manual convertible top?

[Lov3Bug]

Today my husband went to test drive a silver 06 vert and the salesman said that one had to push the top up and down manually and be out of the car to do so.

This isn't right is it? I thought I'd seen something about someone having a clicker for opening and closing a vert top as a mod. Additionally there are all those extra buttons on the drivers side door.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by Lov3Bug

Today my husband went to test drive a silver 06 vert and the salesman said that one had to push the top up and down manually and be out of the car to do so.

This isn't right is it? I thought I'd seen something about someone having a clicker for opening and closing a vert top as a mod. Additionally there are all those extra buttons on the drivers side door.

There are some manually operated top bugs out there. Its rare, but they do exist. The power windows for all 4 windows is still standard equipment if i recall correctly. The power top OTOH, was in package 1 with a few other goodies.

The button for the power top is on the center console. Depending on the year and armrest style in that bug, but its pretty much right in front of the armrest (or under if you have the armrest style in almost all other bugs and jetta and golf.

[Lov3Bug]

I rechecked the dealer website and it says it's a manual convertible.

Does anyone have one here? How difficult is it for one person to manage putting it up and down.


Pros? (are there any?)

[SMG]

It should be more reliable for one. I'd take manual anything over something that depends on a bunch of electric motors any day.

[oceanjoe89]

Originally Posted by SMG

It should be more reliable for one. I'd take manual anything over something that depends on a bunch of electric motors any day.

although i have an electric top, i agree

[Palafox]

Originally Posted by Lov3Bug

I rechecked the dealer website and it says it's a manual convertible.

Does anyone have one here? How difficult is it for one person to manage putting it up and down.


Pros? (are there any?)

I found this, it glosses over the manual operation at the end

YouTube - VW Beetle Convertible Roof Operation

Personally top malfunction is one of my biggest nbc fears big money to fix. I kinda wish my top was manual, but if you live where weather changes every 5 minutes, you need the convenience of power top IMHO

[japple]

My understanding was that there are two types, manual and fully automatic. On my "manual" I have to push a button and turn a handle to release the front, then I pull a button to have the roof retract on it's own. On the full auto models it's all electric.

[topless kitty]

Originally Posted by japple

My understanding was that there are two types, manual and fully automatic. On my "manual" I have to push a button and turn a handle to release the front, then I pull a button to have the roof retract on it's own. On the full auto models it's all electric.

that's a power top, aka automatic. the manual has NO power, you turn the release and have to actually move the top down yourself.

[boogety boogety]

On the full auto models it's all electric.

No such thing on an NBC. You're thinking some models of BMW or MB.

On the NBCs, the top latch has to be manually disengaged before opening the power top with a hold-it-'til-it's down switch, and manually engaged when closing the top with a hold-it-'til-it's up switch...



As rare as manual tops are on NBCs, they're out there, congratulations on having one. You'll never have any motor problems with it. I'd miss the convenience of the power operation, though...

[unrlmth]

Just wondering, but with the manual top can you open and close it while seated? (Like a miata)

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by unrlmth

Just wondering, but with the manual top can you open and close it while seated? (Like a miata)

No.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by SMG

It should be more reliable for one. I'd take manual anything over something that depends on a bunch of electric motors any day.

AMEN ! Which is exactly why I bought a manual top NBC

[Lov3Bug]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

As rare as manual tops are on NBCs, they're out there, congratulations on having one. You'll never have any motor problems with it. I'd miss the convenience of the power operation, though...

I'm not convinced they are rare, at least here in Iowa. We went to look at another 2006 today and it was also manual. (aquarius blue, grey roof and interior)

[topless kitty]

Originally Posted by Lov3Bug

I'm not convinced they are rare, at least here in Iowa. We went to look at another 2006 today and it was also manual. (aquarius blue, grey roof and interior)

less common than power. ratio will probably vary based on demographics though, just like the amount of "regular" cars to luxury cars would. go somewhere with lots of money, you're going to find mostly loaded models around. in california everyone complains about traffic and buys automatics, so it's impossible to find a stick shift. in places in warmer climates you'll probably find more convertibles than places that have real winters, and more SUVS and AWD/4WD in areas that get snow. so on and so forth.

[kcfoxie]

I didn't know the 06's had manual tops... hm. Manual, 06, convertible with PD-TDI swap... why, yes. Yes indeedy. I like this idea.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

I didn't know the 06's had manual tops... hm. Manual, 06, convertible with PD-TDI swap... why, yes. Yes indeedy. I like this idea.

Yeah i think 06 was like the last year you could get a manual top maybe 07 ..

[Jeff2]

The NBC we bought for my daughter has a manual top. It works fine. One person can open and close it, but I think it's faster to have one person on each side when opening or closing the top.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by Jeff2

The NBC we bought for my daughter has a manual top. It works fine. One person can open and close it, but I think it's faster to have one person on each side when opening or closing the top.

It does go a bit faster with Two people. but whats nice you dont have to have he car runnig to put the top up or down ,

BTw where in Ohio ? Im In Toledo

[fredgirl13]

Originally Posted by bugsy98nb

Yeah i think 06 was like the last year you could get a manual top maybe 07 ..

Actually, I looked at a couple of '06 models before I found my car. Both of them were power with the button in the center console. Well, neither of those worked out for me. ( I think it was meant to be, honestly.) When I found the one that is now Scarlett, I got in it to check it out and looked all over for the little button to put the top down and it was nowhere to be found. That was when I learned that the manual convertibles existed.

And my car is an '08.

I think it all worked out, though. Seems like most power-top convertibles would prefer one like mine! It takes 30 seconds to put up and down (if that). That 30 seconds is worth it if it saves having to deal with all of the wiring and motors if something goes out!

[58and03beetles]

can some one PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post a video of them lowering and raising a manual top? how is the top secured in the down/open position? do your windows still drop 2 inches when you unlock the top handle ?