the convertible is easier to enter/ext IMHO.

265 lbs and old

 

Nailed it!

 

Having owned several of each I prefer the Coupe.

 

I've had both, although it's been awhile since I had the vert. My C6 is a DD and I'm just not too fond of having a soft top car sitting in a public parking lot for 15-20 minutes at a time.

 

Ya got plenty of answers but heres my $.02. I just bought the 13 GS coupe with the dual roof option.

We have had BMW 3 series convertibles for over 10 years, first with soft tops and now a 328i with a retractable hardtop.

There is no way to claim the coupe feels exactly like a convertible because of course it doesn't. But with the roof out and the windows all the way down it is pretty close . . . only difference is looking in the rear view mirror where you see a rear window instead of open air. But the view forward, above and to the sides is essentially the same. The coupe is certainly more than a sunroof.

Strangely, I have found very little noise or buffetting in the GS coupe, even on the highway, but I need to put each window down about 1 or 2 inches. If I have the windows up all the way it there is more turbulence and noise.

Because the Vette is only a two seater its not like you are depriving rear passengers of the open air or losing that much more opening with a coupe. But you absolutely do gain more storage space in the coupe.

Some say the look of the of the coupe is more classic. Personally I don't love the look of the convertible with the top up, but top down is so great looking, especially with the waterfall. But a targa top car is much rarer than a convertible in general - you only see them on Vettes, 911's, Ferrari's, NSX's etc, but you see convertibles everywhere.

Finally, I think taking the targa roof in and out is much more of a chore than putting the convertible up and down but not a dealbreaker. And I really like the clear roof panel, which lets the sun in even with the roof in. No such option with the convertible. And after getting the retractable hardtop in our BMW, I think we are done with the fabric roof thing . . . there is no comparison there and I'm glad not to have the fabric on the Vette.

Can't go wrong either way, but I'm enjoying the coupe, roof in or out. Good luck.

 

coupe, hands down. if i want an open vehicle i just take the top off. the style imho is so much better than the ragtop. look at both with the top down and the top off, no comparison. the 63 to 67 vette looked good with the ragtop, but not the style today. even the c7 coupe looks great with the top off. go coupe, you'll be happier.

 

Thanks for all the comments and feedback. I will see if I can find a coupe to drive. At least then, I will have a point of reference.

 

The two biggest advantages of the coupe for me are:

1. Interior space.
2. Security.

I can put several 8' 2x4's or a pair of DR's in the car and they'll stay dry and secure even if I park at the mall to shop while it's raining. I can also easily access items that are in the front part of the hatch area without stopping the car.

Almost forgot to include that a NHRA legal rollbar isn't possible in a vert.

 

All the reasons RoadkingC6 mentions fit my story as well. I liked the vert. but there is no privacy when top down. My wife likes the fact that with the coupe (and tinted windows) there is a little more. Not sure why but that what she tells me.

 

I recommend that you drive a coup-----go to a local corvette club meeting on a cruise night and ask a member----bet more than one would be willing to help you out. I have had both, including a ZO6, and I traded in the ZO6 for a 427 convertible because I missed the convertible. The coup didn't give me the same flow of fresh air as the convertible---I just missed it. The noise level in the front seats of the convertible is MUCH less than a coup-----look for this on your test drive on the highway. Other than that---looks wise, etc., it is just personal taste---some like vanilla ice-cream, others like chocolate----both are great, and nothing wrong with either. Good luck!

 

I've heard the convertible is quieter, but I've never driven a coupe C6. I was kinda impressed with the C6 vert though. Much quieter than I remember the C5 coupe being at least.

As for racing... in regards to drag racing a guy I do work for said the local drag strip here isn't that picky about verts as long as they have a "stock appearance". Not sure about that but if I got a vert C6 the only mods I'd be doing anytime soon is a stall converter and putting drag slicks on it when I ran.

 

The coupe is the best of both worlds. When you want a vert take off the top and store it in the rear. When you want a coupe put it back on. I took mine off once and probably won't take it off again.

 

You can't go wrong either way, but I have been really impressed with my vert. There was no question for me. Definitely drive both with the top on and off and decide for yourself. There is no wrong answer.

If you can't decide, just buy the coupe. It is cheaper.

 

Have owned 6 vetts, 2 coupes and 4 verts, for me the Vert is my choice. When I want top down it takes 30 seconds, it also takes 30 seconds to put up! Coupes take much longer and is still a quasi convertible. Not nocking coupes if thats your thing, just stating my .02 worth. The verts are more expensive but my 09 is quiet with the top up and I have never wanted for space. I use my vette for trips and sunday drives, when I need space I take the escalade Again to each his own but the vert corvette is the true 2 seat sports car for me.

 

verts have never appealed to me. I have ridden in them, but have never had any desire to own one. Nothing wrong with them, they are just not for me.

 

This has been said by someone else as well. While there are drawbacks to a coupe, this ain't one of them. I can take the top off my coupe and store it in the hatchback in a couple of minutes or less, which isn't "much longer" than putting the top down on a vert.

I'd like to have one of each, but I can't justify the cost of a second Vette vert for the few miles it would see. So, when I want to drive a vert, I take the wife's Shelby GT500 SVT vert; it's not a Vette but it's not a typical vert either.

 

I have had both and favor the vert. Not as much luggage space for trips in the vert, but I look really good

 

[QUOTE=JohnAE455;1585067676]Did an extensive overnight test drive of a GS coupe but never owned a C6 coupe. Had a C5 coupe for 10 years and a C5 vert. before that. So these are my observations.

I found the coupe to be much, much louder inside then a vert. My wife and I could not talk to each other in the coupe without practically yelling at speeds above 60 mph

So we can assume then that this is in the pro's category! LOL!

 

Weekend no trips Vert otherwise Coupe

 

When I said takes more time and is harder to take coupe top off, that is the truth, how much is subjective and if you don't mind, than by all means buy a coupe, I found myself not taking the top off because i didn't want the hastle, when I have a vert the top goes down and up so quick and easy that I use it much more than I did the coupes I owned. I think a lot of coupe owners would agree. And BTW I don't have to worry about getting cought in the rain cause I always have my top with me. Not wanting to argue with anyone, the question was "what do you prefer" and I answered it. Like I said I have owned 2 coupes and 4 verts and I prefer the verts! If you like the coupes thats great, thats why the make and sell both. I have also had trans am's, z28's with removanle tops and I didn't use them as much as I do the vert for the same reason.

Stosh