So i've had an itch recently...

Replace my LMB '05 C6 manual coupe or Dig in with some MODS:

Scenario 1: Replace with power vert, A6, NAV, and F55.

Scenario 2: New intake, new exhaust, new brakes, drilled rotors, new Chrome Rims, and a performance tune. Maybe some light engine updates.

Key factors: Stick is getting old, but love it on occasion. I have the top off constantly...even in cooler weather. Though i am concerned about road noise in vert.

General thoughts appreciated, though specific reference from former coupe owners (c5 or c6) who converted to a c6 vert.

 

Post up in vettes for sale on the forum

look for a trade

WTT-05 M CPE for.... *** vert etc.

you may luck out

also post in regional great lakes

2 cents

 

Scenario 1 = Failure

 

It all depends on what you have your Vette for. If you want to track the car, then you need the coupe with some mods. If you're looking for a boulevard kruzer with some gitty-up, the vert works just fine.

I have and '07 LMB coupe with MN6 and F55. I also have an '06 A6 vert with F55. They are my "Summer Home" and my "Winter Home". Occasionally, I'm tempted to mod out my coupe and then I think, "What for?" In its stock configuration, it'll do anything that I want it to do. Since I have no intention of racing the car, other than bragging rights, I just don't think that mods will do a thing for me.

The vert with the A6 is simply a different animal from the coupe. It's my blvd kruzer with gitty-up. I love the car with the top down.

The vert with the top up has less road noise than the coupe with the top on. With the top down the vert is no noisier and probably has less turbulance than the coupe with the top off.

If I could only keep one of these two cars, I'd keep the vert.

Just my 2¢

 

There is nothing like a vert. The only way you could get me out of a C6 Vert would be with a ZO6 Vert and we know that's never going to happen.

Enjoy,

 

Go topless!!!

 

huh? why? please explain.

 

Not a track car...mods would be out of bordom, or desire for more giddy up and go. My vette is (and always will be) my daily driver. I have a Jeep GC SRT8 for visiting clients and winter time.

That thing also comes with its own "giddy up and go"

i'd be curious for you to define the "different animal" reference. I have honestly never owned a convertible.

You point of less noise in the vert with the top up surprises me. It doesn't make sense to me, but with your perspective i don't see why you would make it up.

how is the A6? I have the SRT8 with "manual" autostick, with only four gears. Helps when i get really bored driving it (rare) or if i really need to pop it.

 

Don's right. I test drove both configurations, taking them through their paces. I didn't care for the coupe generally. Tire noise (rears) is trapped by the hatch, whereas this is external to the vert cockpit. The coupe with top off was much like being in the wake of a big truck ... lots of buffeting/noise that would get old very fast.

 

The best way for me to describe the difference is that the coupe with its stick shift transmission is more visceral...more "in your face". While the A6 is more of a refined sophisticated feeling of power.

Maybe it's just my own driving style, but in the coupe with the stick shift, I've never felt the need for a CAGS eliminator because I hardly ever shift before 3,000 rpm. It just feels like it wants to be driven hard and so I gladly oblige the machine. Don't get me wrong, I'm not spinning the tires at every stop light and I'm not running at WOT, I'm just giving it a little more rein as it were.

The A6, on the other hand, the power is there, but there is no sense of urgency to use it. In fact, if I put that F55 in "Tour" mode and resist the temptation to use the paddle shifting buttons, even my wifely-unit doesn't complain about how horrible the ride is compared to her Acura. The car is almost schizophrenic in that with the F55 in "Sport" and using the paddles, it is very much a sports car feel. But with the F55 in tour and letting the A6 shift for itself, you'd almost swear you were riding in a Lexus, a very fast Lexus...well, maybe not quite.

As Sven said, a lot of the road noise from the rear tires seems to be trapped in the trunk away from the human occupants in the vert, while this same tire noise seems to be trapped by and amplified by the rear hatch area in a coupe. There's also the consideration that most of my coupe driving is with the transparent top which has no sound deadening, while the vert top has a fair amount of sound deadening material between those layers of canvas.

Like I said before, if I had to pick one, I'd keep the vert. The coupe's fun, but the vert is multifaceted.

 

awesome feedback Don...thanks.

Sadly, still not sure what to do. The irony is 10k in mods is less difficult to get approved by the wife than an additional 10k to get "another new car".

Amazingly, all the things you pointed out I know she would appreciate the car more for.

 

I don't know what else to tell you other than sometimes...

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Good Luck.

 

I have an 07 verte but I'm looking for a LMB c5 verte as a second one for my wife. I like a lot of things on the C5 but I like the auto top on the c6 Take your pick

 

Everyone should own one convertible in their life, if only to discover first hand why they will never buy another.

 

I had an 04 vert for awhile, fun car in the warmer months & the wife really loved it.....for cruising there is nothing better than the complete open air feeling.

 

Nice to have options!

 

why? Please tell me the cons of owning a vette, other than the obvious ones like visibility restriction.

PS-Anyone have experience with tan tops? Or light colors? Do they stain with time?

 

My advice would be for you to wait the five weeks and change until we find out about '08 changes. A new engine and manual trans might influence your decision. If you could afford it I'd say go for a Z06 and keep it stock-unless the mods are something you want to do for their own sake.

You'll have to mod a lot to come even close to a stock Z06 IMO. If you get the vert I'd say get Z51. As for the possible mods go for slotted two piece lower weight aftermarket rotors with a unique left and right part. Slots are said to be superior to drilled rotors unless you want the swiss cheese look for its own sake.

I'm not convinced that drilled rotors perform much better than solid of the same size and some say they are , in fact , inferior.

whatever you choose to do it will be fun and you can't go wrong.

 

Thanks for the advice. An '08 is not in the cards. The value of waiting may be if it does increase even 20hp, that the 2006/2007 value will go through the floor...but then so will my 2005.

The Z06 is a beautiful machine, with one huge design flaw: No removable roof. Just kidding...I get the point with the Z06 and respect what it is and is not...i just have to have a removable top of some kind.

 

Well looks like I am going to make the switch to a Vert.

Found a sweet deal on an '06 new. Dealer is coming 10k off of MSRP and being extremely agressive on my trade. Should have it this weekend...silver convertability here I come!