Coupe or Convertible?
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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Coupe or Convertible?
I've had a 02 convertible which I sold in a moment of weakness. I am looking for another 02-04. I have never even been in a C5 coupe. I am open to comments on comparing the two from those that have had both. I have a C1 convertible for top down enjoyment,so I don't absolutely need another vert. The next C5 will be a regular driver and not a garage queen unless it snows.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,742
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From: Naples, Florida
Vert or coupe?
Well, here it goes..I bought my first Corvette in 1972. It was a 1969 convertible (with a hardtop for the winter). At the time, I was 23 years old. The reason I tell you this? In the three years that I had the car, I think I put the top down about ten times. Between the blazing sun in the summer and the dirt and grime that you pick up while driving, my next three Corvettes were coupes. If you want to take the top down, you can take the targa top off.
I just bought a 2002 coupe. I bought it after not owning a Corvette for about twenty years. It was purchased at the encouragement of a friend who had recently purchased a 2001 convertible. He pressed me to buy the convertible but I couldn't do it based on what I explained in the first paragraph. Also, on my coupe there is no antenna to worry about since it is in the windshield. If I'm not mistaken, there is a mechanical antenna on the convertibles..not good since I'm sure that you'll be replacing it a couple of times during your period of ownership.
That's it for me!!
Lou
I just bought a 2002 coupe. I bought it after not owning a Corvette for about twenty years. It was purchased at the encouragement of a friend who had recently purchased a 2001 convertible. He pressed me to buy the convertible but I couldn't do it based on what I explained in the first paragraph. Also, on my coupe there is no antenna to worry about since it is in the windshield. If I'm not mistaken, there is a mechanical antenna on the convertibles..not good since I'm sure that you'll be replacing it a couple of times during your period of ownership.
That's it for me!!
Lou
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
The only limitation on choosing a Vert is for track days. Unless you buy a hard top from Caravaggio, Smoothline, or do a Z06 chop top conversion. If you don't go to the track, go with the Vert.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Hi Rob,
Buy the vert! As you know we are certainly enjoying your '02 vert. We belong to a Corvette club and many friends with coupes wish they had bought a vert. As you know the primary reason we got rid of our previous Vette was its being a coupe. Verts rule!
Sanford
Buy the vert! As you know we are certainly enjoying your '02 vert. We belong to a Corvette club and many friends with coupes wish they had bought a vert. As you know the primary reason we got rid of our previous Vette was its being a coupe. Verts rule!
Sanford
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
If you want a convertable then that's what you should look for.
It's your choice.
After owning 2 coupes in the past ('77 and '85) I like the convertable A LOT better than the coupe!
it's much easier to put the top down on a convertable than it is to remove the top on a coupe, and the wind buffeting inside a coupe with the top off just plain sucks.
plus, ever since I saw the C5 convertable's "waterfall" between the seats I was "sold" on the C5 vert!
a C5 convertable with the top down is just a beautiful design.
but, again.............. it's your choice!
It's your choice.
After owning 2 coupes in the past ('77 and '85) I like the convertable A LOT better than the coupe!
it's much easier to put the top down on a convertable than it is to remove the top on a coupe, and the wind buffeting inside a coupe with the top off just plain sucks.
plus, ever since I saw the C5 convertable's "waterfall" between the seats I was "sold" on the C5 vert!
a C5 convertable with the top down is just a beautiful design.
but, again.............. it's your choice!
Supporting Tuner
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Coupe gets my vote.
If it's a regular driver it is much more secure than a Vert, less wind noise at "excessive" speeds, and you get the best of both worlds.
My 0.02 cents worth
EG
If it's a regular driver it is much more secure than a Vert, less wind noise at "excessive" speeds, and you get the best of both worlds.
My 0.02 cents worth
EG
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From: Always living in a state of Confusion.
Gone, but not Forgotten
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
You can't go wrong with either one, IMO, but I'm kind of partial to a vert.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Southwest MI
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
Coupe gets my vote.
If it's a regular driver it is much more secure than a Vert, less wind noise at "excessive" speeds, and you get the best of both worlds.
My 0.02 cents worth
EG
If it's a regular driver it is much more secure than a Vert, less wind noise at "excessive" speeds, and you get the best of both worlds.
My 0.02 cents worth
EG
But it's a personal preference thing, like, some guys prefer tan interior and auto's, while others like 6 speeds with Z51 (or Z06's). It depends on your intended use, and I guess your personality.
It's a Coupe for me, why?
Much cleaner at speed (less drag....e.g., top end is ~10 MPH faster)
You can go to the track with out people nagging you about a roll bar
Much better lines/styling (vert with top up looks.....well, not as slick)
Less wind noise / h20 leaks
Lighter? (not sure of that with C5's, but true with C2's)
More secure when locked up
...and you can always pull the coupes roof if you need to remind yourself how much better a coupe is (than a vert) lol just kidding.
Race Director
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From: In a pineapple under the sea.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
CI 8-9-10 Veteran
Pesonal preference but I always prefer the lines of a coupe. If I want that open air feel, the targa roof works fine for me, and like one of the posters said, I think I may have taken the roof off a dozen times in the 4 years that I owned my C4. I'm going to get into a C5 coupe now.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by batsallover
The only limitation on choosing a Vert is for track days. Unless you buy a hard top from Caravaggio, Smoothline, or do a Z06 chop top conversion. If you don't go to the track, go with the Vert.
Nothing like being out in a Vert......
