Convertible vs Coupe
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,864
Likes: 0
From: Stuck in Paradise
Vert only for me, unless it's a split window coupe 
BTW, i had one of the new wind screens, the glass ones, I drove around for days putting it on and taking it off and I could not tell any difference. They look real
but quite expensive for not working so I sent it back.
BTW, i had one of the new wind screens, the glass ones, I drove around for days putting it on and taking it off and I could not tell any difference. They look real
but quite expensive for not working so I sent it back.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Sterling Heights MI
Pro's and Con's
VERT
Pro's
Great ride
Slightly better way to feel the wind then the coupe
Con's
MUCH more dangerous then the coupe. If you ever rolled one, just bend over and kiss it goodbye because your windshield WILL buckle, and you'll be missing a head
Rag top, meaning it is prone to leaks, exspecially the older ones.
Worse to deface. Defacing a coupe means to key it, defacing a vert means to stab holes in the rag top, something that will require immediate repair.
COUPE
Pro's
Pretty much the same "wide open wind" ride as the vert.
Much safer: with a support behind you as well as in front of you, rolling with the top off is the same as rolling in any other coupe.
Seals much better: you don't have to worry about a leak.
You're top can't be cut through
It's more difficult to break into then a vert, since a vert can simply be cut into without the car alarm going off.
Con's
A slightly weaker "open air" experience
The top takes up the trunk space
IMHO, the coupe when it comes to a Vette is the better choice. If it were any other car, I would say go with the vert, but when you can have a removable hard top, thats the direction I would go.
VERT
Pro's
Great ride
Slightly better way to feel the wind then the coupe
Con's
MUCH more dangerous then the coupe. If you ever rolled one, just bend over and kiss it goodbye because your windshield WILL buckle, and you'll be missing a head
Rag top, meaning it is prone to leaks, exspecially the older ones.
Worse to deface. Defacing a coupe means to key it, defacing a vert means to stab holes in the rag top, something that will require immediate repair.
COUPE
Pro's
Pretty much the same "wide open wind" ride as the vert.
Much safer: with a support behind you as well as in front of you, rolling with the top off is the same as rolling in any other coupe.
Seals much better: you don't have to worry about a leak.
You're top can't be cut through
It's more difficult to break into then a vert, since a vert can simply be cut into without the car alarm going off.
Con's
A slightly weaker "open air" experience
The top takes up the trunk space
IMHO, the coupe when it comes to a Vette is the better choice. If it were any other car, I would say go with the vert, but when you can have a removable hard top, thats the direction I would go.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,040
Likes: 24,727
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Both are a blast to drive. I bought my coupe because I needed the extra storage space and I like the body style better. Plus I can still have open air driving by taking the targa off. My suggestion would be drive one of each and then make your own decision.
2018 Grand Sport
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 755
Likes: 21
From: Tarpon Springs Florida
First of it is owner preference. Do like a vert dont get me wrong. I own a coupe. I think the coupe has more storage space for one. I have the best of both worlds with the top off the coupe. With a vert you have more sun and air with the top down. Very nice. Then you have the waterfall with the vert.
Like I said very first statement it comes down to what you really want. Good luck in your choice.
Like I said very first statement it comes down to what you really want. Good luck in your choice.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Only ever had the vert so I can't comment on the C5 coupe. I have driven a C6 coupe though. Also I don't have the long hair problem. When you get to my age I'm just glad to have hair.
The Vert is fantastic but you probably wouldn't want to arrive at a fancy party or a business meeting after a ride with the roof down. The wind noise is great up to about 70 and then it gets a little more difficult. I used to drive mine daily in Vegas. 45 degrees or 125 degrees the roof was down - because I could.
With the top up its as refined as a coupe any day.
And, the trunk of the Vert is enormous. Did a road trip for a week with a 26" suitcase, a travel bag, laptop and camera case.
Go for a Vert. You won't be sorry.
The Vert is fantastic but you probably wouldn't want to arrive at a fancy party or a business meeting after a ride with the roof down. The wind noise is great up to about 70 and then it gets a little more difficult. I used to drive mine daily in Vegas. 45 degrees or 125 degrees the roof was down - because I could.
With the top up its as refined as a coupe any day.And, the trunk of the Vert is enormous. Did a road trip for a week with a 26" suitcase, a travel bag, laptop and camera case.
Go for a Vert. You won't be sorry.
Last edited by DeeGee; Mar 13, 2007 at 01:04 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,049
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
I have owned coupes and verts and I enjoy the vert 10 to 1. If you have never owned a vert then it is difficult to understand what it is really like driving a vert with the top down...good luck with your decision
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 5
From: Forsyth Illinois
Only ever had the vert so I can't comment on the C5 coupe. I have driven a C6 coupe though. Also I don't have the long hair problem. When you get to my age I'm just glad to have hair.
The Vert is fantastic but you probably wouldn't want to arrive at a fancy party or a business meeting after a ride with the roof down. The wind noise is great up to about 70 and then it gets a little more difficult. I used to drive mine daily in Vegas. 45 degrees or 125 degrees the roof was down - because I could. With the top up its as refined as a coupe any day.
And, the trunk of the Vert is enormous. Did a road trip for a week with a 26" suitcase, a travel bag, laptop and camera case.
Go for a Vert. You won't be sorry.
The Vert is fantastic but you probably wouldn't want to arrive at a fancy party or a business meeting after a ride with the roof down. The wind noise is great up to about 70 and then it gets a little more difficult. I used to drive mine daily in Vegas. 45 degrees or 125 degrees the roof was down - because I could.
With the top up its as refined as a coupe any day.And, the trunk of the Vert is enormous. Did a road trip for a week with a 26" suitcase, a travel bag, laptop and camera case.
Go for a Vert. You won't be sorry.
I can put 2 complete golf bags, ( big cart bags) in the trunk with the top down and we can go to the course.
Try that in a Boxter
Mark
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Owned two coupes, 76 and a 95. Currently own a 02 vert. I would go with the vert even though they are a little more expensive.
My vert, with the top up is much quieter than I thought it would be when I bought it. With the top down wind is no different than any other convertible out there. Put your hair up in a pony tail and have your husband wear a ball cap if so inclined. You may discover that you love the feel of the wind blowing through your hair.
I've heard people say that removing the top on a coupe makes it just like a convertible. Don't believe it cause it isn't, in my opinion, true. There is nothing like setting in a wide open convertible and driving down the road!
Just my $0.02 worth.
My vert, with the top up is much quieter than I thought it would be when I bought it. With the top down wind is no different than any other convertible out there. Put your hair up in a pony tail and have your husband wear a ball cap if so inclined. You may discover that you love the feel of the wind blowing through your hair.
I've heard people say that removing the top on a coupe makes it just like a convertible. Don't believe it cause it isn't, in my opinion, true. There is nothing like setting in a wide open convertible and driving down the road!
Just my $0.02 worth.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
I've had both, convertibles and now the targa/coupe Corvette. Each has it's advantages. It's true, you get a wonderful wide open feel in a 'vert, but my wife whined about the wind and her hair, the targa coupe is a nice compromise. Every time I wished to drop the top, an argument ensued, and I would get stuffed, the coupe offers more wind protection for her, and sunshine for me, win/win!
John
John
Last edited by Black 'n Tan; Mar 13, 2007 at 09:56 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
I would vote for the Vert, you can't beat the open air driving experience, my S/O has long hair and she just throws a ball cap on for the ride or puts her hair in a pony tail. If I didn't have to have a Vert, I would have got a Z06.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Stevensville Maryland
I'm 5' 8" with medium-long lenghth hair. I drive 20 miles a day with my top down doing 70 - 75. I don't use a baseball cap or hair tie but I do wear sunglasses to prevent my hair from whipping me in the eyes. I actually really like my sexy blown hair look after I get home. :o
My vert rocks
My vert rocks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
Pro's and Con's
VERT
Pro's
Great ride
Slightly better way to feel the wind then the coupe
Con's
MUCH more dangerous then the coupe. If you ever rolled one, just bend over and kiss it goodbye because your windshield WILL buckle, and you'll be missing a head
Rag top, meaning it is prone to leaks, exspecially the older ones.
Worse to deface. Defacing a coupe means to key it, defacing a vert means to stab holes in the rag top, something that will require immediate repair.
COUPE
Pro's
Pretty much the same "wide open wind" ride as the vert.
Much safer: with a support behind you as well as in front of you, rolling with the top off is the same as rolling in any other coupe.
Seals much better: you don't have to worry about a leak.
You're top can't be cut through
It's more difficult to break into then a vert, since a vert can simply be cut into without the car alarm going off.
Con's
A slightly weaker "open air" experience
The top takes up the trunk space
IMHO, the coupe when it comes to a Vette is the better choice. If it were any other car, I would say go with the vert, but when you can have a removable hard top, thats the direction I would go.
VERT
Pro's
Great ride
Slightly better way to feel the wind then the coupe
Con's
MUCH more dangerous then the coupe. If you ever rolled one, just bend over and kiss it goodbye because your windshield WILL buckle, and you'll be missing a head
Rag top, meaning it is prone to leaks, exspecially the older ones.
Worse to deface. Defacing a coupe means to key it, defacing a vert means to stab holes in the rag top, something that will require immediate repair.
COUPE
Pro's
Pretty much the same "wide open wind" ride as the vert.
Much safer: with a support behind you as well as in front of you, rolling with the top off is the same as rolling in any other coupe.
Seals much better: you don't have to worry about a leak.
You're top can't be cut through
It's more difficult to break into then a vert, since a vert can simply be cut into without the car alarm going off.
Con's
A slightly weaker "open air" experience
The top takes up the trunk space
IMHO, the coupe when it comes to a Vette is the better choice. If it were any other car, I would say go with the vert, but when you can have a removable hard top, thats the direction I would go.
I'd also add, the Vert has extremely limited trunk space, whereas the coupe has lots. Also, even with the roof stowed, there is still more room in the trunk underneath and in front of the roof than in vert's trunk. Takes longer to transition?? I can remove or install my top in under 20 seconds. Buffeting?? The buffeting with the roof off only starts at about 90-100... Below that, it's very comfortable. My wife's hair gets messed up a lot less on the Coupe than it did on a convertible I used to own which was almost as bad as the Harley.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: Middletown PA
Pro's and Con's
VERT
Pro's
Great ride
Slightly better way to feel the wind then the coupe
Con's
MUCH more dangerous then the coupe. If you ever rolled one, just bend over and kiss it goodbye because your windshield WILL buckle, and you'll be missing a head
Rag top, meaning it is prone to leaks, exspecially the older ones.
Worse to deface. Defacing a coupe means to key it, defacing a vert means to stab holes in the rag top, something that will require immediate repair.
COUPE
Pro's
Pretty much the same "wide open wind" ride as the vert.
Much safer: with a support behind you as well as in front of you, rolling with the top off is the same as rolling in any other coupe.
Seals much better: you don't have to worry about a leak.
You're top can't be cut through
It's more difficult to break into then a vert, since a vert can simply be cut into without the car alarm going off.
Con's
A slightly weaker "open air" experience
The top takes up the trunk space
IMHO, the coupe when it comes to a Vette is the better choice. If it were any other car, I would say go with the vert, but when you can have a removable hard top, thats the direction I would go.
VERT
Pro's
Great ride
Slightly better way to feel the wind then the coupe
Con's
MUCH more dangerous then the coupe. If you ever rolled one, just bend over and kiss it goodbye because your windshield WILL buckle, and you'll be missing a head
Rag top, meaning it is prone to leaks, exspecially the older ones.
Worse to deface. Defacing a coupe means to key it, defacing a vert means to stab holes in the rag top, something that will require immediate repair.
COUPE
Pro's
Pretty much the same "wide open wind" ride as the vert.
Much safer: with a support behind you as well as in front of you, rolling with the top off is the same as rolling in any other coupe.
Seals much better: you don't have to worry about a leak.
You're top can't be cut through
It's more difficult to break into then a vert, since a vert can simply be cut into without the car alarm going off.
Con's
A slightly weaker "open air" experience
The top takes up the trunk space
IMHO, the coupe when it comes to a Vette is the better choice. If it were any other car, I would say go with the vert, but when you can have a removable hard top, thats the direction I would go.
To the contrary, the coupe looks the best of the three available rooflines, (coupe, vert, FRC).
That is all just my opinion of course, but my opinion is worth more than anybody else's...
to me!
