Questions for C6 Convertible owners.....

[Roadster Guy]

I love my Vette. I'm thinking though, to maybe swap my C4 LT4 Roadster for a C6 Roadster next spring. A couple things I would like feedback on from C6 Convertible owners.

• How is the cabin for touring with the top up--reasonably quiet? I think (and I may be wrong) that the C4 and C5 interior noise for Verts is similar, but I suspect the C6 is much quieter.
• I don't have a trunk but would like that feature. Do you find the trunk suitable for touring? How about if you are using it as a day driver and need to throw in golf clubs or even a hockey bag (summer hockey with the boys is the best). How about when the is top down?
• I find my Vette has very little wind buffeting with the top down...same with the C6?
• any comments regarding the power top?
• any other observations?

Thanks,
RG

 

[GS Diva]

I went from a 1996 roadster to a 2005 roadster. In the first place, there's no comparing the available storage between a C4 and a C5 or a C6. My husband and I now have a C5 and a C6 convertible. The C5 has more room overall, but the C6 is still perfectly fine for traveling and, yes, it holds a set of golf clubs!

I don't think the noise, top up or top down, in either the C5 or the C6 overwhelming at all. In fact, my '96 had a serious drone because of its Flowmaster exhaust system so it could be quite loud. The type of exhaust you have will definitely affect how much noise you experience.

As far as power tops...I don't have one in my '05 nor would I even bother with it. It is quite a novelty for Corvette owners, but seriously, I don't think it's worth the money to order it. I can get my top and/or down much faster than pushing a button for the automatic top to jump into action. Still, it's a novelty, and a lot of people like them!

Good luck...and let us know how you make out.

Elaine

 

[Roadster Guy]

Great insight. Thanks Elaine.......
RG

 

[Patrick]

I love my Vette. I'm thinking though, to maybe swap my C4 LT4 Roadster for a C6 Roadster next spring. A couple things I would like feedback on from C6 Convertible owners.

• How is the cabin for touring with the top up--reasonably quiet? I think (and I may be wrong) that the C4 and C5 interior noise for Verts is similar, but I suspect the C6 is much quieter.
• I don't have a trunk but would like that feature. Do you find the trunk suitable for touring? How about if you are using it as a day driver and need to throw in golf clubs or even a hockey bag (summer hockey with the boys is the best). How about when the is top down?
• I find my Vette has very little wind buffeting with the top down...same with the C6?
• any comments regarding the power top?
• any other observations?

Thanks,
RG

RG,
I went from a 2003 Z06 to a 2006 Convertible. And I have to say with the top up, my C6 is as quiet on the inside as the old FRC- honestly, I have not noticed any increase in wind whistling through the windows. I think it must have something to do with the "indexing" it does where it drops the windows slightly when you open the door.

The cargo size is slightly smaller than my Z06- some of that is do to the fact that the power convertible top takes up some of the room- but it's still adequate. You should have no problem with a set a golf clubs.

The power convertible top is great. I love the looks I get when I pull up at a stop light, pull up the break and push the button to put the top down. It only takes seconds, and the jealous glances you get from people waiting for the light to change are priceless.

And you crave a spirited performance ride, I think you'll find the jump in both HP and handling will thrill you.


-Patrick

 

[Chrisr]

Hi Roadster Guy

In July, I traded my 03 coupe for an 07 Vert!!. Best decision I ever made!!!

Top up noise while driving is minimal, I find. Even at 120mph!!!! Virtually no buffeting with the top down, even at 100mph. The power top is a great feature. As Patrick stated, you don't have to get out of the car to put it down or up, and mine has worked flawlessly. I think it takes about 18 seconds for top down/up operation. And yes, if the power doesn't work, you can do it manually. Overall, the C6 vert is much quieter than my C5 ever was. Top off or on.

Trunk space for a convertible is good. Depending on the size of your hockey bag and golf bag, it may be a tight fit, but should fit. You should have no problem packing the trunk to go on a trip. Beware though, that there is a divider in the trunk which when up, separates the top (when down) from the cargo area. If you leave the divider attached, you lose abut 1/3 of your cargo space. with it down, you'll have plenty of room for whatever you want to put back there.

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[Roadster Guy]

Boy, this C6 Forum is great. Thanks for the feedback.

Sounds like the C6 Vert is as good or better than it looks. Your posts sure make it sound like jumping from C4 to C6 is a good move as this was my thinking as well. I prefer the proportions and interior of the C6 over the C5 and it sure sounds as if people are happy with their C6 Roadsters. Interesting observations about the power top and lack of wind noise and the quiet cabin.

I have driven a C6 Coupe. In the spring I'm keen to try out a C6 Vert. Is it almost spring yet?
RG

 

[Chrisr]

Boy, this C6 Forum is great. Thanks for the feedback.

Sounds like the C6 Vert is as good or better than it looks. Your posts sure make it sound like jumping from C4 to C6 is a good move as this was my thinking as well. I prefer the proportions and interior of the C6 over the C5 and it sure sounds as if people are happy with their C6 Roadsters. Interesting observations about the power top and lack of wind noise and the quiet cabin.

I have driven a C6 Coupe. In the spring I'm keen to try out a C6 Vert. Is it almost spring yet?
RG

I don't know about where your located, but here in New Jersey it's 70+ degrees on Thanksgiving day with mostly sunny skies!! Definetly a top down day!!!

 

[Roadster Guy]

Well, sorry to say that here in the hills north east of Toronto it's 27F right now with 4 inches of snow on the ground and more falling and the temp dropping to 20F tonight thanks to a storm that started last night...............so my Vette is cleaned, waxed and sleeping under her cover in my outbuilding and about the only thing around here with a top down is in town at the bar...............

You have a nice top down Thanksgiving day! We had ours about a month ago up here and indeed it was a nice sunny day and I did have my top down.................
RG

 

[fvette05]

I bought an 05 vert with the power top just a few months ago. I drove lots of C6 coupes and convertibles while looking and IMHO, the convertible is quieter with the top up than the coupe. The shape of the big back window coupled with the lack of separation between the wheels and transmission make it louder than the convertible that has all that hard body (waterfall area) separtation. It is also quieter (or just as quiet) with the tops off. In the coupe with the top removed, the side and top surrounding structure makes a lot more wind noise than the vert. Overall, if you like the sunshine and breeze, go with the vert!

And...FWIW, I also had a sales guys drop the top into the interior of the coupe when he was trying to remove it. Gashed that brand new 07 console fairly badly.

 

[NORTY]

Have any C6 vert owners had any problem with the linkage pinching the inside material on the driver side? A buddy of mine has had his 2006 since DEC05 and drives it everyday and puts the top down everytime he drives. (Then back up when he goes home.) He's got 20,000 miles on it now.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I love my Vette. I'm thinking though, to maybe swap my C4 LT4 Roadster for a C6 Roadster next spring. A couple things I would like feedback on from C6 Convertible owners.

• How is the cabin for touring with the top up--reasonably quiet? I think (and I may be wrong) that the C4 and C5 interior noise for Verts is similar, but I suspect the C6 is much quieter.

It will be quieter but not "much" quieter.

• I don't have a trunk but would like that feature. Do you find the trunk suitable for touring? How about if you are using it as a day driver and need to throw in golf clubs or even a hockey bag (summer hockey with the boys is the best). How about when the is top down?

The trunk in a convertible is restricted. My guess is a golf bag will go in. As for the hockey bag, it depends on how many sticks are in it. With the top down...forget it.

• I find my Vette has very little wind buffeting with the top down...same with the C6?

The buffeting will be about the same or a little less but buffeting is very dependant on speed

• any comments regarding the power top?

it takes up a fair amount of the available trunk space. The only people who need a power top are those who are very weak.

 

[BruceBed]

I don't know about where your located, but here in New Jersey it's 70+ degrees on Thanksgiving day with mostly sunny skies!! Definetly a top down day!!!

Couldn't get near the car today. IT WAS HONEY DO FOR THANKSGIVING. It was gorgeous here in Philly.

 

[Roadster Guy]

Thanks Hib for your insight. Good point re the power top trunk space usage.
Thanks to others as well.
RG

 

[Chrisr]

Couldn't get near the car today. IT WAS HONEY DO FOR THANKSGIVING. It was gorgeous here in Philly.

Yes it was!! I'm 15 minutes from Philly.

Today...on the other hand.............BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

 

[Tuna]

I'll second the above except for Hib's comment about only the very week need a power top - if you want the 3LT or 4LT package in a 2008, you get the power top whether you want it or not.

We sold a 2003 AE vert and bought a 2008 vert with the power top. The C5 vert has more luggage space especially when compared to a power top C6. With the power top, GM put in a space restictor panel to keep stuff from getting in the way of top when in operation. The panel can be quickly removed or lowered flat but then the top does not work - micro switches not engaged. Top up, panel down you have a lot more luggage room but the roof does not work.

With the power top, I find we drive top down more because it's so much more convenient - no need to get in and out of the car when you start and stop just to put the top up or down -- just release the top latch and hold the toggle switch to go down, --- when putting it up, just hold the toggle switch and wait for the top to completely open then latch it. When I ordered the '08, if the power top had been an option, I would not have bought. Since I had no choice, I'm glad we got it.

As for noise, it's about the same but different. The wind noise is different compared to the C5, not louder just different.

Compared to a C4, the C6 vert has lots of luggage room.

 

[Chrisr]

I'll second the above except for Hib's comment about only the very week need a power top - if you want the 3LT or 4LT package in a 2008, you get the power top whether you want it or not.


With the power top, I find we drive top down more because it's so much more convenient - no need to get in and out of the car when you start and stop just to put the top up or down -- just release the top latch and hold the toggle switch to go down, --- when putting it up, just hold the toggle switch and wait for the top to completely open then latch it. When I ordered the '08, if the power top had been an option, I would not have bought. Since I had no choice, I'm glad we got it.

As for noise, it's about the same but different. The wind noise is different compared to the C5, not louder just different.

Compared to a C4, the C6 vert has lots of luggage room.

Had I had to order my 07, I wouldn't have gotten the power roof. But since it was already there, I had to take it. Like Tuna said it is really a convenient option.

 

[lemish]

I can get my top and/or down much faster than pushing a button for the automatic top to jump into action.

Elaine: The C6 power top lowers in less than 17 seconds. I doubt he can jump out of his C4 and lower the top and jump back in in 17 seconds. I doubt the manual C6 top can be done much faster either.

 

[lemish]

Have any C6 vert owners had any problem with the linkage pinching the inside material on the driver side? A buddy of mine has had his 2006 since DEC05 and drives it everyday and puts the top down everytime he drives. (Then back up when he goes home.) He's got 20,000 miles on it now.

Top up and down several times a day - daily driver - no problems with the power top.

(Do have some complaints about the day/night mirrors and automatic power drviers seat not always working.)

 

[GS Diva]

Elaine: The C6 power top lowers in less than 17 seconds. I doubt he can jump out of his C4 and lower the top and jump back in in 17 seconds. I doubt the manual C6 top can be done much faster either.

You're right...there's no way the top on a C4 can be lowered in that time! Now...can it be done in a C6? I'm going to time it and will let you know!

Elaine

 

[lemish]

You're right...there's no way the top on a C4 can be lowered in that time! Now...can it be done in a C6? I'm going to time it and will let you know!

Elaine

That will be good info to share. Thanks.