I haven't voted yet, because I don't know if I'm going to switch to the coupe or not. A lot depends on whether I can bend enough to get in without hitting my head on the top . . .
. . . and the answer will come when the first coupe hits the dealership. It's on preliminary order with my dealer, but he won't mind too much if I don't take it after trying it on for size.
Dave,
I "test fit" a coupe at Mecca II. Once formally and once informally. The formal test was at the plant and the top was off. The informal test was in the hotel parking lot and the top was on ( I can't say who let me sit in one of the coupes but I really appreciated the opportunity). If you can get into your 'vert without having a problem, the coupe won't be an issue at all.
__________________
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First 1000 Order VIN # 000218 - Time Stamp 2:35:20 DEEP with Steel/Sand leather,
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Founding Member #41
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It's Going To Be A Girl......plus one more on the way!!!"
Dave,
I "test fit" a coupe at Mecca II. Once formally and once informally. The formal test was at the plant and the top was off. The informal test was in the hotel parking lot and the top was on ( I can't say who let me sit in one of the coupes but I really appreciated the opportunity). If you can get into your 'vert without having a problem, the coupe won't be an issue at all.
I heard the top opening was a bit lower than the convertible with the top up, like maybe an inch or so. I'm always knocking my hat off or hitting my head on the convertable top when it's up, so if the coupe top is lower . . .
__________________ "If you haven't seen the future, you haven't driven fast enough" #000741, delivered 10/3/05
if the coupe hardware really is too difficult/cost prohibitive to fab into my 06 i'll have to figure something else out. Building a three panel solid 't-top' (since two apparently wont fit) will solve the 'it wont stow' BS and there ya go. For those that prefer a coupe to a ragtop... no downside
smoothline's new design is promising though... it's a tough call.
I heard the top opening was a bit lower than the convertible with the top up, like maybe an inch or so. I'm always knocking my hat off or hitting my head on the convertable top when it's up, so if the coupe top is lower . . .
I've always "rolled" into my car which is what I had to do to get into my Miata with the top up, so it's a learned trait. Maybe the same thing might help you with the coupe.
__________________
AKA xmm
First 1000 Order VIN # 000218 - Time Stamp 2:35:20 DEEP with Steel/Sand leather,
72,200+ miles on the odo - Silver side stripes - My wife named my car "Nittany" after Penn State, my Alma Mater
Reborn at the factory at 57,100 miles Proud Member - ICoD EHDoR&M WPASC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding Member #41
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It's Going To Be A Girl......plus one more on the way!!!"
I heard the top opening was a bit lower than the convertible with the top up, like maybe an inch or so. I'm always knocking my hat off or hitting my head on the convertable top when it's up, so if the coupe top is lower . . .
The top is a little lower. You certainly heard correctly! I was able to sit in a couple coupes at mecca2, and also speak to a couple engineers. It is about an inch lower... so head banging is certainly a possibility (although I did not). Also, it cuts down on outward visibility with the top in place. At my height, I felt like I was looking right at the roof when I scanned left or right, and not out the window. I do not get that feeling in the roadster. Rear visibility is about zero too.
For me, the visibility issues are about enough that I do not think I would want it. I really like the looks, and for the climate I live in I think it would be nice to have.
Of course, someone a couple inches shorter than myself (6 foot even) might not mind the visibility at all.
It would be hard for me to say. My advice, wait until you can get some seat time to guage for yourself.
A lot of my height is in my legs... which means I need the seat fairly far back in the car. As a consequence, the backrest has to be more upright due to proximity to the rear bulkhead. This results in me sitting fairly upright in the car.
If I could move the seat up a little, recline the backrest another click or two, I might not be bothered by the top visibility at all. I'd really have to be driving one to determine that... whether the adjustments worked well for me in comfort and relationship to the controls.
I have been stalking this site for awhile & just wanted to post on this thread since it looks like the coupe is lagging alittle with current owners. My favorite car I have owned was my 78 Camaro so I have been on 5thgen.org watching the development of the new Camaro. Then by accident I ran accross a picture of the Solstice coupe & I can't stop looking at it. Although I like the looks of the roadsters I would never consider an open car but this coupe is something I can realy deal with. This car is comletely opposite of my taste in cars which might be why I like it so much, by looking at me most people think I drive a truck. I guess I have that white trash redneck look about me. I got rid of my Camaro about 10 years ago & have been driving big cars since & now I want something sporty again & do some autox. I thought I was a reformed gearhead but I am slipping off the wagon.I am still on the Camaro sites but I keep staring at the coupe pics more than the Camaro pics & I will defenatley be looking at the coupe when it comes out. A freind of mine recently traded his base Sky for the Redline so I told him I wanted to give it a good going over to see what these are like in person. I did not mean to ramble on & just wanted to say hello & how much I am liking this car.
I wasn't sold on the coupe until I saw, and sat in one, at Mecca II. At that point I was converted. I'd still like a top that could be stowed in the back, and I hope GM or one of the aftermarket companies finally makes that available before I hand money to my dealer in another two years.
__________________
AKA xmm
First 1000 Order VIN # 000218 - Time Stamp 2:35:20 DEEP with Steel/Sand leather,
72,200+ miles on the odo - Silver side stripes - My wife named my car "Nittany" after Penn State, my Alma Mater
Reborn at the factory at 57,100 miles Proud Member - ICoD EHDoR&M WPASC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding Member #41
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It's Going To Be A Girl......plus one more on the way!!!"
Well if this poll is typical of general consumer reaction, it doesn't appear that GM was counting on "upgraders" so much as those who just wouldn't buy a convert. Anyway, it will be interesting to see all the new Solstice nonroadster enthusiasts joining the ranks and bringing in their ideas on mods, etc.
__________________
'07 GXP - Loaded 3/19/2007 - 5 Speed auto
Black - Charcoal Leather red stitching- LSD - Monsoon - MP3 - OnStar - XM - A/C - ABS - Cruise - 5 Speed Auto- Fog lamps - GXP Floormats - Chrome wheels - Sport pedals
"Original Sol" 2006 2.4 - 5 speed manual
Black - Sand/Steel leather - ABS - A/C - Power windows/locks - Magnaflow exhaust - GMPP CAI - Vector ECM tune - Delivered Oct '05 - Said goodbye Mar '07 - It was a hell of great ride!
Welcome to the forum, and with the price of gas the camaro with a V8 may not be a good choice specially if it is going to be a daily driver.
You also will be able hopefully in a couple of months or so, get a hard top for the convertible that looks like the rag top that is on it, this way it can be use both ways.
If you look at Smoothline our support vendor you can see pictures of the prototype.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
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