Performance Dropoff in Roadster vs Coupe?
 

Anyone have a good feel for the difference in performance in the roadster vs the coupe? Looking at 370's and I would love a roadster. but I still want a focused performance car. Would love to have an open top, but not willing to give up much performance.

All advice is welcome. Thanks.

Your talking about 200 extra pounds in weight. It's still very performance capable. Here is a pretty good review from a design perspective.

First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma

Having owned a '09 coupe and currently driving a '10 roadster I can say that I didn't notice any difference in performance. They are both fast and capable.

I have had both. I notice no diff. I prefer the vert

The performance difference to me is not noticeable either. I had a 2010 coupe and now have a 2012 roadster. I will say that I was never one to track my car or push it to the limits.

Great to hear. Thanks for the input guys.

No difference as far as I could tell during test drives. I'd say drive both and see what you like better... :)

You notice the weight but that is only if you drive a coupe/R back to back IMHO. The structure is pretty stiff so I notice little cowl shake in ours compared to other convertibles I have driven.

I don't follow the 'giving up much performance' statement: are you tracking the car? If not...you can't use the potential of this car to more then 6/10ths on the street. Lets be real here, these cars have over 300 HP, big tires and can get you in trouble anywhere if you pooch it.

If you only care about strait line 0-60, wrong car as well (Mustang or used SBC car is the way to go there, C5/6's can be had cheap :D)

I like the package/value of our Z for what it is. To me, the only upgrade to it given my style would be a CPO Boxster: that takes it to the next level....it goes to 11.

- b

A little extra weight, a little less stiff but a whole lot less cage.

Yes, I'm a roadster kind of guy.

Roadster Weight
 

I am surprised that the roadster weighs more than the coupe!
Cheers

Not a big diff in performance unless you're able/capable of driving it at the edge. One positive thing about the vert is that it's the tightest/stiffest convertible I've ever driven. My wife has a A4 cabrio which has quite a bit of body flex compared to the sedan version.