Can we please have the removable roof as optional (not standard) on the C8?
11-25-2018, 09:53 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Can we please have the removable roof as optional (not standard) on the C8?
I test drove a C7 today, and we didn't even get out of the dealership parking lot, and the removable roof was creaking.
It's time to give up on the removable roof. Enough is enough. If someone absolutely has to have a hole in their roof, make it optional, just like sunroofs are optional.
Also I could tell right away that a lot of structural stiffness is given up with this clamped-on roof. Go drive a Porsche Cayman, and you'll see what I mean.
You can add to that reduced safety. The Corvette doesn't have side head air bags. Why? The removeable roof. I value my head. Again, if someone wants to give up safety for a removable roof, then it should be an option.
It's time to give up on the removable roof. Enough is enough. If someone absolutely has to have a hole in their roof, make it optional, just like sunroofs are optional.
Also I could tell right away that a lot of structural stiffness is given up with this clamped-on roof. Go drive a Porsche Cayman, and you'll see what I mean.
You can add to that reduced safety. The Corvette doesn't have side head air bags. Why? The removeable roof. I value my head. Again, if someone wants to give up safety for a removable roof, then it should be an option.
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11-26-2018, 06:04 AM
#3
Chassis/body integrity of the C7, has nothing to do with a 16 lb. carbon fiber topper. One way or the other. The squeaking isn't a lack of body integration. That's a specious rabbit hole you're going down.
. The lack of a side-head air-bag is what you give up in both the hatchback and convertible C7s. If that makes you uncomfortable, wait and see exactly what the C8 is.
.
. The lack of a side-head air-bag is what you give up in both the hatchback and convertible C7s. If that makes you uncomfortable, wait and see exactly what the C8 is.
.
11-26-2018, 08:53 AM
#4
Drifting
Unfortunately, this late in the design and testing stages of the ME car, the fixed roof or targa roof as the standard coupe option is long since been decided upon and we'll get what we get. I would not be the least bit surprised if we are 'stuck' with a targa removable roof like we have had in the past as the base configuration. I too would MUCH prefer a fixed roof over a removable targa.
11-26-2018, 10:37 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
These are typically not daily drivers and taken out on nice days and weekends. The sales numbers are in... Fixed roof cars don't sell as well as the ones where the lid comes off.
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11-26-2018, 10:49 AM
#6
The Consigliere
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I would love to be able to get a fixed roof coupe ME. I'd even be happy treating the fixed roof as an option and paying a little money to get it.
11-26-2018, 11:47 AM
#7
Safety Car
The t-tops are always off on my 1985 Trans Am and the targa top as well on my 1986 Vette. So I would like it as a standard item on the C8. I don't track my cars so I don't mind a little creaking.
11-26-2018, 12:23 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Take the targa away and there will be people complaining that they liked it better as a targa ..you know since back in the C4 days..!
Read the forum you can't please everyone....
Read the forum you can't please everyone....
Last edited by REZ1; 11-26-2018 at 12:25 PM. Reason: spelling
11-26-2018, 01:49 PM
#9
Race Director
11-26-2018, 03:46 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
I test drove a C7 today, and we didn't even get out of the dealership parking lot, and the removable roof was creaking.
It's time to give up on the removable roof. Enough is enough. If someone absolutely has to have a hole in their roof, make it optional, just like sunroofs are optional.
Also I could tell right away that a lot of structural stiffness is given up with this clamped-on roof. Go drive a Porsche Cayman, and you'll see what I mean.
You can add to that reduced safety. The Corvette doesn't have side head air bags. Why? The removeable roof. I value my head. Again, if someone wants to give up safety for a removable roof, then it should be an option.
It's time to give up on the removable roof. Enough is enough. If someone absolutely has to have a hole in their roof, make it optional, just like sunroofs are optional.
Also I could tell right away that a lot of structural stiffness is given up with this clamped-on roof. Go drive a Porsche Cayman, and you'll see what I mean.
You can add to that reduced safety. The Corvette doesn't have side head air bags. Why? The removeable roof. I value my head. Again, if someone wants to give up safety for a removable roof, then it should be an option.
11-26-2018, 03:54 PM
#11
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I haven't heard of targa creeking being a common issue on C7s. There may have been something wrong with that specific used car you test drove, maybe the targa was dropped or latches damaged or something.
I'm the owner of a fixed roof coupe (C5 Z06) but I think having a targa is awesome as it's all the benefits of a convertible without the drawbacks (heavier weight to convertibles, periodic soft top replacement).
Apparently the C7 chassis is so stiff, there's no noticeable/material difference in rigidity by having a targa, and that's why they even put a targa on the C7 Z06 whereas they hadn't put it on previous gen Z06s.
Put me in the camp of keep the targa as standard, as the pros greatly outweight the cons, and help set the car apart from most other sports cars.
I'm the owner of a fixed roof coupe (C5 Z06) but I think having a targa is awesome as it's all the benefits of a convertible without the drawbacks (heavier weight to convertibles, periodic soft top replacement).
Apparently the C7 chassis is so stiff, there's no noticeable/material difference in rigidity by having a targa, and that's why they even put a targa on the C7 Z06 whereas they hadn't put it on previous gen Z06s.
Put me in the camp of keep the targa as standard, as the pros greatly outweight the cons, and help set the car apart from most other sports cars.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; 11-26-2018 at 03:58 PM.
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11-26-2018, 05:01 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '19
The C7 convertible was designed first, then the coupe so there is no loss or gain in structural stiffness between the two. The squeaking is a quick fix also. I'm a big fan of the Targa top and hope they continue it.
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11-26-2018, 06:46 PM
#13
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C7 targa tops squeak? My 2014 C7 has nearly 30K miles and it has never squeaked. The OP must have driven a car without all three latches securely fastened, either that or the car needed to have the roof adjusted.
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ArmchairArchitect (11-27-2018)
11-26-2018, 06:49 PM
#14
Race Director
Correct. But there lies my problem with having a targa, the car could be stiffer and lighter as a coupe without needing the heavy frame. C6 Z06 was to me the best Vette made as far as chassis, light and stiff enough.
11-26-2018, 06:56 PM
#15
Safety Car
Roof on my Z06 doesn't squeak one bit. It's 2018, not 1986.
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11-26-2018, 07:01 PM
#16
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11-27-2018, 12:17 PM
#17
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Althought i love my clear roof, i too agree make the targa an option going forward. My C5 never ever squeaked, however my C6 sounded like popcorn in a microwave no matter how many o-ring or lubricant i put on the top. The C7 only does it once in a blue moon, and all i have to do is take it off and re-install it and it's gone. Still, would be nice if it didn't happen at all. Allergies are so bad here i rarely ever take the roof off, though it is a nice option to have.
11-27-2018, 10:37 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
11-27-2018, 11:13 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I haven't heard of targa creeking being a common issue on C7s. There may have been something wrong with that specific used car you test drove, maybe the targa was dropped or latches damaged or something.
I'm the owner of a fixed roof coupe (C5 Z06) but I think having a targa is awesome as it's all the benefits of a convertible without the drawbacks (heavier weight to convertibles, periodic soft top replacement).
Apparently the C7 chassis is so stiff, there's no noticeable/material difference in rigidity by having a targa, and that's why they even put a targa on the C7 Z06 whereas they hadn't put it on previous gen Z06s.
Put me in the camp of keep the targa as standard, as the pros greatly outweight the cons, and help set the car apart from most other sports cars.
I'm the owner of a fixed roof coupe (C5 Z06) but I think having a targa is awesome as it's all the benefits of a convertible without the drawbacks (heavier weight to convertibles, periodic soft top replacement).
Apparently the C7 chassis is so stiff, there's no noticeable/material difference in rigidity by having a targa, and that's why they even put a targa on the C7 Z06 whereas they hadn't put it on previous gen Z06s.
Put me in the camp of keep the targa as standard, as the pros greatly outweight the cons, and help set the car apart from most other sports cars.
Houston. We have a problem.
11-28-2018, 01:44 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
I gotta say that no person can feel any compromise in chassis rigidity between a Cayman and a C7 during a test drive. Considering the fact that the C7 has been touted as having one of the most communicative chassis' out there as told by people who test cars for a living...and also those that have racing careers. Also the creaking on my C7 was solved by adjusting the center release clamp, from the factory it was a little loose and allowed the roof to shift around over the front clamps, causing my creaks.
The targa is one of the best features of the Corvette and has been a huge determining factor for me now that I have lived with it. It's kinda like the HUD, until I had it I didn't know how nice it was, then I bought a car without and it is a glaring issue I have. I don't like the looks of ragtop convertibles but I like the top off experience so the targa is the best of both worlds, plus getting to drive topless at trackdays is a god send for people like me at 6'5" without a helmet....
The targa is one of the best features of the Corvette and has been a huge determining factor for me now that I have lived with it. It's kinda like the HUD, until I had it I didn't know how nice it was, then I bought a car without and it is a glaring issue I have. I don't like the looks of ragtop convertibles but I like the top off experience so the targa is the best of both worlds, plus getting to drive topless at trackdays is a god send for people like me at 6'5" without a helmet....