vert versus coupe?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Cranston RI
vert versus coupe?
Any pros/cons on convertible over a coupe? I live in the Northeast, and the car will be a garage queen most of the time. Local driving on weekends is about it. For my budget, looking for a 2000. Previously owned a 63 split window, 75, and 76 coupes. Never owned a convertible, so would be novel for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
Suggest contacting a local club (if you aren't already a member) and driving each. As far as pros and cons, the coupe has a larger pay load than the vert but the vert gives a true open air driving experience over the coupe. 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: NJ
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I have a Camaro convertible and a C5 coupe. I LOVE both. I couldn't part with the convertible because there is nothing like it. If you never had a convertible and want one. Get it! It's sooo much fun. The best is driving on a warm summer night with the top down. Or... just getting tan in the sun!
Pros: awesome w/the top down cruising
makes everyone look twice
Cons: easy for theives to knife your top and steal things or the car.
could be dangerous at high speeds: for example, a roll-over
The C5 has no power top
That's all I can think of at the moment!
Pros: awesome w/the top down cruising
makes everyone look twice
Cons: easy for theives to knife your top and steal things or the car.
could be dangerous at high speeds: for example, a roll-over
The C5 has no power top
That's all I can think of at the moment!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
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From: Des Moines Iowa
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
We had a new '74 coupe before the kids came along,and had to sell it when the family started growing.
After the last one finished college,we decided it was time for another Corvette.This time it had to be a convertible,since we never had one before.
We use it here in CT from early May untill the first snow falls,with many
good Summer and Fall days for top down cruising. Go for it!
After the last one finished college,we decided it was time for another Corvette.This time it had to be a convertible,since we never had one before.
We use it here in CT from early May untill the first snow falls,with many
good Summer and Fall days for top down cruising. Go for it!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 20
From: Liberty Hill Texas
Good questions..My thoughts (I think they are worth about -.002 now 
)
I have a 2000 coupe. It's a GREAT car. Top is easy enough for me to take off or put on. You will want to "practice" it a few times and you need to always MAKE SURE you lock it down when you put it back on, etc..
When I was looking for my car, I was going back and forth between a vert and a coupe. I got the coupe because it was going to be my DD and I never owned a vette or a convertable before. If I ever get another one, it will be a vert. And I really have nothing bad to say about the coupe. It's just that I find the top is off more then it's on, so it really would make sense for me to have a vert instead. Manually putting the top off/ down (or off /on if you have a coupe) only takes a few seconds, is not difficult and requires no tools (C5/C6). Coupe tops lock down in the back of the cars so they are secure when driving round. A vert with the top down looks about as good as a car possibly can.
I think you have to figure out what your going to use the car for and how you like to drive. Then make the choice based on those requirements. Either one is a GREAT car and a lot of fun to drive.
)I have a 2000 coupe. It's a GREAT car. Top is easy enough for me to take off or put on. You will want to "practice" it a few times and you need to always MAKE SURE you lock it down when you put it back on, etc..
When I was looking for my car, I was going back and forth between a vert and a coupe. I got the coupe because it was going to be my DD and I never owned a vette or a convertable before. If I ever get another one, it will be a vert. And I really have nothing bad to say about the coupe. It's just that I find the top is off more then it's on, so it really would make sense for me to have a vert instead. Manually putting the top off/ down (or off /on if you have a coupe) only takes a few seconds, is not difficult and requires no tools (C5/C6). Coupe tops lock down in the back of the cars so they are secure when driving round. A vert with the top down looks about as good as a car possibly can.
I think you have to figure out what your going to use the car for and how you like to drive. Then make the choice based on those requirements. Either one is a GREAT car and a lot of fun to drive.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 145
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From: Texarkana AR
I just bought my first Vette and it's an 03 convertible. Before I bought it I also drove an 03 coupe that was just the same (even the same color, Mellinium yellow!). The coupe was a couple of thousands cheaper and had about 20,000 miles less, but I just had to have the convertible. Our last car was also a convertible (Sebring) so my wife and I knew that we would want a vert. I have absolutely nothing against coupes, but my choice is top down! 
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Missouri
I love my coupe, no doubt, but if I had to do it over again I would get a vert. The main reason is because I really like to take the top out and cruise, but the coupe act like a big wind scoop and it's just crazy windy in there at speeds over 50.
Personally since I have no hair to speak of, it doesn't really bother me, but my wife get's all pissy about it and it can take some of the fun out of the day.
Wait a minute! Maybe the problem isn't with the coupe at all...
Personally since I have no hair to speak of, it doesn't really bother me, but my wife get's all pissy about it and it can take some of the fun out of the day.
Wait a minute! Maybe the problem isn't with the coupe at all...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,052
Likes: 253
a rush..
Any pros/cons on convertible over a coupe? I live in the Northeast, and the car will be a garage queen most of the time. Local driving on weekends is about it. For my budget, looking for a 2000. Previously owned a 63 split window, 75, and 76 coupes. Never owned a convertible, so would be novel for me.
you won't be as fast off the line as a coupe,but how many times do you really want to be....live in the northest and savor the days even more....you'd bake in many of the sunshine states at this time of year..
always the roadster for me
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
I have the coupe, and bought a product called ventmaster to cut down on the interior turbulence. It basically keeps the rear hatch open about an inch to let the high pressure air out of the car. Not the most elegant look in my opinion, but keeps the cabin relatively calm with the coupe tops off.
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-8...entmaster.aspx
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-8...entmaster.aspx
I love my coupe, no doubt, but if I had to do it over again I would get a vert. The main reason is because I really like to take the top out and cruise, but the coupe act like a big wind scoop and it's just crazy windy in there at speeds over 50.
Personally since I have no hair to speak of, it doesn't really bother me, but my wife get's all pissy about it and it can take some of the fun out of the day.
Wait a minute! Maybe the problem isn't with the coupe at all...
Personally since I have no hair to speak of, it doesn't really bother me, but my wife get's all pissy about it and it can take some of the fun out of the day.
Wait a minute! Maybe the problem isn't with the coupe at all...
