The Detroit News's view

Pity the poor Corvette enthusiasts. They’ve had to wait six months for the convertible version of the new fifth-generation Corvette coupe – sort of the automotive equivalent of waiting for Santa Claus.

No problem. With the top down, the new Vette is even more striking on the outside than its hardtop sibling. And it passes one acid test with ease; because it’s so rock solid and non-rattly, you can carry on a civilized conversation even at 80 miles an hour. It’s every bit the wonderful American sports car icon that it’s always been.

But wait a minute – one of us was a Grinch when it came to the 1998 Corvette convertible. It’s the auto writer who is too lazy to fuss with the manual top.

She: I know that Some Assembly Required stamped on the side of a box never stopped you in your tracks. Remember when you eagerly put together that 7-foot-long GI Joe Aircraft Carrier with a zillion parts many Christmases ago? I would’ve preferred one that required no work. So I’ll admit I was disappointed when I discovered that I couldn’t sit at a stoplight, get the urge to put the top down on the Corvette with the touch of a finger, then continue on my merry way. After all, I could do that in the Porsche Boxster. The Porsche’s power top cleverly retracts in seconds.

He: You’d better pick your arguments a little better here, hon. You’re nitpicking what – 15 seconds to lower the Porsche top vs. about 30 seconds to lower the Corvette top? Believe me, folks. It’s not an issue. Yes, you do have to get out of the car to put it down. But if you do it at a stoplight, like I did a couple of times, it gives other drivers a better chance to glance over, smile and check you out. And the Vette top operation is simple. At the touch of a button, the hard tonneau cover pops up and the windows automatically lower part way. The top, which has a heated-glass rear window for better visibility and a black headliner, is easily stowed in a few seconds.

She: Checking you out? They were probably hoping they wouldn’t run you over when the light turned green. And I’m still sticking to my guns. It would have been a truly world-class convertible if it did what the other world-class convertibles can do. And that doesn’t even address the issue of price. The base Corvette coupe costs $37,495, while the convertible starts at $44,425. That’s a pretty pricey way to draw stares, especially when virtually every feature on the coupe has been carried over to the convertible.

He: Ok, so you don’t get a second cupholder on the ’98 Corvette convertible. What you’re paying extra for is the superb design and engineering that went into the product. Chevy engineered in lots of structural rigidity, so you don’t get the shake, rattle and roll that you get with so many other cars of this breed. Did you notice how easy it was to boss me around and do your usual back-seat driving from the passenger seat – even at highway speeds? And that solid engineering extends even to the trunk, which offers over eleven cubic feet of space, which is more than enough room for two sets of golf clubs or lots of groceries. I actually managed to fit my long-neck Fender Jazz Bass in the Vette trunk – now that’s impressive.

She: I don’t mean to sound like a Grinch. But I think the convertible merits only three stars, compared to the four I gave the coupe. Overall, I still like the Corvette as much as I did last year, when the new model debuted. It’s very female-friendly, especially with the four-speed automatic transmission and customer service items like roadside assistance.

He: Chevy basically achieved the miracle of creating a female-friendly car that doesn’t alienate the man who is hot for performance and muscular good looks. What Chevy has done for the ’98 model year is to fine-tune what is a pretty spectacular sports car with a 45-year history.

She: But you’ll agree they’re mostly minor changes. On both the coupe and the convertible, there’s a n engine air-filter monitor that tells you when a replacement filter is needed. There are new optional bronze-tone magnesium wheels, two new exterior colors and a light oak leather interior that we had on our test car that looked terrific and really brightens up the cabin.

He: Don’t forget the convertible still has that 345-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 that comes with either a six-speed manual gearbox or the computer-controlled four-speed automatic we had. Talk about seamless shifts! Our test car also had the F45 package, one of two optional suspensions, that includes real-time damping with a choice of three settings – touring, sport or performance. That technology reads what’s happening to each wheel and automatically adjusts shock damping for a flat, stable ride. It costs an extra $1,695, but it’s worth it.

She: And there we go again with the extras – even floor mats are extra. Make sure you read the fine print at the end of the column, too. The insurance estimate is pretty steep. AAA of Michigan says it will cost $2,186 to insure the Vette for 12 months. Compare that to the Lexus LS400 we drove the same week with a sticker price of $59,290 that costs only $1,849 to insure! AAA says it’s because the Lexus is loaded with safety items, but gosh, you get antilock brakes, traction control and all kinds of stuff on the Corvette. In general, the high-performance Corvette has a higher theft rate, higher collision costs and occupants in two-seaters tend to suffer more injuries in accidents than passengers in heavier, four-door vehicles.

He: I think you ought to get those Grinch feet out of the snow and back into the cozy, roomy cabin of the Corvette convertible, where you can mellow out and enjoy life. I’ll even get out and lower the top for you.

1998 Corvette Convertible

Type: Rear-wheel-drive, two-passenger convertible

Price: Base, $44,425; as tested, $48,824 (inc. $565 destination charge)

What’s new for ’98: Convertible model, magnesium wheel option, two new exterior colors (medium purple pearl metallic and lighter pewter metallic), interior light oak leather color option, engine air filter monitor

Standard equipment: Air conditioning, center console with cupholder, ashtray, coin tray and cassette/CD storage, electric rear-window defogger, power locks, analog gauges, low tire pressure warning system, thefty-deterrent system with horn alarm, remote keyless entry, six-way power driver’s seat, speed control, tilt steering column, AM/FM stereo with cassette player and Bose speakers, power windows with express down feature, power antenna, convertible top with heated rear glass window, aluminized stainless steel exhaust system, power mirrors, cast aluminum wheels 17-inches front/18-inches rear, front Goodyear Extended Mobility tires P245/45ZR-17, rear Goodyear Extended Mobility P275/40ZR-18, power disc brakes

Safety features: Dual air bags, daytime running lights, antilock brakes, traction c ontrol, side-door guard beams, energy-absorbing steering column

Options on test vehicle: Continuously Variable Real Time Damping ($1,695), adjustable sport bucket seats with inflatable lumbar support and adjustable wings ($625), six-way power passenger’s seat adjuster ($305), electronic dual-zone air conditioning ($365), fog lamps ($69), floor mats ($25), memory package ($150), remote compact 12-disc changer ($600)

EPA fuel economy: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway

Engine: 5.7-liter V-8; 345 hp at 5600 rpm; 350 lb-ft torque at 4400 rpm

Transmission: Four-speed automatic

Competitors: BMW Z3 2.8, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang Cobra, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Plymouth Prowler, Pontiac Firebird TransAm, Porsche Boxster, Saab 900SE

Specifications: Wheelbase, 104.5 inches; overall length, 179.7 inches; curb weight, 3,246 pounds; legroom, 42.8 inches; headroom, 37.6 inches; shoulder room, 55.3 inches

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $2,186 a es based on an average family of four from the Livonia area whose primary driver is aged 40 with no tickets who drives 3-10 miles each way to work. Rates reflect multicar discount and, where appropriate, discounts for air bags and seat belts.

Where built: Bowling Green, Ky.