I found a '92 convertible but it has a rip in the back window. I see prices for new tops range anywhere from $200-$400, but are there any powered tops available? If so how much do they run for?

On an unrelated note, the only other thing wrong with it is the spedo doesn't work. Can anyone guess as to how easy it may be to fix and what it would involve?

Thanks, and I hope to be a third-gen owner soon!

 

I believe power tops started in 93. If the instrument cluster is the problem it is a simple swap, just plug and play. 20 minute job.

 

I know the ASC convertibles weren't powered, but I know there were other companies that made them into convertibles and thought perhaps one of them had poweredd tops or that since then an aftermaket powered top has been made available. I just think it would be nice to have a button on my remote to open the top so its open by the time I walk to the car.

 

My Matrix convertible had a powered top... and lets just say it wasn't done right. They had a boot cover that needed manually removed, so that sorta defeated the purpose, and all of these cars need you to lock to top in place, so it won't come down until you walk into the car an unlock it.

I'm sure it can be done, given enough money, but there were no companies that did it where you can simply walk up to the car and the top goes down push button.

 

Ahh, makes sense. I forgot that most rag tops need to be unlocked. Thanks!

 

While you won't find any powered top optons out there, they do make glass rear windows as well as plastic.
Just FYI.
http://www.topsonline.com/index.php?CarmodelID=351000
Good luck future third gen owner.

 

Thanks for the info. Now onto my next question...there are two verts I'm looking at, both asking $3,500. I'm going to post some info and pics, in two separate posts to keep things organized, and I'm hoping someone can give me advice as to which I should go for if either. I'm pretty sure I'll get one of these two unless by some miracle the $3,500 offer I made for the z28 on ebay asking $10,500 gets accepted...

 

The first one I found (the one that needs a new top) is located about 40 mins from me. It is a '92 RS, 305 TBI V8, automatic, 106,000 miles. It has a rip in the drivers seat, rip in the back window, clearcoat fade on trunk, and the speedometer doesnt work. It's got a new battery, fuel pump, and fuel injectors. He doesn't have the original wheels. He stated that He's owned it for 13 years and it's been stored for 7.

I would have to replace the top with a new one (black probably glass window - btw, what are the advantages and disadvantages between glass and plastic besides price?) and I would eventually get it painted black and black interior. I would also replace the gauges with aftermarket ones (hopefully fixing the spedo problem).

I have attached pictures.

 

More pics...

 

And, engine pics...

 

The second one is about 4 and a half hours from me. It is a '91 RS, 305 TBI V8, automatic, with 100,844 miles but only 100 since they rebuilt the motor. It has a new radiator, water pump, and cooling fan, and newer tires and brakes (whatever that means). The windshield is cracked, and there are problem areas with the paint. They also stated that the previous owner put the wrong water pump on (turned in the wrong direction), causing the car to over heat. They stated that they pulled the motor, completely tore it apart, had it machined, then rebuilt it.

It has darker tint which I think I like better but may cause me problems. The switch under the headlight **** isn't hooked up to anything... It appears that the top on this one may need to be replaced too, and I don't know what the seats look like under the pink (yuck!) seat covers. Also, I don't know what shape the paint is under the bra, and it looks like the dash may be cracked. (Idk about the condition of the other car's dash)

I would again eventually have it black/black.

 

More pics...

 

I know I'm not going to get a show car for $3,500. I just want to get the best I can afford and slowly improve it as I can afford more. Between the two, which would you get? Thank you everyone for all of your help, your insight is extremely valuable to me.

 

This should have most of the answers . . . https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...dow-glass.html

As for which car? I can see why you asked. One doesn't really satnd out over the other. Need to give it a little more thought.

 

The first one is more appealing to me.

People claim rebuilt engines, and all this other stuff, but can they prove it? The second ones' engine does seem to have had something done to it, but that plastic tensioner pulley scares me. Does either of them have working A/C? How are the floorboards? Any rust? Dents? Bondo?

 

I would go with the first one and everything bradley23150 has said about all the other unknowns such as floorboards,rust etc.
Besides its alot closer

 

I THINK I'm leaning more towards the first too, but more opinions are appreciated! Also, quick question...if I determine that replacing the speedometer will fix it (is it something I could test with a multimeter or something simple like that) can I get a 145mph one or do I have to stick with a 115? Also, do I have to replace the whole instrument panel or just the one gauge or does it depend?

Thanks again!

 

I'm leaning towards the first ride as well. Gut feeling.

As for the speedometer question, it's not really related to this convertible forum. You may still get some asnwers, but will get better responses if particular questions are posted in their related forum. You might try asking in the https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/electronics/ or https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...ns-drivetrain/.

 

Yea, yea I know but I feel less bad asking in a thread about something else than I do about creating a whole new thread about something that's been answered a million times. If I get the first one I'll create a new thread asking about it.

I got some more info...neither top leaks under normal circumstances (the first leaks in car washes). Heat and air work in the first one along with windows and mirrors. There is no bondo on the first one, but there is some surface rust starting where it's gotten scratched.


Thanks again for all the help!

 

Ok, so I saw the first one yesterday...it wasn't in as good of shape as I'd hoped...It looks like it was in a minor fender-bender and the front bumper was cracked by the passenger headlight, along with the running light cover being broken and half missing. The paint on the front bumper and trunk lid are in horrible shape but I've read that's pretty common if the car hasn't been painted. The dash is in great shape, but the glass over the gauges has a crack, and it looked like more than just the speedometer that didn't work. The guy doesn't have a plate for it so I couldn't actually test drive it, but he had a pretty long driveway. The tie rod ends definitely need to be replaced, and it seemed to make a grinding noise when switching into gear. The rear window is pretty much opaque, and the rubber seals have some tears in them. There is a little bit of rust in the wheel wells and the rear drivers side has some damage which is also starting to rust. The hood doesn't stay up. Also, there was some grit in the engine oil, and the transmission fluid smelled iffy. I couldn't really put the windows up or down because he had signs stuck to them but they seemed to be reluctant to move.

It did have one redeeming factor though, the engine started right up and sounded AMAZING. I'm pretty sure it has stock exhaust and I didn't expect it to sound that good.

I think that's everything...Does this sound like pretty typical stuff that I should expect, or would I just be getting myself in a big mess? Do you guys think the price is right - he sounds pretty firm on it? Thanks again for the advice!

 

The 2 main things that would sway me away from that car is the transmission grinding, and the bad tie rods. Everything else seems like pretty common things for a camaro of that year. If you don;t plan on putting in quite a bit of work, just keep looking.

 

At this stage in my life the less amount I have to put in the better, but will I be able to buy one in any better condition for less than $3,500? Are the tie rods a sign of another problem, because replacing those would only cost about $50.

 

I am not sure if they will really take anything out with them if they are worn, but will if they break, for sure. I would be more concerned about the transmission. Honestly, for 3500, the car should be mechanically sound, and you shouldnt have to worry about the transmission. I am not too sure on the going rate, that would probably depend on the area, I guess you could shop around to see prices.

I have had a transmission go out on me in one of my third gens, it sucks.

 

I've yet to find a 90-92 vert anywhere in the world going for less than like $6,000, let alone locally. Someone has one for $2,500 but it's in pieces...being a starving college student sucks lol

 

Your right about trying to find one for under $6,000, then again depending on the area your in.
Where Im located its difficult to find one at $6000 theyre generally higher in price.
The last two I went to see (both claimed Iroc convertibles)one was an RS dressed up like an IROC but rotted for$4500 the other so called 88 Iroc convertible was in fact a 89 camaro coupe( according to serial numbers) that was transformed to a convertible.
As for the one you located see how much it would cost to have a rebuilt tranny installed.
Then take it off his asking price and see what he has to say.(that is if your really set on this one and dont want to wait a little longer to see if another one comes along)

 

The guy with the green one lowered the price to 2900.

I have a question...I've seen some verts with a switch in between the window controls and some without it. I thougt one of the videos on here said it was the release for the top. Why do some have it and some not?

EDIT: After some searching I found the answer. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the green one, I doubt I'd find a '92 vert for less than $2,900

 

just wondering why he dropped it $2900 did you talk to him or did he drop it down on his own (this is a good thing I thought he was firm on his price)

 

told him I'd go see the far one if he didn't.

 

Bonus, so are you going to get it then or are you going to try and talk him down a bit more

 

Well I'll try go get him down as low as he'll go, and I'm going to take it on an actual test drive and jack it up and look underneath it and everything. I'm bringing my gf's friend who has a '92 firebird to check it out and let me know what he thinks.

 

Got the green one - $3,900. It had virtually no rust and just needs basically an oil change and tie rod ends the rest is cosmetic. Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

Congrats and welcome to the vert club!

 

Ditto.

Got any pics now that she's yours?

 

tie rod ends aren't bad to change, check the tires (inside and outside sidewalls) over good though just in case the alignment has been off from the tie rod ends for a while and still been driven on

 

Nope, but I just got the new top (black stayfast/glass window) and once I have that installed I'll take pictures.

 

Looking forward to hear your opinion of the top and impression of the glass rear window . . . and maybe a few pics?

 

I'll definitely let you know, and I'll be taking tons of pictures of all the different things I'm doing to it.

I went with glass because IMO it looks better, it's tinted, and I'm thinking about installing a defroster. I've heard people say with glass you have to fold forward the rear seats a bit to put it up or down, but 4th gen rear seats are a little lower and you don't have to do that. Is that correct? All the 4th gen rear seats I've found haven't been split. Are there split 4th gen rear seats?

 

welcome to the vert club.. You will enjoy it

 

my top was $600

 

Yea by the time I got the top, padding, and bow seal it was over $600 I think...I got it a few weeks ago but haven't installed it yet.

 

Ok, so I got my top installed...Looks great, I like the black a lot more than tan and I think the glass window is much higher quality. However, I'm having problems with the top folding up. When I fold the top down there are a couple problems -- -first of all, the window gets jammed between bow 5 and the rear seatbelt things. Also, bow 5 gets pushed up against the back of the top area. I can get it to fold down and get the tonneau closed, but when I go to raise the top bow 5 raises, but not the top of the window...basically the window gets flipped upside down. To get the top up I need to fold the seats down and have someone slide the top of the window up as I raise the top.

When I installed the new top I moved bow 5 and the tonneau cover closer to the front of the vehicle (which I would think would have helped). I have also tried moving the whole folding mechanism as far towards the back of the car as possible (~1.5") to try to relieve the pressure between the glass window and the seatbelt things. It still isn't opening properly.

Has anyone else with the EZon glass window top run into any of these problems? If so, how have you resolved it? I'm about to resort to modifying either the seatbelt things of the top compartment, but if there's another solution I'd prefer to do things the right way.

 

my 91 z28 vert was only $1000 Dollars... drove it home that day no major problems... except the missing interior... easily remedied

 

Is that the one I saw a picture of that had a flame paint job? z28 if I remember...awesome deal, I was jealous when I saw your post about it.

 

You did get a steal of a deal for that price .
I came across one for $1000.00 all rotted not running etc. turned it down ,even the interior pieces were garbage.

 

Yeah I liked the flames bought it september 2006

I lucked out... the guy selling it worked at a dealer and got fired he was storing the car in the back lot and had to move the car very quickly and i offered a cool ten bills on the spot he accepted i drove it home after securing a seat to the floor and bolting in the shifter (cars interior was missing)

 

Just to update, I just finished installing a defroster into my convertible top. As far as I know I'm the only person with a third-gen convertible with a defroster!

I wired it up with a stock switch, and have it set up so that it will only work if the top is up. I have heated mirrors I'm installing and the defroster switch will control them too, so this way even when the top is down I can turn on the mirrors and not worry about the defroster heating up too much and causing problems while it's folded down.

 

Welcome to the vert club again. Im very excited about owning my 92 TA verts ( have 2 ). About your top, I have a glass window top too and u have to fold the back seat down and make sure the two thick wire rods are not bent between bow 1&2. Its a tight fit but get that glass down flat too. Good luck