ok so taking a poll of what yall prefer, hard tops, or t tops, i have one of each, hard top daily and a t top project, im debating on selling the hard top for a t top

how many of you out there have t tops or hard tops??

 

I have a hard top and I love it. I think the cars dorr windows a big enough so you don't need t-tops. But t-tops are also a signature of f-bodies

 

I've owned many third gens some t-top some non t-tops. My current ride is a 91 formula hard top. In my opinion it was hard to enjoy t-top because in summer the sun is just beating down on you. When the sun sets then its fun. Also hard top is better to build a solid car on. I always say the hardtop is ordered for go.

 

I have 2 camaros one with t tops and one hard top. T tops are awesome on hot days but when it rains they are a pain cause almost all the time they leak. I prefer my hardtop as long as the ac works

 

As a oriiginal owner of 1987 Hardtop I would say that over the years my hardtop has outlasted most T-top cars. Reasons: T-top car leak as they age and the lack of roof body support ... Rattles. Also as they pass on to new owners t-top cars only get worse.

 

My 1st choice is a vert, 2nd choice is a T-top.

 

Ive had t top camaros and a mustang, and even a targa. My IROC now is a t top car but I wish it was a hard top. My 4th gen was a hard top, being in Florida ttops are pretty much useless most of the year. And even when it is nice I never take them off.

 

I've had one T-top thirdgen and 2 hard tops. I'll never own another t-top car too many leaks and rattles.

 

I was about to post this exact poll. As I'm starting my search for a 3rd gen, I'm kinda on the fence about which way to go. I think t-tops definitely have the "cool factor" but I have an 87 monte carlo SS with t-tops that is an 80,xxx mile car that I have owned for 13 years and honestly hardly ever take them out and they have a lot of wind noise on the highway. Seals have been replaced a few years ago and I know the tops can be adjusted, but they just seem like more of a pain anymore than anything else. Kind of curious how this poll ends up after a few days. I definitely agree with the hardtop being more solid, and less rattles.

 

iv had 2 t tops and 2 hard tops, i love t tops for cruising but imjust on the fence on whether to sell this hard top to buy a t top

its not a high horse power car its just a v6 resto

 

I think t top cars twist up more easily, so I don't keep them. I think the 350 cars couldn't even have them, right?

Anyway, if you love them then don't forget the subframe connectors. All 3rd gens need them anyway, but some more than others.

 

Lots of 350's came with t-tops from the factory. It had everything to do with weight and nothing to do with power and the body twisting. That is why in 91/92 you get get a Firebird Formula with the 350 and t-tops as long as you got the light weight crosslace rims.

 

I've had my fair share of 3rd gens, and I dont like the t-tops in 3rd gens. Too much wind noise and they usually leak. My 91 is a hardtop, there are less squeeks and rattles and the feeling of the car is more solid.

My 01 Trans Am is a T-top like most 4th gens are, and I don't mind with this car. I don't get any wind noise and have zero leaks. Must have been something with the way they're designed on these later models.

 

I love my hardtop. Cleaner body lines too.

 

T-tops. Just don't drive in the rain.

 

My mom's 89 has T-Tops and they don't leak, but they are the heavy glass ones. The Plastic ones that I have had were all leakers. Maybe the weight on the seal has something to do with it?

 

I'm going to miss the t-tops... 23 years old when I started the teardown and almost no rust on the weatherstrip tracks (only on the outer edges and of course that center bar, go figure). Yes, they leaked, but the weatherstripping needed to be replaced almost as bad as the suspension bushings and the engine mounts (all cracked and dry rotted ). It's all in the adjustments, people. GM has service bulletins about the adjustments. As for the sun beating down on you, that's what 5% limo tint is for . Never really noticed any rattles except when things started hitting each other (exhaust hitting the heat shield, etc), and I go over some pretty nasty bumps (which is what cracked my windshield ), and of course, the stuff in the doors rattling and the 2 cross braces on the radiator support hitting each other because the rubber thing was missing that insulated them from each other. But, then, it was a V6, so there wasn't as much torque twisting of the frame.

 

t-tops usually make the headliner come loose too soon as well....

 

T-tops all the way-I will not own a 3rd gen that is not T-tops. I don't drive my car in the rain, but my tops don't leak, no rattles, but my headliner has seen alot better days.

 

I have one of each and I definitely prefer t-tops.

 

The 91 RS I had to sell was a T-top car. Never had a problem with rattles, squeaks, or twisting. Loved that car. Brother had an 88 Camaro hard top and it was a great car as well. Hopefully I can get this basket case of an 89 IROC I have acquired back on the road and then I can find out how it does.

 

Go T-Tops Go!

 

I've got to say T tops look darn good, but the seals, drip edges, rain and water leaks,... There are advantages to hard tops.

 

I got one of each also...I prefer the clean lines of the hard top.

And, you can't take pictures like this with a T-Top car:

 

i think the ratles have alot to do with how the car was treated, my 90 RS was pampered, didnt really leak at all and was a quiet ride, my iroc however (wich has been really abused most of its life) ratled everywhere it could and LEAKED HORRIBLY when i bought it, but its all fixed now, new seals and all new interior

 

Looks like the t-top cars seem to be the favorite. I'm still on the fence. Probably whatever I find first that seems like a good car will be what I end up with.

 

T-tops are sportier but hardtops are my favorite, T-tops I see as more Luxury or an escape hatch in case your Sandwhiched between two cars and you can't open the door, hardtop are stronger and made for performance that's only why they made only 1 Firehawk T-top

 

As mentioned elsewhere, t-tops have the "cool" factor but are bound to be trouble. Mine don't leak or make noise and my puny 2.8 will never stress them. I have never removed them 'cause I don't want to start any troubles!

 

Having owned several of both (3 w/T's, 2 W/O), T-Tops all the Way!

I just feel suffocated in a hardtop car, as opposed to a T-Top even with the T's on.

And the Leak argument is weeeeeeak, that is like saying you owned a car with a leaky brake line, so you will never buy another car with Brakes. As long as the seals are maintained and replaced as needed, and the T-top adjusted, there isn't a problem.

 

TOPLESSSSS!!!!!!!! you need to add vert to your poll

 

Yes the leaking thing is WEEEK! I have two t topped third gens, and they don't' even leak. If you have a leaking problem, the tops can be adjusted as I did so they seal properly. Keep the seals in good condition by applying a conditioner to them and your all set.

 

You're right, of course, I'm just scared - I saved this bird from the junkyard and the PO's didn't care for it properly at all, it was just a rusted out piece of junk that took 2 years' work just to pass inspection so I could drive it.
I feel better about trying taking the glass off now thanks!

 

I'm definitely looking harder for a car with t-tops, than without, but if I find a hardtop that seems like a deal, I'm going to have to jump on it.

 

What do you use for that?

The seals on my car are perfect, and I'd like to keep them that way.

 

T-TOPS

My 85 z28 is the 5th Camaro I have owned and the 1st factory t-top car.


Rest were hardtops, every single one I wished was a t-top, infact on one of them I made the plunge and did this...



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I love my t-top car. I've had two hard tops and the t-top. I have the t-top shades, so its not hot at all inside. And since I have SFC's, rattles really not an issue! As long as i don't run 'em thru a carwash, they don't leak either. Did make a mess out of the headliner, but i think you could say that about any 20+ year old vechicle. Got an ABS headliner, no more issues!

 

There's not a lot of hardtops in my area. Then again, there's not many third gens in my area.

 

If you're still looking for a third gen, I was looking on ebay maybe a week ago and there was quite a few really nice camaros on there, I was surprised.

 

I had good luck with my First t-top camaro... never leaked unless i went into a automatic car wash... Then My 2nd t-top camaro when it rains I think id stay drier with the damn things out. hahaha

 

I think t tops add a cool factor that no performance mod you make can compare to, but then again a hard top are great. Not a big fan of drop tops tho..

 

There are advantages to both. Unless you just NEED the T-Tops I would just find a car that's ag ood deal and looks nice. Dont buy or skip on a car because of the top. Unless it's a leaky t-top car... those seals arent cheap.

I do seem to notice that the hardtop cars are much less rust prone in the floorboards because, presumably, water never really gets inside them. I'd be lying if I said I didnt want a T-Top car, but I love my hardtop car. Also I find the whole logistical issue of T-Tops discouraging. You gotta put em in their bags and throw em in the back, and then put em back on when you get to where you're going unless you just want to leave your car open while you're away. And then you gotta do it all over again on the way back home... just seems like I'm too lazy to be messing with that kind of thing. Id just leave them on all the time, which means it's silly to have them since they cause so many other issues.

My car is a hardtop with SFC's and that thing is rock solid as far as body flex/twist. It will rock on jackstands all day long.

 

I just voted T Tops. With that said I had a T Top Vette before and can definitely vouch for the pain of taking them off and putting them on each trip. Where I worked it was mandatory for security and where I live now I would not leave them off overnight. However I would not trade my T Top car for a hard top.

 

You can always just forget they are removable like I do when fall approaches. Good to lock them down also.

 

While I had a T-Top IROC and had zero issues, I did find the removal and replacement of the T-Tops annoying. Plus, they weren't really a vert...

I'm looking at a hardtop GTA right now...I still like the t-top look...but after a drive in a hardtop we'll see...

 

iam on my 6 third gen (87 hard top formula 350) and I've had all ( ttop convertible and hardtop ) and I honestly love the hard top more you just have lest worries of any watter geting in (ttop) and geting your top riped (convertible)

 

I wouldn't think twice about buying another T-Top if I had the choice.. I never drive mine in the winter, or when it is raining out. Usually during the summer months, I take the tops out and leave them home.. It is kind of a pain in a$$ but worth every moment when driving down the road.

 

I like riding in t-top cars but for performance reasons I'd rather have a hard top car. I grew up around performance cars and drag racing at the track and hard tops are the way to go. My car is a hard top car and there are times during a cruise I wish I had t-tops but I still prefer the hard top.

One thing I do miss that was only available in 67 is cozy wings opened up on a hot summer day. They would direct the air right onto you and it was like having AC. It wouldn't look right on 2nd gen and later cars but I miss the rush of air they provided.

 

I have a hard top, but I wanted a T-top. The pole question is a too restricted, which is best?, that depends. I like the look of the t-tops, and they nice for cursing when the weather is right. But I think most will agree they can be a lot trouble, tend to rattle, leak, make the body less ridged. I like my hard top just fine and it's more practical for me. Where I live, it's too hot in the summer and too wet and cold in the winter to get much use from the T-top cool factor. I could only take them off 2 or 3 weeks out of the year. Still, it's hard to beat the look of a nice 3rd gen with the T-tops off.

 

I ended up finding a t-top car which was my first choice, so I'm pretty happy with what I got.

 

Mine's a T-top, but I wish it was a hard top. No leaks and cleaner lines. Seems like a lot of people with hardtops would rather have t-tops and vice-versa.