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I did a comparison for myself on equally configured cars at the exact same angle to best see the differences in regards to the profile. With the body colored roof on the convertible, you can really see the difference in the design of the faux window behind the side window. I favor the design of the coupe in this regard. Both cars are beautiful IMO.
* Do you enjoy seeing the engine? (Coupe advantage)
* Are quick top-up / top-downs important to you? (Convertible advantage)
* Are you comfortable spending an additional $7,500? (Coupe advantage)
* Is skin cancer a concern? (If so, then best to leave the top up and go with the Coupe, and save $7,500)
It was never a concern for me until the last couple years when I had to have a couple of pre-cancerous legions removed from along my jaw line. I started fishing a lot more when I moved to Florida and Bang ! Of course it showed up on the left side of my face which is typical for Americans because our cars are left hand drive and that side of your face is more prone. I guess the combination of driving and fishing got me...
Now each day I apply a moisturizer to my face with UV protection and I recommend everyone do the same... and yes I'm getting the convertible.
It was never a concern for me until the last couple years when I had to have a couple of pre-cancerous legions removed from along my jaw line. I started fishing a lot more when I moved to Florida and Bang ! Of course it showed up on the left side of my face which is typical for Americans because our cars are left hand drive and that side of your face is more prone. I guess the combination of driving and fishing got me...
Now each day I apply a moisturizer to my face with UV protection and I recommend everyone do the same... and yes I'm getting the convertible.
I too moved to Florida and spent many days shore fishing and FW bass fishing. Melanoma appeared on my left arm. Staying out of the sun is my main mission now and 6 month visits to the dermatologist. As to my left side of the face, plenty of sun spotting on that side compared to the right too. Additionally, the noise (and diesel exhaust), pollution of all the service trucks and oppressive heat makes owning a convertible (at least for me) foolish. I keep the AC on and windows closed in our cars 100% of the time down here.
When we lived North, running w/ windows down as soon as the warmer weather hit (and before the humid midsummer weather took hold) was wonderful. The big plus I see w/ the C8 Convertible is, with the top up, it is essentially a wonderfully quiet coupe. For those that worship the sun or want to drive "topless" at night, the option is there.
It's a very tough choice.... especially now that the convertible is HPDE legal (at least with NASA so far). For me, being 6'4", I decided to keep my coupe order as I don't think I can fit in the vert with my helmet and I know I can with the coupe. Plus, as mentioned, visible engine, 80lbs lighter, guaranteed trackday legal at all tracks (some tracks may still not allow the C8 HT vert). Save $7,500 on a 1LT like I ordered which pays for taxes and clear bra/ceramic coat etc.
I wish I could sit in a vert with the top up and my helmet before my coupe order goes 2000 in a coupe weeks.
It's a very tough choice.... especially now that the convertible is HPDE legal (at least with NASA so far). For me, being 6'4", I decided to keep my coupe order as I don't think I can fit in the vert with my helmet and I know I can with the coupe. Plus, as mentioned, visible engine, 80lbs lighter, guaranteed trackday legal at all tracks (some tracks may still not allow the C8 HT vert). Save $7,500 on a 1LT like I ordered which pays for taxes and clear bra/ceramic coat etc.
I wish I could sit in a vert with the top up and my helmet before my coupe order goes 2000 in a coupe weeks.
Tadge said in his interview with Leno that the convertible had a little more head room than the coupe. Probably due to the missing halo bar.
Tadge said in his interview with Leno that the convertible had a little more head room than the coupe. Probably due to the missing halo bar.
He said.... in some cases... yes there's no b-pilar, but if you look at the pics in this thread the vert has less room over your head which is critical for wearing a helmet in these cars. I'm sure I'd fit for a road trip with the seat leaned way back, but I don't think I'll fit with a helmet on in a reasonable performance driving position.
It's a very tough choice.... especially now that the convertible is HPDE legal (at least with NASA so far). For me, being 6'4", I decided to keep my coupe order as I don't think I can fit in the vert with my helmet and I know I can with the coupe. Plus, as mentioned, visible engine, 80lbs lighter, guaranteed trackday legal at all tracks (some tracks may still not allow the C8 HT vert). Save $7,500 on a 1LT like I ordered which pays for taxes and clear bra/ceramic coat etc.
I wish I could sit in a vert with the top up and my helmet before my coupe order goes 2000 in a coupe weeks.
How is the storage bigger with convertible top down?
All of the trunk space is still available for storage when the HTC top is down. With the coupe, if you remove the targa top and store it in the trunk, the best you might be able to do is to toss some small soft bags in on top of the roof (be careful not to scratch the paint).
That is the main reason I have switched from the coupe to the HTC. I plan to use the C8 as a GT car and would like to be able to put the top down with the trunk full of luggage. A side benefit is that I don’t have to keep the engine compartment clean. I do lose the view of the engine though. Worth the trade offs for me.
Advantage HTC. HTC wins: a little more open which should have less noise, roof self stores so no loss of trunk space, much more convenient roof operation, no exposed engine to have to keep clean, overall better looks and it can be tracked like a coupe—so far as I had heard so far...
is it worth $7000 more? Probably not but in my case, I gave in to the HTC.
I have much preferred convertibles like C7 vs coupe that the top needs to be removed. I almost never did that.
