| I have owned both: a 1990 TT Straman Convertible, and now a 1993 Convertible TwinTurbo so here are my opinions on both cars. Maybe somebody else will feel diferently. Nissan Convertible:
Fit and Finish is as good as any other factory convertible top (ASC), Top is manually operated and requires you to get out of the car to lower or raise it. Replacing the top is easy as the nissan measurements are available to make kits. Ebay tops go for $230 + labor.
Cowl/Flex is just OK, just don't brag about it to any TT coupes cause its not the same.
The Rollbar finish is as good as the rest of the car.
No RockStar parking when meeting other Z owners. Just another convertible. Some issues: The advantage of having Nissan parts available is not really there. Nissan stop making parts for the convertible top. Junk Yard and Parting out cars become your parts.
The Rollbar finish is top notch like the rest of the car.
The white interior offered only in converibles also makes it hard to find replacements, and forget about matching the white floormats. TT conversion means my engine bay has been modifid in wiring, heat shields, drilled for brackets etc etc. Not for the purist. My washer fluid bottle is MISSING.. :( .. God knows what else is not there cause its not needed anymore ;)
Straman Convertible:
Fit and finish is pretty good for non factory. Some of the plastic covers have been trimmed from the hatch and used in the trunk. The top is a Power/Hydrolic automatic top, however it needs a cloth boot to make it a clean look when down. I didn't really use the boot as it was more work than what it was worth.
Tops are not available and are customed made at a cost of $1000 to $2000 base on quotes from local shops.
Cowl/Flex of the chassis is better than the Nissan vert. The frame reinforcements with square tubes along the sides worked great.
The Rollbar could be better. The leatheret Material covering the rollbar was not as tight as i would like it, and i think it was held by Velcro.
Rare car and RockStar parking at Z meetings.
The Engine Bay was not touched by Straman other than to connect power for the top. All stock reliability is there.
Some Issues: The interior wiring was modified for lights and other things cut from the AC temperature cabin sensors and repositioned in the center console towards the back. The interior panels behind the seats cannot be replaced without having to cut the replacements to fit. That also goes for some of the interior panels needed for the sides connecting the back to the doors. There are some custom body panels around the top/trunk that you will not find replacement if they are damaged.
The Hydrolics in the shelve behind the seats can leak and will need replacement as mine cost me $600 with labor, again they were customed measured to fit. I have seen about 4 stramans, and found differences in top design, power switches, trunk lifters position and carpet trimmings etc that are not the same. It seems like Straman was improving the design as he went along.
Pricing:
Expect to pay a premiun for a Straman. I did when i bought it, cause they arent too many to choose from and if you are looking for one and you belong to tt.net, you know you will pay extra to get it. Any body else of the street will want to give you less because its not a factory convertible and doesn't know the history. The worst part is that some don't know that nissan didn't make a TT convertible so its not impresive for them. How much more than a normal TT? Condition and Milage will be the key, i will not discuss my pricing in here so don't ask. If i had the garage space and the Money i would have kept the Straman too.
Well that is all i can think of right now. Good Luck!!
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