Concerned over 2011 purchase - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

swodo · 09-25-2017, 12:52 PM

Have a good deal on a 2011 SS convertible.

After reading all the posts regarding troubles with 2011-2012 convertible tops i'm getting gun shy.
Top looks OK to me- no wrinkles or signs of rubbing but I really can't afford $1500 down the road.

Is it worth the risk?
Any idea what % of 2011 convertibles have problems?

samman11 · 09-25-2017, 02:02 PM

Are you buying from a dealer? If so, you have a 90 day guarantee AND I would look into an extended warranty that COVERS the top. I bought a great 2011 convertible, and yes, I had issues with the water management bag and 5th bow. HOWEVER, all was replaced by the dealer due to my 90 day bumper to bumper that all dealers have to give you. Wash it and see if any water shows on the carpets. Is there a gap between the rear top (when up) and the trunk area? Not supposed to there. Rubber surround should be tight up against body. If your buying privately, you take the risk unless owner can show you that repairs have already been made.

swodo · 09-25-2017, 02:35 PM

Thanks. Its a private party purchase

theragtopguy · 09-25-2017, 04:51 PM

They have known 5th bow issues that could crop up anytime. Personally, I'd look for at least a '13, by then it was all corrected.

Caveat emptor!!!!

DaddySS · 09-25-2017, 06:12 PM

The top problems can be avoided in most cases with a little knowledge and care. Read the TSBs, check whether or not they've been done, look at the water management bag for proper alignment and clearance, and if you go with this purchase - enjoy.

DRKS1D3 · 09-26-2017, 06:51 AM

I've had my '11 since new and the top is still pristine; however, it's not a daily driver and in 6.5 years of ownership, the top has gone through ~10-12 up/down cycles. The top goes down in April and back up in October. Not to sound like a jerk, but if you can't afford a mere $1,500 for the potential fix, you probably don't need a Camaro either. There are plenty of newer cars for cheaper than what you may be paying for this. Good luck!

samman11 · 09-26-2017, 10:51 AM

I don't care what year the car, going through a private sale has huge potential pitfalls UNLESS the buyer does his/her homework by having an EXPERIENCED mechanic completely look over the car. Even then, something may be missed. I like having some type of warranty to back me up.

Moreair1 · 09-26-2017, 12:36 PM

2011 vert here as well and so far no issues had the car since it rolled of the car hauler at the dealership

Angie11 · 09-26-2017, 03:02 PM

if its an 11 its not if but when the top will fail....don't kid yourself into thinking otherwise...its a design flaw. Don't buy into the guys that pipe up with "no trouble here!" and then later "I only open it 2 times a year"....if its all good then why not use the convertible top you paid extra for??? Repair costs are all over the place, if you only write a check the $1500 price is pretty low, if your handy you can get the parts for less than $250. Just trying to help a guy out here with honest, experienced opinion....I have an 11

Moreair1 · 09-26-2017, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angie11

if its an 11 its not if but when the top will fail....don't kid yourself into thinking otherwise...its a design flaw. Don't buy into the guys that pipe up with "no trouble here!" and then later "I only open it 2 times a year"....if its all good then why not use the convertible top you paid extra for??? Repair costs are all over the place, if you only write a check the $1500 price is pretty low, if your handy you can get the parts for less than $250. Just trying to help a guy out here with honest, experienced opinion....I have an 11

Some are lucky than others, I have had the top down many times not 2 or 3 times a year, but it is true 11 and 12s had issued, but you hear about some of newer models as well just not as many, in honesty a vert will require maintenance down the line regardless of year or brand that's one draw back of having a fabric top, but hey very little if nothing can beat cruising with the top down

Gossamer · 09-27-2017, 11:20 AM

i picked up a 12 this summer.

Didn't do much research since I just wanted a convertible. Could've been a Ford or Chevy but i fit better into the Chevy.

Anyhow I chose not to worry, eventually everything will break, it's the nature of cars.

Buy it, drive it, enjoy it and quit worrying about what may or may not go wrong.

Or buy brand new and not worry about anything for 3 years

09-25-2017, 12:52 PM	#1
swodo Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: minnesota Posts: 7	Concerned over 2011 purchase Have a good deal on a 2011 SS convertible. After reading all the posts regarding troubles with 2011-2012 convertible tops i'm getting gun shy. Top looks OK to me- no wrinkles or signs of rubbing but I really can't afford $1500 down the road. Is it worth the risk? Any idea what % of 2011 convertibles have problems?

09-25-2017, 04:51 PM	#4
theragtopguy Lifetime Philly Fan Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Central Florida Posts: 1,862 View My Garage	They have known 5th bow issues that could crop up anytime. Personally, I'd look for at least a '13, by then it was all corrected. Caveat emptor!!!! __________________ 2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15 CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE]

09-25-2017, 06:12 PM	#5
DaddySS Kept The Faith Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Posts: 418	The top problems can be avoided in most cases with a little knowledge and care. Read the TSBs, check whether or not they've been done, look at the water management bag for proper alignment and clearance, and if you go with this purchase - enjoy. __________________ 2011 Vert - 2SS/RS 6spd Triple Black

09-26-2017, 06:51 AM	#6
DRKS1D3 Drives: '17 Corvette Grand Sport M7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,748	I've had my '11 since new and the top is still pristine; however, it's not a daily driver and in 6.5 years of ownership, the top has gone through ~10-12 up/down cycles. The top goes down in April and back up in October. Not to sound like a jerk, but if you can't afford a mere $1,500 for the potential fix, you probably don't need a Camaro either. There are plenty of newer cars for cheaper than what you may be paying for this. Good luck! __________________ MY RIDE: 2017 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT--TRIPLE BLACK, 7 SPEED MANUAL, VARARAM TCR-7 INTAKE, BORLA CATLESS X-PIPE, CARBON FIBER STAGE 2 AERO, MGW SHORT-THROW SHIFTER SOLD2011 TRIPLE BLACK SS CONVERTIBLE--6 SPEED MANUAL, MANY MODS, 455 RWHP/435 RWTQ DAD'S RIDE: 2012 ZL1 #1866--BLACK, 6 SPEED MANUAL, EXPOSED CF HOOD, POLISHED WHEELS, SUNROOF, ROTO-FAB INTAKE "Silly Americans, taking from the rich and giving to the poor only works in fairy tales. Success is earned here!".

09-26-2017, 12:36 PM	#8
Moreair1 Drives: 2011 ss convertible Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,329 View My Garage	2011 vert here as well and so far no issues had the car since it rolled of the car hauler at the dealership __________________ Cai intake and a few other mods😎

09-25-2017, 02:02 PM	#2
samman11 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 671	Are you buying from a dealer? If so, you have a 90 day guarantee AND I would look into an extended warranty that COVERS the top. I bought a great 2011 convertible, and yes, I had issues with the water management bag and 5th bow. HOWEVER, all was replaced by the dealer due to my 90 day bumper to bumper that all dealers have to give you. Wash it and see if any water shows on the carpets. Is there a gap between the rear top (when up) and the trunk area? Not supposed to there. Rubber surround should be tight up against body. If your buying privately, you take the risk unless owner can show you that repairs have already been made.

09-25-2017, 02:35 PM	#3
swodo Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: minnesota Posts: 7	Thanks. Its a private party purchase

09-26-2017, 10:51 AM	#7
samman11 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 671	I don't care what year the car, going through a private sale has huge potential pitfalls UNLESS the buyer does his/her homework by having an EXPERIENCED mechanic completely look over the car. Even then, something may be missed. I like having some type of warranty to back me up.

09-26-2017, 03:02 PM	#9
Angie11 Drives: 2011 ss rs convertable Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: WI Posts: 179	if its an 11 its not if but when the top will fail....don't kid yourself into thinking otherwise...its a design flaw. Don't buy into the guys that pipe up with "no trouble here!" and then later "I only open it 2 times a year"....if its all good then why not use the convertible top you paid extra for??? Repair costs are all over the place, if you only write a check the $1500 price is pretty low, if your handy you can get the parts for less than $250. Just trying to help a guy out here with honest, experienced opinion....I have an 11

09-27-2017, 11:20 AM	#11
Gossamer Drives: 2012 Camaro Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 100	i picked up a 12 this summer. Didn't do much research since I just wanted a convertible. Could've been a Ford or Chevy but i fit better into the Chevy. Anyhow I chose not to worry, eventually everything will break, it's the nature of cars. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it and quit worrying about what may or may not go wrong. Or buy brand new and not worry about anything for 3 years