exlration

do they drive differently? I know the coupe drives differently depending on whether the top is on or not. does the convertible drive like a coupe with the top off or possibly worse?

thanks guys
michael

byte_me

Well coming off an 84 Z51 coupe to my 94 Convert- I can say that the car feels every bit as solid as the 84 (not as harsh)- but much more refined! The vert's have a cross brace under the car that goes from (roughly) each jack point criss-crossed under the car...it stiffens the frame to deal with no top. The older C4's seemed to be a little ruff around the edges compaired to the later versions (no rubb against the older c4 guys) I guess it all comes down to preference really- but if you are looking for a road racer...you may want a coupe...only because it has more frame up-top....

but I would go for a vert myself- it is beautiful to go topless :-) ladies???

VenkmanP

Vert is definitely more solid than a topless coupe, because of the cross brace.

Vert is probably looser than a coupe with the top in, but not sure.

Vert with hardtop would probably be more solid than a coupe with the top in.

exlration

I will go with the vert!

Strick

I have the 92 GM video on the Corvette. Did you know that the vert has a lower center of gravity than the coupe? True. If you put a camber-brace and a cross-bar in, your vert will out corner a coupe, all other things being equal. BUT, if you want to race, the vert needs a roll bar if you get serious where a coupe might not need one as fast. Still, there is nothing like cruising at night with the top down. I got it, buy 2, a coupe for racing and a vert for cruising. Simple.

mitymek

verts heavier.go to slow.

corvetteronw

Have a go at this vert with your coupe!

Stv50

Convertible of course.

rocco16

When Pratt & Miller start building their cars in convertible form, I will consider a vert. ..maybe.
To me the Corvette is about performance above all else. You can profile with the top down all you want if that is your preference, but I like the image of take-no-prisoners speed...and that means 'coupe'.

Larry

jerkyboy

My 89 vert top down is stiffer than my old 92 with top out.
With my hardtop on, it is much stiffer than the 92 with it's top on.
I don't know about a lower center of gravity but the vert's suspension was raised compared to the coupe to clear the x brace hanging down. I took care of that little issue too.

c4cruiser

I have one of each. My 87 Z52 coupe is stiffer (even when the suspension was stock) but when you remove the top, there is definite cowl shaking that I don't really see in my 92 vert. The vert is prone to more twisting simply because of th lack of the coupes targa bar but the X-brace on the vert helps to tame some of the twisting.

The vert's ride height is higher than a coupe in order for the vert X-brace to have the same ground clearance as the coupe. Depending on the year, verts may also have different spring rates than coupes. But earlier C4 verts also got the same frame stiffeners that werre installed on Z51 and Z52 cars.

But put a factory hardtop on a vert and the whole picture changes! My vert with the hardtop is much stiffer than the coupe. All of the typical squeaks and rattles that are usually associated with verts completely disappear. My 92 vert felt much stiffer than my 87 coupe at least until I added a camber brace, cross-bar and Z51 shocks and poly bushings.

So yoou might get a vert and add a hardtop and you will have a great-handling car with the hardtop on and cruise in the sun with the top down.

Marlin in Minn

Depends on whether it'll just be street driven or if you'll want to take it to the track. My vert spent the first 9 years of its life as a weekend cruiser. Now the only mileage it sees is at the race track. Like Strick said, you can race the verts...but it will cost you more money in safety equipment..

oldace84

Vert's are the Koooooolest.
If I could do it all over. A vert would be my choise!

Rocky Rothrock

As stated before..nuthin beats gettin blown in a vert

TD-Machines

lb33knight

Verts!!!!

VenkmanP

That extra 60 lbs is a killer.

SilverBeast

My '96 CE is like a rag doll with the top off! I made a post about it and found X-brace for $300 bucks, but don't have that kind of cash yet. I'll definitely put it on, (maybe Santa will bring me one!). In the meantime, when the top is off the vert rules for body stiffness.

F1Fan

Here's my opinion...

I've got a '95 coupe, with cross bar, camber brace and the vert x-brace. It's not bad, but my '99 SS (Camaro) feels 10x more solid. Granted it does have the subframe connectors and shock tower brace, but there is no comparison which is a more solid car. Not one squeak or rattle, ever.

The vette has never been damaged. The small amount of shuddering I still experienced when I took the targa top out was dissapointing and unacceptable to me. I won't drive it with the top out anymore

If the 'verts are worse, I don't think I could stand it!