Thinking about buying an F Type and would appreciate thoughts on coupe vs convertible. A convertible is tempting but it will be parked outside a lot in SWFL and I'm concerned that the sun will quickly fade and dry out the cloth top. I understand the coupes have a large sun roof. Almost as good? Quieter?

 

Bought my first convertible 5 years ago and can't imagine not having one ever again. If you treat the top regularly you should be fine and worst case the fabric can be replaced relatively inexpensively, the frame work is typically the big cost. A sun roof, t-bars etc, just can't compare to driving with the full roof off. But that is just a personal opinion obviously.
You can also always just add a car cover if you are really concerned about the elements, a custom cover literally takes 30 seconds to remove.
Either way you can't make a bad choice. Good luck with your decision.

 

Ah the perennial debate! You really can't go wrong either way and it's a very personal choice. If you do a search of the forum you'll find this topic quite often. The end results are always the same......you decide what your heart wants and don't ever look back. Everybody else's opinion in the long run doesn't matter. Just ENJOY whichever you choose.

 

For a variety of reasons, I am most pleased with my decision to get a coupe even though it was a difficult one. That said, for different reasons, I would have been equally as enamored with the vert. I must say though, without the panoramic roof, the coupe would have been a no sale.

 

I'm a roadster guy since my first car in high school, a '59 TR3A. So every car I look at is the vert version. I personally think the F coupe is somewhat better looking but can never see having a sports car with a drop top in my climate!

 

With top up, I found vert to feel somewhat claustrophobic. Coupe is gorgeous. I imagine with top down vert is exhilarating (I drove vert in late winter). If you like convertibles, only downsides are less space, with top up more confined cabin, and difference in overall look, and coupe is stiffer body. Can't go wrong either way.

 

Coupe body has substantially more rigidity, 80% more than convertible according to Jaguar.

The choice as others have suggested is really down to the typical weather in your area and personal preference.

 

 

Ya, but a convertible is well a CONVERTIBLE

For us land bound Parrott Heads its as close as we get to being on a sailboat.
Switching from my truck to the convertible is like trading in the winter boots and coat for shorts and bare feet, in both cases it never comes soon enough each spring.
Both are great cars, maybe if your really unsure you should buy both

 

 

Well said.

My only other comment is about the rigidity; nobody has ever complained about the rigidity of the F type roadster whether it was a base V6 or a Project 7....there are reasons to chose one over the other, but that isn't one of them IMO


Dave

 

I don't think you'll have any particular problem maintaining the convertible top. I have the original top on my XJS and after 22 years it looks great and the car rides quieter than my Ford Escape. As a disclaimer it's a low miles car that's been maintained.

Everybody should have a convertible of some sort in the garage, but for the F type I chose the coupe for a number of reasons already mentioned - little more storage space, the coupes lines are much cleaner and I think it is a better look than the convertible. But after driving both, it was undeniable the exhaust note is much more enjoyable with the top down than just the windows open.

 

....and on the "semi tongue-in-cheek" side, having the 'vert was a bonus for me on weekend trips 'cause the wife has to curtail her shopping! LOL

Dave

 

I'd check with other locals about convertibles. I'd guess in the summer, it's often too hot and humid to have the top down a lot. Just a guess. Might be great in the other seasons.

Of course, around here, there's too much ice, snow and general freezing temps to have the top down in the winter. Or on the road at all, for some of us. But other 3 seasons are awesome.

 

I've never been a convertible fan, although I did have a Mercedes SL for awhile and really enjoyed it. The coupe is just stunning to me, and that counts for a lot.

 

I had the 'vert for a day and realised I am not a convertible guy at all. I ended up with a blinding headache from the sun, the wind over the screen hit the top of my head and by the end of the day I felt like someone had attempted to scalp me, I couldnt see out of the rear quarter when the top was up, and actually after a while I got sick of the exhaust note (gasp!).

But it looked very, very flash and for a fan of the engine note, you do get heaps more in the 'vert with the top down.

Horses for courses, but a 'vert is not really for this horse.

 

 

 

I have to agree with most; the coupe is just stunning and a better looking car compared to the convertible with the top "up". But come nice weather, the convertible is the cat's meow as there is nothing more exhilarating than top down driving and everywhere I go I get comments and gatherings when the top is down (attested by my many belt buckle scratches). It really does just stand out so much more!

 

Would you prefer french fries, cole slaw, or fruit as your side. Come on. This is a ridiculous question. You buy what you want. If you don't know what you want talk to your yourself.