There is not a thing wrong with my car except for one thing (that really bothers me anyway). The rear plastic window is sunburned:



See the foggy looking, brownish pock marks all over it? Anyway, I've seen worse. Well, my wife says that I should fix this immediately because it is a safety hazard. Despite this, the top is still water tight, never leaks, and still looks good from afar. She won't drive it because of the rear window.

Double edged sword, huh?

Fast forward to tax time. Looks like we are getting a bundle back. Topsonline (thanx for the reference Mr. Dude) has a replacement top in the same color I need with a glass rear window. I found an installer who can put it in as he says "perfectly". It might be a good idea to replace my weatherstriping. So here is the list:

• New Stayfast Canvas Top with Glass Rear Window - $400.00 plus shipping
• Professional Installation -- $600.00
• Weatherstiping for Convertible -- I recall seeing this for ~$200 (can anyone verify this?)

Total is in the ball park of $1200

I've already looked into having the top removed and then having a new back window sewn in but this cost is about the same as getting a new top and at the same time, I really don't give the top much more than a year at best before it starts leaking/loosing integrity.

This feels a lot like buying a new roof for your house and in proportion to the cost for each, seems about right. I guess the downside is that for 1 thousand bucks, what other stuff could I have done to the car?

 

i got my top from tops online, it fit perfect. but man $600.00 to put on a top, i think i am in the wrong line of work. i read a thread on these boards on how to put a top on and i did it myself, it took me about 8 hours , and turned out fairly good,as you can see in the pic below.i am curious as to why they charge so much to put on a top, i was quoted $800.00 by both the shops in my area when i was looking.thats why i chose to do it myself.good luck with the new top.

 

I had the ez on top with the glass window put on my 88 IROC, cost 500 bucks for the install. Unfortunately, I found a place a couple of months later that would have done it for 300 bucks.
Definitely shop around!

 

If the window is the only problem why not just replace it. My friend has an iroc convertible and he paid $75 to have a new window installed.

 

I've looked into that and would gladly pay that amount to replace it. All the upholsterers I've talked to however quote me around $350 to do that. It involved taking the top off, replacing the plastic window, and then reinstalling it.

Doesn't seem worth it to me for that price.

What kind of shop was it that replaced your friend's window? Was he pleased with the result?

 

I got a new tops on line one sitting in the other room. You should be able to just replace the window, but $75 seems on the cheap side. Doesn't seem like an easy task. Mine the top shrunk and the window cracked from snow and ice, yet two or three years I made do, I could see out, and sadly, get in when I locked my doors on me as well (thieves luckily missed me here)
Anyway, I need an install and $300 to $500 is too much. I'd pay someone $100 to do it for me! hehe
Bill

 

Just curious
If they can take the top off, sew in new glass and then reinstall the top for $350
WHY cant they install the New Top for same price or cheaper
it would appear their going through the same motions

 

Hi guy,
Do you have an 89 Formula vert?
Lets see the pics!
I'm with ya! The job requires drilling old rivets, using new ones, glue heating and re-adhesive of rubber portions, and screws, etc. I'm not sure what device is used to heat the old adhesive...Can I get one to start my projects?
I'd appreciate some info as it would be handy for more then one car with weatherstrip concerns, possibly glued in plaques as well
BILL

 

No, I got T-Tops ( leaky ones at that )
my wife got a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible last year and I'm sold on the whole rag top thing
I like my T-tops but theirs nothing like the push of a button to let the sun and air in.

 

Well, 89s are on the rare side.
I had GM's Astro roofs in my prior experience, and was looking at one offered on eBay for my Cad. I just don't have the money but it's fantastic! I had minor leaking but it was on the old side as well
BILL