Convertible Drawback?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: DFW
Convertible Drawback?
Can y’all give me the drawbacks of a convertible C4 that would be particular to a C4. I’ve had a few verts in the past and know about the wind noise (CJ7) and potential for water leaking into you lap (MGB), but curious if there is anything about the C4 that I should be aware of.
I’m currently on the hunt for an LT4 car and am leaning towards a drop top, preferably with an hard top, instead of a Targa unless there is a reason to avoid it.
Thanks,
TX
I’m currently on the hunt for an LT4 car and am leaning towards a drop top, preferably with an hard top, instead of a Targa unless there is a reason to avoid it.
Thanks,
TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
I have owned multiple 4th generation Corvettes. They all will leak at some point unless you keep the weatherstripping fresh or replaced. Corvette-Rubber web site is great IMHO. The noise level is higher than a coupe but personally I like loud pipes. My current is a convertible that I just put a new top on last year. Just know if you buy one that needs a top you need to keep 2,000 in your budget for a good top and installer. I went with Robbins top and Doctor Don's in Memphis to install. Get what you like
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 186
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From: NJ
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
The convertibles will inherently have more frame flex than the coupe, so the handling would be slightly worse. GM did install an X-brace to somewhat mitigate this problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 804
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
All my convertible C2's C3's leaked (leak). None of my C4's did (do). You do need to keep up on the weatherstrip. As mentioned verts have less cargo space but...
the first and only time my father was in my 68 tripower 427 vert he disapproving stated there was no room in this thing. I replied I didn't buy to haul stuff. (same goes for any vert).
the first and only time my father was in my 68 tripower 427 vert he disapproving stated there was no room in this thing. I replied I didn't buy to haul stuff. (same goes for any vert).
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 532
Likes: 116
From: New Braunfels Texas
No leaks from my 96 LT4 convertible but I switched to a coupe for increased cargo capacity and the stiffer chassis. People have posted that a C4 vert with hard top installed is stiffer than a coupe though. As stated in above post there really is very little storage on one with the hard top installed.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 38
Likes: 10
I have had no issues with my C4 vert (first corvette) but I did buy a hard top because I love the look of it. The hard top does stiffen up the frame and way less wind noise, I prefer it so much that I may take out the soft top to get a little extra room for storage. One thing that I did do was remove the 3 piece ppf for the soft top and replace it with a full piece of ppf on the whole hatch as the hard top does not have the same foot print as the soft top.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 215
Likes: 84
From: Phoenix, Arizona
**re-read OPs post and saw LT4. My post is relative to a ‘89**
I’ve enjoyed my convertible. Though being in Phoenix, I kinda wish I grabbed a coupe so I could drive it year-round more comfortably.
Cargo space is very poor. A inconvenience to use in either scenario. Top on, you have a narrow window (maybe 12” tall) to sneak something back there. Otherwise you have to unlatch the back 2 clips and lift the backside of the top. Top off, you can tuck a fair bit under the soft top but you need to do some tetris to achieve it.
The top is super easy to take off and put on. My biggest gripe is the Velcro strip which fasten the sides of the top underliner, when the top is on. If I have my top on but windows open, they’ll underliner is just flapping in the wind.
Rear speakers are flush / flat in the cargo space. If you have cargo back there, it is inevitable the speaker mesh will have something on it.
I’ve enjoyed my convertible. Though being in Phoenix, I kinda wish I grabbed a coupe so I could drive it year-round more comfortably.
Cargo space is very poor. A inconvenience to use in either scenario. Top on, you have a narrow window (maybe 12” tall) to sneak something back there. Otherwise you have to unlatch the back 2 clips and lift the backside of the top. Top off, you can tuck a fair bit under the soft top but you need to do some tetris to achieve it.
The top is super easy to take off and put on. My biggest gripe is the Velcro strip which fasten the sides of the top underliner, when the top is on. If I have my top on but windows open, they’ll underliner is just flapping in the wind.
Rear speakers are flush / flat in the cargo space. If you have cargo back there, it is inevitable the speaker mesh will have something on it.
Last edited by ramahon; Aug 22, 2025 at 01:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 531
So one thing I noticed about my coupe is with the targa off, the steering column literally tweaks and I can feel the steering wheel shifting in my hands. rarely have the top off for that very reason. Do the convertibles experience the same body flex? For some reason, I picture a 96 vert with the top down just as solid as my 91 with its targa in place (still flexing but manageable).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 123
From: Birmingham AL
I had an ‘89 coupe and now have and ‘89 convertible. Coupe with top off was terrible with cowl shake. Convertible does not do this.
Also, coupe and convertible cargo floor space is identical through ‘89. Slanted rear speaker wall starting in ‘90 takes up a lot of floor space.
I can fit 1 large suitcase in as long as the top is up. Obviously much more space and easy to load with the hatch.
Also, coupe and convertible cargo floor space is identical through ‘89. Slanted rear speaker wall starting in ‘90 takes up a lot of floor space.
I can fit 1 large suitcase in as long as the top is up. Obviously much more space and easy to load with the hatch.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 17
From: ROWLETT, TX
Can y’all give me the drawbacks of a convertible C4 that would be particular to a C4. I’ve had a few verts in the past and know about the wind noise (CJ7) and potential for water leaking into you lap (MGB), but curious if there is anything about the C4 that I should be aware of.
I’m currently on the hunt for an LT4 car and am leaning towards a drop top, preferably with an hard top, instead of a Targa unless there is a reason to avoid it.
Thanks,
TX
I’m currently on the hunt for an LT4 car and am leaning towards a drop top, preferably with an hard top, instead of a Targa unless there is a reason to avoid it.
Thanks,
TX
84-96 Corvette C4 No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System | Vette2Vette
Be safe.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
Can you tell much difference on the street or is it something you won't notice unless you're on a track? It also looks pretty close to the jacking points. Is there still plenty of room to lift the car?
Last edited by Polo Vert; Sep 1, 2025 at 10:40 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 215
Likes: 84
From: Phoenix, Arizona
I would think there would be more body flex with vette2vette than X brace when the top is off, but interested in real life results. I would love to get rid of the X brace for accessibility.