MaryAnnB

I did stir this up with my generalizations

If you keep on saying "Targa" is "Convertible", "Why do you need a button", then I do like this

Most of my generalizations are actually accurate in the country I am in now. Dealer knows this, and never brings in 1LT Convertible. But too many 1LT Coupes.

Of course, USA would be different since there are more options available to everyone.

"Elegant" gave good stats. I wonder if we can get that by country as well. At least, USA vs International. And breakdown of Z06.


FYI: There was a special Corvette desk on the showroom with a dedicated Corvette specialist. Service Center had a Corvette corner as well. No more since last 3-4 years. Dealer saying it is not selling as much as C6 any more. This is the single GM/Chevrolet dealer for the entire country, it is not as if they can't afford it. I asked the number of sales last time, they did not give it.

VETTE-NV

I don't mind things that are over engineered unless their reliability is comprised because of it. The SL was the most unreliable car I've ever owned.

VETTE-NV

MaryAnnB

Actually, this is EXACTLY fitting my narrative that:

1) Convertible buyers are the loaded ones.

52% of Base Coupes are 1LT
23% of Base Convertibles are 1LT

This becomes more evident in more expensive Z06:

21% of Coupes are 1LZ
1% of Convertibles are 1LZ


2) GM realized this opportunity and made whole C7-platorm to accommodate Convertible buyers.


For 2, 15% of Z06 buyers are Convertibles. So they managed to suck more money out of those that would have gone to base model. 61% of this group went to 3LZ (compared to 43% of Coupes).

So they know where the money is. There is no way in hell C8 platform will be any different.


Why you are getting disturbed over these facts is beyond me. Just because someone is buying a more expensive car does not mean they have more money than you. It simply means that manufacturer makes more profit and hence... C8 will not be any different.

VETTE-NV

jimmyb

Who, Joe?

firstvettesoon

Do you consider the 488 spider a convertible.? I do. I guess it is as "convertible" as the design will allow.

What about the LaFerrari? Their convertible solution is a piece of rolled up fabric you can remove or install in case of inclement weather...

Imagine... a $4 million dollar car...


Look how simple...fast and efficient they made it!


You can only get away with this design on a $4mil car and have the buyer "think" oh...so cool!

...If you did this on a $25k car people would say WTF! That's the best they could do!

But to be fair, for the $4 mil, they also have those two guys follow you around to change it for you.!

I think the C8-ME will have a 488 type top...but we shall see.

mschuyler

Yes. I've had both. The SL's are all metal. But in the Vette this is not our Dads' ragtop. It feels solid (just like a Boxster.) The practical difference is a different cleaning method. I admit the solid metal roofs on verts look a bit better in the up position. I would be cool with a metal (errr, I mean plastic) version if that's what they do.

JoesC5

for the 2017 model year, 16.5% were convertibles and for the 2018 model year, 17.5% were convertibles.

JoesC5

The best comparison that I could come up with-------powered soft top vs powered hardtop, in two very similar cars was the XLR, which weighed 3840 pounds and the C6 427 Convertible which weighed 3355 pounds.

Even though the XLR was the "premium" car it had problems with the retractable hardtop that the retractable soft top Corvette didn't have.

That's a heavy penalty to pay for a hardtop top vs a soft top. Nearly 500 pounds difference in their curb weight.

I'm not saying a mid engine Corvette with a retractable hardtop would weigh 500 pounds more than a soft top version, but it's something to consider in a "performance" car.

Rapid Fred

Good post. I think that's more like what the designers/engineers are wrestling with. There's looks too, which the marketing folks will be concerned with. That Ferrari solution really does look great while providing full convertible functionality. But, if not mechanized, I bet the "targa" part would have to be MUCH bigger than what we have today to make the top down experience just like a convertible. So do you leave it home when enjoying open-air motoring? Not great.

Now, like you I doubt the penalty for mechanization is anywhere near 500 lbs. But, what if it is 200 lbs?

Rapid Fred

And much tougher, I think, to make a decent looking cloth top for an ME vehicle. Most I've seen are quite ugly to my eye, while a well designed ragtop (like the old Fiat spyder and to a lesser extent the C5-C6 Vette and Miata) works pretty well top-up on a more traditional roadster. Even Porsche struggles with looks of their ragtops, I think.

VETTE-NV

Ugh.....Joe. Don't let the facts get your way. The reason the XLR weighed more than the Vette was not merely because it had a hard convertible roof. It had heavier seats, the body is actually a thicker composite than for Vettes (3 mil vs. 5 mil), metal & wood trim instead of just plastic, Northstar engine weighed more, stock wheels weighed more, engine cover adds a little bit, sound deadening material, etc...... all the kinds of things GM focuses on now to cut every gram of weight it can.

The XLR was more focused on being a premium luxury car that did not sacrifice creature comforts for a few ticks on the track.

jimmyb

Since the Ferrari 488 has been brought up, here are the U.S. spec dry weights:

488 GTB: 3,020 pounds
488 Spyder: 3,130 pounds

JoesC5

You really do have a problem handling any thing I say. I'm really in your head. The 427 Convertible also had much larger brake rotors and calipers from the Z06, and much heavier tires form the Z06, and a much heavier drivetrain from the Z06.

How much more did the 4.6L V8 in the XLR weigh over the 7L V8 in the 427 Convertible?

How much more did the body panel on the XLR weigh over the body panels of the 427 Convertible?

How much more did the seats in the 2005 XLR weigh over the seats in the 2013 427 Convertible?

How much more did the sound deadening material in the XLR weigh over the sound deadening material in the 2013 427 Convertible?

Come on man....post up your facts....

VETTE-NV

JoesC5

What's the matter...can't you back up your post with facts?

You like facts so much, and you made some specific claims, now back them up with numbers and then back up the numbers with links.

jimmyb

Really off topic.
But....regarding the XLR and 427 Convertible
The hard top roof and the motors and pumps did not add almost 500 pounds all by itself on the XLR. The LS7, while 7L, was still a small block Chevy (identical physical size to the LS3) so there's no doubt the twin cam Northstar was heavier. Add all the other luxury stuff, and there you go. I can't believe this is an argument.

For a REAL apples to apples comparison, look at the weight of the Ferrari 488 GTB vs. the 488 Spyder. The Spyder is 110 pounds heavier.

PS. 2009 Cadillac XLR listed weight is 3,647 pounds
2009 Cadillac XLR-V listed weight is 3,810 pounds

VETTE-NV

Look it up yourself. Some of us have a life beyond listening your arteries harden.

JerriVette

Motor trend states the mx5 RF power retractable roof version of the mx5 weighs slightly more than 100 lbs more than the convertible

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda...t-test-review/