DerbyCity

I have watched numerous top removals on YouTube. Some have bounced them off the corvette , dropped it, and struggled. Others can do it easily. I’m 61, 5’8” and wonder to go with a HTC instead.
what are the experiences of the coupe owners my size?

kcops

I'm 5'4 and could handle removing and adding the top back by myself with no issues. It would make my life much easier if I was taller... :-)... But the convertible has its advantages and looks cool too.

NAVY_LDO

I had a coupe and now have a HTC. I don’t think you’ll have a problem removing/installing the top unless you have some issues lifting above your head. With that being said up/down in 30 seconds at the push of a button is pretty awesome!

C5racecar

It is not that hard. It is big, but not easy to handle, just take your time and you will be fine. Out of 100 times I have taken the hard top off, there are a few times when it appears to be stuck, one of the latches does not release all the way.
It only takes a minute to make it work. $7500 is a ridiculous price for a lot of additional mechanism that will fail in a few years, no way that is worth it to me.
If it was no cost, I would still pass due to the maintenance issues down the road.

gdb069

The coupe top is fairly light and removal is much simpler than my C4 (needed a special ratchet wrench). It took me a while to perfect the process (use rear latch first to lock in place then from latches) Now my top is off and on regularly. In a year had it off at least 50 times.
My previous was Mercedes SLK350 HTC and would have gone HTC except GF hates top off and she specced the C8 so coupe. To me the coupe looks better than the HTC and those nacelles don't help, however I am ambivalent about the decision.

Sdk8103

I have a C6 coupe and a C8 coupe and the top is not a problem to remove. The first couple of times I had my son on the other side helping since I was a little nervous not knowing how heavy it was or exactly how it lifts out. Once I understood it, I do it easily with the slight anxiety I had the first couple of times I did it.

saleen556

Coming from a guy that took his top off as often as possible on his C7 I’ll tell you go HTC. At 6’2 it was relatively easy for me to pop on and off. I liked the look of the HTC and it doesn’t take away any trunk space on the C8. After 2 months of ownership it’s probably the best $7500 I’ve spent on a car.

Redmist.2021.C8

61 and 5’5”. I don’t frequently remove the top, but I’m able to handle it easily myself when I do. I went with the coupe, rather than the HTC, both because I didn’t expect to remove the top too frequently and because I love the open air feel my transparent top provides in all seasons.

ArkLaVette

I’m 5’8” & 60 yrs old & have no issues removing the top myself. I think both the coupe & HTC have their advantages in both top removal & overall looks so it’s more a matter of personal preference than functionality.

DaveDMW

I don’t think you age and height are as important as your expected frequency of use. I have a friend who puts down the top on his car every practically time he starts it. I myself will do it pretty rarely. That’s why I went with a coupe.

shiumai

I think that strength is more of a factor than age or height. So, it depends on whether you're reasonably fit or on the frail side. I wouldn't call it featherweight and it's a bit awkward due to the size, but I haven't dropped it (yet)

Vetteman Jack

Chevy has made the targa top lighter as the generations have gone on - my C5 top was really heavy while my C7 top, which is carbon fiber, it a lot lighter. Have not tried a C8 targa top yet, but can't imagine it going back to the weight of the C5 top. Just take your time and if needed, have a helper assist you until you feel comfortable removing/installing the top by yourself.

Rapid Fred

I'm 70, 5-11 and 175 -- and Targa removal not a big deal at all. No need for a person of even below average strength (I am far from Hercules) to buy an HTC simply for reasons of difficult Targa removal/replacement. The value of the HTC is:

• It looks better (to me) top up or down than the coupe (and seeing the engine cover and some fairly rough looking innards through the hatch glass does nothing for me)
• Push button up/down, even moving (great for passing showers)
• Same cargo capacity top up or down.

$7,500 really is a lot for the functionality, but this was my first new Vette after 7 used ones, and my wife and I said: "screw it; we're getting it JUST like we want this time."

Good luck with your decision. The car is spectacular regardless.

Kevin A Jones

It shouldn't be an issue unless you have a physical condition making it such. The owner's manual shares step by step instruction detailing how it's done.

4thC4at60

I'm 81 - have zero problems taking the top off and putting it back on... the top on the C8 is lighter than all previous iterations of Vettes AFIK... haven't had problems with C4, C5, C6, nor C7 either...

BruceG

I am 69 and 5' 8. I had a C6 before my C8 and a took off the top all the time. The C8 top is 10 pounds lighter and is much easier. Very easy for one person to handle. Just my opinion, but the hump on the HTC makes it butt ugly.

Red C8 of Jax

Make it a two man job and don't worry about damaging your top or car.

VetteND

I had a coupe on order from the startup of 2020 and finally secured an allocation for a 2023. When it was time to finalize the order I witched to a HTC. The biggest reason being my wife and I plan on doing some traveling with the car and I remembered the dilemma of last Corvette convertible that we did any significant traveling in. Like the couple the stowed tops virtually eliminated any luggage storage, so the top never came off while we traveled. The beautiful feature of the C8 HTC is that the top can be down and not affect any personal storage. The power rear window is an awesome bonus. Yes a little expensive however zero regrets.

Chotis Bill

I am 78, 5' 9" and have the lower half of my back fused and have no issues removing the top by myself.

Avanti

Simple, if in doubt get someone to help. As is often said, "It's not rocket science."