That depends on the car still. The corvette has a full chassis. There are cars that only have half frames (Like F-Bodies and mustangs).

But more importantly, there's a HUGE difference between convertibles and roadsters: Roadsters were designed to be topless. Their frames are tough from the get-go. Convertibles, however, are usually an afterthought. Hence the extra crap on them to make them more rigid... But that doesn't mean they're as rigid as a coupe.

BTW, I felt the lack of stiffness in my Trans Am which was a T-Top. That frame flexed and twisted like it was NOTHING. Taking turn, or going up and down drive ways was a fantastic reminder how crappy the half frames were. It felt slightly better when the tops were on, but not much. And the car DESPERATELY needed sub-frame connectors which I'd never got around to doing.

You can certainly feel rigidity in a car, convertible vs. coupe. You CAN feel that. Added weight is a mute point, but for racing, convertible isn't the smartest idea (suspension and rigidity wise)

Well, look I don`t want to argue with you on your Trans-Am and whether it had any build quality issues - I haven`t driven one so can`t comment. And you`re right it depends upon the car; and right again that once long ago, roadsters were different from convertibles, were different from coupes. But its 2008 now and things are different, and I just want to make the broad point that you should never underestimate the power of suggestion.

Try this experiment: hand someone a glass of wine and ask them what they think of it. Then when they are halfway down the glass hand them the tasting notes that the experts have written - the bit that says it`s got strong fruit tastes, or maybe even figs and is a little over-oaked. Of course people are going to say "Oh yes, I can clearly pick out figs, no problem" because nobody wants to feel foolish or unrefined by having missed it.

Similar with car journalists. Try and find an article on a convertible (or roadster) that doesn`t open up with the old hard-top vs. rigidity thing. And so people imagine they can feel it in all sorts of cars that are built stiffer these days.

Your 0-60 isn`t a moot point by the way - if acceleration is all you want, buy a hard-top (or a faster car, even). For racing, like you (and I) said, that`s when you push a car to its limit - that`s when you`ll feel it. But not when you`re off to WalMart for the shopping.

Actually, I hate to say it, because I completely agree with you, but there was an article on the Mallet Solstice that didn't mention anything about the fact that it's a roadster, but really spent much of the time talking about how well it drives and how much fun it is... Of course, at that time GM didn't have a hard top Solstice (and we'll see if they last long enough to put the Solstice Coupe into production). But I do agree with you.

As a former F-bod owner myself, I know the pains of body flex with the T-tops. In fact, body flex was so bad that I remember a couple people on the boards actually twisting the bodies enough for the T's to actually come out of place and fall to the ground. Subframe connectors were my first purchase which helped out a lot.
That being said, it definitely depends on the car, because both my c5 and c6 vette had a "removable" (not allowed to call it a targa because that name is owned by porche) top and felt stiff as hell, even with the top off. Just depends on the money invested into the car by the manufacturer.

One thing I always admired about Corvettes is that they've always had a full solid frame. The C6 chassis is the best chassis ever created (IMO). GM spent billions to design it and I honestly couldn't believe how great it came out.

But I still wouldn't buy another GM. Quality control on GMs make me NEVER want to go about 150MPH without a racing harness, roll cage, and full suspension replacement.

I have always like Targa Tops aswell

T Tops are nice.. But can be more of a bother.. I never really take them out on my 93 300zx

Todd

How about this for an idea? ;)

http://www.the370z.com/images/370zfo..._Raited800.png

Sexy

Wow!!

^^ lol.............i voted for a T-Top long ago

Funny thing is I have people ask me all the time if the top comes off, at least a dozen times, it just looks like it does. That is a really nice PS job :tup:

Wow... Actually, that looks REALLY good.

targa.. ftw!

Wow, thanks AK370Z, that blue Targa looks beautiful. I've always regretted that convertibles can't have the roof-line the coupe does. That long, low swoop of the roof down the the tail fin is just fantastic and best of both worlds. That would make it worth the hassle of getting in and out of the car all the while to put the panels in the back.

I love my Z as it is.....but if a T top or targa came out I would trade it in a heart beat. I dont even care if I loose cash on the car in the process. The older 300zx is so sick they should have done the same thing with the 370.:driving: