If you are looking forward or slightly to the side, as one normally does while driving, you can't visually tell whether you are in a coupe with the top removed or in a convertible with the top down. I have to turn my head quite a bit before the B pillars become really noticeable.

The coupe will have more buffeting at speeds over about 30 mph, a long trip on the Interstate with the top down in in 'vert would be nicer than the same trip in a coupe with the top removed. In either car, that trip would be entirely too noisy for me; so I keep a set of cheap earplugs in the console and use them for longer/faster trips. With the plugs, I find that either car is ok on the highway. Just be sure to bring your SPF50.

When the top is up/installed, which is most of the time for most people, then the coupe is much nicer. Visibility is better, and the transparent coupe top makes the interior much brighter and cheerier. The blue tinting makes the clouds look dramatically better, even the stars and moon at night are nice.

With the top up/installed, the coupe has a lot more trunk space. With the top stored in the trunk, the two seem to have similar trunk capacity.

The 'vert top is quicker/easier to put up/down than the coupe top is to remove/install, but the difference is less than you might expect.

The windshield frame on either car meets the federal rollover standards for sedans, but those standards are so weak as to be something of a bad joke. The halo on the coupe adds a significant amount of protection; most road courses will accept the coupe for track days or HPDE, but most will refuse the 'vert. A rollover is never fun, but my observation over the years is that a rolled C6 coupe usually keeps the halo up, a rolled 'vert is usually flattened.

Life is full of choices, one size does not fit all.

 

I have owned both. There is nothing better than the Vert if you want open air feeling. I loved my 11 GS Vert. But the doc said I spent too much time in the sun and developed bumps on my back, they are not cancerous but I'm not risking it so I bought my 13 GS Coupe.

Vert is best for top down. Top up I'll take the coupe. Removing the coupes top does provide a lot of fun. Coupe is safer. Coupe can carry a lot more, although the vert is good with the top up. Coupe performs better on uneven highways/bumps. Vert does have some flex. Security may be a concern as it isn't hard to break into a vert.

Both are fantastic. I do miss my Vert but there is nothing wrong with the coupe's open air experience. I love the transparent top option when the roof is on also.

 

We have owned a convertible for over 15 years, mostly various BMW 3 series or Audis. Right now we own a 328i HARDTOP convertible and my '13 GS coupe. Also own two cars currently with sunroofs.

The targa top on the coupe is NOTHING like a sunroof. With the roof out and the windows down the open area directly above and in front of the driver and passenger is identical to a convertible. The difference of course is all behind the occupants and seats. This is mainly felt when looking through the rear view mirror or turning around. And of course there is no waterfall.

After driving a targa I was surprised how much closer it feels to a convertible than a sunroof. I bought the dual roof option so with the transparent roof in place the interior feels much more open than any convertible could. That was good enough for me. And I do not find the noise or buffetting a problem in the coupe . . . much quieter than my motorcycles.

Now after owning our BMW hardtop convertible I doubt I will ever buy any soft top again. I am much happier with the looks, security and storage space of the coupe.

The one major issue with the targa is obviously is you have to physically remove it, stow it, and then put it back. I'm 6'2 so its not an issue, but it is much more work than pushing a button for an electric top. If you can get past that you are good.

But obviously you can't go wrong either way . . . good luck.

 

We can parse the storage a wholelotta ways.

The vert has much more storage. With the top up (and the vert partition down) it can hold 2 cases of longneck beers, and a full-size shopping cart mounded full of groceries. This is not even utilizing the "dead space" under the tonneau (which I filled up in order to take my son, and his stuff to college). Different times. I did not take my son to college with beer.

I cannot get anywhere near that much stuff in the back of my Z. I assume the storage is the same as a coupe with the top still on.

With the top down, vs the top off and still in the car ( of the coupe), I can still get a full grocery cart full of stuff in the trunk--What can be put in the back of the coupe with the top stored back there? The main storage advantage of the coupe is if you have a a taller (than ~13 ") or longer object than the trunk will allow.

I love my vert!


lisa

 

Pros and cons to both. We have one of each right now; my C6 coupe and the wife's Shelby GT500 vert. The wife's cardinal rule in her car is that if the top is down so are the windows. She says it looks stupid otherwise and won't allow it. I have to agree.

 

 

True, however the C7 targa top is CF and I believe weights less than half of the C6 top. Much easier on old guys with bad backs.

 

The trans roof is pretty darn light!

 

 

If you ever want to take a Corvette convertible to the track even for just a high performance driving experience course, you will have to have a roll bar.

Someone did slash the top of my vert.

I still love cruising with the top down, but I can not take my Vette to the track.

 

The buffeting from the wind is significant in my coupe. I haven't got a convertible to use as a reference, but I do have other convertibles (three since the nineties). they have not had the buffeting issue.

However, the space in the back of the coupe is great compared to the very limited trunk space of the convertible.

 

but - The point is happy wife = happy life

 

Not sure why people think you can't track a vert?

 

The sentiment is correct!

However, I just like driving around with the top dropped! I call my hair: "ragtop mop" or "convertible curls."

I only drive with the top up when it's too cold, or the weather threatens. ( I've been known to drive through the storm, because you don't dare stop), and that's only time the windows come up if the top is down.


lisa

 

I've had both and do not see much difference with the coupe's top off vs a vert as far as buffeting and open air feel. The vert is easier to take the top down but the coupe has more room for golf clubs and luggage. I have a coupe now.

 

After a couple of hours on the interstate with the windows down, I think the buffeting of the wind caused some temporary hearing loss.

 

What?


lisa

 

I remember my '09 coupe exhibiting a high degree of buffeting & wind noise at highway speeds
with the roof panel removed. It still felt like a partially enclosed space...

I have never owned a 'vert, but have ridden in several different makes/models with the top down,
IMO a very different, more open feeling...

Q: does the installation of a windscreen in a 'vert lessen the wind noise/buffeting ?

 

I have owned six C6 Corvettes (don't ask). Love the verts!
Wife not thrilled with wind blowing her hair (I don't have any hair, so it doesn't bother me). She complains it is too hot or too cold. Only complaint I ever had with the verts is on the highway passing trucks are much too noisy and you get to smell the diesel fumes. Not too enjoyable.
4 Verts, 2 coupes. Currently have a 2012 Coupe. The vert wins hands down as far as looks and open air feeling. I don't even bother taking the Targa top off anymore. Needed a coupe to haul stuff since it is my daily driver.
Looking for a Mustang or Camaro v6 vert so both our grandkids can ride in the car with us.

 

Yes the coupe with the top removed is much closer to a car with a sunroofs feeling than a convert feeling.

The other factor is the removal, storage and reinstall of the targa roof is such a pain in the rear it becomes not worth the effort once the novelty wears off. With the convert you just release the lever at the windshield header and push the button while seated in the drivers seat. You can put it down or back up sitting at a stop light if you so desire, don't think you would try that with a coupe.

I have owned 25 vettes, 20 verts and 5 coupes. The last time I bought a coupe was in 1984 only because they didn't offer a convert then, replaced it with a 86 pace car convert when they became available.