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Back in the early 2000's, I bought a '67 Corvette small block convertible. Since it was a classic car, I just drove in on weekends to enjoy but never went on any overnight trips (due to Classic Car insurance restrictions). I sold it 4 years later when my kids went off to college and we downsized from a 3 car garage to a 2 car garage. I told my wife that when I retire, I will buy another Vette. Well that day has come. Instead of buying a Classic, I want to have another Vette (early C6-2006-2009) to go on overnight trips with my wife and be able to leave it in a hotel parking lot and the piece of mind, that a newer car not breaking down on me, brings.
My question, to those Corvette aficionado's, do I buy a Coupe or Convertible? I like the open air of an convertible (and the look of the Corvette waterfall). A convertible top, when up, does not look as nice as a coupe. But if I buy a coupe, I can always take the Targa top off, but lose any space in the trunk for any bags plus the top.
What are the pro's and con's of a coupe and a convertible?
Snake42
I personally like the look of the C6 base convertible better than a base non-widebody coupe - at least in the right color, guess a lot of this is subjective.
Based on what your saying I would not hesitate to buy a convertible, I've driven a lot of C6 convertibles and its a great experience if your into that.
That's the million dollar question isn't it? I was in the exact same thought process as you are when I was looking for my retirement road trip corvette. I decided on the coupe, for a few reasons. 1) More hatch space for storage, etc. 2) I like the look of the Coupe more than a convertible with the top up. 3) Our road trips are long trips, so while on the I-highways, I likely would not use the top down, or targa off for various reasons.
Having said all that, the convertible is the best option, if you like driving in open air, in the country, away from the Interstate highwys. The coupe, even with the targa top off, will not give you the same effect, no matter how you spin it.
We do remove the targa top, once we reach our daily stop over at the hotels. We may go cruising with the top off after dinner etc. It is nice to have that option to be able to remove the targa.
Because we do go for long road trips, we usually bring 2 medium suitcases, so storing the targa is not an option while were on the road, only when we reach our hotel and can ditch the suitcaes, laptop, etc.
I don't regret my decision on selecting the coupe. I find that more and more, I leave the top on, rather than removing it as much as I used to.
I've had 2 verts and one coupe. Vert all the way! There's plenty of room for clothes for trips, especially if you pack in soft-sided luggage. It's also quieter inside with the top up than a coupe. The top is up most of the time on long, high speed highway trips and is down the rest of the time.
You make some good points. My main vehicle that I purchased for retirement was a 2010 Ford F150 Lariat Crew Cab. Once I left the corporate world, it was nice to have a truck to haul stuff and the Vette is for FUN! Thanks for your opinion.
Snake42
I can't imagine owning a convertible or automatic transmission in a Corvette... but that's just me. A white Corvette with both options is what my secretary drives to work... so there is that...
I don’t know how much stuff you need to bring with you for overnight trips but I can fit 2 carry-on suitcases in the hatch along with my sub, amp, partition & homemade “Vette tray” & store the top in the hatch over the 2 suit cases. If I needed more space I could remove the front tray.
I’m partial as I always had Verts. You will lose trunk space in a Vert but two small bags will work. Look at a coupe and look at a Vert that will give you the best idea for trunk size. Good luck
My first was 66 Roadster. That was the last convertible I will EVER own. You've pretty much answered your own question when you stated you like the look of a coupe.
I bought the coupe (2012 CE Grand Sport) and love the space it provides for our weekend trips. Don't take the top off on fwy but do take it off on beach roads (hwy1) and mountains. You can fit quite a bit of stuff in the back of a coupe. We've done 2 carry on suitcases, a small ice chest, dog bed, and 2 folding chairs.... amazing! Just my 2 cents on how roomy the coupe is....but buy the car style you like and you'll find a way to live with the storage space it provides.
Reliability wise, is do you use comfortable non run flat tires or stick with the runflats. It’s a modern Chevy. Maintain it and it will be darn near trouble free.
All mine have been coupes. That said, sometimes I wish opening the roof was a button press away vs getting out and everything. That said, I also prefer the security of the targa roof.
I don't think you can go wrong either way. Coupes are easier to track as you don't need a roll bar or to worry about a broom test, and every vette deserves to go on a track.
My .02: I've always had coupes; they look good, and with the targa top off, you see the sky above, just like a convertible.
No, no, and just plain NO. A coupe is NOT just like a convertible.
Originally Posted by FAUEE
...I also prefer the security of the targa roof...
I've had three coupes (C-2's) and all the rest have been convertibles. I have motel'ed many nights and never had an instance of someone trying to get into my convertible.
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Convertible or Coupe?
