When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
OK. someone has to present the other viewpoint.... I had a 'vette convertible (my 1st vette), and I will never own another. I did not/do not enjoy the constant blowing wind and the sun beating / burning down on me. I know many do, fine. But some people don't. It's a personal preference thing, like almost everything else.
I’ve owned convertibles before. When it’s very hot and the Sun is strong and need to stop in traffic it’s no fun. So if you need to put the top back up you need to stop anyway I like having a roof over my head when I want one. Soft top are nice but t’s not for me either. Top off on my coupe works just fine for me.
Only owned one once (kind of) a CJ5 rag-top Jeep years ago. It was fun for off roading and in the very heavy, frequent snow we had in NE Ohio in the winter! In good weather drove my 260Z Coupe!
In SC recall taking the roof off my first Vette, an '88, during pollen season and bet whoever owns it now is still wondering where all that yellow "stuff" came from!
In the Summer it's too hot, Spring pollen time, etc but seldom take my roof off my Vettes! No desire for a Vert!
V8 Jeep, headers, big tires :for the day," etc was fun for off-roading and in the snow in winter. Driving with the windshield down on the hood was like a motorcycle, bugs in the teeth!
I don’t think the coupe looks good at certain angles with its top off. I’m not a fan of hatch backs, but I think the C7 pulls it off better than most. I got my first convertible, a 17 GS and am very happy with it. It sure does get allot of attention.
I have owned 3 vettes all were 2 were coupes and 1 was t-top. The c7 will be a vert. Taking the top off the coupe was great and all, but I'd prefer to just press that button and down goes the top.
My first vette, C6, was a convertible. Spent most of it's life with the top up since the wife was all "it messes up my hair!" crap. So the new one is a coupe to please the crown. At least I was able to get another Vette, never thought THAT would happen again.
I have owned Corvettes for 46 years, every one of them a convertible. You will find some who will claim that removing the top from the coupe is "the same thing". It isn't. Not even close. But, it may be enough for them, and that's fine. As most of our Corvettes are predominantly "fair weather cars", why not maximize the experience? And finally, believe it or not, many folks even like the looks of the C7 convertible with the top up. Including me.
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
To me it comes down to Corvette heritage. The first Corvettes were all rag tops. Don't get me wrong the car has obviously evolved for the better over the years but the driving experience is best enjoyed with the top down.
I have several friends that love convertibles and they are really nice. But, they are limited as to long driving trips simply because of luggage space. As for me, they're way too hot in the summers down here and never have enough room for a long trip. Just saying.
One thing to think about is you can't take a Convertible to the track if that matters
Yes you can, I've done it several times. There's no "law", it's up to the track. Phone first.
Of course that doesn't mean that tracking a convertible is the hot ticket to safety, and if you're buying a Vette to track it, you're NOT going to be buying a convertible.
But you can track a convertible if you want to.
There are really only two downsides to the convertible I can think of: reduced luggage space and you lose the "look" of the coupe. Of course you gain a trunk and the "look" of a roadster.
Other than for safety I would never own a coupe again.
Just saying.
