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

[Rune]

Seems REALLY high in price, there were some LS1 verts in that price range when I was looking. I promise you ultimately, you won't regret a convertible purchase if you drive with your windows down. I was sick through half the winter solely because I ALWAYS had my top down, damn the temperature.

I would just say what everyone else has. a '02 shouldn't have top problems, but check it out...especially the seam around the rear glass. I'd DEFIENTLY invest in a set of SFCs and a STB. My Z felt very loose before these. Also, don't think about a sound system unless you have big money to drop on it. You need a high end subwoofer to even hear the bass with the top down..

[rhodeymark]

Don't know about that - might be so but again, rarely. My bro-in-law is selling a 95 Z28 vert for $6.5k (and was a little pissed when I bought mine) but who wants high mileage and ugly? The green is that olive color and the top is dirty tan. When I was first in line for the private party sale on my car, the woman was taking phone calls off the hook for it. The only other newer F-bod convertible was like the one you are looking at ('02 V6) except red. Under 20k mi. for $15k initial asking. Oh - and Dave, I had a T-top car for many years. They can be a real pita when it's sizzling hot out, and my Z glass was smaller & lighter. Stowing them properly when you are in a hurry doesn't always happen either. Believe me when I say it's more fun in a vert. Besides that - chicks dig 'em.

[Shirl]

Oh, man, you guys are killin' me. I think I want this car. It's going to set me back a bit, so I'm not sure if I'd pay for it outright or on payments. Anyway, looked at it last night: the main thing I noticed was that the front quarter panel was NOT lined up with the door. The dealer tried to say "that's because the door's open"... but when he closed it, the fender gap stood about an inch off the front part of the door. I said "what's the deal wtih this?" and he said... hmm, didn't notice that at all, it hasn't been in an accident, I'll have the shop look at it. (I told him I'd like a carfax). I've seen gaps where the factory didn't line up panels exact, but this one was a little large... AND it looked like it was pushing the ground effect out off the car. It was also missing one or two rivets out of the ground effect where it attaches in the fenderwell. Other than that, and the scratch on the door, the car is beautiful.

I asked to put the top down and WOW is that cool. I've NEVER had a convertible car. I didn't even know that the top was power...lol. There's still some trunk space for bags which is cool. Motor was pretty clean. (Power steering fluid was a little low.) It has a Monsoon system. Is that the 500 watt system??? (the dealer didn't know). Anyone? And... I forgot to check, but do the rear seats go down like coupe models, or does the top make that not possible?

I told him I'd be back in the daytime on Saturday for a test drive. Update tomorrow... thanks again for all of the help.. I REALLY appreciate it!!

[chicagosbird]

the seats do go down

[$*Blake*$]

make sure when u test drive it you do it both with the top up and down. i know for a fact id roll my car off a cliff for the same car in t-tops. just cuz the vert annoys me when its up. its not too hard u just hhave to be carefull pulling out of parkings spots and stuff. overalll.........i like t-tops ten times better. and i also only leak whenever u go thro a high pressure automatic car wash

[shenanigans]

yeah definitley drive wit the top up and down...

Thats the only complaint I have with converts... I am not as big a fan when they are up. I mean its not so bad, my mom has a sebring convert... But ehh...

but t-tops/targa tops can go both ways. Its like a hard top, and its like a convertable. Its actually funny, I have been driving to another location for work (~35-40 miles one way) and I do it with the tops off and I am getting a decent tan. Funny since I am working 9-12 hour shifts in a building that has like no windows back to back every day [img]smile.gif[/img]


T-tops are the main reason I still contemplate f-bodies...

[Shirl]

Good point about the top leaking through the car wash. If I use this car during winter months, it WILL have to go through the carwash because the roads get salted and sanded bigtime around here. Is a convertible colder in the interior around the winter months? Also, are all Monsoon systems 500 watts?

[V6Bob]

"Good point about the top leaking through the car wash. If I use this car during winter months, it WILL have to go through the carwash because the roads get salted and sanded bigtime around here."

Best I've found is the pseudo "hand wash". They spray the car with soap by hand (and know enough to not blast it at the place where the top meets the car), wash by hand, and have a relatively low pressure rinse. Otherwise you need two towels. One for the passenger seat, one to hold at the top of the drivers window. It's not a flood, just some drips.

"Is a convertible colder in the interior around the winter months?"

Only when you have to top down (with the heater blasting). That's not a joke, ask my wife. :D

The top on mine seals amazingly well. Rain doesn't bother it, and wind noise is probably not much worse than a coupe. No drafts.

[ March 18, 2006, 03:30 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[Fireball27]

I'm not sure if all of the monsoon systems were 500 watts but i know mine was. Unfortunately when i bought the car the speakers had already been blown so i had to get new ones :( ... so it might be a good idea to check those.
I couldn't really tell you about the cold factor. Here in San Jose it only really gets down to the 40s at night (most of the time) and i park my car in a garage so yea its always warm(ish). And as far as leaks go.. i've never had a problem, ever.

[chets bird]

hey the gaps u are talking about, atleast i THINK i know what you are talking about, i am almost sure that is normal and it is an easy fix, is it on the side skirt in FRONT of the door, and if so it was brought up a few times, you can do something under there to make it line back up, that doesnt mean its been in a wreck, he mighta got the shop to do it, but its an easy fix i would make a post or search!!!

[rhodeymark]

I have that same "bend" in the quarter in front of the pass door, and I will be fixing mine soon. You just bend back the metal behind the panel, no biggie - fairly common. I don't think mine is the 500 watter. Because of the vert you don't have the big subs in the back. Make sure you listen to the stereo w/ the top down, mine isn't blown but certain bass freqs give hell back there when cranked. I put my fader 60-40 to the front. You will dig the steering wheel audio controls... they light up at night. Visibilty? Eh - I don't have a problem w/ it, I guess I just have more road miles under my belt. Know how to set up the mirrors. When I am backing blind - I go slowwww. Whatever - I'll be surprised if you aren't hooked.

[Everglades W68]

Shirl,

Some comments:

Yes, $15,900 sounds way too high, especially for a 3.8.

Pewter is very forgiving for scratches and touch-ups.

As for some common things you can point out as evidence of "problems" (ie, negotiating down price:

Look for the cracks or signs of cracks in the interior door sills - remember that about 10" from the end of the sill, a crack always develops.

Look for any signs of cracking in the big plastic dashboard panel - espcially near the front edges and the grill section.

Make a big deal about the paint scratches you see.

Ask for the complete maintenance record, including oil changes. When they don't have it, be sure you are properly astounded, shocked, indeed offended that they don't have a record of this vital information.

If they don't want o come down much on price, try to get a GMPP 72 month /100,000 mile warranty, since the car might still have up to two years of eligibility on it.

[$*Blake*$]

its not any colder than a gard top in the winter.

^^ i am so doing this when i go to buy a car lol sounds fun.

but really makes sure the top is in good condition. and also it hasnt been metioned but i know the olny problem i had with my vert is the motor for the top had a leak in it so all the hydraulic fluid leaked out.... to fix it cost 98 cents at home depot on a t-shaped peice of metal. so just FYI

[Shirl]

Ok, I drove it today.

First thing I noticed was it's SLOW. Slower than my 97' Cavalier Z24. It's also much heavier. There was a shimmy in the front right end that was noticeable over bumps in the road. Not sure what the hell that was. I'm thinking either alignment or unbalanced tire, but not sure. To make a long story short I told the dealer that there were some things that needed fixing and he agreed that they would take care of everything and it would be fine. The car is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. We had the top down and people were checking us out on the road. When we got back to the dealership and went iside, I explained that it would be difficult to own this car as a commuter car since I have to drive in the winter (in snow) yadayadayada... and I have a Cavalier that I drive all year that does the job for me. Now I'm torn between trading the Cavalier or just saying the hell with it.
Here's the Deal: the Camaro is friggin' sexy but SLOW and bulky. The Cavalier Z24 is a very well-rounded, lightweight car with mileage that is getting up there...110,000. Ughhh.

Anyway, I offered 14,000 and they said they would take $14,400 plus tax, tags, fees, bs.

I put a deposit down on it and I have until Monday to decide... OPINIONS??? I'm listening!!!

[Fireball27]

Slow? Are you sure it was really actually slower? It may be a convertible but the extra weight is really no different to having a passenger...