guess it just depends on how much the convertible aspect of the car appeals to you...i know for me i'd never get rid of the soft top. if it were me i'd probably get it replaced and then find a garage spot.

 

I could still have the convertible aspect, I would just be more limited to when I used it. Example, take it on a weekend cruise through the hill country.

The garage spot is another thing I'm looking at. First thing I told my wife was that it is time to get a house with a garage.

 

Sorry to hear that man. Yeah, definitely looking into a garage. I live in an apartment complex and pay extra for the garage security.

 

You should always take a check. If you just drop the car off to get fixed... you're out of the insurance money. If you take the check, you can go find what you want and either get your deductible back or even make money off of what happened. You can get glass rear window tops for 6 or 7 hundred. After your deductible, you're looking at almost a grand in your pocket.

 

[QUOTE=afwfjustin,Jun 8 2006, 08:24 PM] You should always take a check.

 

Top install is a lot of labor. You might get a little lower than 2 grand, but not much.

 

I actually just went through this. Get your top from Hardtop Guy for ~$790 (+$50-90 for how fast of shipping you want). I then paid $720 for the installation at a place called Convertibles Only here in Seattle. You should have a slew of upholstery shops who can do the work, so just shop around until you find the one you trust with your car. Or do the labor yourself, I've read it's not hard, just time consuming.

 

^^^
That sounds about right. A shop here in Abilene told me the total cost of replacing the top was about $1400 with about 12 hours labor. He had the seats and center console out on one a couple of months ago. Looks like someone stuck their thumb through the top on the drivers side. Really sad, but this car was getting a warranty replacement so the owner got a really good deal on the repair.

 

Thanks man, very helpful.

 

Look on Ebay for tops. There are PLENTY of places that I have seen tops for 6 or 7 hundred. Ask in the Atlanta forum - we had a group buy/tech day for glass rear window tops bought for 500 and installed by the club for free.

You should get in good with your local club, or if you're close to Atlanta come here and pay someone in our club 100 bucks and a 12 pack of beer and I'm sure someone would do it for you

You can get out of this with 1000 dollars in your pocket if you play your cards right. You should tape up the hole for now, and look around for awhile for the best deals.

I was involved in a hit and run accident back in march. My front bumper, passenger fender, passenger rear 1/4 panel, rear bumper, front headlight, and rear taillight were all damaged.

I got 3K for the damage, but it's only costing me 1200 or so to get everything fixed. See my 4.77 gears? That's where the extra money went to Yes, I still have the damage because I'm having to find painted parts in my color up for sale used, but it's worth the time and money. It's up to you. However, I refuse to put money towards something that I didn't cause. If someone hits me or vandalizes me, I'll be damned if I'm taking a financial hit on the deductible.