Coupe vs Vert price difference
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
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From: Tolland CT
For me personally, $5K LESS for a convertible, for the majority, $5K more.
I had one once, hated the flex, rattles, etc. JMO..
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I agree. Folks either want a convertible or a coupe, each for their own reasons.
In my limited mind, the terms "convertible" and "performance" were never a good marriage. Especially in older cars. And, to a certain degree, even in the newest cars. Structurally, you just can't beat "closing the loop" with a roof, doesn't matter what the year or car.
In my limited mind, the terms "convertible" and "performance" were never a good marriage. Especially in older cars. And, to a certain degree, even in the newest cars. Structurally, you just can't beat "closing the loop" with a roof, doesn't matter what the year or car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
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From: Austin Tx
I agree. Folks either want a convertible or a coupe, each for their own reasons.
In my limited mind, the terms "convertible" and "performance" were never a good marriage. Especially in older cars. And, to a certain degree, even in the newest cars. Structurally, you just can't beat "closing the loop" with a roof, doesn't matter what the year or car.
In my limited mind, the terms "convertible" and "performance" were never a good marriage. Especially in older cars. And, to a certain degree, even in the newest cars. Structurally, you just can't beat "closing the loop" with a roof, doesn't matter what the year or car.
Actually, did you know the vast majority of the high performance L88's were convertibles? The convertibles were lighter, and with the hardtop had much better aerodynamics than the coupe.
The main difference in the price is simple market dynamics, if 50% of buyers want coupes and 50% want convertibles, and if only 10% of the available market is convertibles - it's pretty simple to see why there is a premium.
Last edited by Mashman; Mar 8, 2012 at 02:49 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Gs,
In 1971 the coupe was $237 MORE than the convertible.
$5533 Coupe- $5296 Convertible.
For a true project car, $500 more?
For a really well done restoration, $3000-$5000 more?
Regards,
Alan
In 1971 the coupe was $237 MORE than the convertible.
$5533 Coupe- $5296 Convertible.
For a true project car, $500 more?
For a really well done restoration, $3000-$5000 more?
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Given a comparable condition for a particular year, I would give the convertible a 10-15% advantage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
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From: San Jose CA
Easily 30% or more. It is not relevant what the cars cost new. That was then and this is now.
Coupe owners will consistently give you a lower percentage. While not true in all cases, many more coupe owners wish they had a convertible than the other way around. In fact, I don't recall a single post ever from a convertible owner who wished he owned a coupe. That demand causes the large price difference.
One more thing, driving a coupe with the T-Tops off is no where close to driving with a convertible top down.
Coupe owners will consistently give you a lower percentage. While not true in all cases, many more coupe owners wish they had a convertible than the other way around. In fact, I don't recall a single post ever from a convertible owner who wished he owned a coupe. That demand causes the large price difference.
One more thing, driving a coupe with the T-Tops off is no where close to driving with a convertible top down.
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Verdad Gallardo
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
When I bought my first Corvette in 1977, I bought a '65 BB roadster because the Sting Rays were the "entry level" cars and convertibles were unpopular.
Times change.
However, the old line "the price goes up when the top comes down" is true of not only Corvettes but most cars. It's just simply true that convertibles always (not '63 of course) command a premium in the market. It's fine to prefer a coupe, but if someone paid more for a coupe, they are throwing money away.
It depends on the year. A decent original 68-69 SB convertible could easily fetch $23-25k, while a comparable coupe could bring $15k, give or take a grand.
A '75 convertible could be high teens, while a similar coupe could be 9-10.
The market difference is consistently substantial.
Times change.
However, the old line "the price goes up when the top comes down" is true of not only Corvettes but most cars. It's just simply true that convertibles always (not '63 of course) command a premium in the market. It's fine to prefer a coupe, but if someone paid more for a coupe, they are throwing money away.
It depends on the year. A decent original 68-69 SB convertible could easily fetch $23-25k, while a comparable coupe could bring $15k, give or take a grand.
A '75 convertible could be high teens, while a similar coupe could be 9-10.
The market difference is consistently substantial.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
A C3 is in a different market than a C5 or C6.
Most C5 and C6 cars are still daily drivers. Overall, a coupe is a much more practical and comfortable daily driver. Many more C3 cars are weekend or "fun" cars. Nothing more fun than driving with the top down.
Bottom out of C5 market? A C5 is more an old car than a classic.
Last edited by Clubby99; Mar 8, 2012 at 07:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
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From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
The 1975 was the last year for the convertible (for almost 10 years) and because of that, it was also the last time the convertible was cheaper than the coupe. From 1986 to the present, the convertible is now more expensive than a coupe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
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From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Easily 30% or more. It is not relevant what the cars cost new. That was then and this is now.
Coupe owners will consistently give you a lower percentage. While not true in all cases, many more coupe owners wish they had a convertible than the other way around. In fact, I don't recall a single post ever from a convertible owner who wished he owned a coupe. That demand causes the large price difference.
One more thing, driving a coupe with the T-Tops off is no where close to driving with a convertible top down.
Coupe owners will consistently give you a lower percentage. While not true in all cases, many more coupe owners wish they had a convertible than the other way around. In fact, I don't recall a single post ever from a convertible owner who wished he owned a coupe. That demand causes the large price difference.
One more thing, driving a coupe with the T-Tops off is no where close to driving with a convertible top down.
Coupes are for chickens!
Just kidding! I don't want to P any devoted coupe guys off. Had to chime in with that since somebody else beat me to the "when the top goes down the price goes up" line.
Since my '68 only comes out on nice days, I want to be able to enjoy it. I can't drop the top on my daily driver. I've owned other T-top cars and they just ain't the same as driving a convertible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
I put up with those conditions too for the pleasure of open air driving. But the addition of a spreader bar between the front shock towers and a Sharkbar between the soft top mounts eliminated the majority of them. Still not quite as much fun as gassing it with my hand and shifting with my foot on my Fatboy, but damn close.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Tampa Florida
OK, I'll post it again....I bought my '71 LS5 4 speed Convertible in 1975 right after I sold my '69 350/350 4 speed coupe.
To this day, I wish I had held out and kept looking for a Red/Black 350 4 speed coupe like Alan 71's.