To z or not to z? That is the question :)
 

I have a 98 convertible in pretty good shape with around 90k on it. Picked it up for $2800. Clear coat peeling a bit on both bumpers, needs a new top, window motors, and could use brakes all around. Has new Kumho tires about 3000 miles ago and I have the replacement top just not the window section. What I'm wondering is wether or not I can trade it for a 4th gen z28 or v8 firebird with under 100,00 miles on it in similar condition or not. What do you guys think?

Eh, not really. It would have to be a pretty rough shape LT1 to be about equal.

Damn guess I'll be modding it then. Looking at Borla headers and y-pipe exhaust. Should give me a pretty decent gain in hp and sound nice?

Once you repair your Top,windows,clear coat you could sell it pretty easy. You could easily buy a Z28 that needs window motors and clear coat for what you could get for your fixed up rag top. You should have enough money left over to cover the repairs. V6 rag tops that need work do not bring good money.

The window section is not very expensive if you go with a plastic window. If you are going to keep the car as a daily driver DO not get the plastic window :). Never try to replace a top without doing the window. It is just a waste of money and work.

Thank you for the info :) How much would it cost to get the clear coat fixed? It is just the bumpers. There are minor scratches and blemishes here and there on the body but overall a nice looking car other than the clearcoat on the bumpers.

A lot of the price when it comes to paint is in labor. If you are able to find a shop that will spray it for you, after you do the prep work, you may get out the door for just a couple of hundred. If you let the shop do all the work, then you could easily be looking at a bill of several hundred bucks.

Removing the bumpers, doing all the prep work yourself, and taking them to the painter is the cheapest method.

you deff want to do all your own body work because the paint shop just wants to get your car out to get another car in

Ok that doesn't sound too bad really. I'm sure I can handle removing a couple of bumpers...

Anything to get a Z. ;)

and sand down the clearcoat the body shop will do this too but halfassed