Hi, guys: I've been tossing this around for a long time now. For years and years I've always said I would buy a C5 vert. However, the last couple of months I'm leaning towards a coupe with the targa roof.

I realize it comes down to personal choice, but I just wanted to hear from owners of both models. To me, the vert looks amazing with the top down. On the other hand, you kind of get both worlds with the removable top. So I'm kind of torn right now.

Any comments would be appreciated. I've been wanting to buy a Vette for years and years now and I'm finally getting to the point where I can pull the trigger in the near future. Feel free to send me an email also. Thanks!!

Steve
Jeepster53@aol.com


Steve

 

Just like Democrats and Republicans, you will get pros and cons for each from coupe and vert owners. I have a coupe and love it for the primary reason that you stated, it's like the best of both worlds. I have a friend who just changed from a vert to a coupe due to noise (with the top up) and space. But it is really a personal choice. Just get the one the makes YOU happy! You can't go wrong with either. There is also another thread running right now on this forum about a similar issue. Check it out as well. Zuti

 

IMHO you would have better use out of a Vert in southern states, and since you live in NJ, it may make better sense to go with a coupe.
I live somewhere in the middle and the coupe purchase was an easy decision for me because we already had a Vert BMW in the household.

Either way you go, you will be getting a great car.

 

As you said it will definitely come down to personal choice and you will get pros and cons on both models with this thread. I personally have a 2002 Coupe and love it. I went with the Coupe because I like a quiet ride compared to the Vert and with all the experience I have with Verts they have way to much interior noise because of the soft top. But as you stated Verts do look really good with the top down. There you go, thats my .02 cents

 

Another thing no one has mentioned is that with a coupe you don't have to worry about replacing the top should you keep it a long time. We have two ragtops and top replacement is not real easy or cheap. Having said that I was still undecided about what I wanted when I found my magnetic red coupe at a price I could afford so I went that way.

 

Coupe for me, never was much of a vert person, but the choice is yours .

 

I have a 98 vert with mn6 that is a hobby car. I live in SoCal, so cold weather is not an issue. We do have lots of traffic and crappy air quality. If it was my dd, I would have gone with a FRC and automatic. Being able to pick and choose when and where I drive the vert is awsome.

My .02.

Steve

 

Cpe here with both tops. Never use the glass top as it's to hot. Never even take the painted one off.

 

Same here, have a coupe with both tops. For a long time I had the glass one on and this summer changed to the painted one. Love the quiet, less heat and peaceful ride. My friend has a vert and loves it. We both drove in a parade last week, him with his top down, us with our top off. Seemed we were less wind blown than them. Weather started to get ugly and we popped the top on quick. He put the top up quickly also. I have ridden with him and there seems to be more interior noise, but not horrible. Yup, it boils down to choice, YOUR choice.

 

I have had both – I went with a vert this time & I’m very pleased – I like the look with the top up or down – After 50 years of riding motorcycles I hung up my leathers this last spring – The vert helps fill that void in my life – The vert has plenty of trunk space plus when the sun’s going down it’s time to drop the top. My top is 10 years old and looks like new - should out live me -

 

I have them both but if I only had one it would be the vert my two cents

 

Once you drive in a Vert with the Top down, you won't buy a Coupe...

 

You can fit more in the coupe.

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And you can drive it until December without a rag roof. Verts are beautiful, but only with the top down. You live in NJ, will you drive a vert with the top up from April to December? Its only during the three hot summer months that you'll actually enjoy your Convertible

 

On my second C5 Vert and would never have it any other way. IMHO it's the best looking top up or down. However thats why there are menu's in restaurants, every one has different tastes. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

We have one of each.

The only thing I dont like about the vert is backing up with the top UP. rear view is bad thought he small window.

If your going to mod the Vette go with the coupe.

Our Vert is bone stock. If you put on an aftermarket muffler system, it may be a bit loud.

The coupe is anything but stock - it is my track car so it is loud even with ear plugs under a helmet.

But either way you cant go wrong

Congrats on your upcoming purchase.

 

in response to the above captioned quote, the only thing i have to say is "flying roof club". seems to be at least a good chance you will eventually join it (since you are newer, i would suggest you do a search on the phrase and you will be amazed how many it has happened to). it isn't unique to the C5 (unfortunately). so top replacement MAY become an issue even with a coupe.

you don't mention is you are planning on using the car as a daily driver or if you are using it as an additional, pleasure only car. for what it is worth, my t-top car with the panels off isn't anywhere near the feeling (or the look) of a convertible, i don't care what anyone says, it just isn't the same in my opinion.

i have a convertible and wouldn't think of not having one. i have had a corvette convertible with the exception of my 63 split window (way back then) and during the C3 run later years when they were no longer available (i still have a 78 pace car in addition to my 04 CE).

there is nothing nicer than a drive in the evening (particularly where you live) in the spring or fall with the top down. in the summer, hot is hot and you probably will opt for the a/c during the day no matter what you buy. even "down the shore".

it really all comes down to what you can afford (budget wise) and what you will be happy with. we can all offer our particular opinions, but that's all they are, just opinions. do what makes you happy.

 

If I were to hit the Lotto (not likely) I would have two C5s. A Z06 FRC for track days and cruising with the air on and a Vert for some nice top down drives. I never cared for the fastback look but that's just me.

Unfortunately, without the Lotto deal, I'll have to settle for one. Maybe flip a coin?

 

In that case get the vert

 

We have a 99 arctic white coupe that we bought 7 years ago. Wouldn't trade it for a vert for any reason.

The biggest advantage is the size of the trunk area. We travel a lot and the trunk has more space than you can imagine. We can pack two full size bags of golf clubs, two good sized suitcases, smaller pieces of luggage and a medium sized ice chest. When we pull up to a hotel to unload the car people can't believe we got all of that stuff in a corvette.

When we're around home we play a lot of golf and can easily get two pull carts w/golf bags, two ice chests and other things in the trunk when we hit the links on the weekends.

The other thing my wife likes is the "roll bar" created by the back part of the roof w/hatch. She would never ride in a convertible because there's "nothing above or behind me." She just feels safer with the coupe design instead of the fully open convertible design. It's almost like being in a convertible but not quite.

And thirdly....we love the look of the hatchback design of the coupe more than the convertible.

Bottom line is like most people say....it's a matter of personal preference. Whatever you get just make sure it's what "turns your crank" the most.