So answer me this important question.......are you going to refuse to take the local stripper with "FFF" implants out for a ride in your camaro because you are afraid the car is gonna roll over??????? DUH....

I'm glad I'm #4 on my local dealers list for a vert. If my poorly engineeered 69 SS/RS ragtop survived all those years without rolling over or twisting into a pretzel after all that I put it through I have faith that current engineering will make this new car all that it should be in a soft top version.....

 

So...you are on a waiting list at a dealer? Did you put down a deposit?

 

Sorry Jake, but it looks like you're arguing just for the sake of arguing here . JG said that *hypothetically* if it took ~20 lbs of roof structure for the T-tops, that was 20 lbs of weight that WOULD hurt the car's handling. The physics are correct, assuming NO other differences (which was his original point) so why are you trying to argue?!?!?

And just because it's "only ~12 lbs more for T-tops vs. non T-tops" still doesn't mean we need them in this car. I agree that there was more weight added BEFORE the "12 lbs" in anticipation OF the 12 lbs. AND, while I'm a big fan of the T-tops in my '02, I've seen the photoshopped pics of the 5th-gen w/T-tops, and I don't dig the look ... it's just not the same, IMO .

BESIDES, would we not rather GM put their time and money into designing and developing OTHER aspects of the car, instead of some items (T-tops and roll down rear windows) that will simply add weight to this car that we're already afraid is going to be too heavy as it is?????? (sorry, long sentence, I know! ) ..... I know I'm looking forward to a "light and tight" Camaro .

 

Thanks Pete. Add to that as others have suggested removing weight elsewhere, you need to keep in mind removing weight that is located lower on the car (brakes, wheels, etc) only makes the problem worse. You want to remove weight above the vehicle's center of mass. Lowering the center of mass improves handling and traction. If you need to add weight, you want add it around the frame of the car.

 

Just a quick question for you guys, shouldn't the vert' have quarter windows that roll down? In other words they will have to engineer this into the car somehow, no?

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??????????????????????

 

The government classifies convertibles differently than coupes and they have to meet different criteria and crash standards.

I wish I could word this more clearly but it is simply not possible...

If they could engineer t-tops into the car in a manner that it would remain safe, affordable and reliable, and meet all standards without increasing weight dramatically, they would have.

If they could engineer the car in a way that they can remove the B-pillar in a manner that it would remain safe, affordable and reliable, and meet all crash standards without increasing weight dramatically, they would have.

No car company does things the opposite of what their buyers want "just because". I have no idea why people think otherwise. Does anyone really think the engineers are going "Yeah...let's stick a B-pillar in there. Not because we need to, but just to **** them off and watch them cry a lot. It will be a laugh riot! Hey! Here's another idea! We could give them t-tops, but just for kicks...let's NOT let them have 'em! The ol' one-two punch, it will be a hoot. That will sell less cars? Who cares?? The auto industry isn't hurting for money these days or anything! Screw 'em! Hahahahaha!! Hey, someone give me a $100 bill so I can light my cigar."

Please let go of the "they could give us what we want but they just don't want to" conspiracy theory.. They know what we want, the signal is loud and clear. If they can do it, they will. This isn't 1969 and some things have to be different whether we like it or not.

 

The "vert" top would probably replace the windows.

 

Convertibles follow different rules than fixed roof sedans and coupes. Structurally cutting the roof off the top requires additional bracing to stabilize the frame. Basically you end up with more weight down low. I wouldn't be surprised if the production Camaro convertible ends up weighing more than the coupe. (I don't know if this is the case, but its possible.)

However to answer your specific question, they probably will roll down. Just look at the Mustang coupe and convertible.

 

I dunno, I can see my management saying stuff like that...


...but then again, I'm in the oil industry!

 

Sorry if this has already been said, but....

Couldn't this mean that there might be TTops? If so, I am completely ok with having a B pillar!!!

 

Re-read the whole thread please for the complete debate.

 

In '02 the vert weighs 134 more than the hardtop I would guees in '09/'10 there could be a similar difference

 

I certainly hope you don't think that this is what I was suggesting, I understand the reasons for the B pillar, weight, cost, etc. And to be honest with you I knew about the different standards regarding coupes and convertibles, I guess I was just thinking out loud.

It thus stands to reason that this feature could be available in the after-market, like what Caravaggio does with the targa for the Z06. Strengthen the frame and then use components from the 'vert for the quarter windows. Now I'm not saying I would do this and for the same reasons GM won't; weight and cost. But it might be a possibility with a little ingenuity.

Just food for thought, don't eat too much though.

 

If by replace you mean make them roll down for the verts. I can definatly see that.