All,

I am looking at two convertibles this week. One is an 88 Iroc and the other a 91 z28.

The 88 Iroc has 85k miles and seems to be in great shape. Owner is asking a lot of money for it close to 11k. Claims to be a 350 Auto but I have not checked the Vin # yet.

The 91 z28 has 200k 305 w/5spd and leather interior. Would be right up my alley since I am looking at full restoration. The speed density setup is particulatrly attractive. Car seems to be in descent condition. Owner is asking 5k.

Do convertibles tend to fetch more money than listed book value from KBB or NADA? Is it worth to pay more than estimated book for either car?

Is either of these cars more desireable to own in the long term than the other?

 

Normally I'd say go for the 91. In this case though I'd have to think about it. A full resto on a convertible won't be cheap. If any of the convertible specific parts are worn/damaged they'll be hard to find and expensive. Also with 200,000 miles there are going to be mechanical problems. Aside from that... the 91's have quite a few benefits over an 88. Speed density is the setup. The Lb9 5spd combo is the optimal combo for a convertible, etc... As for the 88, if it is a 350, I'd say its not worth owning. The convertibles that GM sent to ASC to be converted were all 305's and V6's. If its a 350 its not a GM approved conversion. There are too many factory authorized approved convertibles to settle for a customer modified car.

Tough call. Personally I think I'd still go for the 91, I'd just try to talk him down a bit...

 

Yes I would watch out when it gets to the 200,000k mark! That's alot!

 

"The convertibles that GM sent to ASC to be converted were all 305's and V6's. If its a 350 its not a GM approved conversion."

Yup. I also agree, for what u want, the 91 sounds better.

 

How hard is it to find new parts for the convertibles? i.e. a new top..



=Scott=

 

The tops aren't the problem... the problem parts are the seats, headrests actually... seat belts, interior panels from behind the door on back, the trunk lid, the tonneau, the top frame, etc... Weatherstripping is easy enough to come by, but pretty much everything else is salvage yard only.

 

The 91 has a much better top mechanism than the 88. I have an 89 and 92 ragtop so I speak from experience. the 91 is lined, the 88 is not and it makes a big difference in interior comfort and wear and tear on the top itself. If you could hold out, find a 92. They received extra chassis stiffening from GM, modified rear seat belt locations and were the culmination of the 3rd gen rag tops.
Drew is correct, parts for ragtops are hard to find.
I would also want the 5spd. I have a 5spd in my 92 Z28 and cannot imagine driving the 305 without the 5spd. I am able to keep the rpm's in the power band much easier.
If you really must decide between the two you are looking at, I'd probably lean towards the 91.

 

Quick question-where does it say no 350 convertables were produced by GM?

Just wondering cause a friend of mine bought an 88 IROC convertable w/350 a few years back-I helped him with the work on the car and was very interested by it because of all the documentation he had with the car(I wanted to buy it at one time).He had the original paperwork on the car confirming it was a 350 and the work being done by ASC and all.We bought it from the original owner who also verified that it was ordered from GM as built-man I wish I bought the car-26K miles when he sold it

Steve

 

The fact that factory authorized convertibles weren't availalbe with the 350 is well documented. Just about any reliable book will confirm this, the dealership paperwork confirms it, etc...

 

Same argument with t-tops and 5.7's from 90-92...

 

You had to stir the waters with that comment, huh?

 

I've never seen a 90-92 Z28 5.7 with t-tops. I have seen plenty 89 5.7s with t-tops. I agree, no 90-92's with t-tops. Gomen.

 

I had to say it because when that always comes up, there's that one person who knows someone that is related to their 4th cousin that knew this guy who was talking to some guy who swears his 90-92 5.7 has stock t-tops

 

Alright, enough arguing about L98's and convertibles or ttops, there are no new arguments on this topic. When someone can post a clear picture of a SPID for 90-92 that lists L98 and CC1 then the arguments can be made, until then its not worth worrying about.