I'm toying with the idea of buying a convertable 'maro (the proviso's are that it must have tpi and not be white or black)

what sort of things should I look out for over and above normal f-body probs

 

Well, inspect any covertible specific parts carefully(top frame,tonneau cover, spoiler pieces interior trim etc.) Alot of the interior trim pieces are out of production and hard to find used.Those that are available are expensive.The 91-92 cars are probably the best overall since they would be the most refined. Also you got lights in the rear panels in late 91, I believe, also the top will have an inside liner(started in 89 I think). If I recall correctly GM started using Body Glue in the '92's so overall this year of covertible might be a little tighter structurally. Although ASC put in extra rocker bracing these convertibles really flex. Sometimes when turning into driveways where the car has to flex , it feels like I'm driving a large sheet of plywood LOL.

 

having owned both hard top and t-top Irocs before how much worse is the rigidity than eith of them? I must admit that I personally didn't notice any difference between the hard top and the t-tops probably due to the fact that I must drive like an old maid

 

I've never driven extensively in a hardtop or t top car so I can't comment. If you drive like an old maid you wont notice all that much. If you were to autocross I would recommend stiffening the chassis. I want to get some Sub Frame Connectors for my car i nthe near future.

 

I had a hard top 86 IROC for 5 years and now own an 87 t-top IROC and a 92 convertible T/A. I noticed a BIG difference between the t-top car and the hard top car and an equally BIG difference between the t-top car and the vert. None of them had sfc's and thats about to change for the vert. Driving the car really is like driving a flying carpet, but from what I hear the sfc's do a good job of tightening them up.