Targa Top Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Henderson Nevada
Targa Top Question
I'm looking into getting a vette and trying to decide between a coupe and a convertible. Is there really much of an advantage to the convertible top? How long/difficult is the process of removing the targa and stowing it? I drive a Solstice now and I almost always have the top down.
Thanks in advance!
Tom
Thanks in advance!
Tom
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 163
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From: Santa Barbara California
i have an 08 with the targa and LOVE it.... i was actually out today (60 degrees) with the top off..... i think its the best of both worlds..... as for taking it off and on/storing.... have a wall mount for my one top and its pretty easy for one person to take off the top themselves and store it.... only takes a minute of your time for hours of driving pleasure 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Eagle River Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '08
If you almost always have your top down, go with the conv. It takes about 3 minutes to remove and store your roof on a coupe. Faster if it starts to rain. Believe me, I know. The other question is storage. When we travel, I like the 22 cu. ft. of storage. The wife packs a lot. 
Last edited by Victoryred 08; Jan 7, 2008 at 03:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: GTA, ON , Retired,,
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I have a coupe,lots of guys around here have verts,personal choice.
But I do have a couple considerations when buying,with top down the coupe has more luggage space,but not as much if you have the targa top stored.The vert has a secure trunk with top down or up,coupe is only secure with top on.The water fall and top storage take away from some behind the seat storage.But coming from a solstice you will notice tons of space and more leg room.
Welcome to the forum.
But I do have a couple considerations when buying,with top down the coupe has more luggage space,but not as much if you have the targa top stored.The vert has a secure trunk with top down or up,coupe is only secure with top on.The water fall and top storage take away from some behind the seat storage.But coming from a solstice you will notice tons of space and more leg room.
Welcome to the forum.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Bethesda MD
Where's the car going to be stored? If you keep it in a garage, targa becomes very easy since you don't need to put the top on every time you come home (unless you have a lot of dust).
I'm going targa this time because my budget would not cover an 08 vert. I also needed the storage space since I coach soccer and need room for equipment. I added the clear roof option which makes the Targa nicer than a vert in top up driving weather.
I'm going targa this time because my budget would not cover an 08 vert. I also needed the storage space since I coach soccer and need room for equipment. I added the clear roof option which makes the Targa nicer than a vert in top up driving weather.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Henderson Nevada
If you almost always have your top down, go with the conv. It takes about 3 minutes to remove and store your roof on a coupe. Faster if it starts to rain. Believe me, I know. The other question is storage. When we travel, I like the 22 cu. ft. of storage. The wife packs a lot.
I'll definitely get caught in the rain, esp. in FL where it'll be clear one minute then raining the next.
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Pro
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From: Henderson Nevada
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From: In the woods looking for my thrown putter.
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Night Race Blue 427
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From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
If you truly enjoy topless driving the convertible is the only way to go. The coupe with that huge piece of glass in back just doesn't feel like open air driving. The coupe also has much more buffeting. The convertible with it's top up is quieter than the coupe with it's on.
Burning Brakes
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From: Stafford Va
I've had both, the targa experience is not the same sensation as the true vert. That said, my Wife feels over exposed in the vert in terms of a roll over accident. I personally would rather have the vert, but I am smart enough to know when to lose an argument. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
If you almost always have your top down, go with the conv. It takes about 3 minutes to remove and store your roof on a coupe. Faster if it starts to rain. Believe me, I know. The other question is storage. When we travel, I like the 22 cu. ft. of storage. The wife packs a lot.
.I purchased a C5 coupe, thinking the advantages (storage space, etc.) outweighed the inconvenience of handling the roof panel. I *really* like open motoring, so the top is off whenever possible. Top off whenever possible = a pita handling the not-particularly-heavy,-but-awkward roof so much.
I now have a C6 'vert to go with the coupe. If I'd known what I know now, I'd have a single car -- a C5 'vert -- and more money in my accounts! (on the other hand, I have two Corvettes -- who would have ever thunk that! maybe this did work out after all
)
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Henderson Nevada
That's probably adequate. Before I got the Sol I read so many accounts of how hard the top was to stow, but once I did it enough the motions came automatically and I could do it very quickly.
Thanks guys! Time to go on some test drives.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Beech Mountain North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09
normally, removal and storage of the top will take only 30 sec, unless you have to move everything in the storage around. Remember to clear the storage first === as I learned after popping the trunk and immediately removing top with storage clip-ins covered. You're left standing there with the top in your hands going -- " oh **** !"
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Clovis, Ca.
For myself, there are so few weeks to enjoy a vert here in town, I decided to go with the coupe. Here in central Calif it goes from a high in the 50's to a high in the 100's in a matter of just a few weeks. We don't know what spring and fall are. I find that I can drive around in the summer in 100+ weather with the top off and the A/C on, and be pretty comfortable. Not sure if that would be the case in a vert.
Anyway, good luck on your decision.
Gene...
Anyway, good luck on your decision.
Gene...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Middle of Redneck Hell, NC
St. Jude Donor '09
Tom-
You mentioned that you have no covered storage at your apartment.
Beyond the excellent points that already been offered here, and if you are still REALLY on the fence, then consider this :
- Being constantly exposed to your Florida weather, the vert top will be much more of a maintenance issue. Now I KNOW that you would keep it lookin' good, but it just requires that much more constant upkeep then a hardtop.
- Insurance on a vert is typically somewhat higher per year.
- Break-ins with a vert are obviously easier (anybody got a knife?
), and MUCH more expensive to repair afterwards.
As a former Porsche Boxster S owner, I know the trade-offs of dealing with a cloth-topped convertible. Even though I DID have a garage and a second car at the time, taking care of the top over the long term was always a concern. I knew that the top WOULD eventually have to be replaced - it's just a question of WHEN. This is obviously not an issue with a hardtop.
Having said all of that, I LOVED that car when the top was down. There was NO wind buffeting to speak of, and with the BIG front trunk and reasonably-sized rear trunk, it just didn't make you pay a 'penalty' to own a small convertible.
So it's all about getting what you enjoy and the trade-offs you are willing to live with to keep it.
You mentioned that you have no covered storage at your apartment.
Beyond the excellent points that already been offered here, and if you are still REALLY on the fence, then consider this :
- Being constantly exposed to your Florida weather, the vert top will be much more of a maintenance issue. Now I KNOW that you would keep it lookin' good, but it just requires that much more constant upkeep then a hardtop.
- Insurance on a vert is typically somewhat higher per year.
- Break-ins with a vert are obviously easier (anybody got a knife?
), and MUCH more expensive to repair afterwards.As a former Porsche Boxster S owner, I know the trade-offs of dealing with a cloth-topped convertible. Even though I DID have a garage and a second car at the time, taking care of the top over the long term was always a concern. I knew that the top WOULD eventually have to be replaced - it's just a question of WHEN. This is obviously not an issue with a hardtop.
Having said all of that, I LOVED that car when the top was down. There was NO wind buffeting to speak of, and with the BIG front trunk and reasonably-sized rear trunk, it just didn't make you pay a 'penalty' to own a small convertible.
So it's all about getting what you enjoy and the trade-offs you are willing to live with to keep it.
Team Owner
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From: In the woods looking for my thrown putter.
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Exactly, when I first got it, it probably did take me about 3-4 minutes to do it. Now I know exactly how to grab it, exactly how it goes in the holder.....etc. It is MUCH easier now.
Last edited by Silverspeed; Jan 7, 2008 at 05:52 PM.