Convertible F-Bods step in , please...UPDATE: DROVE IT

[Shirl]

I just saw a beautiful pewter Camaro convertible with chrome spoke wheels for sale at a dealership that I'm going to look at later today or tomorrow. I'm not sure what year it is, how many miles, or anything, but from the condition it's in, it looks like it might be an 02'. I didn't see any badges on it, so it must be a 3.8. I was on my way to work this morning and couldn't stop to see it up close.

My question is: Are there any inherent problems with "convertible" 4 gens that I should check for? As some of you know, I've been looking around at various commuter cars and although this won't fit the bill when it comes to snow, it will be one hell of a car on the road. Maybe if I can get a good deal, I can keep the Cavalier for the commute. My jaw dropped when I saw it.

[ March 18, 2006, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: Shirl ]

[4348rd]

i have a Z convertible and love it ,and have not had any problems except the cat.stopping up but i was washing the car at the time and had sprayed cold water on it while it was hot

[V6Bob]

The biggest problem can be identified by googling "bill kirchen", former guitarist for Commander Cody ("Hot Rod Lincoln"). :D

Minor issues. A set of sfcs is mandatory and you need ones that specifically fit the convertible. I also use a tower brace. You've lost a lot of structure and only gained back a bit.

It weighs more, so is fractionally slower.

You use the air and the heater more because you don't want to put up the top.

If you don't garage or cover the car you'll have to replace the top at some point. Garaged, and with the top rarely up, my top looks almost new at 6 years old.

If you thought changing lanes with a coupe was an adventure, it's moreso with the top up. Top down, it's a lot easier.

On Interstate road trips a few hours/day of wind is all I can take. If I had it to do over again, I'd get the $200 windblocker deal that goes behind the front seats, but I may sell the car in a while for other reasons.

You'll need a hat for the sun. My top doesn't leak unless I try to take it through (some) automatic car washes.

I trust it's come through - go for it. Let me know if you have questions.

[ March 15, 2006, 10:50 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[95FirebirdConvertible]

Go for it, don't give up the chance. I'm so happy that I have one, and it hasn't really given me many problems either. Just take extra care of it and everything should be fine.

[silverV6firebird]

My poor Camaro convertible had a hard life before I got my hands on it last May. It leaks around the rear glass, the inner liner is ripped up a bit on the passenger side, its missing a bolt on one of the arms that takes the top up and down, and there is a "stain" on the top. That Seems like a lot wrong but that car was wrecked 3 times before I got it, and the top is going on 9 years old. When I get farther into the "restoration" I will definitely be buying a new top. Its so much fun cruising around town with the top down. Go for it

[Shirl]

Cool, thanks for the replies. Now onto the details:

02' 3.8V6
Pewter exterior black leather interior
Fully loaded cd, etc
15,000 miles
automatic
asking $15,900

I'm going to look at it more closely tomorrow. This is the information the dealer gave me when I called.

[Question]

That looks like a steal. I'd jump on that.

[kala]

deffinately get it, shirl...i already miss my camaro and it's only been 3 weeks without her.. :( ..i have never had any problem with it...one of the things you will love is that you CAN put the top up/down while you're in drive....i used put the top up/down in the redlight (or when accelarating slowly) which was cool....one of most annoying problem in convertible f-body is rear visibility....there's like a 10" by 24" glass in the back ...so when you are backing up or looking at night time it's kinda hard to see.....now when i compare it with my current hatchback , difference is huge....But you will absolutely love the car...i can't tell you in word how much attention you gonna get....Camaro convertibles are very attractive.....please buy this car......it's also leather which is a great plus for convertibles...cruising on the highway with my camaro's top down.... brings back old memories...deff. get this car shirl... :cool:

[rhodeymark]

Hey Shirl - I paid 10k for my '01 w/ 30k miles and don't regret it a bit. The heavy canvas top is so much better than the cr@p vinyl on the Stangs and base model Sebrings. Just get some good cleaner & weatherproof treatment for once a year. Mine is outside year round daily driver. I put a locker in and ran snow tires in the back this winter and was fine in the snow - even fairly deep. Much better than the open rear trucks of coworkers and my old RWD 300ZX. I put it under a stretched tarp during heavy snow to keep the weight off the roof. Runs great, looks good - can't wait for summer.

[Shirl]

What are we looking at gas mileage-wise on a convertible? (MPG and miles per tank). I'm not sure if I would trade my Cavalier for it or not. I stopped by the dealership this morning (they were closed) and looked at it closer. It had the usual scuffing underneath of the front ground effects and as I was driving away the sun was catching a scratch near the driver's side door handle. I went back and it looked like someone might have keyed it a little because it was into the primer. The scratch is about 6" long or so. I'm not sure how easy pewter is to touch up without noticing, but I'm thinking those "might" be good negotiating points to knock the price down some more. Maybe I could run a pinstripe over it or something. I'll try and test drive it later.

[dmw319]

ive never been much of a fan of the convertibles. and with that much money id be getting an ls1 ;)

[shenanigans]

imo waaaaaaaaaaay to much money for a v6.

My v6 was $15k off the lot NEW in 99(2000 model)

I know its a convertable but its still 4-5 years old. Maybe if it was a v8 car. I'd keep looking.


As for the mpg, if you baby it low 20s city, I assume if you have highway, it would seen mid 20s mixed city/highway.

[V6Bob]

"What are we looking at gas mileage-wise on a convertible? (MPG and miles per tank)."

Close to a coupe, but depends on how much the top is down and how much the air is on. My city mileage is meaningless, too many variables. I get 28-30 on the Interstate on road trips. My usual style is to drive the AM top down, put it up when I stop for lunch, and keep it up the rest of the day because I'm weary of the wind. A windblocker would help that. I don't drive real fast or real slow. The added weight is less than a passenger, ie not important.

"I've never been much of a fan of the convertibles"

Sure. Some are, some not.

"imo waaaaaaaaaaay to much money for a v6.
My v6 was $15k off the lot NEW in 99(2000 model)
I know its a convertable but its still 4-5 years old. Maybe if it was a v8 car."

Also a matter of taste. I bought a V6 because I liked it better than the V8, not because of cost. Converts in good condition in a color you like are hard to find, and so there's a premium price. The dealer will sell it for close to that to someone who wants a convert, and likes the looks of that car.

"the sun was catching a scratch near the driver's side door handle."

Assuming the dealer has a body shop, ask them to fix that. My negotiating style would be to negotiate a price and say "If you'll fix this scratch here, we've got a deal." They have people on salary, doesn't cost them much. Of course, you don't know what quality job you'll get, but they want you to drive off the lot happy.

[Shirl]

Yeah, I was thinking it's still a bit high in price. Trade-in value is like 11,450 and private seller price is around $13000. I was thinking of offering $13,000 out the door if I like it.

[Fireball27]

I'd definetly go for it shirl. I bought mine back in November ('99 with 49,000 miles on it) and i couldn't be happier. Its a distinct look thats fairly rare (i've only seen one other car that looked like mine and it was an earlier model), and in the summer time you'll love it. I'm gonna get my self some tonneau covers come May, here in San Jose we've got a good 6 months of glorious sunshine and i intend to make the most of it :cool:

As for mileage i'm not sure about these other guys but i can't seem to get anymore than 21mpg out her... i do use her as a daily driver tho and i don't really baby her much so that might have something to do with it.. maybe.