Targa vs. Vert
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Neosho MO
For a female removing the targa top, it is a little on the awkward side, as previously mentioned, it's not heay, but kind of bulky to lift off, get turned around, and stowed inside the hatch. But man, when it's off.... 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Also keep in mind how the car looks with the top up. The coupe looks complete with the top up and with the targa removed, the lines still flow and nothing is disrupted. With the convertible, I just can't stand the looks of them with the top up. But that is confertibles in general. The car just looks awkward. But with the top down on the Corvette it looks like sex for a convertible. Makes me wonder why I see so many Verts in summer time with the tops still up. Hell most of the time I see a Corvette with the top off is a targa.
-Alex
-Alex
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 173
From: Citrus Heights CA
Also keep in mind how the car looks with the top up. The coupe looks complete with the top up and with the targa removed, the lines still flow and nothing is disrupted. With the convertible, I just can't stand the looks of them with the top up. But that is confertibles in general. The car just looks awkward. But with the top down on the Corvette it looks like sex for a convertible. Makes me wonder why I see so many Verts in summer time with the tops still up. Hell most of the time I see a Corvette with the top off is a targa.
-Alex
-Alex
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
Just got my Targa 6 weeks ago... 1st time I took the roof off it took me about 2-3 minutes (I was VERY careful and did not want to damage anything and felt quite uneasy)...
After doing it once (& stowing it in the back) I now consider it an easy task...
I even surprised myself when I took it off this past Sunday--I would estimate it took me less than 1 minute from unlocking the levers to secured in the cargo area...
I LOVE the Targa!! (& so does my wife who says it does not "blow her hair" like some of my prior convertible cars)....
After doing it once (& stowing it in the back) I now consider it an easy task...
I even surprised myself when I took it off this past Sunday--I would estimate it took me less than 1 minute from unlocking the levers to secured in the cargo area...
I LOVE the Targa!! (& so does my wife who says it does not "blow her hair" like some of my prior convertible cars)....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 1
From: PALM COAST Flordia
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Carlisle PA
Have had out 99 coupe for 6 years and love it. We have both tops so we can switch around when we get tired of one. Like them both equally. Not hard to take off and put on.
BEST OF ALL WITH THE COUPE YOU HAVE A TON OF TRUNK SPACE WITH THE TOP ON (TWICE AS MUCH AS THE VERT. IF YOU PUT THE TOP IN THE TRUNK THEN YOU STILL HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF SPACE (ABOUT SAME AS VERT WITH THE TOP UP).
BEST OF ALL WITH THE COUPE YOU HAVE A TON OF TRUNK SPACE WITH THE TOP ON (TWICE AS MUCH AS THE VERT. IF YOU PUT THE TOP IN THE TRUNK THEN YOU STILL HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF SPACE (ABOUT SAME AS VERT WITH THE TOP UP).
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by AlexSmith
Also keep in mind how the car looks with the top up. The coupe looks complete with the top up and with the targa removed, the lines still flow and nothing is disrupted. With the convertible, I just can't stand the looks of them with the top up. But that is confertibles in general. The car just looks awkward. But with the top down on the Corvette it looks like sex for a convertible. Makes me wonder why I see so many Verts in summer time with the tops still up. Hell most of the time I see a Corvette with the top off is a targa.
-Alex
Also keep in mind how the car looks with the top up. The coupe looks complete with the top up and with the targa removed, the lines still flow and nothing is disrupted. With the convertible, I just can't stand the looks of them with the top up. But that is confertibles in general. The car just looks awkward. But with the top down on the Corvette it looks like sex for a convertible. Makes me wonder why I see so many Verts in summer time with the tops still up. Hell most of the time I see a Corvette with the top off is a targa.
-Alex
My first Vette was an 86 Coupe, that targa was a pain to take off but an really roomy car, occasionally I would do my food shopping with it.
My 2nd Vette was a 92 Convertible and that car looked great with the top up or down. A lot of fun but very little storage space, no trunks on these.
My 3rd and current Vette is a 99 Coupe...love the styling, interior space and mostly drive it with the top off. Don't miss the convertible and I agree with Alex that the convertible looks awful (too small a roof)
with the top up. You do get a trunk with a C5 convertible. As far as
taking the targa roof off, it's light and easy to take off but kind of bulky to handle, that's why I generally don't handle it too much.
Jerry
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 3
From: East Tn.
I had both and now have two verts, the biggest draw back is I can't go to the strip if I wanted, but it no big deal
Put down the top and your cares just slide right on by unless you drive by a pig farm
The only coupe I would own now, like a lot of vette owners C6 Z06
Put down the top and your cares just slide right on by unless you drive by a pig farm
The only coupe I would own now, like a lot of vette owners C6 Z06
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,835
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro OR
One thing I haven't read here yet is a noise comparison. I love the look if my Coupe, with or without the top. Great fun to drive with the top off. I must admit though, after about 20 minutes of freeway speeds, the buffeting noise gets to be a bit much. How is it in a vert?
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
For me it is a few and far between occasion that I wish I had an 01 hard top or targa, and those feelings are quickly pushed aside when the sun shines or it's a nice warm summer night. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
Targa was my only option because I wanted trunk space for KRUSIN. The first year I had it, my wife and I took it to the east coast for a 2 week holiday. We were able to carry 2 sets of golf clubs, 2 soft luggage bags, miscellaneous small stuff AND still take the top off and store it in the back. The best part was that we averaged 30 MPG for the trip.
