Used 2015 convertible inspection advice?

[ARCTIC]

I started another thread in the general forum and figured I would get better action here. I have a deal tentatively worked on a 2015 Camaro convertible 1LT. I have ZERO experience with convertibles and am looking for advice to make sure that the top is intact and functioning properly. It goes up and down quickly and seems to seal pretty good. You have to pull down a slight bit to get the latch to grab but it's not crazy. I'm not sure I can pull it off but I'd love to run it through an automatic car wash and see if any water enters the cabin? Maybe they all leak in that situation?

Are there common wear areas or mechanisms that are frequently damaged?

Is there programming in the car that prevents the top from going up/down at a certain speed?

Thanks in advance!

[Stewart]

I have a 2014 and never had a problem going through the car wash. However, I did have a problem with the first set of rollers of the carwash leaving marks on the front corners of the lower spoiler. I now wash the car by hand, in which I enjoy much better. Pulling down a bit on the handle to latch it is a norm for it as well. My car also has to be in park or neutral to lower or raise the roof. I am not sure if they changed it on the 2015 models. Me, personally I would not be driving at any speed to lower or raise it regardless if they say that you can, but that is just me. I have not noticed any wear marks on the roof except "dust" marks on the upper rear corners after driving with the roof down. In regards to wear on the mechanism no problems here. I have read that on 2010 or 2011's they had a problem with the 5th bow breaking, but I think Chevy fixed that problem. Congrats on the car and enjoy it. I know I do mine.

[theragtopguy]

Car must be stationary to operate the top. I have had no issues with mine except for a small rattle in the rh top header due to a cracked panel......covered under warranty. Cheap fix anyways. No leaks on mine either.


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[SAVE FERRIS]

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

Car must be stationary to operate the top. I have had no issues with mine except for a small rattle in the rh top header due to a cracked panel......covered under warranty. Cheap fix anyways. No leaks on mine either.


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Mine leaks like a waterfall in an automatic. It's a soft top... It's gonna.

[SharpOldNo7]

Mine does not leak and it's a soft top. I treat mine with 303 Fabric Guard.

[theragtopguy]

Originally Posted by SAVE FERRIS

Mine leaks like a waterfall in an automatic. It's a soft top... It's gonna.

You have an issue my friend. I also had a '12 softtop and it did NOT leak at all. I would suggest you get it looked at.

[69 SS 350 5 Speed]

I have a 15 and the top does not leak at all.

OP: The car has to be in park (automatic) or neutral with the E-Brake engaged (manual) to operate the top. Have someone operate the top while you observe it going up and down to ensure that both sides are moving smoothly (No binding). Lightly tap on the header panel (surrounding the release handle) to see if it is broken. If it moves, it's broken and will have to be replaced. You can use that as a bargaining chip.

[ARCTIC]

Originally Posted by 69 SS 350 5 Speed

I have a 15 and the top does not leak at all.

OP: The car has to be in park (automatic) or neutral with the E-Brake engaged (manual) to operate the top. Have someone operate the top while you observe it going up and down to ensure that both sides are moving smoothly (No binding). Lightly tap on the header panel (surrounding the release handle) to see if it is broken. If it moves, it's broken and will have to be replaced. You can use that as a bargaining chip.

It is a little loose. How big of a deal is that?

[ARCTIC]

Am I looking at this right? It says $28 for that molding piece?
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/chevrol...=front-molding

[ARCTIC]

Originally Posted by Stewart

Me, personally I would not be driving at any speed to lower or raise it regardless if they say that you can, but that is just me.

I would not raise/lower it while moving either but I have no idea who/what the previous owner did to the car. That was the reason I was asking is if they could have done that or if they're idiot proof.

[GodWentPunk]

2015/SS here with no problems... Its more of a nice weather car so I don't typically drive it at first when it's raining.. however, I've been caught in the rain and not had any leaks. The car has to be in park for the top to operate.. which I hate.. but understand.. someone's got to protect the idiots out there.

Good luck with your purchase.

joe...

[Deputy347k9]

I was extremely fortunate to find a very clean 2014 2LT/RS convertible in Dayton, Ohio. One owner, gent who has "FIFTEEN" cars and needed to make room for his new Cadillac DTS. This beautiful loaded vehicle was a special order car, ashen gray metallic with blue accented leather appointments, there was only 4,454 miles on the clock when I picked her up last Thursday. NOT a single scratch, dent, ding or mar anywhere on the car. Received every single document including the build sheet, special order sheets and so on. I drove the car last Thursday to Mountain City, TN to visit a friend for two days then onto Easter, NC. Times I got home this girl needed a wash because she killed most of the bus from Dayton, Ohio to Havelock, NC! ZERO leaks when washing. I would never put any of my vehicle through a car wash, have seen to many horror stories. The only thing I really was not fond of was the Camaro's lines when the top was down. Yesterday I installed sports bar (easy install) that I think made her ready for the prom!

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by GodWentPunk

2015/SS here with no problems... Its more of a nice weather car so I don't typically drive it at first when it's raining.. however, I've been caught in the rain and not had any leaks. The car has to be in park for the top to operate.. which I hate.. but understand.. someone's got to protect the idiots out there.

Good luck with your purchase.

joe...

My 2012 top operates when in gear, you just have to be stopped.

Also there is a temperature interlock that prevents it from operating in freezing weather.

If you try to operate it too many times in a row the motor will overheat and you get a message to wait for it to cool.

[69 SS 350 5 Speed]

Am I looking at this right? It says $28 for that molding piece?
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/chevrol...=front-molding

The header panel is not real expensive. It's the labor because they have to disassemble the front portion of the top to get to the fasteners that broke off. You can do it yourself with the instructions on this forum or you could have the dealer fix it before you buy it.