C5 vs C7 targa top difference?
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Joined: Aug 2015
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C5 vs C7 targa top difference?
Hello All,
As the number of new C7s dwindles, I am facing up the fact that by the time my financing is in order (at least another month or so), my #1 choice of replacing my C5 coupe with a manual convertible may be only a pipe dream. Thinking about a compromise on the convertible (compromising on the manual is a non-starter), I was wondering if you coupe owners that may have also had experience with a C5 could chime in. Is driving a C7 with the roof removed any quieter/different than a C5? How about with the roof on?
I seem to have the roof off of my C5 quite a bit (hence my desire to get a convertible), but it is certainly loud. Were there any improvements with the C7, or is it just the nature of the beast?
Thank you,
As the number of new C7s dwindles, I am facing up the fact that by the time my financing is in order (at least another month or so), my #1 choice of replacing my C5 coupe with a manual convertible may be only a pipe dream. Thinking about a compromise on the convertible (compromising on the manual is a non-starter), I was wondering if you coupe owners that may have also had experience with a C5 could chime in. Is driving a C7 with the roof removed any quieter/different than a C5? How about with the roof on?
I seem to have the roof off of my C5 quite a bit (hence my desire to get a convertible), but it is certainly loud. Were there any improvements with the C7, or is it just the nature of the beast?
Thank you,
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Corvettes are noisy cars.
Our 2017 Z51 2LT with the transparent targa removed seems to have less buffeting than I remember from our C5, but not much difference in the noise. Of course, we traded the C5 for a C6 thirteen years ago, and got the C7 just two years ago, so my memory could be failing.
I believe the C7 transparent targa is a little lighter than the C5, hence a bit easier to remove/install. I believe the C7 painted targa is carbon fiber, so it's even lighter.
For touring at highway speeds with the top removed, I keep a pair of cheap earplugs in the console. It's amazing how much more comfortable the topless cruising is with them.
Enjoy!
Our 2017 Z51 2LT with the transparent targa removed seems to have less buffeting than I remember from our C5, but not much difference in the noise. Of course, we traded the C5 for a C6 thirteen years ago, and got the C7 just two years ago, so my memory could be failing.
I believe the C7 transparent targa is a little lighter than the C5, hence a bit easier to remove/install. I believe the C7 painted targa is carbon fiber, so it's even lighter.
For touring at highway speeds with the top removed, I keep a pair of cheap earplugs in the console. It's amazing how much more comfortable the topless cruising is with them.
Enjoy!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Orlando FL
I had a 2004 C5 and relate the experiences are about the same. To my recollection, buffeting is the same for both the C5 and my newer C7 GS. The vert guys can speak to this but having ridden in a couple of convertibles, they are more pleasant than the coupes with the targa top removed.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Speed plays a big part in the top off experience. I dont see much difference in wind noise and buffering between my C5 and my C7. The painted top on my C5 is much heavier than the painted top on my C7 by a lot.
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I had three C5 coupes and now a C7 coupe. I really didn't mind the wind noise on the C5s and the C7 may be a bit quieter, at least to me. Having the top off the car and dealing with wind noise has never been an issue for me.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
i went from a C5 coupe directly to a C7 coupe. With the top off, i haven't noticed any difference. With the top on, no doubt about it, the C7 is much quieter. C7 is a 2LT, Z51.
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Thank you all for your thoughts. It stands to reason that the experiences would be about the same, given that the configurations are basically the same. I was just irrationally hoping for a silver lining in case the convertible option doesn't come through. I can certainly live with a coupe. A first-world problem if ever there was one.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
Hello All,
As the number of new C7s dwindles, I am facing up the fact that by the time my financing is in order (at least another month or so), my #1 choice of replacing my C5 coupe with a manual convertible may be only a pipe dream. Thinking about a compromise on the convertible (compromising on the manual is a non-starter), I was wondering if you coupe owners that may have also had experience with a C5 could chime in. Is driving a C7 with the roof removed any quieter/different than a C5? How about with the roof on?
I seem to have the roof off of my C5 quite a bit (hence my desire to get a convertible), but it is certainly loud. Were there any improvements with the C7, or is it just the nature of the beast?
Thank you,
As the number of new C7s dwindles, I am facing up the fact that by the time my financing is in order (at least another month or so), my #1 choice of replacing my C5 coupe with a manual convertible may be only a pipe dream. Thinking about a compromise on the convertible (compromising on the manual is a non-starter), I was wondering if you coupe owners that may have also had experience with a C5 could chime in. Is driving a C7 with the roof removed any quieter/different than a C5? How about with the roof on?
I seem to have the roof off of my C5 quite a bit (hence my desire to get a convertible), but it is certainly loud. Were there any improvements with the C7, or is it just the nature of the beast?
Thank you,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,433
Likes: 3,622
From: Commerce Texas
I'm retired Navy and a long-time competition pistol shooter - my hearing loss is such that I just yank the top off and go with the flow.... or course, I seldom have a passenger.......
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I have ridden motorcycles for the past 25 years, always with a helmet and always with hearing protection. I recall reading that wind noise on a helmet eventually causes the worst kind of hearing loss in that it is the frequencies where most people speak, as opposed to the highs and lows. So far, so good as my hearing remains very good. If I stay with a coupe, to be consistent, I will probably make ear plugs standard operating procedure with the top off, as Gearhead Jim does.
Not to open a can of worms, but has anyone driven with in-ear monitors, listening to music instead of just blocking the noise? Safety issues? Difference between IEM's and cranking the stereo with all of the windows closed?
I hope the convertible can work out, but I have a Plan B.
Again, thank you all.
Not to open a can of worms, but has anyone driven with in-ear monitors, listening to music instead of just blocking the noise? Safety issues? Difference between IEM's and cranking the stereo with all of the windows closed?
I hope the convertible can work out, but I have a Plan B.
Again, thank you all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Omaha
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C4, C5, C6 and C7 are all bad for buffeting/noise with the targa off at highway speed. Honestly, I'd rather drive with the windows down and the top on than take the top off (and is what I do). The convertible changes the airflow dynamics completely and is MUCH better for open air driving than a targa with the roof off. Basically, if you want the open air experience, get the vert.
As to IEMs, most states have laws against using any kind of headphone type device while operating a car. Most cops probably won't pull you over for it, but be aware of it and check your local laws. I've done it a few times on long trips with my C4 ZR-1 that had an obnoxiously loud (drone) exhaust (using my Bose in-ear noise cancelling headphones), and have been fine. You really just have to keep in mind that you aren't going to hear external sounds and make up for it by paying closer attention (checking mirrors more frequently, etc).
As to IEMs, most states have laws against using any kind of headphone type device while operating a car. Most cops probably won't pull you over for it, but be aware of it and check your local laws. I've done it a few times on long trips with my C4 ZR-1 that had an obnoxiously loud (drone) exhaust (using my Bose in-ear noise cancelling headphones), and have been fine. You really just have to keep in mind that you aren't going to hear external sounds and make up for it by paying closer attention (checking mirrors more frequently, etc).
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 126
Likes: 52
From: OTP Atlanta
Can confirm that at the same speed our C7 convertible is much quieter with the top down than our C5 couple was with the top off. We weren't as dead-set on another manual, so we had more verts to choose from and wound up with an A6. Paddle shifting occasionally is fun (not as much fun as the manual was) but we have the top down almost every day here and love it!