Coupe versus Convertible?
Are you a coupe or convertible person? Most people have a strong preference one way or the other. For those who like convertibles, having a top on the car botches the experience. Our Club Members are often pretty vocal one way or the other.
Personally, I am a coupe fan. Though oddly, for the past six years I have driven three different convertibles as my daily drivers with another two previous targa top cars before that. I think it is sheer coincidence I've been driving so many convertibles, but it was probably about five years ago I became more a fan of coupes than convertibles. Hopefully here soon I can finally get back to enjoying a coupe for my next car. ;) I have/had a 2006 BMW Z4 3.0Si, 2005 Honda S2000, 2002 Honda S2000, 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi, 1995 Honda Del Sol Si (in order of ownership). It's a motley crew, but all were fun cars when I had them.
I like coupes for several reasons. One, I am not a big fan of getting tons of sun and wind while driving, plus all the noise top up or down. Besides, in San Francisco, it is often too cold to drop the top. Keep in mind, I am using my car as a daily driver, not a weekend car, so that has an impact on livability. I'm on my phone a lot while in the car commuting and coupes are quieter. Also, as the hard core sports car fan I am, I like a bare bones sports car, and that is typically not a convertible. Though the S2000, one of the cars I drive, is one of those pure sports cars and happens to only come in convertible form.
These days, more car manufacturers are introducing folding hard tops that solve this issue. The key is when the top is up, the design has to look fully integrated and not make-shift when the top is up such that you are compelled to put it down. The folding hard tops are improving, for sure and even Ferrari is getting into it now with the new Ferrari California.
So, in which camp are you? Do you prefer the sun and wind of a convertible? Or do you prefer the sleek roof line and chassis rigidity of a coupe?Labels: Club Sportiva, convertible, Driving experience, exotic car share club, sports coupe
posted by Torbin at
12:02 AM
3 Comments:
Torbin, this posting is a very good one covering many of the factors in the debate. My wife and I have been going through some of the same analysis as we look at our next car purchase - a lively debate between a Boxster and Cayman. The deciding factor has really been that the car may need to do some commute duties as well (hence the Porsche bias for something of a sports car but still acceptable gas mileage).
Our final analysis has led us to favor the Cayman despite the additional costs - so the coup decision. In sum our analysis came down to the following. I've driven both for extended periods, the Boxster S rented for some fun driving days and the Sportiva Cayman S. Of the two, I greatly preferred the additional stiffness and feel in the coup compared with the convertible.
Both are great options, but on balance we came down on the coup end of the decision with the two most telling factors is the car being used for more than just 'weekend' driving and the ability to get the occasional convertible for fun weekends. Clearly you know which way we'll be leaning for our next Sportiva cars.
For serious driving I prefer a coupe, and if I want wind in my hair, I roll the windows down. For a lazy weekend ride along HWY 1 with my better half, nothing beats a convertible.
Guys, great feedback! Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for sharing your feedback.
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