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Hello all, newbie here. I used to have a 94 Z Vert, and it leaked rather profusely in the rain (you don't even want to know what happened when I took it through a brushless car wash....) But, I have been looking for a newer (98 to 02) SS 'vert and wondered if GM got the top sealing right. I appreciate any responses, thanks, Mark.
Posts: 3 | From: Sunny and Warm Naples, FL | Registered: Mar 2002
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First off, Welcome to the board! I have not had any water leaks in my vert as of yet. I have not heard of too many people that have had leaks on their convertible. One of the members from my Camaro club had a 1994 that leaked like crazy when new and the dealer had replaced all of the weatherstripping and that fixed the concern. Where is the water coming in at?
[ 14 March 2002: Message edited by: 2002Z4CSS ]
-------------------- Current ride is: 2002 Brickyard 400 35th Anniversary LE convertible #22,SLP build# 0036,35th Anniversary Build #47 EMCC Member #234 www.emcamaro.org WCA Member #197582 MMCC Member #28 NEOCC Member #634 Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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My 96 has never had too many problems. Theres usually a few drops on the head rests after I wash my car with at a high pressure wand-type do-it-yourself car wash. That is the only time though. I think your car might have just been a fluke.
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Best ET: 13.37 @ 104.30 MPH with these Mods: SLP 2L/2R Exhaust, K&N FIPK, TBbypass, removed MAF screen, LT4 KM, !CAGS!, 4.10 GM Motive gears, BMR LCAs & relocation brackets, Energy Suspension Poly Mount, 160 degree thermostat, HPP3(for speedo & fan recalibration) MSD 6AL Ignition _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ Trans Am- The Muscle Car Lives Posts: 42 | From: Denver CO | Registered: Sep 2001
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Yeah, maybe. Water would come in at the rear of the windows, at the top corner and where it met the vertical portion of the top. The rain storms here in FLA can be a b***h, that's for sure. That's awesome about the newer ones, I am hoping for an 00 or so, pewter SS Vert in June or July. Any year recommendations between 98 and 01, an 02 may be out of my cost range right now. Thanks again, Mark.
Posts: 3 | From: Sunny and Warm Naples, FL | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Quiet1: Yeah, maybe. Water would come in at the rear of the windows, at the top corner and where it met the vertical portion of the top. The rain storms here in FLA can be a b***h, that's for sure. That's awesome about the newer ones, I am hoping for an 00 or so, pewter SS Vert in June or July. Any year recommendations between 98 and 01, an 02 may be out of my cost range right now. Thanks again, Mark.
I wonder if the canvas convertible tops have to have the seams sealed like you would with a canvas tent?
Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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Forgive me if I wasn't clear, I meant that the window never did seal well against the top. The top was great, never leaked in the car as far as I am aware. Thanks for the response, though. Any thoughts on the best year?
Posts: 3 | From: Sunny and Warm Naples, FL | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Quiet1: Forgive me if I wasn't clear, I meant that the window never did seal well against the top. The top was great, never leaked in the car as far as I am aware. Thanks for the response, though. Any thoughts on the best year?
I would look thru the service bulletins for convertible top leaks. Ususally cars built after a bulletin have the latest parts already installed from the factory.
Most people are going to peobably recommend the year car they own! Seriously, I'd get the newest car I could get. Remember the '01 and '02 have some changes to the motor that the 98-00 don't have...LS6 intake, no EGR, etc. and some say they are stronger. The only difference in looks are the stock wheels. 98-99 had the painted 5 spokes, 00-02 have the painted 10 spokes. Other than that it really comes down to what you can find and what you can afford.
-------------------- Mark H.
Whoever said you couldn't run away from your problems obviously wasn't driving an SS.
Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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First off, the owner's manual says to NEVER use a commercial, high power car wash. Even the "touchless" ones force water in with air pressure.
Our '99 SS had a water leak from day one. It was at the aft edge of the window where the door, top and glass all converge. Water would wick in, travel along the door panel and flood the floor. We fixed that by buying a new rubber piece that's on the aft edge of the driver's side door. The factory one was molded a little bit wrong. The leak is still there in heavy rain and we're careful when washing it. We just put a towel on the inside of the door at the floor to catch any drips.
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: First off, the owner's manual says to NEVER use a commercial, high power car wash. Even the "touchless" ones force water in with air pressure.
drips.
Im not sure why that would hurt anything? Ive washed mine 100 times at those washes. I live in an apartment, so its not like I have the convenience of whipping out the hose, and wash sponge. I dont usually really soak the top down, but Ill blast some areas briefly, just to get the soap off of it, or bird dung off. Its been fine. Leaks a tiny bit from time to time, but only if you blast that area by the top corner of the window with the wand. Its never leaked in rain.
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Best ET: 13.37 @ 104.30 MPH with these Mods: SLP 2L/2R Exhaust, K&N FIPK, TBbypass, removed MAF screen, LT4 KM, !CAGS!, 4.10 GM Motive gears, BMR LCAs & relocation brackets, Energy Suspension Poly Mount, 160 degree thermostat, HPP3(for speedo & fan recalibration) MSD 6AL Ignition _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ Trans Am- The Muscle Car Lives
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My 2000 'Vert has the same roof/window leak in heavy rain or if you get the hose spraying in that area. Nothing major though, just a few drops of water that I just wipe away. Other than that, no other leaks to report.
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Seriously, I'd get the newest car I could get. Remember the '01 and '02 have some changes to the motor that the 98-00 don't have...LS6 intake, no EGR, etc. and some say they are stronger. The only difference in looks are the stock wheels. 98-99 had the painted 5 spokes, 00-02 have the painted 10 spokes. Other than that it really comes down to what you can find and what you can afford.
