Targa / T-Top 370Z

Crash · 12-26-2008, 05:18 AM

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)

View Poll Results: Which would you go with?
Targa	117	52.00%
T-Top	43	19.11%
Convertible	3	1.33%
Coupe	62	27.56%
Voters: 225. You may not vote on this poll

12-26-2008, 05:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 590	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) __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary