I have had both and I much prefer the coupe. First, I will say that there is nothing better than driving the convertible at nite on a warm summer evening. However, during the day the last thing I want to do is put the top down. I drive big miles and I find you and the car get dirty when on the highway with the top down-I am talking 3-5 hour drive. I also find a convertible is "look at me" rather than the coupe which is much more private. I like the storage space in the coupe and I assume it is a little safer than a convertible.

Would I buy another convertible-Yes, but I do prefer the coupe.

 

Sure does have a defogger.
I've had my vert for nearly 4 years and have loved every mile - but I think the coupe looks nicer (with the rooof panel in place). I really like the slope of the rear windscreen too.
One problem I've encountered with my vert is paint rubbing on the rear deck, where the roof seals to the body and wear of the fabric around the top corner of the door glass.
Top off in FL summer (all year then!) is great - but I have to admit that the C5 coupe has the more beautiful lines. The FRC, on the other hand, is a bit clumsy from a design point of view, in my opinion - not nasty - but just not quite right....

 

I used to own two convertible cars(different brands)and they were definately cool to drive around with...with the top down!with the top up there was just too many little squeeks and rattles,and if you live in L.A where the roads are less streets but more off road tracks,you will get tired of all that cabin noise.

Secondly i think they are much easier to open up and vandalize the car,cut the top open with a sharp knive,put your arm in there and open the door! even if they don't steal the car,they still created a big mess,and if your deductible is more than 500$ you will end up paying for the new top your self!

Then,what's up with the manual top,???isn't it year 2004,or is it still 1964???but wait!!!!they did have automatic tops in 1964!!!


You pay 10k more for a vert just so that you have to get out of the car and close the top?????ooooookkk

Insurance,your insurance cost is about 25% more than with a coupe.


The Handling will never be as good with a vert than a coupe..PERIOD...say what ever you like...

With the top up the vert just looks plain dumb.... i think it is about time to look at the little mercedes slk and do what they did right about 8 years ago! a retractable hardtop....now that's what i'm talkin about! imagine a C5 with a hardtop retractable top like the little benz...now that would be a cool car!You could price it in between the Coupe and the Vert,and i bet you a lot of people (like me)who own coupes and are bashing the verts right now would give it a second tought....

Anyhow,the C5 vert is still a C5 so i love it anyhow....

 

That is unless you become a member of the FRC.

I guess I might be in the minority here but personally I don't really like the fastback look (especially with the top removed). I more prefer the Z06/FRC roofline (abrubt ending). Since you can't take the top off of the Z06/FRC and you do get a similar roofline (abrubt ending) with the vert with the top up, I chose the vert.

'Course I like and think all Vettes are

My 2 pennies.

 

As a daily driver I wouldn't want to have a vert, parking would be a pain. As a pampered cruiser, which sleeps in a garage with a cover on it, nothing could be better. Not to mention the better than Z06 performance.

 

I think the reason why the corvette does not have an auto retractable roof is it would add weight to the car, 2 I think also the idea was an auto retractable roof is more for a luxury car , like you mention a benz or the like...I think the point of view was that a real sports car has a manual removable roof..... I imagine an auto roof would add more cost to the vette as well.

 

[QUOTE=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. [/QUOT]
Why ,well it get very hot down here in HOuston ,almost too hot to take the top off much ,plus I think the car looks much better than a soft top.So it makes sense to me!!

 

On my second vert, the 1st a 99. The current an 04, wouldn't own anything else. No real problems with either other then minor leaks in the rain.

 

First, I'm vert person and have been forever. And that makes a difference. My daily driver from '94 to '04 was a continually modded Z28 vert. There are some disadvantages to verts, but none that I haven't been willing to live with.

When I was shopping for my '04, I decided on a vert over an 06 based on the following... I felt like I could enjoy top down driving more often than I could enjoy the extra 10% performance advantage the 06 has in handling and acceleration.

I had a C4 coupe for a while and couldn't stand the wind noise and buffeting with the top off. Hiear the C5 is better in that regard, but still not good.

Someone mentioned NHRA 13.99 rollbar requirements.... That was changed for stock/near stock cars this year. I understand some tracks still enforce the 13.99 though.

As far as the coupe handling better, most say the difference is nominal. Doubt I'm a good enough driver to take advantage of the difference.

And if I have to drive 5 hours to a meeting, I put the top up (it comes down for the return trip, of course . Actually... 5 hours and I'm on a plane or in a rental.

Sure is great to have all these choices. And none of them bad. Worst day I ever had driving a Vette was better than most people ever experience.

Wish list: Retractable roof Z06.

 

Once you've had a vert you'll understand why we drop top lovers would never switch to a coupe!
Bill

 

Thanks man. I don't think the black seats don't get that much hotter than any leather. With a gray interior, I'll find out this summer...lol.

Mark

 

Ed,
I couldn't agree more, there is nothing like it!

 

:beatdeadhorse

 

When are you guys going to realize that a coupe is a convertible! Unless it is a FRC. It is just a different type of convertible. The coupe has a nice, aerodynamic, full hard panel, removable top. The so-called Vert as a folding canvas military pup tent on top. Let the flames continue.

 

I feel just the opposite.....I've had numerous verts, at least 3 were vettes, and while I agree, top down on star lite night is great, all the rattles, creaks, leaks, worn out tops, fogged windows (older vettes) and twisty frames just turned me off this time....I love my FRC...!!!

 

One comment

 

i plan on doing that also if i end up buying one. how easy is it to do and how much did it cost? ive seen them at carvaggio for $3500.00

i was hoping they could be done for a lot less.

 

I had a '96 coupe and in July I bought an '02 vert. I'll never go back to a coupe as a fun car. My car is strickly a play thing. Today I spent all day at a carshow and tonight I went to a cruise in. I drove with the top up but flipped it down as soon as I arrived at the shows. Once you become proficient at raising or lowering the top you can do it very quickly. I have friends who actually raise it or lower it at a traffic light if they get a notion to lower or raise the top. It only takes a few seconds when you get good at it. The following would be my guidelines for buying a convertible:

1. You must have a garage to store it in. (not a carport)
2. You must be able to use the car just for fun.
3. You can disregard rules 1 & 2 if you have enough money to buy a new one every two years as your convertible will age 10 years in only two years if you disregard the first two rules. Remember, you buy a convertible to enjoy and look "cool". To me no car looks worse than a ragged out ragtop.

 

I swear my sound system sounds better with the top DOWN!!!! Rock on!

 

I think the coupe looks better!