Opinion Discussion

[AlanAnt]

I'd like to raise a philosophical question to see what kind of opinions get shared within this forum.

What do you like better, the Reatta coupe or the convertible?

I ask this question because I believe that, in general, convertibles are more desirable & fewer were produced. So, the market prices should be higher. Yet, for me, the rear window & hardtop shape of the Reatta is a significant design statement regarding the overall look of this car.

Perhaps I have this opinion because I already have a convertible & that satisfies my top-down driving needs. My Reatta is a coupe.

Your thoughts???

[Guest tomt]

I kind of like the coupe appearance best, but then I have one. I keep looking longingly at converts, but then think that the body had to be redesigned to accept the convertible top and for this reason there was some scuttle shake. I really like the touch screen. While it was attacked when produced, now a lot of new cars, my Honda Accord included, have a touch screen, so it was ahead of it's time. Having said that, in my opinion, the most desirable would be an 88-89 coupe with a sun roof. You get some of the convertible effect, like sun burn, and a touch screen. Not partial here because I don't have a sun roof. Having said that, most everything on mine works (knock wood), which makes it the most desirable of all, to me.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I'd also say coupe, cuz of the ECC in '88-89. I'll make an ECC convertible someday

[Guest CL_Reatta]

I would have to say the coupe for maintenance purposes, I have only had my Reatta for about 3 months but have admired them for a few years, the reason I say the coupe is you can drive it anytime of the year and not worry about your roof falling in, or ripping in the winter. also the chances of leakage is less, if its raining hard,you always get spit on in my dads Miata. Of course if I lived where its warmer and where its not sunny,then snowy,and then rainy all in 10 minutes. I would think different lol

[89REATTAJIM]

I think the 'vert, with the top DOWN, is one of the best looking cars ever made. With the top UP, the coupe is much better looking. Alas, my car must be a daily driver, and parks outside in the weather. Far from ideal conditions for a convertible. However, if my wife DOES decide to bury me in it, I would prefer the coupe. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Barney Eaton]

The coupe is good looking, a timeless design that is very practical with plenty of luggage space.

The convertible design is beautiful with the top down, great for around town and just cruzin...... the low production will make it the better value in the future.

There is a solution. Buy the best convertible you can afford and use it sparingly.... Buy a nice coupe and drive it.

[Rawja]

I'm definately a 88-89 coupe guy. love the bubble-back roofline, touchscreen, all-weather capability.

I will admit the vert looks nice with the top down, and I too fantasize about putting an 88-89 interior into a '90 convertable.

I think the idea that most got my juices flowing recently was the targa top idea.

ahhh... me and my goofy car daydreams. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Honestly, I think the ECC/Electronic Control Center/touch screen is part of the Reatta experience. I've driven our convertibles and my little bro's '90 coupe. Convertibles are cool no matter what, and the coupe's a very driver-friendly and good handling car, but still...

doesn't have "VEHICLE SYSTEM CHECK IN PROGRESS." "NO MALFUNCTIONS"

[wellsguy77]

Just a question, what are the orgins of the word Reatta? If founds foregin, like Seville.

[Guest wwollet]

I too like the coupe and yes the ECC of the 1988-89 is boss. I have a 1988 and I like the no air bag steering wheel.....very basic....mine has some body noise that I find very distracting...it rides good as most say but must be on highway cruise...not city..just my take...

I know conv are worth much more but loss some body strength with the conv.

Here is one for you...I plan to attend a small car show in Kokomo, IN it is at the Delco Electronics factory on US31 on June 21. The show is for employees and retirees....this is where the ECC was deigned and developed for Buick...I talked with a engineer who wrote some of the software for the ECC unit....it was started in 1984 and Delco was owned by GM...they had the contact to make the ECC unit...don't know if it was made in Kokomo or Mexico...

Bill

[Guest F14CRAZY]

"Reata" is spainish for a lasso-like thing, if I am correct.

Interesting about the ECC. I agree that body strength was lost. We've heard of the cowl shake which resulted in a number of convertibles being scrapped or donated, but the three I've driven still exhibit the shake sometimes

[padgett]

Since I have a convertible of another make, like the elctronic gadgets, do not like airbags, and feel that some decontenting took place every year, my 88 is right for me.

[Guest tomt]

As I might have mentioned earlier, my Reatta replaced a 76 TR-6,after a fire, which I really loved. Never thought I'd like a coupe without stick, but the ECC won me over, along with room, comfort, and mechanical reliability.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Reata" is spainish for a lasso-like thing, if I am correct. </div></div>

correct, It is just another name for a lasso, (also commonly refered to as a lariat, riata, or reata) the same as earphones and headphones are basically the same thing just different words. Thats your english/spanish lesson for today <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Reatta1]

Coupe for me too but would still like to have a convertible also. That would make it coupe for bad weather, convert for good weather. They are both great looking cars in my estimation. Am very happy with my 88.

[Tom_O]

I have a 90 coupe and I especially was attracted to the design of the coupe's body. According to Automobile Collectable Magazine the "most desirable" is a 91 convert, do to the low production numbers. So for investment purposes the convert wins. For style I say the coupe hands down.

Incidently, I worked on the Buick catalog for almost 14 years in an art studio in Detroit. That was before the Reatta was built.

[Guest inthespot]

At 58 years old I have owned several cars, trucks and vans and bikes. I have covered form a '58 Studerbaker wagon up. I have owned a few convertibles which I think my first was a '59 MGA which I wish I had back but time moves on. I agree with Barney and Reatta1. The conv is for the few days the weather is nice and you want to cruse around and the coupe is for everyother day which would be about 95% of my time. When I had a convertible the top was only down on days it was not to hot and not to cold and I had time to put it down and did not have to be concerned with who might flip their smoke in my car or cut my top or take everything out of it. The '90 coupe that I have now has the best feel about it when you drive it of any I have ever owned. I did like the 69 Mustang and also the 69 Galaxie 500 both with 390's. And oh yes, I had a '64 T-Bird with a 390 that curised very nicely and just set real good. The Reatta is equal or better than the T-Bird which was oh so sweet at the time.

[Guest DTerry]

Best of both worlds: Coupe with removable hardtop.

Wellsguy777: "The word reata in Spanish means lariat or lasso or rope. Legend is that the Spanish design consultant said 'You?ll need a reata to drag some sucker in to pay thirty thousand dollars for a GM 2-seat coupe!', and the name was adopted. The extra 't' was added for balance, it looks better on the side of the car."

[dwmajk]

I have over the years always seemed to have a conv. or was looking for one, There really are a limited amount of conv. days, sunny but not too hot. therfore you will note conv. are the really low mileage cars you see for sale. just sold my Allante after 14 years, loved those few days. Will be looking for another this winter. But when you balance it up the Reatta coupe is a great ride,low noise at highway speed,100% useability,best dollar value on the planet.

[Guest joereatta]

To me the coupe has it all over the vert style-wise.Theimposing rounded rear window with the rounded rear end is what makes it distictive. The Convertible is pretty and stylish but loses the distinctive appearance of the coupe. Same goes for my crossfire. The coupe makes a distinctive stlye statement that is lost on the convertible. The difference between GM and Chrysler is that the crossfire frame was stiffened with the intention of making a vert down the road.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Was the E-body/Reatta first created with the convertible in mind? A dude I chatted with made the point that maybe all the room behind the seats in coupes was for the top. Convertibles to indeed have extra bracing, but it doesn't help that much.

[alexhouston]

I,ve owned many cars, convertables included. I have never enjoyed the leaks and air noises. Also seems like vandals really like the cloth tops. Now that I have less hair to keep the sun off, I no longer need the sunshine as much. The solid top is much desired!