I have the opportunity to get a low mileage 2005 ragtop.
It will be parked outside in New Jersey.
How many years should I expect it to last?
It will be parked outside in New Jersey.
How many years should I expect it to last?
Expected life of a 2005 Ragtop
- Thread starter bushmaster1313
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It would probably last about one good winter here in Indiana and then I would be ready to sell it. 
Just kidding. I have no idea how long it would last. I suppose a lot would depend on how much care it got. I'll be interested to see what the various car hacks here have to say.
Just kidding. I have no idea how long it would last. I suppose a lot would depend on how much care it got. I'll be interested to see what the various car hacks here have to say.
DeathGrip
US Veteran
I don't care where anyone lives, If you have a Rag Top it needs to be kept out of the nasty weather and blazing sun unless you don't want it to last.
The only way I see it is to drive it on days when it's going to be nice out. The rest of the time it stays in the garage. That makes it a toy.
What model?
The only way I see it is to drive it on days when it's going to be nice out. The rest of the time it stays in the garage. That makes it a toy.
What model?
jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
Hard to tell without looking at the top, but a 2005 top is probably close to the end of its life now.
I recently sold our 2001 Corvette convertible with 25,000 miles on it. The top looked like new but the car was stored inside during Southern Illinois winters and garaged during the summers except when driven which was not a lot. Weather exposure has more to do with it than time passing. The Corvettes have pretty high quality factory tops on them also.
OP
Toyota Solara
Well, in Trenton or Newark 4 -5 minuets tops
the rest of the state I got no idea.dereksfl
Member
Your worst enemy is the sun, it will due in the stitching. 2005, if it has been outside, is at the end of its life cycle.
Cpo1944
Member
My MB clk -430 is now 14 years old and still good, but it lives in a carport.
Black car black top grey interior. I still like it a lot.
Black car black top grey interior. I still like it a lot.
CW Spook
US Veteran
I had a '95 Jeep Wrangler that came with a new soft top when I bought it in '05. It sat outside the entire time I owned it and the top was looking as if it was about ready for replacement when I sold it in '12.
jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
My 2004 350Z was ready for a new top when I bought it in '08, but again, my ex wife has a 1985 CJ5 with the original top. It has probably sat outside a total of 3 years in its entire life.
OP
I got it after factoring in the likelihood of needing a new top sooner rather than later:
Being a 2005 model it's not a "new" car.
But it sure feels like it
Being a 2005 model it's not a "new" car.
But it sure feels like it
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
One thing about a rag top-NEVER LOCK IT. Thay way at least the burgulars won't have to slash the roof to get in.
JcMack
Member
If they're smart enough to try the doors first.
Does it have a hard plastic rear window? What will be cost of car insurance? What is cost of quality replacement top? Make sure the heater works. They're usually bigger in convertibles.
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