Hi,

Let me start by saying I am enjoying all the reading I have been doing on the forums. I started driving in 1987 & have always wanted a Camaro convertible. I love the 3rd gen body style & I managed to convince my wife that a convertible would be a practical 'fun' car for the family.

I have two young boys (4 + 2 years old). I also have a 1999 Jeep wrangler with two car seats in the back as my other toy. I am envisioning putting two car seats in the Camaro & driving it as a spare toy. Am I nuts thinking I can fit two car seats in it?

Anyway, what are typical trouble areas that I should be looking at? I am looking to spend 4-7k on one. I dont mind buying during the winter & am not in a rush. I just think it would be a lot of fun to drive one.

I am talking to someone about a 91 RS Convertible with 180K on it. He is asking 3500 & says its a solid car. I dont know much but it has a manual convertible top (were they all manual?), a 305, auto tranny.

I am not really looking to do more than drive it around (not looking for engine swaps or restoring, etc).

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,
Rich

 

Bump. RS is a fun car. Cant say I know much about convertables.

 

If you really want a nice 3rd gen convertible here is one i seen this bad boy in person. I have one and i love them won't sell it my 1st car i bought but i really think you would like this one. like i said this car is in really good shape with very low miles in it.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cama...nvertible.html

 

I dont know much vert specific, check the vert boards.

However, I do know the cost of the convertible top is more than the value of the car ,and those cars area good bit more valuable than regular thirdgens. But if the top is damaged be aware that they are very expensive to replace.

Also be very careful about making sure there's no rust on the car. Rust is the main concern with these. Check the floorboards very closely.

 

i agree with the top i have been threw two tops since i had the car. and since i live were the temp get's to 110's my plastic window is fried. i need a new top and it will run me 700 with install.

 

Can I fit a two car seats in the back seat area? Is it a lapbelt only?

 

Yah, car seats will totally fit. Unless you have some super huge one's. Bring the biggest one you have by when you go to check out the car to see if it'll fit and allow enough leg room for the people in the front seats.

 

The current owner sent me a few pics (its about 2 hours from my house). There does seem to be some rust? The price is 3500'ish. Is this too rough?

The photos make it look like it probably needs tires.

 

Here are a few more

 

A couple more (sorry I just want to make sure I am not wasting money).

 

Last one for the road. Front looks a little rough too.

My intention was to have something fun to ride around it. The mileage might be too high at 185k.

The deal with my wife is that she gets to drive it too. She likes to drive with her eyes closed I think, so I dont want something perfect as she will make it not perfect. I also dont really want a wreck. I would probably spend up to 8k on this I think. My bike should sell for 5k so its only a few more for a family toy.

 

For 3500, you could do better in my opinion. The damage to the front gfx, the paint flaking away on the bumper, and the rust? Is your wife a gear head? If she isn't then I sense trouble. Find a better buy.

 

There is some rusting and flaking, The tires need to be replaced, and it does have high mileage. You should except nothing above $3000 for it. Also make sure the engine and transmission are fine. Finding another car isn't a bad idea either.

 

How do I go about checking the engine / transmission for flaws during an inspection? I am not a mechanic but I have a friend who is also not a mechanic but mechanical. He would likely look at it with me.

I would really rather find something nicer for 7-8k but I dont see much for sale. The wife is also against a red one. I think I am liking the RS body vs the Z28 - what is the difference aside from the ground effects I think?

 

The Z28 is better for one thing. Get an actual machanic. Don't want to buy a bad car.

 

The RS and Z28 are externally the same from 91-92. The difference in the verts is just going to be the hood.

The hardtop/T-top cars have a different spoiler on the Z28 too. Other than that they are the same on the outside.

If you're talking late 80s verts, the RS is gonna have the same ground fx the IROC does, but, again, the regular boring flat hood.

The internal differences are pretty vast. The 91-92 Z28 has the Tuned Port Injection 305 or 350, the IROC/Z28 era cars are going to have anything from a carbureted slow 305 to a Tuned Port 350. A Z28 will never have Throttle Body Injection, however. The z28s and IROCs got a suspension package set up for handling. The RS got a suspension package set up for a nice ride.

 

Through some email discussion it sounds like the bottom line on that RS is 2500. I think I am going to pass. I am not looking to do an engine swap & with 185K on it, I am a little concerned.

I am looking at another white RS vert (91 too) 305, 5 speed, better body, better shape for $4500 (125K). I am not sure if thats a better buy.

I found a 95 Z28 black convertible that has 80K & the guy was asking 6800 neg & it was in perfect shape. Unfortunately I am not really in love with the 4th gen body style. Though strangely I do really like the 93-02 Trans Am body (though they look similar).

I know this is a 3rd gen board & I could end up with a 4th gen, but while I dont own one, those 4ths are ugly. Of course if I end up buying a 4th, they look great

 

You're doing the right thing. Many out there for good prices.

 

 

I am trying to read into this post.

1. Red convertables look like girl's shoes

2. convetables + girls equal trouble

3. convertables are a chick car

Was I close?

 

Me and my buddy's always call 4th camaros "Lady-shoe camaros" due to the resemblance. Not a common thing, but it became a running gag amongst my friends.

 

That was gonna be my 4th guess.