Just leave the tops on if you don't want the T's. The 4th gen's are designed much better than the 3rd's, so they won't leak. They are design to channel the water away from the seals, instead of just relying on the seals.

 

Hardtop owner here, too...

 

yes

 

T-top owner here I love them never had any of my 6 4th gen's leak

-Camaros- 93-02 avail w/ and w/ out t-tops
-Firebirds- 93-02 avail w/ and w/ out t-tops
-Trans Am's- 93-early 97 (mid 97 production went to fully loaded w/ t-tops only or a vert)

Sean

 

Well, I do have T-tops in my car, but I was skeptical about them at first.........................my old '81 Z28 had T's that were aftermarket..................so I had a VERY bad experience with them, and actually went to the trouble of finding a good hard-top car, and swapped everything (motor, tranny, etc., etc.) just to have a solid hard-top car again. After that, I swore to myself I would NEVER own a T-top car again!

HOWEVER, my friend has a '96 T/A with T's, and after I was in his car, saw the car with the tops out, saw how well they fit, and got his honest feedback that they "honestly" don't leak, I was sold on the idea of getting T's when I got a new car. Since I now have them, I love them, and believe I would have regretted NOT having them. Oh yeah, FWIW, my friend's '96 has around ~75,000 miles on it, and it has been driven year-round, so it's not like it's been "only summer driven" and "stored indoors" so "obviously that's why the tops don't leak", they truly are a much better design than the old ones. HTH.

 

I have a hardtop on my new '98 SS

 

People with hardtops,what are your reasons for getting the hardtop?think they look better?etcetc?

 

People with hardtops,what are your reasons for getting the hardtop?think they look better?etcetc?

 

Hardtop cars are (i believe) lighter, have less body flex, and are $995.00 cheaper. These are all good reasons to not get them but, I love T-tops. I have no problems with my 2002 z28 but my 95 did leak a little on the driver side.

 

I also had a '95 Z28 with ttops, and if you stuck your thumb up on the joint between the ttop and the windshield frame you could EASILY feel the flex in the car over bumps or when turning. the panels moved independently of each other!!

The gasket also wasnt the greatest and it would occasionally drip or leak in heavy storms or car washes. And the tops were the source of some squeaks!

The ttops were also a huge source of HEAT in the car in the summer - they absolutely radiated heat like a huge furnace. The sunshades did little or nothing, they themselves would heat up too, almost as hot as the glass above them... And winter was no better, best wear a hat on really cold days when driving a car with ttops, even if you are just drving from one heated garage to another, elsewise you'll end up with a headcold, again, the glass radiates cold like any glass does...

So, after having owned ttops cars nonstop since 1986, when I custom ordered my '02 Z28 last August I specifically knew I would NOT get ttops.

1) cheaper!
2) much more solid feeling car, irregardless of what others claim!
3) cleaner looks! sleeper looks!
4) I rarely/never used them anyway
5) avoiding leaks and squeaks
6) RACING (my car will eventually be a dedicated road racer according to current plans)

 

before buying my hard top I rented a z with tops.
at first they were fun but then it was a pain to take them off and put them on...lotta car thieves in Hawaii so i'd never park it w/tops off.

when i found the hard top, i thought it was the greatest thing...but at night, during sunsets i wish i had t-tops. can't win eh?

 

Ordered my Formula Jan `98 It was the only way to get base car with a 6spd. The only option I paid extra for was keyless entry.

 

Well, I agree that the car is more solid without T-tops. It also gives you some more space in the back.