Hi, I want to but a vert but I have no idea what to look for. What are the problem spots to look for? I have 5K-10K set aside. I want to make sure I get the best car for my money. Help me out here guys.....

Make sure that all the 'vert specific parts are there and in working order. They are a bitch to find later, if you can even find them at all. Check all the weatherstripping for leaks, espically on the underside of the tonneau, and where the tonneay meets the trunklid. Check the trunklid weather stripping too. Get underneath and make sure the floorboards are solid, just as you would with any other car.

The '90-'92 camaros have air bags. The '92 verts have shoulder restraints in the back seat. This is important to me because I have small children.

One other thing, I believe that I read somewere that the '90-'92 cars were put together better. Something about better adheisives. (Is that spelled correctly?)

look for rust under the weatherstripping around the upper edges of the trunk, and around the spoiler extentions, look for rust up where the top meets the windshield, under that weatherstipping. Look for traces of the top separating around the rear window, and above the glass windows. Unless want to spend 3-400 on a new top.
look in autotrader online, they always have a bunch of convertibles.

So does my '89, they come out of the tonneau and clip to the lap belt.

Correct. The 1992 has a better design for the shoulder belt that doesn't require you to un-latch the shoulder belt from the lap belt to raise the tonneau to stow or raise the top. Also the location for the tonneau release switch moved to a much better location in 1991. Earlier models had it on the center console requiring you to duck your head, reach in and push the switch.

The only downside to a 1991-92 is that they got cheap (IMO) with the trunk trim details. They switched from modified coupe plastic trim pieces to a molded carpeting to cover each of the sides of the trunk. FYI I noticed the wiring gage for the rear tail lights also got smaller on the later cars.

Basically it all boils down to finding the BEST example of a convertible that you can afford. You'll be way ahead with this strategy vs. buying a neglected model for what you presume to be a good price. You'll regret that when you discover how rare and expensive those 'vert specific parts are.

Lon

QUOTE:


Basically it all boils down to finding the BEST example of a convertible that you can afford. You'll be way ahead with this strategy vs. buying a neglected model for what you presume to be a good price. You'll regret that when you discover how rare and expensive those 'vert specific parts are.

I agree and I think I found a car. '88 IROC w/ 70K. It was on autotrader(where I got my present IROC) It is in NYC, I went and looked at it yesterday. The owner is holding it for me. See what you think. The car is NOT as nice as the pics show.-Mike

lets see some pics of it

It is on autotrader.com- Look it up "1988 chevrolet camaro convertable" let me know what you think-Mike

look i just saw this catch on ebay
this is the best third gen convertible u can get
1989 iroc with 5 speed,and it looks great and has
low milage,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...QQcmdZViewItem

if i had the money i would buy it right away

Also lets not forget about the spare tire canister. I have mine, but I have not been able to refill it. I ve looked for the adaptor to do it myself, and no luck. Drive the car (radio off) and listen for body noise, these cars are like a paper clip with a motor. And like the other guys mentioned, look at all the weatherstripping(very hard to find and expensive) for cuts.

Refilling the spare tire gas canister is no problem. Take it to a fire extinguisher service company. They'll be able to refill it with CO2.

Lon

Hey thanks for the info, Ill try that. Hopefully Ill be able to get the fitting to refill it myself with Nitrogen.

The ebay one is nice. I am not one for the 5 speeds also, the girl is gonna want to drive it. Also the red gut is a little much. I may look at it though. It will be interesting to see how much it goes for.

I wish the VIN decoder was working !!!!

My friend Ted Gerlach looked at the pics. He is on here and he is the king of 3rd gen verts, possibly the king of all 3rd gens. Ted is wary of it 1. The 16 inch rims have black painted reliefs and 2. The car has no IROC stickers on the door. Repainted? i am thinking Carfax !

Made a deal on the Convertable! I have one more question. It is an IROC but the rear is a drum brake set-up. Is that common?

On a convertible, yes. It's no biggie to swap rears or swap to rear discs though.

Lon

details details we want to hear more about the vert

details....

and...

ba-da-bing!

Looks like a winner to a Camaro fan!

Rear drums on my bird... looking to add a new rear differential with posi, 3.27 gears and disks this summer. Should be nice.

It will get better. I got this in '02 for 2K and it's come along nicely....

i did the rear end swap, i had drums, 1wheelpeel, and 2.73's, now i have 4wheel disk, 2wheelpeel, and an extra long peels with a 3.23

...

Iam still clueless, I am not Vertless. Now for more Q's

Will a convertable take the same size aftermarket wheels and tires as other 3rd gens?

I'll sell you mine!

Yes.

Great !!! I bought the centerlines for the white IROC off of a guy here on 3rdgen. I saw them on the car so I knew they'de fit. I was hoping to go with the Torq Thrust II's for the Vert. 17X8's in front and 17X10's in the back. Now that I know they'll fit. Is the offset different from the front to rear? Are the drum rears the same as the disc rears width wise?

mike looks like both cars are nice rides. funny my 86 t-top is black and my vert is white. just the opposite of yours. they look nice