To 'vert or not to 'vert...

S

StangManator

New Member

Jan 10, 2002

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Houston

May 12, 2004

#1

• May 12, 2004

• #1

that is the question -- I currently drive a nice nice 01 coupe... however I have always wanted the supercharged 03 model!!!

I was looking for an 03 coupe but could not find any -- I found a silver 03 10th anniversary convertible...

Besides the +~200 weight gain on the 'verts -- is there any reason I should not jump on this deal? They are running it at an excellent price, and gave me a great trade-in on my 01...

You folks out there with the 03 'verts --

Is wind noise is an issue after owning the car for a while? My dad had a 92 GT 'vert and it had a lot of wind noise -- However the new tops look worlds apart from the old.

Is frame flex an issue?

I would be looking to do some subframe bracing so if you have any suggestions there it is appreciated.

 

V

VetteKilla03

New Member

Jan 19, 2004

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Corpus Christi, TX

May 12, 2004

#2

• May 12, 2004

• #2

i have had my '03 vert for almost a year and wind noise is a non-exixtant problem. But as far as frame flex goes....it is quite noticeable. It doesnt really bother me though cuz those bright sunny days make up for it
I am sure some sub frames would improve the frame flex, I just have not went that way with mods just yet. I had never wanted a vert in my life. I previously owned 01 and 96 GT coupes, but there was just something about the cobra vert I loved. And the top is super ez to keep clean....just a lil soap and water. Good luck in your search and I guarantee u will not be disappointed with the power these cars make.

 

S

StangManator

New Member

Jan 10, 2002

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Houston

May 12, 2004

#3

• May 12, 2004

• #3

Thanks

Thanks for the information!!

I need to get a test drive from them before I buy it.

 

E

edz

Founding Member

Jul 20, 2001

92

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Delray Beach, FL

May 12, 2004

#4

• May 12, 2004

• #4

The only draw back with the vert. is that if you race you cannot run as quick as the coupes and meet track requirements, locally the drag strip will only allow verts to run over 13.99 without a cage, but most of the time the top is down and the driving is good.

 

F

Fresh GT

New Member

Jan 12, 2003

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SoCali Stanger 4Life: San Diego/Temecula, CA

May 12, 2004

#5

• May 12, 2004

• #5

I've owned my 96 GT Vert since it was born and never noticed any major wind-noise probs. I've had my 04 Mystichrome Vert since 4 Feb 04 and again, wind-noise is nonexistent. Frame flex is a minor problem if you autocross or love to drive very curvy roads, etc. I have a set of custom Hans Racecraft Subs on my 04 and it stiffened up the body 110%. I also have added the Kenny Brown STB w/CC Plates to take away 99% of the front end flex. As you can see from my sigs below...I only drive Verts and will never go back to a Coupe again. It's easy living in SoCal and NOTHING Beats a Vert with the top down, cruising at 100 with the stereo blasting and your woman by your side!!!

I do agree with the track limitations of 13.99 and that's why my 04 will probably never make it to the track. My 96 is waiting on a custom 6pt roll cage to be put on so when I get it back to the track, it'll be legal to keep running the low 11's it makes now and also break the 10's when my ported/polished Bullet intake gets back soon.

All in all...if the weather is accommodating for at least 1/2 the year...Verts are the way to go...just my humble opinion!!!


~ Fresh

 

T

travis0712

New Member

Apr 13, 2004

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Missouri

May 12, 2004

#6

• May 12, 2004

• #6

I would rather have a hard top convertable... I don't like soft tops.... I had one on my 2002 GT. Wind noice is not a problem, hardly noticable ofter a coupe... the weight difference is only a factor if you are wanting to race...

The stock subframe connectors need replaced with full lengths for sure...

Other than that, if it is not too hot where you live, or very long winters... get one, they are nice when the weather is right

 

D

droptopsnake01

New Member

May 12, 2004

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May 12, 2004

#7

• May 12, 2004

• #7

go get the vert man.. no complaints here.. yellow/ black top..

 

94CobraPace

Founding Member

Aug 30, 2000

907

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Houston, Tx.

May 12, 2004

#8

• May 12, 2004

• #8

Get the vert....
My 94 with the original top has hardly any wind noise, not over the flows. Get the full length subs will help on the chassie. If you want to go to the track a lot, drag or open, might want to rethink the vert.

 

W

Wizard02

New Member

Aug 15, 2002

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TR, NJ

May 13, 2004

#9

• May 13, 2004

• #9

More prone to wheelhop than a coupe. I enjoy the top down though. Will work on wheelhop problem. Haven't decided on MM or GW subframes. Like the jacking rail setup of GW.

 

BlackOnBlackCobra96

Founding Member

Dec 11, 1999

800

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16

Cleveland, OH & Detroit, MI

May 13, 2004

#10

• May 13, 2004

• #10

StangManator said:

is there any reason I should not jump on this deal?

Click to expand...

How's your hairline?

 

S

SVTRocket

New Member

Apr 7, 2004

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May 24, 2004

#11

• May 24, 2004

• #11

BlackOnBlackCobra96 said:

How's your hairline?

Click to expand...

HA HA

Great point, my man!

 

S

StangManator

New Member

Jan 10, 2002

40

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Houston

May 24, 2004

#12

• May 24, 2004

• #12

-- Well, I GOT THE 'vert last week!! -- It totally rocks!

HAHA -- Wow thanks for all of the great information!!

I have a nice Ford Racing charter member cap for the hairline issues!!!

I agree with need for some good subframe bracing. The frame flex and vibration is kind of noticeable compared to the 2001 cobra coupe w/ subframe bracing I traded in!

I don't really race a lot other than casual playing -- Heck now nobody will pull up next to me! I got messed with all the time in my 01, but so far no challenges in the 03!

Stock exhaust is unbelievably quiet...

Love the car -- no regrets whatsoever!!!

 

R

Rogue Cobra

New Member

Dec 26, 2003

294

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Salem, Or.

May 25, 2004

#13

• May 25, 2004

• #13

Congrads!!! Man, I love my Vert!!!! I am sure you will be very happy.

Rogue Cobra

 

C

CobraCruiser

Member

Dec 8, 2002

265

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Toledo, Ohio

May 25, 2004

#14

• May 25, 2004

• #14

Congrats on your wise purchase. Once you have a 'vert, you will never go back. My '99 Cobra was my first 'vert and my '03 Cobra is my second. I don't know why I waited so long.

We may not be as quick as the coupes, but we sure look better doing it, so to speak. With the top down, a Cobra is a real eye-catcher. Plus, we can still blow off the cars that the coupe can. I'll take the extra weight and lose a couple of tenths for top-down cruising any day.

 

S

snowtoy

New Member

May 26, 2004

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May 26, 2004

#15

• May 26, 2004

• #15

anybody else considering a convertible for street duty, buy it!!

I love my '96 svt 'vert. My last car was a 2002 WRX, before that an '88 GT. I like the convertible so much, I sold my bike ('02 GSXR1000).

BUY IT

 

RydeOn

Licensed to Chill

Founding Member

Sep 26, 2000

6,273

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77

orange county, CA

May 26, 2004

#16

• May 26, 2004

• #16

If theres any convicing then this is it.

snowtoy said:

I like the convertible so much, I sold my bike ('02 GSXR1000).

BUY IT

Click to expand...

I say get a vert b/c i want one!

 

RydeOn

Licensed to Chill

Founding Member

Sep 26, 2000

6,273

1

77

orange county, CA

May 26, 2004

#17

• May 26, 2004

• #17

Sorry, I just read that you got it.

StangManator said:

-- Well, I GOT THE 'vert last week!! -- It totally rocks!!

Click to expand...

Congrats

 

F

fr96ss

New Member

Jul 17, 2003

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Long Island, NY

May 26, 2004

#18

• May 26, 2004

• #18

I liked the vert so much so that I sold my 2 bikes to buy it..

 

F

fiveofanatic

How to fuel a Mustang:

Founding Member

Aug 12, 1998

8,152

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76

Phoenix, AZ suburbs

May 26, 2004

#19

• May 26, 2004

• #19

I was gunshy about buying another 'vert after wrecking my '90, but about six months afterwards I was wishing I had another.

I'd like to make a '00 R clone out of a red on black '99/'01 Cobra ragtop.

 

Alex Swinney

Founding Member

Aug 21, 2002

121

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0

Muncie, IN

May 26, 2004

#20

• May 26, 2004

• #20

I know you already bought the car and all, but I will forever steer clear of 'verts. I had an aftermarket sunroof (not a convertible) installed on my cobra and my car had virtually no solidity in turns. The sunroof also caused the paint to pop off the top of my car.:grrr: