Convertible Vehicles - How long will the top last???

I'm looking at a 1998 Z28 vert on ebay. White with a black top, manual trans:devil: Seller claims the top is original and in perfect shape. Car has 90,000 miles on it, said it was always garaged. I really like it because you hardly ever see the verts with a six speed.

How durable are the tops on these things? Where do they tend to leak? What should I look for that typically breaks? Car looks like it was taken care of, hardly any wear on the driver's seat.

my mom has a late 90's vert it has 140k+ never been in garage/carport since new its still in good shape

Tops on 4th gens are very well designed.

Only common problem is the rear window eventually becomes detached from the cloth since the glue deteriorates. Good news is that you can replace that portion only for a few hundred bucks.

I've got a 99 z28 w/6speed. The car is always outside, and it's had to endure a whole lotta snow this winter, and is holding up fine. Top is the original, but I replaced the rear window curtain myself last year when the glass all but fell out. If you're handy, you can replace the window curtain yourself as it will inevitably fail.

I'm looking at a 1998 Z28 vert on ebay. White with a black top, manual trans:devil: Seller claims the top is original and in perfect shape. Car has 90,000 miles on it, said it was always garaged. I really like it because you hardly ever see the verts with a six speed.

How durable are the tops on these things? Where do they tend to leak? What should I look for that typically breaks? Car looks like it was taken care of, hardly any wear on the driver's seat.

My 2000 wasn't garaged and lived in LA prior to me getting it... I replaced the top last year because the back window fell out of it, I probably could have just replaced the window, but I didn't like the tan.

So that top went nine years with harsh treatment down in LA. My olds which isn't as nice a top, I have had for 6 years and I would guess that top was at least 8 or more year old when I bought it, is shot and falling apart... so if you replace it with a cheap top... I would say, 5 years of life.

As for leaks I have never seen a leak.

Replaced my top last year as it was faded and the rear window was coming out.. Had no leaks or anything though.

I replaced the top on my 96 last year when I bought it. It was still solid, including the back window. But it was white and had a lot of stains that were permanent, and the white tops are covered with a vinyl coating that was peeling around the edges.

As for leaks, this is my second convertible and never had a leak. I did once feel a squirt of water when I hit a bump. It came through the place where the weatherstripping of the top meets the windshield.

Don't know if you've ever had a vert but DO NOT take it though an automatic car wash, brushless or not. No matter how dirty, no matter how lazy you are feeling don't do it. You'll drown. The top on mine is still in great shape and it doesn't leak. I have over 100k on it.

Don't know if you've ever had a vert but DO NOT take it though an automatic car wash, brushless or not. No matter how dirty, no matter how lazy you are feeling don't do it. You'll drown. ...

:rotflmao: ROFL!!! Sounds like the voice of experience!!!

:rotflmao: ROFL!!! Sounds like the voice of experience!!!

Not one of my brighter moments. The sad thing is I knew better but my car needed washed so yep I almost phuking drowned. :bang: You know that little voice that tells you its dumb, and then the other voice says nah how bad can it be.

I've taken mine thru a bunch of times. Probably 50+ never had a problem. But after 8 years the back window is trash and i have the dreaded Bubble top.