Help with coupe decision
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 118
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Help with coupe decision
I originally wanted a convertible but changed my mind after driving the coupe. 90%+ of my driving will be with the top up and the coupe looks better to me than the vert with the top up. With the targa top out how close is the coupe to the vert driving experience.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,519
Likes: 194
From: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A! Oklahoma!
I felt the same way - I love how the C6 vert looks with the top down but with it up, not so much.
With the targa off it feels vertish, but it certainly isn't the same.
I have a coupe and love the fact that it is the best of both worlds.
With the targa off it feels vertish, but it certainly isn't the same.
I have a coupe and love the fact that it is the best of both worlds.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 1
From: Lexington KY
With the roof panel removed, my coupe provides a 'wind in the hair' experience very similar to that offered by my previous Miata. I can easily remove/install the roof panel in about 30 seconds. For me, the coupe offers the best of both worlds. A vert, on the other hand, will allow you to raise/lower the roof without leaving the drivers seat (if you order the power top).
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
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From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
If you want a hardtop, get the coupe.
You can lift the top off the coupe, but the rest of the roof and that expanse of rear glass remain. It's pretty much a glorified sun roof. Look in your rear view mirror...it's still a coupe. Not that that's bad...but it's not open air motoring.
In addition, the C6 is a little too tall for its width. The coupe's big bubble of rear glass and roofline magnifies this. The vert, with the top down, visually lowers the vehicle and brings it back into proportion
You can lift the top off the coupe, but the rest of the roof and that expanse of rear glass remain. It's pretty much a glorified sun roof. Look in your rear view mirror...it's still a coupe. Not that that's bad...but it's not open air motoring.
In addition, the C6 is a little too tall for its width. The coupe's big bubble of rear glass and roofline magnifies this. The vert, with the top down, visually lowers the vehicle and brings it back into proportion
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
I'm ordering in a few weeks and the recent (outrageous) Canadian price increase made me reconsider a coupe. I'm sticking with the vert because, true, while the coupe's top is removable I think most driver's quickly stop taking advantage of that option. I recall a post here where owners were saying they take the top out once a year or so. Yikes! I want something that encourages me to lower/raise the top 5-10 times a day and the coupe doesn't seem to do that for most owners.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: Jenkintown Pa
I went back and forth between the coupe and convertible for quite some time. I saw a difference in how these cars looked COLORWISE. Im stuck on black and when I saw the C6 black vert, it didnt seem aggressive enough in its looks. Top down looked sweet but a lowered black coupe takes the prize IMHO. My C5 was a triple black vert and the rear end lent itself to the ragtop better than the C6 again IMHO. Now the trick is to migrate from black into a different color. This will not happen too easily!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: Jenkintown Pa
If you want a hardtop, get the coupe.
You can lift the top off the coupe, but the rest of the roof and that expanse of rear glass remain. It's pretty much a glorified sun roof. Look in your rear view mirror...it's still a coupe. Not that that's bad...but it's not open air motoring.
In addition, the C6 is a little too tall for its width. The coupe's big bubble of rear glass and roofline magnifies this. The vert, with the top down, visually lowers the vehicle and brings it back into proportion
You can lift the top off the coupe, but the rest of the roof and that expanse of rear glass remain. It's pretty much a glorified sun roof. Look in your rear view mirror...it's still a coupe. Not that that's bad...but it's not open air motoring.
In addition, the C6 is a little too tall for its width. The coupe's big bubble of rear glass and roofline magnifies this. The vert, with the top down, visually lowers the vehicle and brings it back into proportion
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 504
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
I'm ordering in a few weeks and the recent (outrageous) Canadian price increase made me reconsider a coupe. I'm sticking with the vert because, true, while the coupe's top is removable I think most driver's quickly stop taking advantage of that option. I recall a post here where owners were saying they take the top out once a year or so. Yikes! I want something that encourages me to lower/raise the top 5-10 times a day and the coupe doesn't seem to do that for most owners.
If you live in Canada (I'm from Toronto originally) will you really have that much opportunity to take the top off? Unless the car is going to be a summertime only occasional driver, I'd go with the coupe
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,121
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From: Greenville, NC
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Best of both worlds.
I still drive with the top on 90% of the time.
Last edited by ZPirate; Jun 28, 2007 at 11:34 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,683
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From: Sunnyvale CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
I originally planned to buy the coupe but bought the vert when we were having beautiful weather. I never thought I would drive with the top down as often as I do. I am glad I bought the vert.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
The coupe with the top off is great, but it is a major PITA to remove and replace.
That is why I bought a 2nd Vert.
I have one Vert with a manual top and one with a power top, both are much easier than the targa top. In fact, I prefer the manual top.
You do feel much more out in the open with the Vert.
Howard
That is why I bought a 2nd Vert.
I have one Vert with a manual top and one with a power top, both are much easier than the targa top. In fact, I prefer the manual top.
You do feel much more out in the open with the Vert.
Howard
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
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From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
For my purposes, I prefer coupes, but I'll give you an unbiased, informed opinion. My first Vette was a C3 vert. My second and third have been C5 and C6 coupes. All have been daily drivers.
The ability to take the top off the coupe is cool, but it is not the same open feeling as a vert, and I don't bother to do it very often. Here, it is either too hot or too cold most of the time, and I won't bother to take it off if I'm commuting or running errands. With a vert, I was much, much more likely to drop the top, and the totally open feeling is way better than a coupe with the top off.
For a daily driver, I like coupes. I like the solid top blocking the baking sun and keeping the pouring rain out. I like the cargo capacity of the hatchback. And, I just like the look of a coupe better. But, for Spring and Fall weekend motoring just for the fun of it, a vert would be better.
The ability to take the top off the coupe is cool, but it is not the same open feeling as a vert, and I don't bother to do it very often. Here, it is either too hot or too cold most of the time, and I won't bother to take it off if I'm commuting or running errands. With a vert, I was much, much more likely to drop the top, and the totally open feeling is way better than a coupe with the top off.
For a daily driver, I like coupes. I like the solid top blocking the baking sun and keeping the pouring rain out. I like the cargo capacity of the hatchback. And, I just like the look of a coupe better. But, for Spring and Fall weekend motoring just for the fun of it, a vert would be better.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,510
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From: Tulsa OK
I really believe it depends on where you live. If you live in OK like me, I would get the coupe. It is so hot and humid during the summer that I would not use a convertible.
However, if I live in AZ, I would buy the convertible. It is hot during the day, but you could put the top down every night. In the fall, winter, and spring, the top would be down all the time.
However, if I live in AZ, I would buy the convertible. It is hot during the day, but you could put the top down every night. In the fall, winter, and spring, the top would be down all the time.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I decided against a vert. The removable targa top does not provide the same open-air feel as a vert but it is still quite enjoyable. I also like the lines of the coupe more than the vert.
Storage space was another consideration....if you only transport your golf clubs you're fine with the vert, however, if you and your wife ever want to take an extended trip in the Vette, the additional storage of the coupe is IMO almost essential. Another consideration could be if you ever want to track your car. I enjoy running on road courses and a vert would require a substantial, functional roll bar.
Insulation is another consideration. I live where in Arizona with brutal sunshine and high heat. I believe the hard-top provides greater insulation than the rag-top when running the a/c. In the summer you can only go topless in the early morning or after sunset....the targa top suffices quite well.
In summation, while the removable roof panel does not give you the same feel as a true convertible, there were just so many more advantages to the targa top it was a no-brainer for me.
Storage space was another consideration....if you only transport your golf clubs you're fine with the vert, however, if you and your wife ever want to take an extended trip in the Vette, the additional storage of the coupe is IMO almost essential. Another consideration could be if you ever want to track your car. I enjoy running on road courses and a vert would require a substantial, functional roll bar.
Insulation is another consideration. I live where in Arizona with brutal sunshine and high heat. I believe the hard-top provides greater insulation than the rag-top when running the a/c. In the summer you can only go topless in the early morning or after sunset....the targa top suffices quite well.
In summation, while the removable roof panel does not give you the same feel as a true convertible, there were just so many more advantages to the targa top it was a no-brainer for me.
Last edited by Wayne O; Jun 28, 2007 at 11:59 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
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That's funny. Victoria gets 2200 hours of glorious temperate sunshine a year. 10 o'clock at night in February it's still balmy and perfectly acceptable convertible weather.
Supporting Lifetime
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From: Syracuse NY
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I originally planned to buy the coupe but bought the vert when we were having beautiful weather. I never thought I would drive with the top down as often as I do. I am glad I bought the vert.
Even here in "sunny" Central New York, I couldn't be more glad I bought the convertible. NO ONE buys a convertible -any convertible - for how it looks with the top up . . . and with it down (as God intended), there is no comparison in looks.
Buy the convertible, and put the top down every chance you get. You won't regret it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
I'm glad I got the coupe
My top's pretty much off all of the time - fortunately I can leave it off at work, so unless it's raining out, the top's off.
But for long road trips, the extra storage space and the security of the coupe are really great.
Top off you still get the wind in your hair, and the all encompassing view. There's definitely more wind bufetting though. And although the hatch is still back there, I don't spend much time looking back while I drive.
But for long road trips, the extra storage space and the security of the coupe are really great.
Top off you still get the wind in your hair, and the all encompassing view. There's definitely more wind bufetting though. And although the hatch is still back there, I don't spend much time looking back while I drive.
