C8 Convertible...?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
^^^^^
The convertibles are quieter (top up verses Targa top in place) because the trunk on a convertible is closed off from the passenger compartment. On the coupe, all that space behind the seats is one big resonant chamber, magnifying tire noise, etc....The interior noise level convertible verses coupe is very noticeable. I have a convertible, a good friend has a coupe, and I am always surprised how noticeably noisier his car is inside.
PS. If someone wants to just vandalize the car, obviously they can take a box cutter to the top and damage it. To actually break IN to car to steal something, breaking the window would be way faster. Cutting through a C7 convertible top would take a LONG time (it's 5 plies), and then you've got all the convertible metal structure to deal with.
The convertibles are quieter (top up verses Targa top in place) because the trunk on a convertible is closed off from the passenger compartment. On the coupe, all that space behind the seats is one big resonant chamber, magnifying tire noise, etc....The interior noise level convertible verses coupe is very noticeable. I have a convertible, a good friend has a coupe, and I am always surprised how noticeably noisier his car is inside.
PS. If someone wants to just vandalize the car, obviously they can take a box cutter to the top and damage it. To actually break IN to car to steal something, breaking the window would be way faster. Cutting through a C7 convertible top would take a LONG time (it's 5 plies), and then you've got all the convertible metal structure to deal with.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 549
From: Dallas, TX
I think you are missing my point
A retractable hard top would, in my view, add only one benefit. That is, the ability to move the top up and down without physically leaving the vehicle. Yes, that is a big deal. However...
The same roof design with a removeable targa and a power rear window would look identical without the added cost and weight. Benefits would be:
Same look as retractable hardtop
Less weight
Cheaper MSRP
Less repair costs
Probably equal coupe’s performance/handling
That’s all I am saying here. I understand a coupe would have a targa option but I, and probably many others, may prefer the convertible roofline with the vertical window rather than the sloping glass of the coupe. Sort of how many people like the FRC roofline of the C5 over the C5 coupe.
Of course I am making a lot of assumptions here. Button line, I think GM could save a lot of money by simply making the convertible as I described. It would look identical to the retractable hardtop. Go back to the 488 picture you included. If the targa came off and the rear window powered down, it would look identical to the retractable hardtop with the top down. WITHOUT the added cost and complexity.
Again, only benefit of retractable hardtop system is ability to bring top up and down without getting out of the vehicle. I do agree this is a big deal...but I would rather have a lighter car that I don’t have to spend $4k+ on to repair when that roof inevitably breaks.
A retractable hard top would, in my view, add only one benefit. That is, the ability to move the top up and down without physically leaving the vehicle. Yes, that is a big deal. However...
The same roof design with a removeable targa and a power rear window would look identical without the added cost and weight. Benefits would be:
Same look as retractable hardtop
Less weight
Cheaper MSRP
Less repair costs
Probably equal coupe’s performance/handling
That’s all I am saying here. I understand a coupe would have a targa option but I, and probably many others, may prefer the convertible roofline with the vertical window rather than the sloping glass of the coupe. Sort of how many people like the FRC roofline of the C5 over the C5 coupe.
Of course I am making a lot of assumptions here. Button line, I think GM could save a lot of money by simply making the convertible as I described. It would look identical to the retractable hardtop. Go back to the 488 picture you included. If the targa came off and the rear window powered down, it would look identical to the retractable hardtop with the top down. WITHOUT the added cost and complexity.
Again, only benefit of retractable hardtop system is ability to bring top up and down without getting out of the vehicle. I do agree this is a big deal...but I would rather have a lighter car that I don’t have to spend $4k+ on to repair when that roof inevitably breaks.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 549
From: Dallas, TX
I can't believe we are having "Targa is the same as Convertible" conversation here.
I just called the showroom to ask about existing Convertible stock for a friend. And the Sales Person said... but T-Top is the same! Right.
A T-Top is not the same at all. It is so good to drive in a bit of rain and press a button and put the top up without changing your course on the highway.
I just called the showroom to ask about existing Convertible stock for a friend. And the Sales Person said... but T-Top is the same! Right.
A T-Top is not the same at all. It is so good to drive in a bit of rain and press a button and put the top up without changing your course on the highway.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 549
From: Dallas, TX
You really don’t think that gets “so what” after a while? Again, going with the removable top and rear window approach, are you saying in the Vette-buyer demographic more would prefer the extra money, weight and complexity of the automated approach?
I would be in the minority, then, but I buy them used and drive them almost every day. I love the practicality of the targa, though I do wish they had worked out the aero so you could enjoy it over 45 MPH or so...
I would be in the minority, then, but I buy them used and drive them almost every day. I love the practicality of the targa, though I do wish they had worked out the aero so you could enjoy it over 45 MPH or so...
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
My thinking is with the mid-engine Vette they could have something that combines the best of both worlds.
Last edited by Rapid Fred; Mar 19, 2018 at 11:54 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 549
From: Dallas, TX
I agree it’s not nearly as bad with windows down vs. up (here in the NE I’d like to do “targa off/windows up” now and then early spring/late fall) but still more buffeting than a Vert. My wife is just the right height that she really gets beat up anything over 45 or so with the targa off and windows down. No such problem in my old RX7 Vert.
My thinking is with the mid-engine Vette they could have something that combines the best of both worlds.
My thinking is with the mid-engine Vette they could have something that combines the best of both worlds.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 549
From: Dallas, TX
