Targa vs. Vert
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
I have a convertible and really enjoy it. I was skeptical when I was looking at first, but it was a compromise from a ZO6 to a convertible with my wife. Having the open top makes it a car you truly will find yourself just going for rides in to enjoy it. Coming from a drag racing background I was leery at first with thoughts of convertible weight and loss of rigidity. With a corvette the top being manual there isn't a large weight increase, and they were designed to not really need the top for additional structural integrity. They are also surprisingly quiet with the top down. I'm sure I am a little biased, but until I have a track that is close enough to me to justify having a track car I think I'll stick with my convertible.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Bech VA
I have a 99 Vert and love it. The top is easy to put down or up in about 20 to 30 seconds. My wife can put the top down with ease. I've never had a problem with the top and no leaks. Lots of trunk space.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
The C4 Targa was a (PITA) they have two bolts in the front and two in the rear to remove the top... GM did a really great job on the C5.... It takes 3 secs to unlock the top and 5 more sec to remove it.... Although putting it back on take a little longer...
I have a Targa Top on my C4 and my C5 ... Like many others have said it is all what someone wants... If you heart is on a vert get a vert... I personally do not like the Vert as much... But again I never owned one so my thoughts are defiantly bias....
I have a Targa Top on my C4 and my C5 ... Like many others have said it is all what someone wants... If you heart is on a vert get a vert... I personally do not like the Vert as much... But again I never owned one so my thoughts are defiantly bias....
Last edited by Elite_vette; Jan 13, 2010 at 04:04 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: New England
I'm biased. I have a vert and wouldn't trade it for a coupe. There is nothing like the fun and feel of driving with the top down (putting the top up or down is very easy and quick for man or woman). However, I only drive my car in good weather. If you're going to use the car all kinds of weather (ie a daily driver), I'd lean to the coupe. I do suggest you drive both the coupe and the vert before making a decision. Enjoy. The car will put a smile on your face.
... 
... Me too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 6
From: Granite Falls WA
when you go shopping, take your wife along and play with the targa a bit to get the feel of it before you make any decisions.
jeff
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Long Island/Pompano Beach
IMO
The targa is not heavy but awkward to take off and more so to put on. Of course, I only got the car a short time before winter set in so maybe it gets a little easier with practice but I think my wife would have alot of difficulty.
The targa is not heavy but awkward to take off and more so to put on. Of course, I only got the car a short time before winter set in so maybe it gets a little easier with practice but I think my wife would have alot of difficulty.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Hmmm, more to ponder. My wife is 5'-2" as well, and not the strongest... Thanks for all of the info guys!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,989
Likes: 24,719
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
Vert top is a manual operation - didn't come out with a power top until the C6. The targa is easy to remove and replace - three latches and you lift off, then to replace you engage the three latches again. Just don't forget to latch it back when you put it on the car or you'll become a member of the flying roof club. 
Also, if you need storage space, the coupe is the way to go - tons of room back there.
Also, if you need storage space, the coupe is the way to go - tons of room back there.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
in my opinion the only way to go. there is nothing like cruising with the ENTIRE top down, lol..durability of the soft top depends on where you live and how the car is treated. if it is going to be a daily driver, stored outdoors both all day and all night, and you live in the UP of michigan, or in maine where the weather is pretty severe, the top will not last as long as if you live in south florida or san diego, have covered parking at work and garage the car at all other times. that's just logical. even so, i wouldn't be without a convertible (and i own one of each an 04 CE convert and a 78 pace car w/t-tops which i always find to be a pain in the rear). oh, and my daily driver is a spyder convertible, lol!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: Quarryville (near Lancaster) PA
Have had a targa for a few years now and without a doubt my next vette will be a vert. I really don't like the noise with the top off when driving faster than normal. Also, the targa top takes up too much space in the back when on a trip.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 173
From: Somewhere North of The 49th Parallel Ontario
I have an 03 Roadster and wouln't have anything else. I like the look of the car more with the top up, than down. It looks mean and aggresive for a convertible. When I go for a ride with my wife or by myself, who cares about luggage space, we can get all we need in there for a weekend and we have a grin from ear to ear to boot. What a great ride. JMHO though. Good luck in your quest.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Let me put it this way - my wife is 115lbs and she can remove the targa top herself and put it in the back for a drive and re-install it by herself!
But it is always easier if there is someone to lend a hand***
One main thing to remember is that you "DO NOT" want to belong to the FRC Club - that is the Flying Roof Club "ALWAYS" latch the roof back on when you re-install it - YES! people do say they'll do it later and then it fly's oof
Thanks,Matt
But it is always easier if there is someone to lend a hand***
One main thing to remember is that you "DO NOT" want to belong to the FRC Club - that is the Flying Roof Club "ALWAYS" latch the roof back on when you re-install it - YES! people do say they'll do it later and then it fly's oof
Thanks,Matt
