I could never own a coupe again! 
convertible vs coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Deb's 2004
Why would anyone buy a coupe? When you buy a 2 seater sportscar that is used mostly in warm weather it makes no sense?
If you have never experienced a convertible you don't know what you are missing.
It is quite the rush.
If you have never experienced a convertible you don't know what you are missing.
It is quite the rush.
2. I agree that a vert provides unparalleled experience but it's so rare. The coupe provides a better topup look.
3. The price.
4. The handling/performance. A bit more rigid body.
5. The trunkspace.
6. If you ever want to race, coupes are safer and automatically qualified at sanctioned events.
I'm sure that others can add to this list
Last edited by robvuk; Nov 11, 2004 at 09:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Vert
I like all C5's period but my heart settled on the vert. Once you go vert you never go back ...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...m-0927_IMG.jpg
Tino
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Tino
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 1
From: Sunny South
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by MyBlueC5
Though I have only driven C5 coupes (as opposed to owning them) there is no way I would trade my vert for one. It's ironic, my mother has for as long as I can remember driven convertibles. Everytime I'd visit her, I couldn't stand the sun blazing on my head, the heat... yuck. I absolutely hated it.
Then I got my first corvette... a C4 convertible. I now understand why she loves convertibles so much. When I sold my C4 and bought my C5, a coupe wasn't even open for discussion. The tops are extremely easy and quick to open and close. They are quiet (I'm not saying it's as quiet as a coupe but NOTHING like some other convertibles I have been in). The ability to add a hardtop is always there. The rear window is glass... a good piece of glass too.
I find that when the warmer weather gets here, I hardly ever put the top up.
Different strokes for different folks...
Mark
Then I got my first corvette... a C4 convertible. I now understand why she loves convertibles so much. When I sold my C4 and bought my C5, a coupe wasn't even open for discussion. The tops are extremely easy and quick to open and close. They are quiet (I'm not saying it's as quiet as a coupe but NOTHING like some other convertibles I have been in). The ability to add a hardtop is always there. The rear window is glass... a good piece of glass too.
I find that when the warmer weather gets here, I hardly ever put the top up.
Different strokes for different folks...
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Well my story is that I didn't want a vert. I wanted the hardtop. Not the coupe because I don't like the wind noise with the top off. I couldn't talk to my wife at 5 mph. The wind buffeting drowned out my conversation. But the Z06 didn't come with the options that I wanted. 2002 Z-06 didn't have HUD and I like the F-45 selective ride control since I like to go on long road trips and didn't want such a hard suspension. With the F-45 I can select tour, sport, and performance. The best of all worlds. So I bought a vert and after 2 1/2 years I absolutely love it. Nothing like going accross the U.S. with the top down, wind in you hair,(If I had some), smile on your face. I tell ya there's nothing like it. You won't regret it. Good luck and let us know what the outcome is. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Mine is black. Live in DFW area. It gets hot. Wear a hat... AC on full blast... drive fast. Seriously, I probably put the top up more often because of heat than cold.
Except, mines NBM with a Black Interior. I put on Sheepskin seat covers and leave the top down.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Unlike what most coupe owners have to say I think the vert looks better with the top up or down. If I wantes a big glass hatchback I would have just kept my Trans Am. I happen to like the short deck look with the small rear glass and trunk.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
It all depends on what you're looking for.
Coupes are quieter, have better areodyamics, MUCH better looking (IMO), have twice the luggage space for that long trip to Bloomington (or the grocery store). You can't take a knife to the top of a coupe. You CAN however, take the top OFF a coupe...and then you can swap it for a glass one so you can enjoy the sun during those cold winter months. The top on a coupe always matches the bottom. You don't have to pick some color just because that's all they make (Ever seen a Mag Red top or a Navy blue top?).
With a convertible however...you get more air.
Coupes are quieter, have better areodyamics, MUCH better looking (IMO), have twice the luggage space for that long trip to Bloomington (or the grocery store). You can't take a knife to the top of a coupe. You CAN however, take the top OFF a coupe...and then you can swap it for a glass one so you can enjoy the sun during those cold winter months. The top on a coupe always matches the bottom. You don't have to pick some color just because that's all they make (Ever seen a Mag Red top or a Navy blue top?).
With a convertible however...you get more air.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
Unlike what most coupe owners have to say I think the vert looks better with the top up or down. If I wantes a big glass hatchback I would have just kept my Trans Am. I happen to like the short deck look with the small rear glass and trunk.
Just my opinion of course!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
I must tell you, the best roof option is the one roof you cannot remove, just like mine.... the only way to go and is spelled with just three letters:
Fixed
Roof
Coupe
j/k
I kinda like the idea of having a convertible... perhaps in the future, when I can afford and justify owning another Vette. I think both the Coupe and the Convertible are pretty good choices.
Fixed
Roof
Coupe
j/k
I kinda like the idea of having a convertible... perhaps in the future, when I can afford and justify owning another Vette. I think both the Coupe and the Convertible are pretty good choices.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19,496
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
Unlike what most coupe owners have to say I think the vert looks better with the top up or down. If I wantes a big glass hatchback I would have just kept my Trans Am. I happen to like the short deck look with the small rear glass and trunk.
I think that the vert looks great with the top up. Looks like a FRC. I was never big on convertibles and first owned a C5 coupe. I liked it but didn't take the top off a lot because the wind noise was terrible. When my coupe was totalled, my wife convinced me to get a convertible. Once I got it, I loved it! Now I'm on my second C5 convertible and I don't think that I could ever go back to a coupe.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Florida
When i bought my vette i was looking at coupe or FRC. I bought the FRC because i loved the look and you just dont see them as often. The handiling is great, but i wouldnt mind a vert for a few days. but then again i could just drive my motorcycle it has no top or sides.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
From: Raymore Mo
Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
It all depends on what you're looking for.
Coupes are quieter, have better areodyamics, MUCH better looking (IMO), have twice the luggage space for that long trip to Bloomington (or the grocery store). You can't take a knife to the top of a coupe. You CAN however, take the top OFF a coupe...and then you can swap it for a glass one so you can enjoy the sun during those cold winter months. The top on a coupe always matches the bottom. You don't have to pick some color just because that's all they make (Ever seen a Mag Red top or a Navy blue top?).
With a convertible however...you get more air.
Coupes are quieter, have better areodyamics, MUCH better looking (IMO), have twice the luggage space for that long trip to Bloomington (or the grocery store). You can't take a knife to the top of a coupe. You CAN however, take the top OFF a coupe...and then you can swap it for a glass one so you can enjoy the sun during those cold winter months. The top on a coupe always matches the bottom. You don't have to pick some color just because that's all they make (Ever seen a Mag Red top or a Navy blue top?).
With a convertible however...you get more air.
Yeah, what he said.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Originally Posted by C5 ChemE
As the first coupe owner to post on this thread, I must defend our territory!! 
The coupe, IMO looks the best, because of the "fastback" look. Reminds me ALMOST of the '63-'64 Stingray fastbacks
Comparing both cars w/ the tops on, it's quite easy to see the coupe looks better than the vert
Not only do I like the coupe look better than either the vert or Z06, but bein able to "take my top off" is DEFINITELY, the best of both worlds!
ALSO, I think it was the great Lemans C5-R driver Ron Fellows who said "Real men drive with a roof over their heads and an engine up front!"
The coupe, IMO looks the best, because of the "fastback" look. Reminds me ALMOST of the '63-'64 Stingray fastbacks
Comparing both cars w/ the tops on, it's quite easy to see the coupe looks better than the vert
Not only do I like the coupe look better than either the vert or Z06, but bein able to "take my top off" is DEFINITELY, the best of both worlds!
ALSO, I think it was the great Lemans C5-R driver Ron Fellows who said "Real men drive with a roof over their heads and an engine up front!"
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
Love my Vert!
This is a tough call - I love all of the vettes and wish I could own them all. I live in TX and bought a 2000 white/torch red vert - my first convertible. Absolutely love it! I must admit it is a real high cruising around with the top down jamm'n to some good tunes. I would say my top is down 95% of the time (if not more), but it's not a daily driver. I plan to keep the vert and buy a 2006 FRC/Z06 next year - then, in my opinion, I have it all. Peace