a1970stingray70

What are the pros and cons of the convertible vs. the coupe????
IM looking at 1989-96 vettes and Im not sure if I should get a coupe or a convertible. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations?????

stillthere

a convertable is both. you can go top up or down and its free. every penny more you spend on a vert over a coupe you will get back when you sell it and then some. one more added bonus is they look better. :D

Alwyn678

:withstupid:

Even though I am looking a coupe On Saturday...have not owned one in 10 years

XTwinTurbo

I love the ragtops but as comparision;

Coupe:

- Lighter
- stiffer body and chasis
- More trunk / cargo room
- Can't confirm but probably quieter (although my vert is pretty quiet)
- Better roll-over protection

Convertible:

- COOLER!
- Great "chick" factor
- Cross member support on frame - less body flex
- Less trunk room means don't need to take it to the mall.
- Stiffer than Coupe when comparing tops off.
- Higher resale value.
- Makes owner look sexy when he mentions he drives a Corvette Convertible! (Sorry, maybe that's just me.)

Overall, if you're going to go fast and race the car then Coupe is preferred. If you want to look cool and cruise to the beach get a Convertible.

DarkHalo

I love doing twistie turnies in the mountains and my coupe ROCKS at it!

Why not 1 of each? Thats what I plan on doing. A vert for work and the coupe for weekends etc :yesnod: :blueangel:

c4cruiser

I have sort of the best of both worlds with my roadster. I have the optional hardtop which makes the car stiffer that a coupe with its top on and I can still cruise with the ragtop down. If my car was a 6-speed, it would be the best combination!

The roadster is really lacking in storage space. For just me, it's tough to carry enough stuff for a long road trip. for two people, it would be worse. The coupe does give you lots of storage room compared to the roadster.

Resale on convertibles is higher that the coupe given equal condition.

Whichever body style you choose, always get the latest year you can afford. Each year C4 got improvements over the previous year. A 96 would be the best year and if you want a coupe, my suggestion would be a 90 or 91 ZR1. They are getting to be quite reasonalbe in price and the LT5 motor should be good for way over 200K miles with regular maintenance. And then there's the horsepower.... :steering: :chevy

Greg Johnson

I had the same thoughts when I went from a coupe to a convertible. The space issue is valid if you travel and need to carry luggage. But I only use mine for pleasure, no daily driving.

But when you drive on a hot day and you don't need to use the A/C, you will love it.

The safety issue can be a concern, and possibly the stiffness though I haven't noticed a problem with the stiffness I assume because of the crossbrace.

I know the convertible is nicer and less breezy (no "Coke bottle" effect like the coupe has without the targa top.

Quietness is not a problem with mine. It may be a little nosier than a coupe.

Greg :auto:

rainsux89

My 89 Convertible has the factory hardtop so it's kinda like the best of both worlds. I read somewhere that a Convertible with the hardtop on is stiffer than a coupe. Not sure about that, just something I have read. But the car looks VERY nice with the hardtop on. :bb

Minus to owning a Convertible: you lose some storage space, but it you want room, get a Suburban. Also the cost of admission is higher than a coupe and are a little heavier too.

Positives to owning a Vert: they are more desireable, tend to be worth more and resell faster than coupes, plus there are fewer of them around. Oh and chicks dig 'em. :thumbs:

Crusher

When you drop top it's like you have a whole differant car. :D

vader86

Depends on what youre gonna do with it. If youre ever thinking about racing the car, either autocross or drag racing, youll want the coupe.

If youre just gonna cruise, try to pick up girls or whatever, the vert is better for that. Not that you cant race a vert, its just not built for it. Id still mod the hell out of one though.

I have a coupe, but i wanted a vert more. :sad:

So i guess ill have to race mine :steering:

stillthere

you cant carry a bail of hay in the back of a convertable.

robertpel9

There is no compairison i have owned both types on C4's. I'll never go back to a coupe. The space isnt even a drwback if you have the luggage rack (yeah it is a tad ugly but it breaks up the back and is useful, they sell a case that fits right on it.) The only time i get worried in my vert is when i am going like 120-130 mph with no top. Something tells me i wouldnt survive in a coupe either though. The C4 vert with the top down is one of the nicest looking cars ever made. Plus just bolt a hartop on in the winter if you need to. JMHO

stillthere

the vert has a reinforced wind shield post that makes up for the top.

DF

My next vette will likely be a vert, possibly a sister to my current one. (White on red early C4, possibly 86)

dgoodhue

One thing is that it sucks driving around with the top up, but it makes up for it when driving around with the top down. I don't think I would want to use a convertible as daily driver.

Charlutz

My vert is my daily driver. I love it. No greater rush than driving a vert with the tunes cranked on a bright day. One downside is that you have to replace the top every so often (5-10 years depending on window/top material and exposure to weather). The earlier verts (like mine) had plastic windows that would discolor over time. I've heard if you don't garage them, it accelerates the process. I suspect the visibility is better in the coupe, but then again, I really only need to see in front of me! I'll always have a ragtop. :auto:

Springer's LT4

I wouldn't own a vert if it was given to me... I wish they made an FRC C4... haven't taken the top off my 96 since I got it 5 months ago.

92TripleBlack

I like a coupe more in three situations:
At the track as a vert needs extra stuff to do the runs
Carrying luggage, which I do in my Jeep GC instead
Upsidedown, which if this occurs, you're having other problems anyway :eek:

rocco16

It all comes down to personal preference.
I happen to be of the opinion that the coupe just looks better. (although the vert may make YOU look better)

:)
Larry
'96LT4coupe :seeya


[Modified by rocco16, 3:55 AM 1/11/2003]

DCP

Well, it looks like I'm in the minority on this, but......

I don't race my Vette at all, but I still prefer the coupe. I just think they look better with the top on or off vs the verts with top up or down. I would like to have the added resale value, & the ease of top removal/storage the vert offers over the coupe though.

Just my $.02


David