Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

[Z06] Coupe or targa? Help me decide

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 07:49 PM
  #1  
G.Hychko's Avatar
G.Hychko
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default Coupe or targa? Help me decide

Hey, I am 6 months away from getting a vette, which will more than likely end up being a 2002 and up Z. I know it is early but it is on my mind all the time. I have a WRX modded well now but am not investing anymore money into it saving up for Z mods. I cant decide if i am going to get the targa or the coupe. I think the coupe's look nice and exotic but from some angles I think it looks to skinny. Then the targa is nice because it bubbles over in the rear and sort of reminds me of a Porsche. What do you all belive are pro's and cons of each looks wise, and include all pictures if you have any. O and don't even get me started on colors: blac, red, silver .. ahaha I dunno
Later
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 07:53 PM
  #2  
Y2Kvert4me's Avatar
Y2Kvert4me
Race Director
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Default

Welcome to the forum.

If you are wanting a Z06, it only comes in the hardtop body style (non-removable roof).

What you call the targa, we actually call the C5 coupe, like mine is. But you won't get that in a Z06 unless you go for an expensive aftermarket conversion.

Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 08:04 PM
  #3  
VegasZO6's Avatar
VegasZO6
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Default

Actually, I did read a while back about Chevy producing only 200 ZO6s in the coupe version. Not sure if it was something Chevy made for a certain year but I know it was very limited and pricey.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 08:06 PM
  #4  
G.Hychko's Avatar
G.Hychko
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

O really... I guess that would single out the targa, can't believe I didn't know that ..
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 08:13 PM
  #5  
Z06GMAN's Avatar
Z06GMAN
Safety Car
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
Welcome to the forum.

If you are wanting a Z06, it only comes in the hardtop body style (non-removable roof).

What you call the targa, we actually call the C5 coupe, like mine is. But you won't get that in a Z06 unless you go for an expensive aftermarket conversion.

What do you mean?????? Mine is stock
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 08:17 PM
  #6  
Y2Kvert4me's Avatar
Y2Kvert4me
Race Director
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Default

Originally Posted by Z06GMAN
What do you mean?????? Mine is stock
Your what is stock?
The right door mirror appears stock....Other than that...

Reply
Old Nov 15, 2004 | 03:48 PM
  #7  
l2vette's Avatar
l2vette
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 227
From: N Cal
Default

Originally Posted by VegasZO6
Actually, I did read a while back about Chevy producing only 200 ZO6s in the coupe version. Not sure if it was something Chevy made for a certain year but I know it was very limited and pricey.
Not true!
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2004 | 03:55 PM
  #8  
AOC's Avatar
AOC
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
St. Jude Contributor '04
Default

Originally Posted by VegasZO6
Actually, I did read a while back about Chevy producing only 200 ZO6s in the coupe version. Not sure if it was something Chevy made for a certain year but I know it was very limited and pricey.

I don't believe this is true. As many magazines and articles that I've read, there wasn't anything to indicate GM produced Z06 in a coupe version.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 15, 2004 | 05:13 PM
  #9  
QuikZilver's Avatar
QuikZilver
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Default

Welcome to the forum!

As for the body style, everyone above has summed it up...Z06 was only available in the FRC (fixed roof coupe) body style. As for the targa style (what we Corvette people call the Coupe), I had a 93 C4. I don't know how much better the C5 Coupe is with the roof off, but the C4 was terrible. You could feel the body flex with it off. I have heard that this was mostly taken care of with the C5, but another major thing you need to think about with a Coupe is the weatherstripping. The sun will kill the weatherstripping! I love the feel of the Z06. It is tight, no rattles, and the speed....OH MY GOD!! If you really want a targa top and have the money, go with a conversion.

Body Styles:
Coupe: Removable "targa" roof.
Vert: Convertible
FRC: Fixed Roof Coupe. Roof panel does not come off. ALL Z06's are FRC's. FRC was introduced in 99. Z06 was introduced in 01.

Reply
Old Nov 15, 2004 | 09:54 PM
  #10  
VegasZO6's Avatar
VegasZO6
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Default

Originally Posted by AOC
I don't believe this is true. As many magazines and articles that I've read, there wasn't anything to indicate GM produced Z06 in a coupe version.
Originally Posted by l2vette
Not true!
:o
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2004 | 06:18 PM
  #11  
G.Hychko's Avatar
G.Hychko
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

hmmm so the coupes are the removable roof u say? Then what is the difference between that and the FRC? A hard top is what you consider the coupe i thought
thanks for replys
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2004 | 07:54 PM
  #12  
SimonStern's Avatar
SimonStern
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
Default

Originally Posted by G.Hychko
hmmm so the coupes are the removable roof u say? Then what is the difference between that and the FRC? A hard top is what you consider the coupe i thought
thanks for replys
Re-read Quicksilver's post it's VERY informative.

Or check out the gallery to see what the different models look like.

The FRC, of course, has a roof that is, well, fixed. It is not removable. In the side profile it is VERY distinct that the Coupe has a LARGE bubble rear hatch, while the FRC looks more like the convertable in the profile.

So just to clarify your terminology, there is no such thing as a hard top version of the car from the factory. There are three models of C5: The Convertable, the Coupe (which has a removable targa top) and the Fixed Roof Coupe (or FRC) which has a non-removable top. All Z06's are FRC's, but not all FRC's are Z06's. The Z06 only came out in 2001.

When you say hardtop, I would think that most people would think of a convertable with a hardtop installed (for the winter, or for a track event.)
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2004 | 08:10 PM
  #13  
Charles7Mitchell's Avatar
Charles7Mitchell
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Centennial CO
Default

Originally Posted by G.Hychko
Hey, I am 6 months away from getting a vette, which will more than likely end up being a 2002 and up Z. I know it is early but it is on my mind all the time. I have a WRX modded well now but am not investing anymore money into it saving up for Z mods. I cant decide if i am going to get the targa or the coupe. I think the coupe's look nice and exotic but from some angles I think it looks to skinny. Then the targa is nice because it bubbles over in the rear and sort of reminds me of a Porsche. What do you all belive are pro's and cons of each looks wise, and include all pictures if you have any. O and don't even get me started on colors: blac, red, silver .. ahaha I dunno
Later
I had a 1994 coupe for ten years and only took the top off about ten times total. I now own a 2004 Z06, but drove a new coupe before the purchase. The comments you have read about the superior handling of the Z06 are right on target, but if you are someone who likes to take the top off you may want the coupe. The weather stripping on my coupe lasted ten years, but I babied it frequently and the car was covered except when driving it (153,000 miles). The C6 coupe is close to the Z06 in performance and handling, plus you have two tops that are easy to remove. If the money is not an issue, you like the removable top, and don't mind the looks of the C6 that could be your best choice. But they are also talking about a removable top with the new Z06 also which you may want to investigate.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 01:59 AM
  #14  
Vette Dream's Avatar
Vette Dream
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Default

Just to sum it up for you:

1997-2004 C5 Coupe (has the removable roof)
1999-2000 C5 FRC (FRC = fixed roof coupe)
2001 Z06 FRC (385hp fixed roof coupe)
2002-2004 Z06 FRC (405hp fixed roof coupe)

In other words, coupes (with removable roofs) were available through all C5 production years. The FRC's were introduced in 99 as C5 models without the targa roof and stayed that way through 2000. In 2001, the FRC became the Z06 with 385hp and then from 2002-2004, the Z06 power was upped by 20hp.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 10:49 AM
  #15  
G.Hychko's Avatar
G.Hychko
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

Wow, thanks for all of the replys guys, I visit this forum often and now am happy that i know all of the body styles of the Corvettes! Well thanks for the heads up. I shall keep searching the forums
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 08:10 PM
  #16  
SimonStern's Avatar
SimonStern
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
Default

I just found this picture in a different thread:

In the upper right is a Z06 (FRC)
On the left is a Coupe (targa)
In the lower right is the 'vert.

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Coupe or targa? Help me decide





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:27 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE