Convertible or Hardtop 2ss?

[Q'smuscle]

Convertible because you can have the best of both worlds! I love both but the convertibles do look killer with even the top up! The convertible will be worth more , even though we are not talking about value!

[Chevy_cowboy]

Convertible for sure. No convertible looks as good with the top up as it does with the top down... So thats a silly argument, IMO the camaro maintains the hardtop roofline better than most ragtops. Added bonus, no b pillar and all 4 windows roll down.

Besides with a ragtop in Florida, who cares what it looks like with the top up, you'll have nice enough weather to leave it down most of the time.

[thkfast]

If I lived in a State where the sun came out, I'd get a convertible.

Drive both and see which one you enjoy more!

[metacam]

convertible
love the hardtops but had to get the convertible. it's puts a smile on my face every time i take her out and especially when dropping the top.

[Bud 1LE 2SS RS]

VERT

[el ess A]

Get both.

[Baba]

I voted "Convertible".

If going to the track or "racing" isn't a primary objective, the "fun" factor, compared to the "hardtop", is
unparalleled and well-worth the ~$5k price difference between the two, IMO.

If you've never owned a convertible or driven one at length. I strongly suggest you take one out on the
freeway and drive 65+ mph for a while. It's not only a completely different driving experience compared to
the coupe's "windows down-open sunroof" experience, it's a life-style. I call it the "'vert life".

Actually, come to think of it, several people on this forum have rented a Camaro for a few days to try it
out before buying one. If you're uncertain whether you'd be comfortable with a 'vert and renting one is
an option for you, that might be a good way to see for yourself without any sales pressure. Do keep in
mind, if you do rent a 'vert for a few days, it may not be as highly optioned as what you'll find on the
the dealership lot and may not drive as well as a brand new V8. Just keep that in mind.

The 5th Gen. Convertible has often been described by professional car publications (online and print) as
better-looking than the Coupe (that, however, is purely subjective and a matter of individual preference).
Mind you, I'm not saying the 'vert is a better car than the coupe, only that it's a completely different
driving experience.

Since you live in a climate that allows for virtually year-round top-down driving, the only things you really
need to have in a vert are a hat / cap to shield your head from the sun, a towel and suntan lotion. People
(read; coupe owners) often laugh about the fact that convertible owners frequently turn on their AC when
they're driving. It's no different than driving any other car. It's hot outside. The AC on with the top-down
in oppressive humidity is awesome. It's no different than if you were driving a coupe and it's an absolute
"must" when you're sitting in traffic tie-ups, anyway.

I drove a girlfriend's convertible in the late 80's for an entire summer while she was on a temporary overseas
deployment. I was bitten by the bug from that time on. When it came time for me to buy a new car a few
years later, however, I had to consider finances and practicality. 16 years later, I purchased a new 2008 Saturn
SKY Redline) and in 2011 traded it in for my current Camaro Convertible (because I wanted more room, more HP
and the potential to carry a spare tire - which isn't even a remote option in the SKY). I, for one, haven't
experienced any problems with any convertible - either top-wise or mechanically, to speak of.

The only potential problem(s) with any convertible, is that its top and water management (read; drainage)
bags are its "Achilles heel". The 2014's, however, have better top canvas quality and the "kinks" have
been worked out compared to the 2011 and 2012 model years. The 5th Gen. Convertibles are renowned
for very little "cowl shake". The biggest PITA with the 'vert is putting on the tonneau cover (which isn't
an absolute "must" but completes the "top-down" look perfectly).

One other thing to be mindful of is that if the rear window ever needs replacement, the top needs to be
removed - it is, with all likelihood, not a "Safelite" repair in your driveway type of job.

Post your question over in the Convertible forum and "wallow" in the enthusiastic replies of current
5th Gen. 'vert owners.

I've attached the price list for the 2014's (through the courtesy of Camaro5 denizens). Hopefully you'll
find it useful.

Good luck with your decision-making process and please keep us posted.

[Twilborne]

White convertible with inferno orange interior, and orange stripes.

[DaveA]

Vert! Nothing better. Live mine.

Get black with inferno orange.

[SS PANTHER]

You live in Florida! The convertible looks better, gets more looks, is more enjoyable to drive in so many situations. I like the ragtop up look also as it gives it a distinctive double look and says I'm a convertible. My brothers' M3 hardtop vert just looks like another car. I run my heater and heated seats in 50 degree weather cruising down the coast at night and my A/C on when it is 90 out and it works. Just use sunscreen. There are no real top issues in the '13 & '14's as it was redesigned in late 2012. My best friends in my sig all drive ragtops. Turbo S, 427 Vette, and the other cars we run with on the weekends are 430's, 458's, Lambo's, all verts etc. There is nothing better than having your cake and eat it too. With Spring here Summer nights and Fall coming you will regret not getting the vert IMO.

[Chevy_cowboy]

Originally Posted by Baba

I voted "Convertible".

If going to the track or "racing" isn't a primary objective, the "fun" factor, compared to the "hardtop", is unparalleled and well-worth the ~$5k price difference between the two, IMO.

If you've never owned a convertible or driven one at length. I strongly suggest you take one out on the freeway and drive 65+ mph for a while. It's not only a completely different driving experience compared to the coupe's "windows down-sunroof open" experience, it's a life-style. I call it "the vert life".

I'm not saying the 'vert is a better car than the coupe, only that it's a completely different driving experience.

Since you live in a climate that allows for virtually year-round top-down driving, the only things you really need to have in a vert are a hat / cap to shield your head from the sun, a towel and suntan lotion. People (read; coupe owners) often laugh about the fact that convertible owners often turn on their AC when they're driving. It's no different than driving any other car. It's hot outside. The AC on with the top down in oppressive humidity is awesome. It's no different than if you were driving a coupe and it's a must when you're sitting in traffic tie-ups, anyway.

I drove a girlfriend's convertible in the late 80's for an entire summer while she was on a temporary overseas deployment. I was bitten by the bug from that time on. When it came time for me to buy a new car a few years later, however, I had to consider finances and practicality. 16 years later, in 2009 I purchased my 1st convertible (Saturn SKY Redline) and in 2011 traded it in for my current Camaro Convertible (because I wanted more room, more HP and the potential to carry a spare tire - which isn't even a remote option in the SKY). I haven't experienced any problems with any convertible - either top-wise or mechanically, to speak of.

The only potential problem(s) with any convertible, is that its top and water management (read; drainage) bags are its "Achilles heel". The 2014's, however, have better top canvas quality and the "kinks" have been worked out compared to the 2011 and 2012 model years. One other thing to be mindful of is that if the rear window ever needs replacement, the top needs to come off - it's not a "Safelite" repair in your driveway type of job. The 5th Gen. Convertibles are renowned for very little "cowl shake".

Post your question over in the Convertible forum and "wallow" in the enthusiastic replies of current 5th Gen. 'vert owners.

I've attached the price list for the 2014's (through the courtesy of Camaro5 denizens). Hopefully you'll find it useful.

Good luck with your decision-making process and please keep us posted.

This is our first convertible... and if T-tops had been available on the 5th gen we probably would have gone that route instead, but man this car is a blast. Always said I'd never own a convertible unless it was a good weather car that only came out when I could put the top down.. finally got there in life and loving it, I think this summer is gonna be a lot of fun.

[RolltideSS]

I love my convertible. It isn't for everyone but if you try it and like it you won't want another type of car. My dad is now on his second convertible because "having a sunroof just isn't the same". I knew I liked the convertible experience before I dropped the money on my own. I would recommend renting a convertible for a weekend or a week to make sure you like the experience before you spend the money on it. And of course I gotta say white.

[christianchevell]

having owned a convertible and now a coupe the decision is up to you. I live in a state that rains a lot so I had to treat my top with sunbrella a product to protect from fading and to make it repel water..I bought it over the internet as none was in the auto parts stores here. Also the top will grab every cat and dog hair piece of weed and blowing pollen and have it cling to it to be prepared to wash and yes try to remove the stuff clinging to it with microfiber cloth. Third the top has to have a cover over the top of it that takes a couple minutes to install...the tonneau cover if you want to not worry if you drive fast with it down and do not want to damage it folded up, the top will eventually need replacement but can last a real long time if taken care of, and yes the suspension is softer on a convertible the car weighs three hundred pounds more and the cost is higher.

For me it also does not look as sleek and nice as the coupe with the top up, and yes you get sunburn, something that for me a guy who works almost always outside anyway was kind of annoying along with the wifes complaints of the wind whipping the hair, made it just a o.k. option not so desirable.

I now own a crystal red coupe, the suspension being fe4 is noticeable stiffer, the looks better in my opinion as I got what I wanted when I went to look at a red Camaro on a lot that had sold it and used it as a teaser to get people in and ended up buying the triple black 2ss/rs the best thing on the lot. Not that it was not a nice car, just that I knew it was not the one.......... I never modded a thing on it, and paddle shifting made me laugh, so did sport mode.... Having to void your warranty from the get go to even approach THE FEEL A MANUAL GIVES YOU..... well that just sucks.

I paid for what I wanted though its not a zl1 I use it daily, take long road trips in it and love the dual exhaust and my cam and headers now are a head turner and make it a real keeper. I am sure over time had I kept the black, ( total pain to keep clean) I would have fixed it up and gave it complimenting red rally stripes, tuned the trans and bought a vvt cam or something but hey.... I got what I wanted in the forst place just a year later. ANd yes I have a sunroof, and do not have to worry if some A hole will want to rip off my car with a pocket knife to get to loose change or a what ever they imagine is in the glove box and cost me thousands..... And yes it does happen. on the positive side though its nice to look at with the top down, then you go to a store or somewhere and you.....want to put the top up to protect your car...., also its visability is the best with the top down, with the top up its worse than a coupe.

[PalmerGA]

The convertibles look great when the top is down... not so much with the top up (which is the vast majority of the time).