Why are no legitimate car review companies commenting on the tops?

[dcfan22]

How old are the two cars you referenced? Vert tops do wear and end up looking like crap - but after years not months. Mine started wearing 3 weeks after purchase. I have seen several new Camaro verts on lots with rub marks from the factory.

If they start looking bad in the first 500 miles they are really going to look bad a lot sooner than most. My 2 cents

Originally Posted by 5thGenIndy500

All I can say is that my friend has a mustang with the cloth top and it has the same problems rub marks and all. I saw a newer Nissan Z with a black cloth top the other day and the top looked like crap (worse than any I have seen). I think if anyone was going to review tops you would find that they are all the same!

[bulllett]

Originally Posted by dcfan22

How old are the two cars you referenced? Vert tops do wear and end up looking like crap - but after years not months. Mine started wearing 3 weeks after purchase. I have seen several new Camaro verts on lots with rub marks from the factory.

If they start looking bad in the first 500 miles they are really going to look bad a lot sooner than most. My 2 cents

Not to mention leaks, holes worn through and broken bows (with denials of responsibility on GM's part). And the fact that my 4 other verts did not have these rub mark problems (though with age they had plenty of other problems, lol). But let's not go down that road. That subject has been bantied about for quite some time, throughout this forum.

Originally Posted by The_Blur

If Consumer Reports reports the issue, it still won't fix anyone's top. I don't see how this produces any results to be honest.

I don't think that is the intention. The intention would be for consumers to be able make informed decisions about their purchase (as the Consumer Report model is said to do. They position themselves as a company that will warn you about quality and problems that are associated with a product. Their motto says it all, "Test , Inform, Protect"). The "results" would be that the consumer can make an informed decision, being aware that there is an issue with the tops.

It just plays into the "bury the issue" concept that has been prevalent throughout these problems.

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Sadly, the name of CR fails to reflect the reality of what goes on there. How many pro-Honda reviews can you write? They seem to have a serious bias issue over there.

They are starting to get down on Honda also. (Rightfully so) But it is strange how the review mags say nothing. Wonder what advertising revenue has to do with it?

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by 5thGenIndy500

All I can say is that my friend has a mustang with the cloth top and it has the same problems rub marks and all. I saw a newer Nissan Z with a black cloth top the other day and the top looked like crap (worse than any I have seen). I think if anyone was going to review tops you would find that they are all the same!

Any top will have fold marks if you leave it down all the time. But how many of the others have holes in them? Probably none.

[evlar]

If you guys are Consumer Reports members like me... you should consider completing the survey on your camaro and be honest about the tops. I also added a review telling buyers to beware.

[Fnfalguy]

Simply put, follow the money!

[theragtopguy]

Originally Posted by Fnfalguy

Simply put, follow the money!

x2.....that's what I meant when I said 'politics'

Grease the right palm and things are swept under the rug.......

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by evlar

If you guys are Consumer Reports members like me... you should consider completing the survey on your camaro and be honest about the tops. I also added a review telling buyers to beware.

I was a member, and wrote a long list of complaints about my Subaru. ( a real nightmare) Never even heard back, and never saw any negatives in the mag either. I wonder if they cherry-pick also.

[Michael Rophone]

Originally Posted by dcfan22

I have seen several new Camaro verts on lots with rub marks from the factory.

Those tops are not rubbed from the factory. That's from the dealer dropping the top and leaving it down on the lot, in the showroom, or on test drives.
I saw mine roll off the trailer without a single mark or a ripple.
Down twice since then...but never again.

[OrangeVert]

Why? One possible reason: lawsuits. Bad reviews and fault identification by car review companies = loss of sales $$$ for car manufacturers. Although I understand, it doesn't make me feel any better. Driving around with the top down does, though. :-) Still need to bring Catherine in for adjustments and 2nd gear grind, slight depressions but no holes or significant wear yet @2,850 miles. Love this car - but do I want to risk top ownership after the warranty expires? The jury is still out.