What warrants a top replacement - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 10-21-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sswiss3000

So, today, after 10 days at the dealership I went to pick up my car as they had to re-order an entirely new roof liner (they made a burn hole) as well as new window seals (they cut them up), which will take at least 1 week. When I got it home I realized that the windows started to fog up (it has been raining the past few days). When I checked the back foot area I found a nice big puddle of water. Also as you can see on the last two pictures the top does not retract all the way and is completely uneven too. What a great to repair this turns out to be!!!

Tomorrow my dealership (DeKalb Sycamore Chevrolet) will see what a very unhappy customer looks like

I had this ****ing car for over 2 years with out ever having one drip of water in it, and now this.

P.S. I already removed the most of the water when I took this picture.

sswiss3000,

Very sorry to read about the continued convertible top concerns. I understand the displeasure when dealing with a matter like this. How did your return visit turn out? If additional assistance is needed, I'd be happy to communicate your concerns with the Customer Experience Managers (CEM) at your GM dealer. Please know that you're welcome to message us privately if you would like to discuss this further, or if you simply want this matter documented.

Kindly,

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

sbubbaklein · 10-21-2014, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGMTF

Could someone provide a brief overview of what exactly is happening? As I understand it something is rubbing, but why are you guys getting new tops over little scuffs? I think I am missing something.

I am curious because I am in the market for a convertible Camaro and am looking to buy used. I am now worried the top might be trashed when I buy a car. How long do they last? Am I going to have to replace the top every 2 years for as long as I have the car?

It may be a little scuff in surface area however the top fabric is almost fully scuffed through. It then becomes a hole. The hole lets rain into the car. The car begins to mildew and smell. Water collects on the floor causing surface corrosion. The surface corrosion develops into rust perforation.

My car is 71 days out of warranty and has only 18K miles. It has been garaged all of its life and my expectation is that the top should last longer than 3 years and 18K miles. A new top is over $1000 plus labor, quite a penalty to pay for just driving the car with the top down. It is a convertible and designed to be driven with the top down.

The top fabric is scuffing the next panel back when the top is folded. The fabric is evidently abrasive and rubs against each other due to vibration, wind etc. It should be more durable.

MGMTF · 10-21-2014, 07:37 PM

Okay well a scuff turning into a hole makes sense to be a cause for concern. So is there any fix for this? I agree that a top should last longer. Is the wear worse when the top is up, down, or when going between the two?

sswiss3000 · 10-21-2014, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGMTF

Okay well a scuff turning into a hole makes sense to be a cause for concern. So is there any fix for this? I agree that a top should last longer. Is the wear worse when the top is up, down, or when going between the two?

The wear mostly occurs during the top down situation. I guess the cycling it self may be part of it, but the road vibrations with the top down is the worst of it. Additional you shouldn't keep a top down for too long as it is all wrinkled and squished up in that position.

theragtopguy · 10-21-2014, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGMTF

Could someone provide a brief overview of what exactly is happening? As I understand it something is rubbing, but why are you guys getting new tops over little scuffs? I think I am missing something.

I am curious because I am in the market for a convertible Camaro and am looking to buy used. I am now worried the top might be trashed when I buy a car. How long do they last? Am I going to have to replace the top every 2 years for as long as I have the car?

If you stay away from the pre-13's you should be ok. It was the early models that had issues.

MGMTF · 10-22-2014, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

If you stay away from the pre-13's you should be ok. It was the early models that had issues.

Oh great...lol used 2013s are hard to find and also listed higher than the 2011 and 2012 cars. Is it possible that when replacing the top, the 2013 one can be installed to prevent further issues?

theragtopguy · 10-22-2014, 08:33 AM

It could be done.....unfortunately dealerships don't do it that way.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MGMTF · 10-23-2014, 11:40 AM

So even if you paid them extra? Are there any special tools needed for replacing the top? I feel like it would be easier to just change it yourself.

sbubbaklein · 10-23-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGMTF

So even if you paid them extra? Are there any special tools needed for replacing the top? I feel like it would be easier to just change it yourself.

lots of adjustments needed to properly replace the top. The best bet is the dealership tech that has replaced one previously or has been in an early car that had the update bulletin done.

MGMTF · 10-23-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbubbaklein

lots of adjustments needed to properly replace the top. The best bet is the dealership tech that has replaced one previously or has been in an early car that had the update bulletin done.

I figured there would be a lot of adjustment necessary. It makes sense that you want someone who has done them before. With some people having issues with the dealer properly replacing it, would it be worth taking it to a shop that just does tops if the car is out of warranty?

rangomr · 10-23-2014, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGMTF

I figured there would be a lot of adjustment necessary. It makes sense that you want someone who has done them before. With some people having issues with the dealer properly replacing it, would it be worth taking it to a shop that just does tops if the car is out of warranty?

I read all these problems they where having with SOME of the Convertible tops and my car was built in Feb. 2012 & I bought it April 11, 2012 & have not had one problem with the top & yes with nearly 28,000 I'm sure half has been with the top down, or if not more. The top looks just like new.
With that said I hope it does not scare you away from buying a Camaro. I'm in the best Camaro club now called 5th Gen Camaro Club of the Carolinas. (I'm just 12 miles into Virginia) Michael in South Boston, Va. All the garbage about the tops did not scare me from owning my first Convertible & I truly love my 45th Anniversary Convertible

MGMTF · 10-23-2014, 10:19 PM

Oh it doesn't scare me lol. I would just like to know what to look for when looking at a used car. Chronic problems have never really deterred me from any car, but I wouldn't describe the top problems chronic.

95birdible · 10-24-2014, 11:25 AM

Garbage about the tops? Are you kidding me? It is real. I went the horror with my first 2012 that GM bought back. All the cars that were built through March 2012 it was a crapshoot whether you would get a good one or not. From what I have seen since 2011, there have been more problems with these cars than not. Haven't heard of to many 2013 or 14's having issues. Looks like it took GM 4 years to get it right. Us early owners were the R and D on these cars and we paid the price for it.

sswiss3000 · 11-04-2014, 07:47 PM

Today after several times of the Dealership calling me and stating the car is done, only to find out that several things were still wrong, they admitted defeat and asked/allowed me to bring my car to a convertible top specialist (Riggs Brothers).

While there are still several things that have to be fixed, it was a great feeling to finally drive it again. My perma smile returned instantly

10-22-2014, 08:33 AM	#35
theragtopguy Lifetime Philly Fan Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Central Florida Posts: 1,862 View My Garage	It could be done.....unfortunately dealerships don't do it that way. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15 CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE]

10-24-2014, 11:25 AM	#41
95birdible Drives: 2012 1SS Camaro Convertible Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Blaine, MN Posts: 1,674	Garbage about the tops? Are you kidding me? It is real. I went the horror with my first 2012 that GM bought back. All the cars that were built through March 2012 it was a crapshoot whether you would get a good one or not. From what I have seen since 2011, there have been more problems with these cars than not. Haven't heard of to many 2013 or 14's having issues. Looks like it took GM 4 years to get it right. Us early owners were the R and D on these cars and we paid the price for it. __________________ 2012 1SS Crystal Red Convertible "Cherry Bomb" Winner of the #NameThatCamaro Spring Special Edition "Green Flash"

11-04-2014, 07:47 PM	#42
sswiss3000 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Vert, L99 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Dekalb IL Posts: 360 View My Garage	My Car is back Home Today after several times of the Dealership calling me and stating the car is done, only to find out that several things were still wrong, they admitted defeat and asked/allowed me to bring my car to a convertible top specialist (Riggs Brothers). While there are still several things that have to be fixed, it was a great feeling to finally drive it again. My perma smile returned instantly Attached Images Last edited by sswiss3000; 11-04-2014 at 08:00 PM.

10-21-2014, 07:37 PM	#31
MGMTF Drives: 04 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD CCSB Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United States Posts: 42	Okay well a scuff turning into a hole makes sense to be a cause for concern. So is there any fix for this? I agree that a top should last longer. Is the wear worse when the top is up, down, or when going between the two?

10-23-2014, 11:40 AM	#36
MGMTF Drives: 04 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD CCSB Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United States Posts: 42	So even if you paid them extra? Are there any special tools needed for replacing the top? I feel like it would be easier to just change it yourself.

10-23-2014, 10:19 PM	#40
MGMTF Drives: 04 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD CCSB Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United States Posts: 42	Oh it doesn't scare me lol. I would just like to know what to look for when looking at a used car. Chronic problems have never really deterred me from any car, but I wouldn't describe the top problems chronic.