any downsides?
any downsides? Aer there any downsides to having the F-body convertable? Do they leak commonly? how quickly do they wear out? how are they in general is what I would like to know really.
Thanks
Thanks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
Likes: 2,549
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
One downside is the extra weight.
I've never owned an F-body 'vert, but the ones I've been in seem to rattle more as they age. Guess that's to be expected of any 'vert though.
I've never owned an F-body 'vert, but the ones I've been in seem to rattle more as they age. Guess that's to be expected of any 'vert though.
I have a 2000 model and it actually is alot better than i expected..i got a really good deal on it so i couldnt pass it up even though i wanted t tops...i live in ga and i really dont use my top until dawn or at night when its cool....the leather and everything else gets to hot during the day....i love it at night and it gets alot of attention...my biggest quirk is that the passenger side window does not seal all the way...it only leaks in a hard rain or in a car wash...but it still bothers me...i hate the extra weight...my y87 package basically makes up for the extra weight as i run what a stock v6 runs without the slp package....mine is stable in handling...but my biggest surprise is how quiet it is with the top UP andthe windows up....like i said mine is five years old and i have had no problems or rattles or squeaks....plus i love the way the back of the convertible comes straight down and makes the top squared...it looks meaner to me than the coupes slope...biggest downside is i cant throw in a system and beat out like i did with my coupe....the airspace just isnt there to push....sorry to write a book but i figured i would answer your question plus im bored...lol...hope this helps
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: longview, tx
Mine's got 80k on it and is still relatively rattle free. Downside is no good spot for a sub and there's little trunk space. I too was surprised at how quiet it is and how little windblast there is going down the road with the top down. No leaks here, luckily. Worst part is I have to wear a helmet when dragracing! That rule sucks.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
https://ls1tech.com/usa/showpost.php...7&postcount=26
"cant throw in a system and beat out" WTF does that mean? Follow post above.
I have a 5 point roll bar that fits very nice. I use it when I go to the track. However, I've been driving my familly around this summer and removed it so I can put my kids in the back seat safely. Do a search.
Absolutely no rattles. Subframe connectors cured that. Critical modification for a vert. $300
ONLY three negatives w/'vert:
1. Added weight ~ 150-200lb
2. Bigger blind spot with top up. None with top down.
3. Some leakage (Varies car to car)
"cant throw in a system and beat out" WTF does that mean? Follow post above.
I have a 5 point roll bar that fits very nice. I use it when I go to the track. However, I've been driving my familly around this summer and removed it so I can put my kids in the back seat safely. Do a search.
Absolutely no rattles. Subframe connectors cured that. Critical modification for a vert. $300
ONLY three negatives w/'vert:
1. Added weight ~ 150-200lb
2. Bigger blind spot with top up. None with top down.
3. Some leakage (Varies car to car)
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Bridgeport, PA
They cost more...but they re-sell higher. They are harder to keep clean for a judged car show...but usually will win a participant vote car show. You get sun burned......unless you wear a hat or sunscreen. 
IMHO, "go topless"...there is nothing like it....except a Harley.
IMHO, "go topless"...there is nothing like it....except a Harley.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Divergent Lightning
Aer there any downsides to having the F-body convertable? Do they leak commonly? how quickly do they wear out? how are they in general is what I would like to know really.
Thanks
Thanks
Most of the downsides have been covered. Mine leaks a very small amount when it rains really hard. The leak is on the driver's side where the A-pillar meets the top. I've owned mine since new (2002), so judging from the wear I have so far--I figure I have another 2-3 years left before it needs replacement. With the top up, speeds above 80 are quieter than I expected. With the top down, the wind beats me up a little with speeds over 70--but I'm tall. I live in Orlando, so every lost tourist asks me for directions when the top is down. On the lighter side, there have been more than a couple arguements started when the girl in the car next to me compliments me on my car and their boyfriend takes exception.
These cars do attract their share of attention, be prepared for it.The worst thing to me is the blindspot.
Many leak around the window in various places. Mine does a little bit on both sides. Several members have reported the black triangle piece departing from the car with no warning. Fairly quiet with the top up, and down. Subframe connectors will do wonders. Pushing a button to put the top up and down sure beats having to screw with a couple 30lb pieces of glass. T tops SUCK!. My.02
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
It's wierd how different these car can be from one another. My vert doesn't leak at all and I use the high pressure wash once a week. Yet my 99 hardtop SS leaked around the windows from the day I got it.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
Mine will be 5 years old later this month, 60k miles. No wind or water leaks with the top up. The top itself works fine with no problems to date. The small stick on convex mirrors do eliminate any blind spots. I put KBDD sfcs on when it was 6 months old. Maybe that has helped with squeaks so far. The oris windstop eliminates turbulence from the rear seat at highway speeds. I could care less about the stereo issue as I prefer to listen to FM-LS1 
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
From: MA
lose trunk space? I don't think so, how much can you put in your trunk with the t-tops in it? My buddy in his trans am has to put his ttops in the back seat because his box is in the trunk. I'd take my m6 vert over any bike. And the attention, yeah. Kids are always saying things when they see my car, today I got a thumbs up and a
"like the car" within a mile, and a look at those wheels, all just today, well saturday. I was surprised at that one since they are factory 16", though they are my favorite factory wheels for the z28 and they are chrome. Anyway, with an ls1 with an exhaust, who needs a sub box
Oh, and more than once I've had early 20's very attractive girls say things to me in my car, which good luck with that at 32 without one of these cars ha! Anyway, that's all bonus though since I bought it for the motor and tranny, not for the attention, but taht's fun too.
"like the car" within a mile, and a look at those wheels, all just today, well saturday. I was surprised at that one since they are factory 16", though they are my favorite factory wheels for the z28 and they are chrome. Anyway, with an ls1 with an exhaust, who needs a sub box
Oh, and more than once I've had early 20's very attractive girls say things to me in my car, which good luck with that at 32 without one of these cars ha! Anyway, that's all bonus though since I bought it for the motor and tranny, not for the attention, but taht's fun too.
Originally Posted by 98DroptopSS
Pushing a button to put the top up and down sure beats having to screw with a couple 30lb pieces of glass. T tops SUCK!. My.02
Originally Posted by danksontl
Most of the downsides have been covered. Mine leaks a very small amount when it rains really hard. The leak is on the driver's side where the A-pillar meets the top. I've owned mine since new (2002), so judging from the wear I have so far--I figure I have another 2-3 years left before it needs replacement. With the top up, speeds above 80 are quieter than I expected. With the top down, the wind beats me up a little with speeds over 70--but I'm tall. I live in Orlando, so every lost tourist asks me for directions when the top is down. On the lighter side, there have been more than a couple arguements started when the girl in the car next to me compliments me on my car and their boyfriend takes exception. These cars do attract their share of attention, be prepared for it.
The worst thing to me is the blindspot.
These cars do attract their share of attention, be prepared for it.The worst thing to me is the blindspot.
Originally Posted by SSpeedracer
https://ls1tech.com/usa/showpost.php...7&postcount=26
"cant throw in a system and beat out" WTF does that mean? Follow post above.
"cant throw in a system and beat out" WTF does that mean? Follow post above.
You beat me to it. I'd contend that leakage problems on 'verts are no worse than w/ t-top cars. And blindspot? What blindspot? Who drives w/ the top up anyway?