posted
All, I will be ordering a 35th Anniversary Camaro Convertible and have a couple questions for those of you who either own or have owned 4th Gen Camaro convertibles.
I've heard the stores about the leaks, sagging, washing regmine, etc...but what is the real story. Basically I am looking for some real world input so I can go into this with eyes wide open. You know, the DO's and DONT's that go along with owning and driving a convertible.
Thanks in advance for your input.
John
[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: JCORPANY_F99_2037 ]
-------------------- John Corpany 2002 35th Anniversary LE Camaro SS Convertible w/ M6, Bilstein suspension, Dual/Dual exhaust, SLP 345hp OE Airbox, Premium Floor mats, 35th Anni Car cover, ATM, 35th Anni Grille, T/A Bezel, Custom CAMARO SS Window Banner, Painted calipers w/ CAMARO decals & SS centercap decals by Mark IXZD 150, Custom 35th Anni LE Dashplate, Simpson Five Point Harness Carseat(for the Lil Guy, Custom Upolsterd Door Panels
SLP Build no. 1505 Chevrolet 35th LE Build no. 367 of 3,369 built 1 of 609 35th Anni LE Vert M6 built SSOA Member #F02-1505
If the car is garaged most of the time and the top has little exposure to the sun, it'll survive a very long time.
As the owner of three convertible Camaros.............
The Do's:
*Always wear sunscreen or a hat when the top is down. Your skin will thank you later.
*Drink plenty of water when you travel long distances w/the top down. You can get dehydrated and not realize it, which can lead to fatigue (and that's not a good thing while driving).
*Tell any woman that rides in the car that her hair will blow around when the top is down. Get used to it and live with it. No one really cares what it looks like anyway.
The Don'ts:
*Don't listen to those people who only own Coupes......they don't know what they're missing! j/k
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: Get the ragtop....you'll love it.
If the car is garaged most of the time and the top has little exposure to the sun, it'll survive a very long time.
As the owner of three convertible Camaros.............
The Do's:
*Always wear sunscreen or a hat when the top is down. Your skin will thank you later.
*Drink plenty of water when you travel long distances w/the top down. You can get dehydrated and not realize it, which can lead to fatigue (and that's not a good thing while driving).
*Tell any woman that rides in the car that her hair will blow around when the top is down. Get used to it and live with it. No one really cares what it looks like anyway.
The Don'ts:
*Don't listen to those people who only own Coupes......they don't know what they're missing! j/k
Teri,
Great advise! Especially the comments for the ladies. I have three in my house...my wife and two daughters. My girls are 10 and 6 so they think getting a convertible is WAY COOL! My wife, well...I'll be sure and make sure she reads your comments!
My car is garage kept and I park in covered parking at my office..so it will be out of the sun and rain most of the time. I am curious to hear what the life expectancy is. I've heard if the top is taken care of it will last the life of the car. But, the fact is we are talking about a convertible, not a hardtop. So things like wind noice, some leakage and higher risk for vandalizism and crime go with it.
Not to worry. I have my heart set on getting the convertible. I want to gather as many tips as possible from those who have "been there and done that".
-------------------- John Corpany 2002 35th Anniversary LE Camaro SS Convertible w/ M6, Bilstein suspension, Dual/Dual exhaust, SLP 345hp OE Airbox, Premium Floor mats, 35th Anni Car cover, ATM, 35th Anni Grille, T/A Bezel, Custom CAMARO SS Window Banner, Painted calipers w/ CAMARO decals & SS centercap decals by Mark IXZD 150, Custom 35th Anni LE Dashplate, Simpson Five Point Harness Carseat(for the Lil Guy, Custom Upolsterd Door Panels
SLP Build no. 1505 Chevrolet 35th LE Build no. 367 of 3,369 built 1 of 609 35th Anni LE Vert M6 built SSOA Member #F02-1505
posted
I don't know about the life exp. of these tops, but have found that the black top one on my SS picks up dust and lint easy, I just vac. it with a brush attachment and it looks great again. Anyway havent had it long enough to know much about it, but though i would add that tip. all I know is drop the top and its a differant world out there.
-------------------- Doug & Teresa Kidwell 71 Z28 Red, Black strips, Black int.
01 SS SLP #5298, Convertable Red, Black top, accent int.,M6, ASR, Hurst, Disc. changer. Y2Y, SS Grille, Auburn, dual-dual, SS mats, SS cover, SS fobs & dash plaque, portfolio. Posts: 15 | From: St. Joseph,Mo. | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Go for the convertible! They are awesome. I have only owned mine for about two years so I don't have real long term data...but I have found my top to be pretty good. As mentioned above the black does show lint. I just gently wash the top each time I wash the car. NEVER go through an automatic car wash and NEVER go to a power wash. The power wash will fatigue the top and cause premature leaks. I have not noticed any leaks so far around the top. And as mentioned above my car doesn't sit out much. I garage it at home and have covered garage parking at work. Just take care of the top and it will take care of you. Also, I make a habit of putting the boot on when I travel with the top down. It keeps the roaad debris off of the top when it is down. It takes a few minutes to put on but it looks a lot nicer!
-------------------- Amy F00-1724 2000 SS Navy Blue Metallic/ Black Top, Ebony Leather, ASR, SLP Floor Mats, car cover, dash plaque and Key fobs BMR STB, SLP SS Chrome 10 spokes with SS Centercap, Carbon Fiber Whisper Lid, SLP SS Grille, Camaro SS Fuel Rail Covers and KBDD SFCs SSOA Founding Member: http://www.camarossoa.org Posts: 818 | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
JCORP - Hey I have three girls, my wife and two daughters 6 and 10 Also!!!
Anyway - back to the top:
There is a site for the manufacturer of the tops, that includes care tips, I'll look it up and get it to you .
I got the cover with mine and keep it covered whenever practical, this helps a lot.
I have had mine for 1 &1/2 years, no leaks or rattles.
I think if you keep harsh detergents off, never take it to a car wash like amy says, and care for it according to the manufacturer, it will last a very long time.
-------------------- 2000 SS Convertible, M6, Onyx Ebony leather, Hurst, Monsoon, 12 CD SLP Options: Syntech, Mats, Fobs, Plaque, Cover. SLP add ons:SS Grille, SLP Lid & K&N, smooth bellows, SLP CAI.... Other Add Ons: TTS LT headers Y Pipe and Cats, TR 220, LS6 Intake, GMMG, ASP underdrive pulley, Hypertech 180 stat, Granatelli MAF, Rapid Motor Sports custom tuning, BMR STB, LCAs, Relocation brackets, Adj. Panhard, Don Goetz bolt on SFCs, Hotchkis springs, Hurst Billet Plus shifter Appearance: FRCs with afterthoughts SS overlays, Mark's Caliper decals on black painted calipers, AR TTIIs (Gunmetal Spokes) with BFG Gforce T/A KDWs...
96 Impala SS Black Flowmasters SSOA, WCA, NAISSO
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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j/k
