Considerations when looking at a vert ?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 86
Likes: 4
From: NC
Considerations when looking at a vert ? I'm not too familiar with verts and suspect looking at the condition of the actual convertible material and glass, functionality etc is important. I was wondering if anybody had any tips on anthing particular to look for ? Specifically going to look at a 98 WS6 Trans Am Vert later today. Any tips would be appreciated ! Thanks.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
The latches at the front should be effective, tight fitting, and not loose. The top must be 'snug' at the seals.
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TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
IMO, American convertibles are light years ahead of the European counterparts. I owned both a 2002 BMW and a 1995 911 which both leaked. Nothing I could do to stop it. Not only that but they were still using plastic back windows while American cars had glass. Pretty bad for cars that cost way more than my $33k T/A.
My old convertible family is shown below. Interesting to see what car I still own. Click the photo a few times to enlarge if you like.
Attachment 456680
Last edited by NC01TA; Oct 3, 2014 at 08:29 AM.
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mine leaks on both sides top of window right in the middle. i called a shop and they said there is some adjustment they can try before replacing. a friend of mine has owned lots of camaros and says thats common. i have 71k milage , stored winters. ps mine just started leaking slightly 2 or 3 years ago. ps2 you florida guys have much more humidity , i believe the dry conditions are hard on the rubber over time.
Last edited by DANOZ28; Jun 18, 2014 at 01:10 PM.
mine leaks on both sides top of window right in the middle. i called a shop and they said there is some adjustment they can try before replacing. a friend of mine has owned lots of camaros and says thats common. i have 71k milage , stored winters. ps mine just started leaking slightly 2 or 3 years ago. ps2 you florida guys have much more humidity , i believe the dry conditions are hard on the rubber over time.
Agreed a t-top leaks more than a vert. Mine does not leak at all under normal rainy conditions but I have had to tweak the seals especially when it was rather new. It will leak a bit going through a car wash.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
Stains and creases are one sign the top has seen it's share of use or "down" storage. The cleaner and smoother the better. Ideally, the owner of the car you are going to look at kept the top up nearly all the time. Some owners in nicer weather states often leave the top down while in the garage (hence more wrinkles). I'd also be aware of how quickly the top raises and lowers. It should do so smoothly with both sides lifting about equally. An unequal lift might be a sign of air in the system or one hydraulic lift cylinder leaking by the seals. The hydraulic motor should be quiet enough. Latches should be easy to operate and tighten snugly. Over time latches can loosen up or loose some moving parts.
Just be aware of flexes and rattles when test driving the car. A car that wasn't beat on much will be much tighter feeling and sounding. Some older tops may not seal as tight as others where wind will make the top billow up somewhat. So make sure you take someone along with you or have the current owner do a drive-by at speed.
Overall though, you probably have a lot more to worry with the rest of the car than just the top condition/operation. I'm sure if you Google convertible tops and their servicing/operation you'll find plenty of information to help you out. I've had 3 verts and 3 ttop cars. Can't recall that any of them leaked.
http://usedcars.about.com/od/thetest...rtibleTips.htm
Just be aware of flexes and rattles when test driving the car. A car that wasn't beat on much will be much tighter feeling and sounding. Some older tops may not seal as tight as others where wind will make the top billow up somewhat. So make sure you take someone along with you or have the current owner do a drive-by at speed.
Overall though, you probably have a lot more to worry with the rest of the car than just the top condition/operation. I'm sure if you Google convertible tops and their servicing/operation you'll find plenty of information to help you out. I've had 3 verts and 3 ttop cars. Can't recall that any of them leaked.
http://usedcars.about.com/od/thetest...rtibleTips.htm
Last edited by Firebrian; Jul 25, 2014 at 04:21 PM.
One other thing I would look real carefully at is the
drains at the front of the top-well. They are rust prone
and tend to get full of crud, stay wet and rot. Long
enough, and you can get drain water in the cabin.
I vacuum mine out every couple of months and have
hit them a couple times with POR-15 and still the rust
breaks out. You can see down into the area with the
top folded partway down, fully down it gets tougher
to see & reach.
Mine leaks only at the trailing door window edges at
high speed and heavy rain. And touchless car washes
(lesson learned).
drains at the front of the top-well. They are rust prone
and tend to get full of crud, stay wet and rot. Long
enough, and you can get drain water in the cabin.
I vacuum mine out every couple of months and have
hit them a couple times with POR-15 and still the rust
breaks out. You can see down into the area with the
top folded partway down, fully down it gets tougher
to see & reach.
Mine leaks only at the trailing door window edges at
high speed and heavy rain. And touchless car washes
(lesson learned).