How easy is lowering the roof?

[stevewiles]

I've been looking around trying to find some info on how easy it is to lower and raise the roof.
Can any one point me to some info?

I had a Eunos years ago and it was dead simple.

Cheers

[Big Brin]

It's really easy, but the roof doesn't 'lower in the traditional sense. The Eunos is simple I agree. The Chimaeras and Griffiths both have a fibre glass 'insert' roof. To lower the roof you have to pull on the aluminium strutts on each side of the roof (to the rear of the seats) and this lowers the back section, leaving the insert ready to come away and be inserted in the boot. Putting a Griff' roof in the boot is a bit of a performance, but the Chimaera has such a large boot openning it is dead easy.

Rgds, Brin

[TVR keith]

I thought the roof was carbon fibre?

[Slacey]

I have just come from a 2002 MR2 Roadster to a Griff, and the roof is a complete ballache in comparison - the Roadster roof could be dropped an lowered with one arm while sat in the car! I don't have any trouble getting the targa roof in the boot (took the spare out) but it's still a long winded process.

As for the targa, it's GRP with a carbon look finish on the inside panel.

Edited by Slacey on Thursday 10th August 09:58

[jonathant]

I've not timed myself, but I reckon I can easily put the roof on (from an empty boot) in less than 30secs.

[Don]

Practical matters:

1) It is easy to put the roof on and take it off on a Chimaera.
2) It is NOT as easy as it is in a MX5/Eunos Roadster because you HAVE to get out of the car to do it.
3) This is because only the rear section of the roof raises and lowers - the forward section over the top of your head is a hard panel (made of carbon fibre) that can be removed and put in the boot - by hand manually - none of yer mechanical stuff here.
4) If you are carrying luggage this is a pain in the arse as you have to take the luggage in and out to put the roof in.
5) The Mrs and I got the whole luggage out, roof out, luggage in, roof on and sealed up procedure down to about 30 seconds work - its amazing what you can achieve when a sudden cloudburst concentrates the mind.

The roof has certain advantages however. It is VERY space efficient and so there is a large luggage area behind the seats not found in most folding roof roadsters. Its disadvantage is the need to get out of the car and put the hard panel in the boot.

Yer pays yer money yet takes yer choice.

[jasandjules]

It is easy enough to do. What more do you need?

[FlipFlopGriff]

If you don't like the system buy an MR2/MX5. Lots of disadvantages here too like where's the engine gone.
FFG

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Friday 11th August 22:31

[herbie hammer]

No problems at all - once you have practised a few times and avoided the inevitible nick in the paintwork on the right hand wing as the lid goes in.

Agree with Don about the luggage bit, best to make sure everything is in small/medium bags and nothing is loose as this makes it a lot easier to get things out in a hurry.

HH.

[Gaffer]

TVR keith said:

I thought the roof was carbon fibre?

Its fiberglass with a kevlar overlay on the inside (hence the CF pattern) and fabric on the otherside.

Claire

[Don]

FlipFlopGriff said:

If you don't like the system but an MR2/MX5. Lots of disadvantages here too like where's the engine gone.
FFG

Or spend a mint and get a Merc SLK AMG. Just as quick and the fully metal rood magics away at the touch of a button...if you don't mind half the boot being unusable...

Like I say. Yer pays yer money yer takes yer choice.

I've never had a problem with my Chim's roof - its system has advantages - there again as convenient as a leccy folding hard or soft jobbie it just ain't.

[richb]

Slacey said:

I have just come from a 2002 MR2 Roadster to a Griff, and the roof is a complete ballache in comparison

It may not be a one handed operation but it's certainly not a ballsache. Like most people on here I can do it in less than a minute. On the plus side i) when up it's much more like a roadster with a solid hard-top fitted because it dosen't flap about at speed and ii) it looks much better than many of the pram roof type arrangements one sees. Oh and iii) it uses less space and iv) it's lighter than any electric motor type things... pro's and con's I guess but it's certainly not an issue.

[ATG]

Horses for courses. You probably won't find yourself lowering the roof for a five minute run to the shops. Similarly if you've got luggage in the back, unless you're very confident that the weather is going to be fine, you may be dissuaded from having to bury half the roof behind all your luggage. Flip side is that the roof is a simple and elegant design that doesn't break, doesn't impinge on the boot or the parcel shelf and doesn't weigh much.

[fatboychim]

While on holiday in France last year me and my mate with a CLK 500 had a roof race. My roof was in the boot but unbagged and I started out of the car. I beat him marginally, however whilst he looked and felt quite cool ( well as cool as you can in a CLK)I was hot and flustered and looked particularly unglamorous.

So, to summarise, if you want to be all James Bondy get a CLK, whereas if you want a car the French(or most nationalities) crowd around even when you're sweaty, get a Chim

[stevewiles]

Thanks for the all the info.
I asked the question purley out of interest ist's ceryainly not going to stop me buying one.
I'd seen reference to putting bits in the bott and I wasn't really clear, now I am.

[tvrbubblecar]

Since someone told me how to get the back right down so I can use the rear view mirror my hasn't been up for 2 months

[fatboychim]

tvrbubblecar said:

Since someone told me how to get the back right down so I can use the rear view mirror my hasn't been up for 2 months

Care to share your technique?
I park mine in the sun and then push it down really hard.

[tvrbubblecar]

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=270372&r=3739030&hm=34715#3739030

You will find the bit about the velcro tabs in here - first reply

cheers
Chris

Edited by tvrbubblecar on Friday 11th August 23:01