I'm thinking of buying a 1995-2000 convertible, but am wondering if there's any body flex/rust problems that you won't find in coupes/sedans? Any problems with the top? Like leaking cylinders or rear glass that tends to fog up or crack easily?
Thanks for any help.
Only thing I have a problem with is the weatherstripping on the top near my windows and the top seperating from the back window at the bottom. I'd say it's held up pretty good for a 7 year old car. The 'verts should be stiffer than the coupes due to them just being coupes with more bracing and the top cut off. I don't know if it's just my car but I've replaced the window motors once in the 2 years I've had it and I need to replace the passenger side again.
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* Student of the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners!
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I have the same prob. with the seals leaking but not around the rear window and to replace the vert top seal,which is the main seal is like $310 from GM and verts are heavier than the coupes but nothing is better than a vert in the summertime
15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"
I really like my '99 Sunfire GT Convert. Can't beat the car in summer. I use it a lot with top down. The car has 162,000 kms / 100,000 miles. No mechanical probs in the two years that I've had the car. My window motors have both been replaced before, under warranty.
It has a great heater, for year round use up here in the great white north. ( Toronto, Canada ) No leaks in the seals or the back glass, which has the heated defroster wires. I had to re-glue the fabric below the glass last summer, but that was minor. Good traction in snow with just all season tires. Windows and top shake and rattle in the cold, but typical for a convert. Top is lined , so keeps heat in quite well. Power top is electric motors, which do not leak oil, like other hydraulic cylinder tops. More dependable too.
Body style is best with top down. Style looks fresh after the more than 10 years since it's debut. I like the hard three piece boot cover to hide the top. Just takes a few minutes to install, and gives a nice finshing touch. I have divised a draft shield that goes behind the front seats. Keeps the interior warm with top down, well into late fall or early spring.
All in all, a good looking car, top up or down. A spirted performer, that is very dependable and inexpensive to operate. Fun factor is big. As good as cars costing two or three times more. I would highly recommend. It's been a good experience.
99blkgtconv
It's a fun car in the summer, it sits in the garage most of the winter. After almost 12 years it could use some new weatherstripping. I am saving for a new Camaro vertible, I hope. It gets a state inspection once a year and for the past few years never has even 5,000 per year on it. It doesn't cost me much.
Mine's a 2000 Z24 5-Speed Cavy Convertible. I've had no problems with it mechanically. It's go 80,000 on it. The fabric did pull off the back glass but I uses some ATV Silicone Adhesive and put it back. My biggest issue is the weatherstripping around the windshield. On a humid day 2 summers ago, the stripping stuck to the door windows and pealed a layer off...not it just keeps getting progressively worse. I need to replace it but it's like $300-$400 to replace it. Also, drips in the rain where the top/door window/windshield meet in the peaks. Not a big deal at all, just annoying.
Great car...love the fun factor. Just wish I had the seals replaced. Oh...and I hit a tree limb and put a hole in the passenger ground effect....gotta get that replaced eventually too.
~The Flash~
Joshua Richardson
Thanks for the answers. I own a 2002 Sunfire and have had no problems. Was looking for a fun second car that I won't throw tons on money on. It was either a J-body or Sebring Convertible, but I trust the J-body engine/trans a LOT more than I do anything Chrysler has made. At first I wanted a 1987-93 Mustang convertible, but they're getting a little on in years, cost a ton in gas and are prone to rust. They're fun to drive but it's still more the type of car that you spend the whole winter maintaining and fixing so that it can run for the three summer months you have it on the road. I love those cars but I just don't have the space right now for a vehicle that I can't use as a daily driver if need be.
