Targa or Convertable
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 116
From: OAKLEY CA
I like the coupe for many of the reasons already mentioned, but I leave mine off most of the time. I guess some rarely take theirs off. This I don't get. Why have it on if it's sunny out? Wear shorts and get a tan.
I see converts with the top up on nice days too.
To me, top down or off motoring is much more fun. I wear my hair short to avoid that hassle. I guess everybody is different, but if you don't enjoy this, I wonder what you think is fun?
I see converts with the top up on nice days too.
To me, top down or off motoring is much more fun. I wear my hair short to avoid that hassle. I guess everybody is different, but if you don't enjoy this, I wonder what you think is fun?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
I've had them all and I like my current coupe the best. Yes the turbulence is higher than the vert but it's OK up to about 65. During the past 6 months the only time I've had the roof on the car is to wash it - when I'm not driving it the car is in the garage with the roof stored in the back.
So you might ask "why does he like the coupe if he always drives with the top off"? And the answer is money. I don't think the extra cost is worth it since I get at least 90% of the same open top sensation with the coupe. In the winter the transparent top gives you a nice sunshine feeling, when the vert makes you feel like you're in a cave.
So you might ask "why does he like the coupe if he always drives with the top off"? And the answer is money. I don't think the extra cost is worth it since I get at least 90% of the same open top sensation with the coupe. In the winter the transparent top gives you a nice sunshine feeling, when the vert makes you feel like you're in a cave.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Both are great cars and all responses above are good. I'd say it should mostly depend on how you plan to use it.
Mine is my all-weather, year-round daily driver. For the added security when parking in all sorts of places, and the added feeling of safety in bad weather, I like the coupe better. I also prefer the lines of the coupe, more like a race car. On those rare occassions when the weather cooperates, taking the top off is nice, but it is not the open-air sensation of a vert. If it was just my fair-weather weekend car, I'd probably get a vert.
Mine is my all-weather, year-round daily driver. For the added security when parking in all sorts of places, and the added feeling of safety in bad weather, I like the coupe better. I also prefer the lines of the coupe, more like a race car. On those rare occassions when the weather cooperates, taking the top off is nice, but it is not the open-air sensation of a vert. If it was just my fair-weather weekend car, I'd probably get a vert.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 46
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
targa
I think the targa looks so much sportier than the rag top... so that's what I went with.
I'd like to learn some more about the buffeting though. My top does buffet some, but I usually roll down the windows a bit, the the buffeting is reduced substantially. I don't have real good info with the windows all the way down.
07lemans
I'd like to learn some more about the buffeting though. My top does buffet some, but I usually roll down the windows a bit, the the buffeting is reduced substantially. I don't have real good info with the windows all the way down.
07lemans
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Mid South
I have had MULTIPLE c6 coupes, Verts, and Z06 Corvettes (approx 25 of them). In my personal experience having had ALL of these cars MORE than once, VERT is my FAVORITE. Now, if only they would make the Z06 in a VERT! 
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
After deliberating on the same question, I opted for the Coupe. The targa is no convertible and doesn't provide a true open-air feeling but I like it none-the-less. It provides enough of the open-air experience for my purposes. For me (and for others), it offers the best of both worlds.
It's almost a toss-up but I prefer the look of the coupe; what little roll-over protection a roof provides; and, the greater storage space. Not that I routinely carry a lot of cargo but if taking a trip, two people need more than the golf bag sized storage of the convertible.
It's a tough personal decision, especially as you're in Southern California. You could certainly enjoy the convertible almost year round.
It's almost a toss-up but I prefer the look of the coupe; what little roll-over protection a roof provides; and, the greater storage space. Not that I routinely carry a lot of cargo but if taking a trip, two people need more than the golf bag sized storage of the convertible.
It's a tough personal decision, especially as you're in Southern California. You could certainly enjoy the convertible almost year round.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood WA
Originally Posted by V8lust
I also had a hard time with your issue before I bought my coupe. Years ago I owned a Triumph Spitfire (cloth roof), and later a Porshe 914 with a removeable targa roof. I rarely had the top down in the Triumph because it was such a pain to unsnap and snap. The Porshe got a lot more roof-off use.
Then a few years ago my wife got a SLK with the power metal roof. The convenience that provided made us use it all the time.
So when buying the Vette, I was torn between the extra convenience of a push button top vert and the top-up quiet and security of the coupe. As it turns out, I find I actually like the interaction I have with the car when removing the coupe's roof by hand -- I don't find it annoying. (Kinda like shifting a manual transmission has it's pleasures.) I took the roof off a lot all summer long, and now have what I feel is a better winter car (quiet, heat, ice protection, visibility) too.
While I'll acknowledge that there is more open feeling to a vert with the top down than a coupe with the top off, I'm happy with the coupe.
Good luck to you, I bet you'll be happy whichever way you go.
Then a few years ago my wife got a SLK with the power metal roof. The convenience that provided made us use it all the time.
So when buying the Vette, I was torn between the extra convenience of a push button top vert and the top-up quiet and security of the coupe. As it turns out, I find I actually like the interaction I have with the car when removing the coupe's roof by hand -- I don't find it annoying. (Kinda like shifting a manual transmission has it's pleasures.) I took the roof off a lot all summer long, and now have what I feel is a better winter car (quiet, heat, ice protection, visibility) too.
While I'll acknowledge that there is more open feeling to a vert with the top down than a coupe with the top off, I'm happy with the coupe.
Good luck to you, I bet you'll be happy whichever way you go.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 35
From: Godfrey IL
Originally Posted by V8lust
I also had a hard time with your issue before I bought my coupe. Years ago I owned a Triumph Spitfire (cloth roof), and later a Porshe 914 with a removeable targa roof. I rarely had the top down in the Triumph because it was such a pain to unsnap and snap. The Porshe got a lot more roof-off use.
Then a few years ago my wife got a SLK with the power metal roof. The convenience that provided made us use it all the time.
So when buying the Vette, I was torn between the extra convenience of a push button top vert and the top-up quiet and security of the coupe. As it turns out, I find I actually like the interaction I have with the car when removing the coupe's roof by hand -- I don't find it annoying. (Kinda like shifting a manual transmission has it's pleasures.) I took the roof off a lot all summer long, and now have what I feel is a better winter car (quiet, heat, ice protection, visibility) too.
While I'll acknowledge that there is more open feeling to a vert with the top down than a coupe with the top off, I'm happy with the coupe.
Good luck to you, I bet you'll be happy whichever way you go.
Then a few years ago my wife got a SLK with the power metal roof. The convenience that provided made us use it all the time.
So when buying the Vette, I was torn between the extra convenience of a push button top vert and the top-up quiet and security of the coupe. As it turns out, I find I actually like the interaction I have with the car when removing the coupe's roof by hand -- I don't find it annoying. (Kinda like shifting a manual transmission has it's pleasures.) I took the roof off a lot all summer long, and now have what I feel is a better winter car (quiet, heat, ice protection, visibility) too.
While I'll acknowledge that there is more open feeling to a vert with the top down than a coupe with the top off, I'm happy with the coupe.
Good luck to you, I bet you'll be happy whichever way you go.
Mine is a DD. I need the room of the coupe. I like to throw things back there, but when the top of the coupe is off, I'm usually grabbing the caps, towels, etc, before they fly out.
If I had a second Vette, Vert for sure.
In So. Cal. --- I'd go with the Vert.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Dave S
'Vert is the only way to go!
with Dave S and the other vert owners that have chimed in. Upon getting my 2nd C5 targa top, spent the next 3 1/2 years
my head against a wall and wishing I'd opted for a vert.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Hill Georgia
Let me tell you, this is my first 'Vette, my first convertible, and my first black automobile, and I would NOT change a thing if I had it all to do over again. If you've never had a 'Vert, just do it. I draw TEN times the looks with the top down as I do up, and really the only time it is up is it's just too friggen cold, or I'm just running around the corner to the store, and I never park it out of sight with the top down. Too many jealous cowards in the world, only drawback I can think of. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 32,921
Likes: 2
From: Coppin' a tan from the Messiah's aura
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
test drove both @ freeway speeds. targa had a lot of buffeting/noise that the vert didn't...simple fluid dynamics. bought the vert and very happy.
p.s. anticipating your next question...the vert is quiet @ freeway speeds w/ the top up.
p.s. anticipating your next question...the vert is quiet @ freeway speeds w/ the top up.