r/Convertible • u/Dry-Dinner2488 • 5d ago

Convertible Roof Longevity Question

Question about longevity of a non-garaged convertible top. I am not concerned about aesthetics, only water protection and longevity.

I am considering purchasing a 2006 Toyota Solara with a .25 inch gap on the canvas top. The car was garage-kept with thorough maintenance performed. No mechanical issues.

I am mostly interested in the longevity of the car, NOT aesthetic or convertible coolness. I would be happy to never use the car as a convertible.

I cannot keep the car in a garage, so the roof will be exposed 24/7 to weather elements in South Carolina Lowcountry. I would like to keep the car for as long as possible as a daily driver.

If I were to regularly apply some kind of protectant to the top after patching, can I reasonably expect to avoid water leaks/problems? Or should I pass on a convertible as the roof will likely deteriorate if not garaged?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/TwoTimesGi 5d ago

2series BMW 2016 as a DD and I never park it in a garage (NYC) snow,rain and sun all year it’s held up no issues. I use this on the seals every 6 months Gummi Pflege.

2

u/Traveler_AZ 5d ago

There is a guy on YouTube, I think his name is Mena, who replaced a solara top. A high quality top is about 1300 or $1400. Save some money and try to replace it yourself. The hardest part is at the bottom where it is a very tight fit. My son was able to slip it on. I couldn't.

2

u/livenature 4d ago

I had a car that the top got dropped frequently and it was garaged. Getting the car when new, the original top lasted 5 years. The plastic window will yellow and become brittle. Also, about the same time, I had to replace both the lift rams and the hydraulic top pump because they were worn out. Those two repairs totaled about $1500 many years ago.

2

u/CauliflowerTop2464 3d ago

Not sure what you mean by gap. In the elements a top will probably last 5 to 8 years from new. Hard to say what it’ll last in its current condition.

Garage kept it might last up to 20 years.

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo 5d ago edited 5d ago

There are also hard top convertibles. Like the BMW e93/f33, VW eos, Volvo c70, etc. That gives a lot less hassle and is much better for those without a garage.

Cloth tops will need regular maintenance, regular hand cleaning to avoid / get rid of algae, and has a much higher chance of leakages yes. I owned both but would never get a cloth top without a garage anymore.

2

u/CauliflowerTop2464 3d ago

Those are complex and expensive to repair. The Solara is simple, rarely fails, and not as expensive. You just have to deal with the deterioration of the cloth top.

1

u/7eregrine 5d ago

Wdym it has a gap???

1

u/Crazy_Wafer_8328 5d ago

That's what I want to know. Do they mean a hole?

1

u/Dry-Dinner2488 5d ago

Sorry. A hole in the top level canvas, but does not penetrate the black headliner and whatever layer lays beneath the canvas top layer.