Has anyone owned one of each? if so, care to discuss differences in interior feel/ride with the roof off. Any other aspects good or bad?

 

Just by the pictures certainly does not look like their is as much difference as the C1-C7 Coupes to Verts but I have never driven either . Just saying.

 

Can only speak to sitting in each of them, but convertible with the top down feels so much more open than the coupe. I'm sure I'd get used to it but coming from roomier cars the coupe felt claustrophobic and I liked being in the convertible a lot more.

 

I have a C7 ZO6 convertible and C5 coupe.

To be honest when the middle section comes off, it’s every much like driving a convertible.

On the C8 ZO6 am getting a coupe because I like the glass section that shows the motor.

 

Someone on the C8 forum has owned one of each.

Here is the biggest difference::

With the Top on there's no difference (as you would probably expect) in interior noise or comfort
With the Top off there's a lot less wind buffering and turbulence in the cabin in the HTC, especially at highway speeds'
There's more exhaust sound in the cabin with the HTC roof down than the coupe's targa removed
You get to keep all the trunk space when driving topless in the HTC. No worries about what you put back there when going topless.

I've sat in the coupe and I have a convertible. Actually the rear 3/4 view is better in the HTC than the coupe because the rear glass and side vents aren't there. Another HTC benefit is you can lower the rear glass but keep the roof up. You can't in the coupe.

Because the chassis is unchanged, there's no difference in the rigidity or cowl shake (which I view as zero).

I'm going again with HTC on a Z06. Yes it cost more but when you press that button and 15 seconds later the top is up or down, its a huge benefit.

 

I've owned 3 of them:

1. 2020 Z51 coupe 1LT
2. 2021 Z51 HTC 2LT
3. 2022 Z51 coupe 1LT

I'm 6'4" and track my cars.

I tried to find my other posts on the matter but I'll rehash here:

1. The coupe has more helmet room for tall people; more room over your head. The HTC has no-b-pillar so really tall people can squeeze in and recline the seat and get in a good cruising position. I cannot fit in the HTC in any position with a helmet. I re-verified with both cars side by side at Spring Mountain. The HTC headliner is thicker and even with no helmet on the street my hair is always brushing it.

Here's a coupe at SM they have with a race seat I was able to use. If you're ahead of the b-pillar headliner trim there's simply more room.


Here's an image I made a couple years ago showing the headliner relative to the visor to show what I mean.


2. Driving the car... the HTC is the better grand touring car as you can operate the top while driving w/ the push of a button and retain both trunks. On a road trip my wife and I need both trunks so you can't take the coupe top out until you're at your destination and have unpacked.

3. Issues w/ the HTC... it's complicated and I don't expect it to work long term w/o issue. If the top gets stuck there's no way to manually operate it unless it's at a dealer and you take part of the car apart. Also, when it rains hard the back glass pools 2" of water like a fish tank. It drains, but slowly. I don't see how it won't leak over the years as seals wear and drains get clogged. Just look at old C5s w/ their udder drain issues.

4. Wind.... the HTC is only marginally better with the top down. I really expected it to be a lot better. It's hard to quantify but both are annoying to drive over 50 with the top out/down and windows all down. Put the side windows up and the coupe is a 5/10 vs. HTC being maybe 7/10 at best... probably more like 6 or 6.5/10. I found my favorite way to drive the HTC was top up with all 3 windows down. This allows air coming in side to go out back and you get great exhaust noise.

5. Engine and road noise... the coupe is noticeable quieter both engine and tire noise. The HTC allows you to hear more of both.

6. I have a 22 coupe now with the clear roof and it's my favorite configuration to date. For my overall use and my size my Z06 will be a coupe and I'll keep the clear roof from this one when I sell it to forego ordering the dual roof package again.

7. Oh and going from 2LT Z51 HTC back to a 1LT Z51 coupe, the coupe feels more nimble and I can tell it's lighter. It's only something you'd notice having both back to back same roads driving in a spirited manner.

EDIT 8. Openness... the HTC does feel more open top down, but only a little because the nacelles are in you periphery. It's not as open feeling as a traditional rag top.

 

My $0.02 as someone who's owned 3 of them.

 

thanks. I've had two htc's and was considering a coupe when I order the z. I haven't had the chance to sit in or drive a coupe.. For me it's mostly a nice day toy.

 

My 0.2 cents as someone who isn't more than 5' 8"

 

Very helpful thank you for a great write-up

 

Great details and pictures, thank you good sir!

 

There is a lot more that can go wrong with the HTC... It's a pretty complicated design and setup. I haven't seen too many people on here saying that they've had a problem but I'm one of the people who did unfortunately. My issue was a broken cable that operates the little winglet on the nacelle which the dealer fixed within 3 weeks... I've only operated the top 3 or 4 times since and so far so good.

The other thing is that there are some pretty good sized gaps between the headliner and the interior panels that they join with which compromise the feel of the interior fit and finish. I also get some creaking noises riding with the top up in the rare instance that I don't have the top down.

At this point I do still intend to get my Z06 as an HTC... I really love the convenience of operation, the exotic look and the awesome open air cruising...

I also think that from an ROI perspective, the HTC will be highly sought after in the resale market and return most if not more of it's cost in value....

 

I have had both a Coupe (2020) and a HTC (2021). In comparison, with the top down on the HTC and the top off on the Coupe I did not find a drastic difference with the feeling of openness. The HTC to me, did not have the same convertible feeling that the previous generation rag tops had. With that said, my Z06 will be a Coupe!

 

I have had other cars with targa type tops. I have found that most of the time, it is either too warm in the sun or too cool when the top is removed. That is why there is AC!

The ease of the HTC makes it a plus, but I also like the glass to see the engine. BUT, I am still floundering!

 

I had both and I REALLY like the fact that the rear window rolls down on the HTC.
You dont hear much of the exhaust in the Coupe which is probably why so many are getting loud aftermarket systems.
I dont want mine to be loud all of the time, just some of the time. That is why the ability to roll down the rear window is nice.
I think the HTC looks better with the top up. McLaren nacelle look.

I wonder if its possible to remove the heat protection engine cover on the HTC and cover the hatch and any vulnerable parts with reflective gold foil to hear more engine sound in the drivers seat.

 

Agree... driving top up w/ all 3 windows down was my favorite configuration. Why would you want to hear more engine noise and not just more exhaust noise?

You have to be able to protect the top and headliner while in the down position. Putting gold foil all over you headliner won't exactly work.

 

I’m 6’3 1/4” to be exact and have an HTC. Seat about 3/4” from aft limit, all the way down and seat back moved forward about an inch for a slightly more vertical position. Top of head about 1.5” from headliner, which at that setting is under the low spot, more forward into the “recess” would give me another inch, but too vertical. Agree a helmet would be an issue at my height. The coupe’s B-pillar is actually lower, but the recesses are higher thus a helmet is more doable if taller in the coupe. I don’t track my HTC, nor will track my Z06 HTC, so no biggy for me.

 

Also super dependent on how your built legs vs. torso.

 

That’s a big factor people tend to overlook.

I’m 5ft11in and have a hard time fitting in a lot of cars. I barely fit in a Huracan with a helmet. The helmet was basically on the headliner the whole time.

I’ve only sat in a C8 coupe. Slammed the comp seat to the floor. I don’t think a helmet would have fit. It would have been hitting the b-pillar constantly.

Most of my height is in my torso. My huge head probably is a factor too lol Such is life.

 

I own a coupe but have a question for you HTC owners, does the top get hot laying on the engine cover? I am on the list for a Z but was wondering if the top on a HTC gets hot repeatedly over time will that impact the weather seals and fit long term. I am far enough down on the Z list I have a few years to make up my mind but was just wondering. I have owned a 1972 and 2017 convertible as well as a 1997 and 2020 coupe. I loved the push button top on the C7 but love looking at the engine in my 2020 coupe.