Convertible a Practical Daily Driver?
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Oshkosh Wi
Convertible a Practical Daily Driver?
I just ordered a C7 Z51 Vert and I'm having some second thoughts. My wife and I have never owned a convertible and the weather right now in WI does not allow for a test drive. The car will be a daily driver in season. My questions are:
Is the vert top substantially noisier than a hard top?
Some days will be colder are they hard to heat?
How are they on rainy days?
Thanks for the help
Is the vert top substantially noisier than a hard top?
Some days will be colder are they hard to heat?
How are they on rainy days?
Thanks for the help
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
"Is the vert top substantially noisier than a hard top?"
Actually, it will probably be similar to the prior generation which means it may be quieter, or at least as quiet as a coupe because it has less cabin space to reverberate sounds.
"Some days will be colder are they hard to heat?"
Top is at least lined, so the answer would be no, it won't be hard to heat.
"How are they on rainy days?"
The top itself is very well made by one of the premier top manufacturers in the country. Sheds water well, and just requires care (depending on who you read, and what you believe): 1. use of regular car soap to wash it like the rest of the car, or 2. use of specialized canvas top cleaning "stuff" like RaggTop, 303 Cleaner and Protectant, etc.
Actually, it will probably be similar to the prior generation which means it may be quieter, or at least as quiet as a coupe because it has less cabin space to reverberate sounds.
"Some days will be colder are they hard to heat?"
Top is at least lined, so the answer would be no, it won't be hard to heat.
"How are they on rainy days?"
The top itself is very well made by one of the premier top manufacturers in the country. Sheds water well, and just requires care (depending on who you read, and what you believe): 1. use of regular car soap to wash it like the rest of the car, or 2. use of specialized canvas top cleaning "stuff" like RaggTop, 303 Cleaner and Protectant, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
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The convertible has been measured to be LESS NOISY inside than the coupe.
The only draw back to the DD situation is the truck space IMO. If you don't carry a bunch of stuff around all the time, it should be fine. You just can't go to Costco in it and buy your weeks worth of groceries.
The only draw back to the DD situation is the truck space IMO. If you don't carry a bunch of stuff around all the time, it should be fine. You just can't go to Costco in it and buy your weeks worth of groceries.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
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My ownership comparison is only with 2 C6's, one coupe, one vert. For me, living in Florida, the Vert was a quieter ride. The coupe, was just another car for DD, the vert was always a pleasure to drive with the top down, and with the top up, it was as nice as the coupe. Coupes are for people that wait for the perfect day to take the roof panel off. Verts are for people that have the top down everyday unless it is raining. Verts are also for people that want to be in the environment, ie; the wind, sun, heat/cold/ etc. the Coupe is for people that want to control their environment just to their liking. If either of you is going to be unhappy at the end of your ride if your hair/makeup is not perfect, don't get the vert.
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The vert would be just fine for DD use. Huge improvements have been made in noise reduction and ease of dropping the top on verts. You'll give up some storage space, but other than that, it's not a bad choice.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,008
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From: Tampa Florida
My wife has driven Corvette convertibles as her daily driver since 1993. She loves them. She puts the top down as she leaves work and has forgotten all the little things that irritated her all day by the time she gets home.
She hasn't taken delivery of her C7 yet but we expect it to be even better. Trunk space has gotten a little smaller on the C7 but we have taken 2 week trips with luggage in her C6.
You made the right decision to go with the vert.
She hasn't taken delivery of her C7 yet but we expect it to be even better. Trunk space has gotten a little smaller on the C7 but we have taken 2 week trips with luggage in her C6.
You made the right decision to go with the vert.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
FWIW: I had a convertible and really enjoyed it on nice days. So much so that I didn't like driving it with the top up which greatly limited how much I drive the car here in Northern VA.
I went with a couple this time thinking I'll drive the car more.
I went with a couple this time thinking I'll drive the car more.
Lifetime Supporting Gold
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,681
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From: Katy TX
Used both a C5 and C6 convertible as dd with zero complaints. Icame close to going with a coupe for my C7 but in the end my love for drop top driving won out, ordering C7 convertible today.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 523
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Gosh, you're in for a real treat when the weather warms up. As to all your other questions, I have owned a convertible -- a Miata -- and have used it with no problems as a DD. This wasn't in WI, but I can't see any reason why it won't work out for you. Modern convertibles do not have the problems of past. I predict that you're not going to regret your purchase.
Cheers.
Cheers.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 6
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From: Orlando Florida
I owned a C5 vert and drove it on a regular basics. I never had any issues with weather or noise. Now I have the new C7 vert and it has only gotten better. Especially, the auto top. My C5 was a manual top and that was the only thing I did not like about it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Tucson Arizona
For 22 years of the time I lived in the Minneapolis area I drove corvettes and for at least half of that time they were my only car and so they were my DD all year around no matter what the weather was doing.
As far as cabin noise I have owned corvettes from all of the first 6 generations and in every case the convert was always quieter with the top up than the comparable model coupe was with the roof in place. On the freeway the convert is way better than the coupe from a road noise level standpoint in the cabin area.
As far as cabin noise I have owned corvettes from all of the first 6 generations and in every case the convert was always quieter with the top up than the comparable model coupe was with the roof in place. On the freeway the convert is way better than the coupe from a road noise level standpoint in the cabin area.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 485
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From: MN
I have a C7 Convertible here in Minnesota. The top is one of the best ragtops I have seen. Its quiet, tight, and plenty warm. I have driven it in below zero weather (down to -12) and the heater kept it plenty warm inside in just shirt sleeves. Get the 2LT with heated seats if you are really worried about it (mine is a 1LT).
Totally water tight in the rain. I have also taken it through the touchless carwash and nothing sprayed through the top or any of the seals where it mates to the windshield, side windows, or car body.
Only days I don't plan to drive it is when the roads have actual snow.
Totally water tight in the rain. I have also taken it through the touchless carwash and nothing sprayed through the top or any of the seals where it mates to the windshield, side windows, or car body.
Only days I don't plan to drive it is when the roads have actual snow.