

 

[AbdullaGT500]

Turbo vinyl top verts ftw!

Fixed

 

[wusthof]

hehehe maybe I'll do that, but they'll go by the VIN# and I 2nd the C/S and GT500 with the cloth tops. I'm gunna phone Ford tomorrow and see what the price diff. is - damn, hope it's not too much! hmmmm, I wonder if I can hose my insurance

 

[Charlie Sheen]

http://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/1261/2005-09-Ford-Mustang