Fixed roof vs. Coupe
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Fixed roof vs. Coupe
I'm in the market for a C5. I know someone selling an '02 cammed and slammed ZO6 but I'm not sure if I want a fixed roof. I drive a Camaro SS now and love to take the t tops off and cruise around. I'm just asking for opinions of why guys prefer one over the other. Thanks
#2
Race Director
First of all - understand that the Z06 is much more than simply a badge and a different style roof. The Z06 has a different engine, transmission, limited color availablity, limited option availability, different suspension, even the chassis structure is stiffer.
A C5 Coupe with the removable roof panel can be modified at considerable expense to perform at a Z06's level.
Why would someone chose a Z06 over a coupe - I would have to say performance, and they don't care that much about the removable top.
Personally - I drive a convertible, so my opinion in this question means nothing.......BTW, welcome!
A C5 Coupe with the removable roof panel can be modified at considerable expense to perform at a Z06's level.
Why would someone chose a Z06 over a coupe - I would have to say performance, and they don't care that much about the removable top.
Personally - I drive a convertible, so my opinion in this question means nothing.......BTW, welcome!
#3
Melting Slicks
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Roof vs. performance. Only you can decide.
I settled on an m6 coupe because I wanted the removable roof. I take it off every chance I get. I also love the lexan top vs. the painted top. When its on, the cockpit seems so much brighter than with the solid top.
Good luck with your search and post some pics when you find what you want.
Dave
I settled on an m6 coupe because I wanted the removable roof. I take it off every chance I get. I also love the lexan top vs. the painted top. When its on, the cockpit seems so much brighter than with the solid top.
Good luck with your search and post some pics when you find what you want.
Dave
#4
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I like coupes as I think it's the best body style (C5) that has ever been on a sports car and it's the best of both worlds, open and top on.
#5
Race Director
Another thing to think about is that you don't have to get a Z06 to get a fixed roof car. Starting in 1999 Corvette produced fixed roof editions (FRC) until the advent of the Z06. The ragtops, Z06's and and FRC's provide a truck for storage. The coupes have storage behind the seats.
#6
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I love my coupe, the option of tops or no top, and the fun of modding for performance. Mine came with the Z51 package, and getting Z06 performance is a great deal of the fun. I personally have not found it to be that expensive. My vote is for you to get what YOU want, the rest can come as part of the joy of Vette ownership. I too came from the F-body croud, and have not looked back.
Picture is with the body color roof on right after purchase. Lots of nice mods since then.
Picture is with the body color roof on right after purchase. Lots of nice mods since then.
#7
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A C5 Coupe with the removable roof panel can be modified at MINIMAL expense to perform at a Z06's level.
Very easy to get 50 hp more out of a LS1. The M12 is geared a little different and you have different springs, shocks and sway bars.
The Z06 is about 100 lbs lighter so just lay off the Big Macs
I've said it many times. "It's a lot easier to get Z06 performance out of a Coupe then it is to take the top off a Z06"
#9
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#10
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I have a coupe now and if I could do it over again, I would get a Z06. I very rarely take the top off of my car so I could care less about that. The coupe has better aerodynamics over the Z06. But since you said you like to take the tops off of your SS, then I would say go for the coupe. Best thing to do is go test drive both and see which one you like the best.
#12
When I went into the market looking to buy a Corvette, my intentions were to purchase a FRC and slowly but surely upgrade it to a z06 with mods etc, but I soon realized find a FRC was beyond rare lol. So then it was a choice between the coupe and the z06. I looked at both and truly decided to go with a coupe simply because having the top off kicks major ***. I enjoy it alot. Also, im not a high-performance driver, so me owning a z06 wouldnt do much justice given that I would never really push the car to its full capabilities and I believe someone else deserves that then me.
I will say this, I prefer the frc look alot more than the coupe and my next car(which will be a c5 z06) will definitely be purchased within 1-2 years.
I will say this, I prefer the frc look alot more than the coupe and my next car(which will be a c5 z06) will definitely be purchased within 1-2 years.
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For me I like the body of the coupe much better, As for power you can have a lot of fun setting up the car the way you like, The perfect C5 for me would be a coupe with the ZO6 engine, drive line and suspension.
JMO.
Bill K
JMO.
Bill K
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I had a 96 before with removable tops, I didn't take the tops off much. So when I was shopping for a C5, I looked at all models. I liked the look of the FRC's, with the way the top drops off befpre the trunk. Instead the low sloped back of the coupe. But since there weren't many available, I opted for a Z06. More power, great performance, great looks, and when you say you have a "Z06" people go "ooooooh". Sure you can mod any vette to get equal power of a Z, but it still ain't a Z.