I am considering buying a 3rd gen vert as a daily driver. I know the earliest versions were done by ASC; were any of them actually engineered as a vert, or were they all converted T-top cars?

How are the 3rd gen verts for structural stability overall?

Right now I am thinking a 92 RS V8 (305 TBI) auto might be a nice daily driver. I don't think I need or want the Z car; compared to my 69, even the base 3rd gen will drive like a go kart.

I just can't see replacing the big Silverado (16 to 20 MPG) with another big truck right now, and I have been researching the 3rd gens for a while now. 92 is the only year with factory 3 point belts in the rear (I think), so that was my main reason for focusing on the last of the breed.

Of course, I am so skittish about safety right now that a 98-02 V8 T56 car with T-tops might be a smarter choice...

All 3rd gen 'verts started out life as a T-top car. Difference is, after the first year, the VIN numbers for 'verts indicated they are 'verts.

What to look out for? Make sure all the 'vert stuff work. The tonneau hold down latches/switch do not work on half of the cars out there and you have to use the manual release loops to get the tonneau to open. Also make sure the slider handle work which releases the top from the tonneau cover when you want to put the top down.

If you can, buy an IROC or 91-92 Z/28. They are all good on gas and may increase in value from here provided you take care of it compared to the RS cars.

It will depend on pricing. I don't think the 3rd gens have bottomed yet, but I think I can get a decent RS V8 car for around $4K, but the asking price for the IROC Z or Z28 cars is typically at least double. Maybe now that the market is a little cooler for 1st and 2nd gens, the 3rd gens will finally bottom out.

I like the 92 styling, and so does my 8 year old son. I could see driving one for 6 to 8 years and then turning it over.

Have to see if I can find any crash test data... I am scarred for life ;)

I know of a decent 92 Z/28 in California for 6K. Needs paint but it is a 5-speed Z convertible which is as rare as hens teeth!

"Of course, I am so skittish about safety right now that a 98-02 V8 T56 car with T-tops might be a smarter choice..."

I think the 4th gens are more a daily driver than a 3rd. And 4th gens are definately safer. I think an LS1 car is a smarter choice. But a LT1 SS is just as quick as a LS1. So if you find a LT1 SS it's worth a look at. I prefer the headlights of the 93-97's. Keep us posted on your choice.

An RS V8 (305 TBI) will get horrible gas mileage and not go very fast. Might as well get a TPI 5.0 or 5.7. Not much price difference if you do go with a 3rd gen.

By the way, the Firehawk cars are pretty affordable and just as rare and as collectable as a Chevy SS.

I have seen a few 01 and 02 SS T-top cars here locally in the $11K to $22K range. $11K is a pewter 01 SS with about 60K miles, one owner. If I get clearance to put weight on my knee (and therefore can walk, sort of...) next week, I will probably go see the pewter car.