Cab vs. Coupe - 370Z
 

Not sure if this was discussed before.

Anyways, has anyone driven both cars? I am wondering how the chassis of the two differ and how the driving behaviors compare.

To be exact, I bought a targa Supra years ago. It was a blast for 2 weeks, until one day, all of a sudden the car was shaking a lot. I thought I had a flat tire so I checked. Long and behold, IT WAS THE TARGA TOP (I had taken it off a few minutes before).

It is a known fact that the coupe shows the utmost stiffness. So, I am just wondering about the Z without the top.

they have to add a ton of weight to try and mimic what the roof was naturally doing, so im sure there are SOME handling differences.

Most all the tests I have read have been very complimentary regarding the chassis stiffness of the Roadster vs. the coupe.

Any convertible will be more heavy compare to the coupe due to the stiffening of the chasis.

Actually only about 200 lbs

Coupe touring curb weight: 3278
Roadster touring curb weight: 3497

Not true with Porsche.

Well, it depends if the car was 'originally' designed as a convertible. My SC Cab is heavier than its brother coupe. (:

you always get more flex with cars without roofs.

Coupes for the win.

Read one article on the drop top
 

That compared it with a coupe which had 10,000 miles on it and the roadster was quicker 0-60 and around a track. If I can remember correctly, it was a very small margin but neither car was dynoed so you don't know how much each started with but both were stock. I was very surprised at the test as I thought the roadster would be slower. I have driver the Boxster and Cayman and can not tell the difference but I never got past 7/10. Would doubt that the 370Z roadster is a tight as a Boxster which was designed as a roadster and evolved into the Cayman. If the results continue to show that the 370Z roadster does not loose any or much to the coupe, I would be pleasantly surprised. I would have thought the weight penalty would have taken a toll on the times. I would imagine that some mag will do a test between the roadster and coupe before too long. I also read where the roadster had slightly different suspension to account for the increased weight.

in all honesty anyone complaining of an extra 200 lbs to have a convertible is crazy.... its nothing.... IMO it would be a great trade off..... There is nothing like a vert.... well a bike but thats a different animal :)

I have always enjoyed open-top cars, be it a targa, convertible, or t-top. I would not be surprised if I end up with a convertible someday.

Nissan actually design the roadster first then based the coupe from it.. much, much better than the 350 was..
I have driven both and can't seem to find a difference.

i'd love a convertible but i know i won't use the function much and i really don't have the looks to pull it off either =)

Convertibles make you attractive :) .... Or at least make you think you are which is probably good enough. Attitude counts for much :tup:

You wouldn't believe how much sceaming and I get when the high school bus pulls next me!!!!

Pretty embarassing, actually

I drove both and there was virtually no difference with the top up.

I've yet to get any sense of cowl shake or instability in the roadster. It is easily as tight and sure of itself as my MX-5 was -- and it was incredibly rigid, due to its light weight and compact design.

The 370ZR is worlds better in this regard than my two BMW convertibles were (2000 MZ3 and 2001 330Cic)

Any cowl shakes when the top is "down"? The Supra that I had shook with the top down.