fcoppola

I am in the market for a 07-09 C6. In my price range there are a number of nice convertibles (I do have a soft spot for topless driving). What I'm concerned about, is the practicality of a convertible vs. a coupe.

If it were a second car, I'd go with a vert in no time flat. But until we get a hard top convertible, I'm leaning to a coupe for a DD.

What are the general thoughts on this?

My background:

Previously owned: 86 vert/74 vert/04 coupe

vdavenp802

I can't really think of any issues/problem/concerns. Where you live you would be able to enjoy tops down to the max. For me that is a bigger plus.

davidtcpa

My Vert is not a daily driver. But if I did not have kids to drive, it would be. Although for long trips the trunk space is a little small, I would have zero with it as a DD (except the kids won't fit in the trunk ).
I don't see the big difference between a coupe DD and a Vert DD. In fact, getting the top off with the auto top is very easy.

LTC Z06

The car is fine for a DD, but here it the biggest reason a coupe might be better for a DD than a roadster.
It's more practical.

davidtcpa

Wow, that is a lot of shhhhttuff to lug around!!!

Corpsvette

You live in Texas, get the roadster and don't look back.

laconiajack

Coupe gives you twice the luggage space, less skin cancer.

Xedes

Is it true that all verts come equipt with oversized sunglasses and a silk scarf to keep your hair in tact?

2vette2

Why? Are they too big or are you just being nice?

calmtgguy

The C6 coupe's hatch back and how much it holds makes it a super practical two seat sports car. The visibility in the coupe is great, and with a transparent top the interior is light, bright and roomy feeling. You can quickly remove the top for open air driving.

Now think about everything I just said, and imagine driving a vert with the top up, and it's little trunk??? The cool thing about a convertible is how easy it is to get the top down, and driving it that way.

davidtcpa

I guess I am being too nice!!!!

RicemanZ06

In my case I have a Yukon XL to carry any big stuff like my Great Dane. How many times are you going to carry a lot of load in your car? You have had 2 convertibles and a coupe, what are your pros and cons? Get the one with the power top!

Flexinator

for me it was hard to justify getting a convertible in the C6 generation:

the coupe looks better with top up/on/off (my opinion), cost less to buy and maintain, and you have A LOT more trunk space, as a daily driver it's the obvious choice, that's what I use it for at least.

- Felix

RLSebring

There's going to be 100% Coupe and 100% Vert owners chime in. So here's my 2 cents...

I've had (actually just picked up an 08 coupe) and have an 08 Coupe and 08 Vert and a couple of other vehicles.

The Vert is my daily driver and there is rarely a day that goes by that the top is not down. I do have very nice sunglasses and a bottle of roll on sunblock that I keep in the door panel cubby.

I really don't see a down side to either. I driven both in just about every kind of weather and have driven long trips in both.

My preference is the Vert and it's panoramic view. I guess if I was claustrophobic driving with the top up a lot might get to me but such is not the case. Both heat and cool just fine.

The biggest advantage I do find though is we have to travel light. Big difference from traveling in the dually. We put in a couple of soft sided bags AND when on the road it's nice to remind the wife "No can't buy that No room" Actually probably paid for the Vert in savings from shopping.

Bottom line is if you have to carry stuff the Vert offers not much room but I believe for fun factor either will do.

rip74

I had a convertible daily driver (in Houston near League City) and it was not exactly the best for most of the summer days here. It just gets too hot to not be sweaty when you get out after a daytime drive. High humidity and 100* temps. I dropped the top alot over the 10 years I owned it but I prefer hardtop/t-top/targa now!

fcoppola

I opted for the shaved head and opted out of the silk scarf but kept the Sun Glasses!!

Tally Ho

I went from a C4 vert DD to a C5 vert DD to my current C6. I can honestly say that the C6 is the best of them hands down. The indexing windows were a long time coming. No air leaks and no water leaks.

fcoppola

Here are my thoughts so far and a few questions ...

I like the look of the coupe better than the vert with the top UP. Even in both the verts I have had, I never really liked how they look up. Point - coupe.

I LOVE topless driving - point vert (maybe half point since coupe can remove the targa)

Space - I have a GF with a trailblazer so if we need to haul, we take that. I have 2 medium sized dogs who I may need to lug when she's not around. -point coupe

Now the questions ..

Maintenance issues - targa vs soft top

in both my verts I have had issues with tearing, cracking, etc of the cloth top. Keep in mind I am a bad corvette owner and rarely if ever park it in my garage, but I do have a parking garage at work where it will be out of the elements.

So how well does the top wear? It will bake in the TX summer heat - will it fade/crack/etc? Is there maintenance required for it or the mechanics (electrical or manual) such as lubing the joints, etc?

Migs08

I disagree. With the top up, the vert has better visibility through the rear window than the coupe through the rear hatch glass.

Also, the optional power vert top is much easier to put down than removing and stowing the targa top. You can power the vert top down without leaving the driver's seat.

Just my 2 cents. Either way, you're driving an American icon!

davidtcpa

Not in my Vert!!