Hi Folks,

I am considering trading my '98 coupe for an '01 vert (less miles, 6spd, and a few other reasons). I was wondering (more from the vert folks) what your take was on a vert -vs- coupe. The one I am looking at is priced pretty good ($28k with 30k miles, and loaded), but am on the fence with the vert thing.

Having never owned a vert, I wonder if there are any issues that you folks know of that may sway me towards or against it..

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated...

Thanks,

-C

 

Me too. I'm just paying off mt Y2K coupe and now that I've paid admission I too am thinking about "upgrading"(flame-suit donned) to the vert. Vert just feels more open.

 

I've owned both and the vert was a blast to drive but i wouldn't simply trade in my targa for a vert. Sounds like a big waste of money to me.

Why do you really want the vert? Because of the 6spd? Ever consider just getting a stall?

Stalled Auto > 6Spd

 

Well, living in S. Cal my vert has the top down a lot of the time. If you live in an area where you can take advantage of the good deal on that one. I have NO regrets on having my vert. And, it sure does get lots of attention!!!

 

Very good point BlownV6. It is not just the trans or top, more a combination of mileage (I have 82k on mine now, and want to put a supercharger on it), trans (although a stall would help, I still like the feel of a 6spd on my commute better), and general age. I am on the fence on the vert part, but will wind up getting a newer car either way.

I appreciate your comments...

 

I am in Atlanta, which allows for the top down most of the year too..

I am going to take a test drive in a few hours...

 

I live in frozen NY and own two verts. The 6 speed Vette gets stored for the winter, but my wife's Sebring is year 'round. The past few 60 degree days have been top down in hers. I can't imagine not having at least one convertible unless you live at one of the poles. As much as I like other types of Corvettes, I did not consider buying anything but the convertible. Might I also suggest getting HUD and Z51?

 

Don't underestimate the strength of these engines. 82K miles is nothing for an LS1. I know of atleast 2 guys with LS1's over 100K miles with superchargers and no problems whatsoever.

As a matter of fact one of them has been running a maggie for a good 35K miles.

 

First, full disclosure. I've driven verts since about 73. Have had one almost the whole time.

Some cons:

If you plan to do much track stuff, you are going to have trouble without a roll bar. You'll get tossed from most strips in near stock trim (around here it's anything <13.5 I think). A few HPDE events will let verts run, but usually only in the slow run groups. I've done some in mine, and it's OK, you just can't approach the limits of the car safely.

A little more wind noise than a coupe with the top up. Nothing objectionable (but refer to my full disclosure above - I'm biased)

Less luggage space. But I took a 14 day road trip last year and two sets of clubs fit with the top down.

The car doesn't look as good a coupe with the top up. IMO, with the top down, it's one of the prettiest cars ever made, more than making up for this con.


Pros:

Top down driving is just amazing. It's a completely different experience than driving a coupe. You exerience the elements in ways you wouldn't even think of... air temp changes, sunshine, etc.

As mentioned above, IMO, the vert with the top down wins the beauty pagent hands down.

Spring days/Summer evenings (really hot days aren't fun if you are in traffic and can't "air it out").

Warm fall and winter days.

Cold days - I frequently pop the top when it gets into the upper 40s and low 50s. Heater on witha leather jacket... good to go.

The top has a great mechanism for raising and lowering. It's VERYfast and easy, though you do have to get out of the car.

More than anything, I'd encourage you to spend an nice day in a vert. Weigh the feeling you get against the cons listed by me and others.

Good luck with your choice. The good news is, there's no bad new. Either choice is great.

 

a convertible Vette,ummmmm, no substitute
there really arent any cons about it imho, verting becomes a way of life. think about it.....if you have a convertible LeBaron,your real cool,quadruple that with the Vette!

 

100% agree, but I am looking for a car to keep for many many years, and since I really want a manual and am going to make a move, I will go lower miles.

Any SC over 100k miles is a true sign of an extremely well built motor...

Great remarks bud.. thanks!

 

Wow man. That is exactly what I was looking for (honest pros and cons from an owner). I truly appreciate the time you spent on that!

I am certainly leaning now...

 

If you plan to travel anywhere keep in mind that there is no trunk space. We would never have a vert simply because we love to travel and we love to play golf...it holds two full sized golf bags, several suitcases, ice chest and all sorts of other things.

Additional note- I know it's not quite the same as a vert, but with the targa top off it's almost like a convertible. Besides, my wife feels a little more "secure" with the targa "rollbar" and back window there. We have the top off every chance we get.

happy driving not matter what you buy... the important thing is it's a VETTE!!!!

 

Since the early 70's, I've made it a point to always own at least 1 convertible, and never regretted it (and hey -- I live in Minnesota!). There is just no substitute for top-down motoring -- and I agree that a C5 with the top down wins the beauty contest.

Modern convertibles have very few problems compared to the earlier years. No air or water leaks on my C5 -- a little noisier than a coupe perhaps, but the pro's definitely outweigh the con's IMO -- and by a large margin.

 

Excellent comments above by TripleBlackxTwo. I would add easier to vandalize and enter a convertible and bad news if you flip a convertible. Insurance may be slightly higher on the convert. However there is nothing like the top down feel in the right weather and on the right road.

 

Glad it helps. Always glad to try to convert someone to open air motoring.

One last Pro: Top down, nice day, loud music, good radar detector, and...

 

I have the best of both worlds.

Coupe with painted and glass tops.

Three (3) looks with one car!

 

Really great comments guys... Thanks!

All up to the dealer now (and the test drive of course)....

 

I like the look of the coupe better myself but hey, whatever floats your boat a vette is a vette!

 

Before I bought my car - I thought I wanted a coupe. I liked the idea of a convertible, but thought with the hot Arizona summers, I'd never use it. I also told myself that the road noise with the top up (canvas flapping, wind noise, etc.) would be a PITA. I also worried about potential vandalism/break in issues. As far as the issues about "tracking" the car - I don't care because I don't do that. SCCA Solo II autocross doesn't care about that because you don't go above 70mph.

Turns out none of that is really an issue. I've owned this car 2 1/2 years, and I almost never drive it with the top up! Occasionally at night when the temps drop below 50 and my wife is in the car or mid afternoon when it's over 110 in the summer in traffic. Other than that - it's top down all the time!

I cannot imagine life without a Corvette convertible. My wife is not one of those prissy women who worries about her hair or any of that. She loves the car top down almost as much as I do. There have actually been times where she has asked me on a summer night - "Can we go for a ride in the Vette?" She lays her head back and closes her eyes and claims this relaxes her better than anything else.

We love the convertible and it's the best decision I ever made!