Convertible
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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One pro is true open air driving.
Cons: reduced storage space compared to a coupe if that is a concern. A little more noise compared to a coupe also.
What it really comes down to is which one you would be happiest with - test drive a vert, coupe, Z06 and see what you like. Really there is no bad choice between the three body styles available.
Cons: reduced storage space compared to a coupe if that is a concern. A little more noise compared to a coupe also.
What it really comes down to is which one you would be happiest with - test drive a vert, coupe, Z06 and see what you like. Really there is no bad choice between the three body styles available.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
Pros
- complete open air driving
- fun factor
- cool factor
- more aware of everything around you
- better visability
- trunk (thanks 65GGvert!)
Cons
- no Z06 option
- generally noisier
- windier
- need better sound system!
Overall I would not drive a Corvette unless it was a vert or at least a Targa/T top. Most people consider extra wind/noise as a fair trade off for going topless.
- complete open air driving
- fun factor
- cool factor
- more aware of everything around you
- better visability
- trunk (thanks 65GGvert!)
Cons
- no Z06 option
- generally noisier
- windier
- need better sound system!
Overall I would not drive a Corvette unless it was a vert or at least a Targa/T top. Most people consider extra wind/noise as a fair trade off for going topless.
Last edited by Chilliwack vettes; Nov 18, 2013 at 03:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,184
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Add to the pros a trunk instead of an open hatch area, and you still have the trunk with the top down, unlike a coupe where you take up your storage area with the top. And with a convertible you won't join the flying roof club. Also, there's actually less air turbulence in a convertible with the top down than in a coupe with the top off. You also don't have to carry the top around and take a chance of scratching it or the car with it. Drive both, you'll buy the convertible.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,995
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I have one, bought it in 2003, it's a 1999.
If you live in a area that rains a lot, it's not 100% leak free, I'm going to guess this would be the case on these cars even brand new, however this seems to be the case on any convertible top car.
Rain can dribble in where 2 windows meets the top's seals.
I was ok with it, now I live in the Phoenix area, it rains way less, so not a issue anymore.
It might also be easier for a thief or vandal to gain access to your car, just have good insurance.
They can be a chick magnet, well also Corvettes in general, I once came out of a place to find a woman waiting for the owner of the red Corvette with convertible top.
She talked and told me she would love to drive it, and gave me her phone # and told me she would be sun tanning in her backyard topless, I was like "wow this would never happen with most other cars!"
I had a girlfriend at the time, but to be honest the biggest reason i did not call her was she said she likes to drive fast, and has wrecked lots of cars!
She got into her car and it was all scraped up on the side!
Hot or not, no way was she setting foot in my driver's seat!
If you live in a area that rains a lot, it's not 100% leak free, I'm going to guess this would be the case on these cars even brand new, however this seems to be the case on any convertible top car.
Rain can dribble in where 2 windows meets the top's seals.
I was ok with it, now I live in the Phoenix area, it rains way less, so not a issue anymore.
It might also be easier for a thief or vandal to gain access to your car, just have good insurance.
They can be a chick magnet, well also Corvettes in general, I once came out of a place to find a woman waiting for the owner of the red Corvette with convertible top.
She talked and told me she would love to drive it, and gave me her phone # and told me she would be sun tanning in her backyard topless, I was like "wow this would never happen with most other cars!"
I had a girlfriend at the time, but to be honest the biggest reason i did not call her was she said she likes to drive fast, and has wrecked lots of cars!
She got into her car and it was all scraped up on the side!
Hot or not, no way was she setting foot in my driver's seat!
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 13
From: FW/d Texas
I have one, bought it in 2003, it's a 1999.
If you live in a area that rains a lot, it's not 100% leak free, I'm going to guess this would be the case on these cars even brand new, however this seems to be the case on any convertible top car.
Rain can dribble in where 2 windows meets the top's seals.
I was ok with it, now I live in the Phoenix area, it rains way less, so not a issue anymore.
It might also be easier for a thief or vandal to gain access to your car, just have good insurance.
They can be a chick magnet, well also Corvettes in general, I once came out of a place to find a woman waiting for the owner of the red Corvette with convertible top.
She talked and told me she would love to drive it, and gave me her phone # and told me she would be sun tanning in her backyard topless, I was like "wow this would never happen with most other cars!"
I had a girlfriend at the time, but to be honest the biggest reason i did not call her was she said she likes to drive fast, and has wrecked lots of cars!
She got into her car and it was all scraped up on the side!
Hot or not, no way was she setting foot in my driver's seat!
If you live in a area that rains a lot, it's not 100% leak free, I'm going to guess this would be the case on these cars even brand new, however this seems to be the case on any convertible top car.
Rain can dribble in where 2 windows meets the top's seals.
I was ok with it, now I live in the Phoenix area, it rains way less, so not a issue anymore.
It might also be easier for a thief or vandal to gain access to your car, just have good insurance.
They can be a chick magnet, well also Corvettes in general, I once came out of a place to find a woman waiting for the owner of the red Corvette with convertible top.
She talked and told me she would love to drive it, and gave me her phone # and told me she would be sun tanning in her backyard topless, I was like "wow this would never happen with most other cars!"
I had a girlfriend at the time, but to be honest the biggest reason i did not call her was she said she likes to drive fast, and has wrecked lots of cars!
She got into her car and it was all scraped up on the side!
Hot or not, no way was she setting foot in my driver's seat!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 565
Likes: 143
From: Bedford VA
Add to the pros a trunk instead of an open hatch area, and you still have the trunk with the top down, unlike a coupe where you take up your storage area with the top. And with a convertible you won't join the flying roof club. Also, there's actually less air turbulence in a convertible with the top down than in a coupe with the top off. You also don't have to carry the top around and take a chance of scratching it or the car with it. Drive both, you'll buy the convertible.
I just got my first vert in May and have loved it ever since. Was a targa top owner for 20 years prior and will not go back. The only thing I think I may miss is the opportunity to do an HDPE, but never have to date so it's not a bad miss. Also, I find it much easier to drop the top than to have to open the hatch, remove the roof, and store it (loosing all available storage space in the back) with the vert! My vert is actually quieter than my C5 coupe but it may just be tires (Michelin now vs. Goodyear before, both run-flats).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Welllll,
I've owned a 80 T top (17 years) two c-5 verts and a coupe.
The coupe is quieter, the vert is simply a much better car in my opinion.
It may be just because it has a lot less miles on it. (20,000 V. 110,000)
I still own a C-5 vert and a coupe.
I drive the coupe as my daily driver.
Any C-5 will put any C-3 to shame in almost every way.
I'm seriously thinking of putting a LS-3 in my coupe.
I've owned a 80 T top (17 years) two c-5 verts and a coupe.
The coupe is quieter, the vert is simply a much better car in my opinion.
It may be just because it has a lot less miles on it. (20,000 V. 110,000)
I still own a C-5 vert and a coupe.
I drive the coupe as my daily driver.
Any C-5 will put any C-3 to shame in almost every way.
I'm seriously thinking of putting a LS-3 in my coupe.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: OHIO
CONvERTIBLE
Are you kidding, its a no-brainer decision. Lower the top easily into its stow area while noting how little room it used from the trunk area. Now look how the car's profile changed into a sleek, functional driving machine. Your in the seat and your are thinking, "damn, I can see everywhere". And you remember back when you fought those heavy , cumbersome dirty top panels, scratching everything on there way to rest-----somewhere?
WEBSTER'S DEFINITION OF CONVERTIBLE = A fast automobile that has a manual transmission, convertible canvas top and the integrated theraputic ability to transform the drivers' brain to another place.
Sorry bout the rant, but when I bought my 99 Vert MM6, I was looking f
or a SPORTS CAR, not a grocery getter. Bonus -they are worth more $.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 168
Likes: 3
From: Denver Colorado
I have had a lot of Corvettes in my past....Coupes and T-Tops..
Just purchased my first convertible a 2001 Torch Red 6sp this past July..
The most enjoyment I have ever had driving a Corvette period.
I am sure some of it is the C5, but a vert...if you want a fun open air sports car...get a convertible 6sp in my opinion.
Just purchased my first convertible a 2001 Torch Red 6sp this past July..
The most enjoyment I have ever had driving a Corvette period.
I am sure some of it is the C5, but a vert...if you want a fun open air sports car...get a convertible 6sp in my opinion.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I should disqualify myself, as I was in the market for a convertible and happened to wind up with a Corvette, so I am biased
A convertible is more fun.
Unless you live around feed lots.
Pedestrians will interact with an open car, few people yell into open windows. The cause is that when the car is stopped, you are looked on as being at the speed of people, by the other people looking at your car. With a closed car, you are always inside the machine, and viewed as apart, and of a different speed, and conversation.
I don't live close to mountains, so one of my big treats is the changing smells, along with the different trees when I cruse in those areas. Plus, I have some scenic drives around the state that are pretty strong. Pebble Beach or the Redwoods in a convertible is pretty nice.
Some hard core fitness guys say that cars are coffins, but you can at least select an open casket , as long as you are only going around once.
No roll bar, no speed events. I'm cool with that. Red lights, baking in the sun like a chump, not that good. bring sunblock and a hairbrush.
A convertible is more fun.
Unless you live around feed lots.
Pedestrians will interact with an open car, few people yell into open windows. The cause is that when the car is stopped, you are looked on as being at the speed of people, by the other people looking at your car. With a closed car, you are always inside the machine, and viewed as apart, and of a different speed, and conversation.
I don't live close to mountains, so one of my big treats is the changing smells, along with the different trees when I cruse in those areas. Plus, I have some scenic drives around the state that are pretty strong. Pebble Beach or the Redwoods in a convertible is pretty nice.
Some hard core fitness guys say that cars are coffins, but you can at least select an open casket , as long as you are only going around once.
No roll bar, no speed events. I'm cool with that. Red lights, baking in the sun like a chump, not that good. bring sunblock and a hairbrush.
Last edited by strand rider; Nov 19, 2013 at 06:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 4
From: Longmont on the Front Range of Colorful Colorado
I currently have a Z06, so no open top for me. But my last 'vette was a '99 Nassau Blue 'vert and it was way fun to drive with the top down. In my old school mind, a sports car should be a drop top. As was said before, open air, people interact more with you, and the cool factor are all on the plus side.
I may buy a second 'vette just to have the top go down. Love the speed and handling of the Z, but the convertible was just too cool.
I may buy a second 'vette just to have the top go down. Love the speed and handling of the Z, but the convertible was just too cool.
