2002 A4 or 1999 6M Ragtop?

**VTR99** · 08-08-2007, 08:47 PM

Just thought I would throw this out there and see what you guys would do? I'm looking at a red 2002 WS6, A4, 10,000 miles with all options, or a white 1999 WS6, 6M ragtop with about 30,000 miles. Price is about the same on both, and they are completely stock. The 1999 shows a little more wear, as expected. The 2002 looks showroom new. Which would you choose, and why? Thanks for any input in helping me make up my mind.

**StuntmanMike** · 08-08-2007, 09:21 PM

They both sound nice, but the '02 is obviously newer, and I like that it's the final year of the T/A's.

Also depends on what you want to do with it though. Weekend summer cruiser? It's hard to argue against the vert.

Racer or DD? The '02 is your better bet.

**VTR99** · 08-08-2007, 10:09 PM

Thanks for the reply... I have had a lot of performance cars in my day. I 've built a few Cuda's, a Roadrunner, and a couple Z28's. The TA has always been my favorite, especially the 98' to 02'. Although I would rather drive a stick I don't like replacing clutches. I sold my last TA (a 6M) to build a house about 3 years ago, so now it's time to get another. My last car was a stick, and I drove it hard. This car will be more of an investment, and weekend toy. My friends have some fast cars, so this one will also get a workout from time to time.

**Heartbreak1** · 08-09-2007, 07:01 AM

I'd go with the '02. You might get the A4 but a simple stall and tranny cooler will fix that. Theres lots of benefits with not going towards the vert. #1 is weight, the vert is like another 300 pounds or something if I remember correctly. #2 you dont get stuck with the ugly 1 piece spoiler. #3 you don't sacrifice the styling lines by dropping a top.

**F&Ybodlover** · 08-09-2007, 07:12 AM

Dropping the top on a cool night, rowing through the gears...feeling that power, and hearing a healthy rumble right behind your ears, is a driving experience you can't beat!

**VTR99** · 08-09-2007, 07:46 AM

I remember how awesome a friends 350 Nova 4spd convertible was on a cool night. It was a feeling you couldn't beat. I guess my reluctance on the ragtop is how few and far between days or nights with that perfect weather is. On the other hand I see this car being the Hemi Cuda convertible of the future from a collector standpoint. Just try buying one of those now!

**VTR99** · 08-09-2007, 07:53 AM

Weight is really not an issue for me. Sure I want a fast car, but there is always something faster. For me collector value, driving fun, looks, and function are the most important issues. The manual transmission wins out for driving fun. I will agree the sleek lines of the T Top coupe are superior. You also get much less wind noise on the highway, and with a car capable of over 160 this is an important factor.

**F&Ybodlover** · 08-09-2007, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Vertibird54

the vert is like another 300 pounds or something if I remember correctly.

It's more like 200 more than a hardtop, and maybe 150 more than a T-top.

As the previous owner of a 95 T/A 6spd vert and now 98 T-top auto, I can say I liked the stick/vert combo better except in

1.heavy traffic
2.heavy rain
3.high speeds on the highway
4.and looking at it with the top up.

other than that it's just a more fun to drive, and better looking car.

**Danger731** · 08-09-2007, 07:45 PM

02's better motor

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 08-09-2007, 07:54 PM

Definately the 2002....you get the LS6 manifold, no BS egr and it's possible it'll have a LS6 block. Not only that but the 02 has less miles, looks better with t-tops and it's lighter like the others said. Also you can get those cool "Last of the Breed" badges for her

**02TransSD** · 08-10-2007, 03:40 AM

i have a 02 t/a a4, and used to drive my dads 95 convert alot. i would go with the 02 by far. convertible also has a small rear windshield giving bad visibility on it with the top up from my experience. and also has the ls6 intake manifold as stated in posts above.

**JohnnyBs98WS6Rag** · 08-10-2007, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by VTR99

I remember how awesome a friends 350 Nova 4spd convertible was on a cool night. It was a feeling you couldn't beat. I guess my reluctance on the ragtop is how few and far between days or nights with that perfect weather is. On the other hand I see this car being the Hemi Cuda convertible of the future from a collector standpoint. Just try buying one of those now!

A WHAT? Was it a '63? I wasn't aware of any other year Nova / Chevy IIs were built in a 'vert. Those are pretty rare.

1999 total: 36209
Firebird 17170 coupe; 1245 vert; 18415 total
Formula 1427 coupe; 175 WS6 coupe; 1602 total
Trans Am 10343 coupe; 1027 vert; 3820* WS6 coupe; 1002** WS6 vert; 16192 total
* this includes 1065 30th anniversary WS6 coupe
** this includes 535 30th anniversary WS6 vert

2002 Firebird Trans Am WS6

100 white auto convertibles
59 white manual convertibles
535 white auto t-tops
455 white manual t-tops

102 pewter auto convertibles
71 pewter manual convertibles
632 pewter auto t-tops
959 pewter manual t-tops

79 silver auto convertibles
55 silver manual convertibles
497 silver auto t-tops
607 silver manual t-tops

127 blue auto convertibles
75 blue manual convertibles
582 blue auto t-tops
742 blue manual t-tops

330 black auto convertibles
217 black manual convertibles
1580 black auto t-tops
2071 black manual t-tops

41 sunset auto convertibles
32 sunset manual convertibles
220 sunset auto t-tops
303 sunset manual t-tops

219 red auto convertibles
121 red manual convertibles
851 red auto t-tops
854 red manual t-tops

TOTAL CONVERTIBLES:
998 auto convertibles
630 manual convertibles
TOTAL 1628 convertibles...
159 white; 173 pewter; 134 silver; 202 blue; 547 black; 73 sunset; 340 red

TOTAL T-TOPS:
4897 auto t-tops
5991 manual t-tops
TOTAL 10888 t-tops...
990 white; 1591 pewter; 1104 silver; 1324 blue; 3651 black; 523 sunset; 1705 red

12516 Total

From a collectability stand point, the '99 'vert is much more rare, and has more potential for appreciation in the future. If you are looking for a nice fair weather cruiser you plan on keeping for a long time, I'd lean towards the 'vert. If you want to blend in w/ the crowd, go w/ the t-top. But then again, I may be biased.

Face it, you want the M6, you want the drop top, you want the collectability that goes w/ a rarer car. You WANT that '99 M6 'VERT!

**VTR99** · 08-10-2007, 10:42 AM

A WHAT? Was it a '63? I wasn't aware of any other year Nova / Chevy IIs were built in a 'vert. Those are pretty rare.

Well nice to know some guys on this board know their cars! Yep, it was a 63' SS convertible. I think the SS was 63' only, but they also made a 62' Nova II convertible. My personal favorite is the 70' Hemi Cuda 4 speed convertible.... Only 7 of those made. I found a rotisseried clone a couple years ago, but it was nearly $70k and still needed work. It was black with red leather, and AC!

As for your astute observations on my upcoming purchase, I agree. The 99' ragtop 6 speed will be almost as desirable as the Cuda eventually. A major collectors item. The car needs a new top, and has some damage to the white leather due to being left out in the sun and getting getting wet a few times. It is also missing a few desirable options. Still it has less than 30,000 on the clock. I would give it an 8 out of 10. I can buy this one for about $1,500 less than the 02'.

On the other hand the 2002 is red, with dark grey interior... Far better colors in my opinion, and every possible option. Plus the fact that the car looks showroom new with only 10,000 miles, a perfect 10 out of 10.

I plan to make my purchase this weekend, and appreciate all the feedback as I'm still undecided...

2000pontiac6 · 08-10-2007, 11:24 AM

I was never one for white cars and i definitely dont like verts that much in our cars so i would go with the 02.. and it would be nice to have a last of the breed especially in show room condition with just 10K miles!

**VTR99** · 08-10-2007, 06:53 PM

I was never one for white cars...

I never cared for white cars either, but strangely enough I have always thought TAs look good in white. Still red, black, or dark blue are the best colors for a fast car in my opinion.

**Kup98ss** · 08-11-2007, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by F&Ybodlover

Dropping the top on a cool night, rowing through the gears...feeling that power, and hearing a healthy rumble right behind your ears, is a driving experience you can't beat!

Take of the T-tops on a cool night, all the rest

**VTR99** · 08-13-2007, 07:44 AM

Thanks to everyone that voted, and those who voiced their opinion. I went with the majority, and common sense of the nearly new red 2002. I pick up my WS6 next Saturday. I will post some photos after we get her home, and I get a little rest. The car is 600 miles from home so it will be a long weekend.

**TripleBlackTA** · 08-13-2007, 11:41 AM

for sure the 02

**christianjax** · 08-15-2007, 09:03 AM

how about the best of both? I'm selling my 99 T/A with ram air and 4A

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60089

**2000T/A Guru** · 08-15-2007, 02:33 PM

Well verts dont look as good, the spoiler is kinda gay, they have less support and arent as good for racing, t-tops are by far better than Verts, verts should only be driven by old people with nice cars or college girls. Racers dont by verts for good reasons.