Coupe vs Convertible...am I missing anything?

[ShadowLight]

Hey all,

I am looking to buy an 06 SRT-10 after I sell my Z06 (hopefully soon!) and I am debating between the two body styles. I think the convertible would be more fun and I think both look great. But is there anything I am missing that would make me want to go for the coupe?

I have seen more coupes on the market around me locally, so that makes me consider it more.

 

[Snakester]

This really comes down to personal taste and preferences more than anything else.
I prefer convertibles, but I live in a warm climate so I can drive the Viper with the top off 9 months a year. But I'd think differently if I lived in Canada, or the northeast U.S.

For 2006 I believe that the convertibles might be a bit more rare because that was the first year for the Gen III coupe, which dominated sales for that year. Of course the other side of that coin is that because the Viper was only available in convertible form from 2003-2005 there are many more Gen III convertible Vipers sold overall.

Usually for people buying a Viper, the choice of getting a convertible or coupe is an easy one.
I do like the coupe's fastback styling, and the hardtop is an asset if you are planning to race your Viper in events. But ultimately for me the open top convertible makes all of the sights and sounds of driving the Viper even more exciting.

 

[JonB]

If you ENJOY top-down driving as much as fixed-roof driving, SRT10.

If you would seldom fold the top, you might prefer the quieter, more rigid, better-handling SRT-C.

Your geography may play a role: I get 11' of rain annually, and cleaning a soft top is a bugger. Pollen and dust and birdies make a soft-top a nightmare for a meticulous detailer

 

[rcl4668]

I get plenty of rain where I live but still preferred the "surround sound" aspect of a convertible for both street driving and track days. If you are going to use a convertible for track days you may, depending on the track and the school in question, need to install an SCCA-compliant rolbar. I bought an Autoform rollbar from Jon B (the poster above) and it has worked great and been accepted at multiple driving schools. Here is a pic:

The standard rollhoops that come with the 2003-2008 convertibles are not designed as rollover protection.

Even with the rollbar installed, some schools will still not accept open cockpit cars of any type (BMW CCA at Pacific Raceways in Seattle isone such school).

Have fun making your decision.

/Rich

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

I like my girls *******

 

[ShadowLight]

I do plan on doing a few NASA events with the car, but I am not planning on going too crazy with it. Is the difference between coupe and vert that dramatic on the race track?

 

[GBS]

I think it's a matter of personal preference but I perfer a coupe.

 

[CitySnake]

I do plan on doing a few NASA events with the car, but I am not planning on going too crazy with it. Is the difference between coupe and vert that dramatic on the race track?

Again, that's a matter of some opinion. You need to think about and clarify your priorities. A Coupe will always be a bit more rigid and therefore better on a track than a conv. How much better depends on the track and your driving skills. For a relatively inexperienced amateur driver that does club events a few times a year, the difference might not event be noticeable. For a pro, it might mean a second on a 1 minute 30 second track.

Another alternative is to buy a removable hardtop for your conv. It will also be approved by most (not all) tracks and schools and give you some additional aspects of a coupe.

It's a very personal choice. Me, I have no interest in a car with a fixed roof, even here in the North East. I virtually never put the top up from April thru November.

 

[wallbanger]

carry on

 

[ShadowLight]

You make a strong argument.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Nuff said

 

[Dads Toy]

that is hard to argue with. with a good AC unit, is there any heat problems in the hard top versions that are not a problem in the convertable. I live in KC and have had several t-top cars and don't even like taking off the t-tops on 98-100 degree days when the humidity is in the high 90's.

 

[ulllose]

Wallbanger did your 03 have 3 seats...........................

 

[wallbanger]

Wallbanger did your 03 have 3 seats...........................

Unfortunately i must admit that is not my car.....it came from this website a while back.. a member was at some New York restaurant .. he probably had to sell the car after the divorce

 

[RTTTTed]

Some race tracks don't allow convertibles to race, ever. Some series races don't allow convertibles. At all race tracks you need a rollbar. Your stock Viper is too fast for the dragstrip and NHRA rules demand a 6 point rollbar for faster than 13,0 sec. Hardtops are OK until 11.5sec.

If you've got a vert' you'd better not need to use the trunk and if the top is down you'll need a special suitcase for luggage. The GTS and coupe have 12 cubic feet and no top to put away. I just did Detroit VOI X with my wife and suitcases for 2 weeks. Yes it rained a few days. 6,600mi.

If you're buying the car for a garage queen it doesn't matter. My GTS is a highway car and I put on 22,000mi so far this year.

Hardtops/coupes were built 1996-2002 and then coupes started in '06, No 2007s were built but coupes again for '08. GTSs are worth a little more than the R/Ts. Also higher top speed with GTS/coupes.

Ted

 

[GR8_ASP]

Some race tracks don't allow convertibles to race, ever. Some series races don't allow convertibles. At all race tracks you need a rollbar. Your stock Viper is too fast for the dragstrip and NHRA rules demand a 6 point rollbar for faster than 13,0 sec. Hardtops are OK until 11.5sec.

If you've got a vert' you'd better not need to use the trunk and if the top is down you'll need a special suitcase for luggage. The GTS and coupe have 12 cubic feet and no top to put away. I just did Detroit VOI X with my wife and suitcases for 2 weeks. Yes it rained a few days. 6,600mi.

If you're buying the car for a garage queen it doesn't matter. My GTS is a highway car and I put on 22,000mi so far this year.

Hardtops/coupes were built 1996-2002 and then coupes started in '06, No 2007s were built but coupes again for '08. GTSs are worth a little more than the R/Ts. Also higher top speed with GTS/coupes.

Ted

Excuse me but SRT convertible tops do not store in the trunk. So how does top up or down impact the suitcase size?

 

[RTTTTed]

When the top is up you can store you bags/small suitcase in the well for the top, right?

The storage area without top storage is the size of a golf bag. Better than a Ford GT, but not too much.

Ted

 

[als 08 viper acr]

Hey all,

I am looking to buy an 06 SRT-10 after I sell my Z06 (hopefully soon!) and I am debating between the two body styles. I think the convertible would be more fun and I think both look great. But is there anything I am missing that would make me want to go for the coupe?

I have seen more coupes on the market around me locally, so that makes me consider it more.

I sold a 2003 convertible with 12.5k miles back in Jan 08 for 44k. 99 to 2002 Coupes were selling for more. You could probably get a better deal on a Vert. Verts are more fun on a nice Sunny day, but I think Coupes hold there value better. I have an order in for an ACR (since 12-07) that I hope to get by next month.

 

[Newport Viper]

YOU GOT TO POP THE TOP!

 

[GR8_ASP]

When the top is up you can store you bags/small suitcase in the well for the top, right?

The storage area without top storage is the size of a golf bag. Better than a Ford GT, but not too much.

Ted

Not to argue with you but an SRT has at least twice the useable storage than a Gen I/II roadster without using the space where the roof stows. That storage I found to be darn near unusable due to difficult access.

 

[snakebite52]

ok first thing is ow tall are you? things might be cramped if your over 6 feet

 

[wallbanger]

If you've got a vert' you'd better not need to use the trunk and if the top is down you'll need a special suitcase for luggage. The GTS and coupe have 12 cubic feet and no top to put away. I just did Detroit VOI X with my wife and suitcases for 2 weeks. Yes it rained a few days. 6,600mi.

Ted

There is NO viper that can accommodate a wife's luggage for a 2 week trip...

unless u get one of these

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[CitySnake]

carry on

Hey WB!!!

Lay off of MY photos! LOL

That was one of our NY/CT "events" at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Times Square, NYC. One of the owners is a club member and hooked us up for secured parking, "fashion show", and dinner.

Here's more photos:

NY/CT VCA Photo Gallery - Hawaiian Tropic Times Square Event - 9/20 - Powered by PhotoPost

Now..... what was this thread about ??????

PS- A small tidbit..... one of those lovely ladies had rear end "enhancements".

 

[wallbanger]

Great pics man....even more reasons to get the vert .. that poor silver coupe just looks so neglected

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

 

[wastntim]

Get one of each. Argument done.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

If you are going to track events the easiest approach would be to go with a Coupe. As noted , many groups will now require a hardtop or rollbar to compete in their events. Regardless of which model we all like better, common sense says it would be more cost effective to simply buy the one with the non-removable top.

Best of luck,

Bill Pemberton

 

[MikeR]

As others have noted, a Coupe is a better choice if your a track rat. But now with the options of roll bars and hard tops, you can use the vert at any track as well. Just takes more work to make it track legal. I really like the look of the Coupe and it does have more cargo space.

But living in California, the Vert was a easy choice. Looks great with top up or down. There is really something special about cruising around with the top down. And in my area, Im able to run down to 11.0 at the drag strip with a vert and Im able to do track days with 4-5 different vendors that dont require aftermarket roll bars.

 

[RTTTTed]

There is NO viper that can accommodate a wife's luggage for a 2 week trip...

unless u get one of these

You must be registered for see images attach

I wasn't kidding. 2 large softside bags, 2 shoe bags and 2 bags of 'utensils'. She even packed me shorts, etc. that I didn't wear.

Came home with 45% more stuff chairs, 2 new Viper suitcases (1 full) and 10 Tshirts plus misc.

Trailer must be just for the racetrack. I have been thinking about a traler for my extra rims and tires, jack, etc.

Ted

 

[Mopar-man]

When you make your decision, if you decide on an 06' vert look in the classified on this website

 

[ShadowLight]

ok first thing is ow tall are you? things might be cramped if your over 6 feet

I am 6'1" and I noticed I was riding a bit high in the convertible I drove. It looks like the seat lowering kit is a requirement.