question: how much can i expect to pay for plastic window replacement or top?

[azndan2]

Hi, i'm planning on getting a new rear window and/or top

what can i expect for pricing?

Thanks all,Daniel

[Topless_92]

Search! ...for both top and window ur looking to spend 300+ most likely, and for just the window about 150.

[S15nS13vert]

if you want to look good you gotta spend 1,900.00, my top is from the same material bmws, bentleys, audis, use. and my back tinted window it was custom made

[1SickSilvia]

^some people pay less for their entire car, but your top does look great. I'd rather spend that kind of money on the engine swap JMO

[azndan2]

I've heard something about "air bubbles" after replacing the window once... can anyone tell me more about that?

topless 92, when u say 300+ i thought tops cost over 400 even without the labor price included...

[SKSilvia]

It can be pretty pricey, depending upon what you're getting done. My car is actually in the shop right now for that very reason (rear window already had a tear when I bought it, and basically exploded in the cold, haha). I'll post my bill and exactly what they did when I pick it up on Wednesday.

[azndan2]

excellent excellent. thanks!

[johnny butt]

You can get tops from a few good places.Electron Tops is one of them, I've read they are recomended.topsonline.com is also another place that offers individual Top + Window, or a combo with the top and window.

I haven't heard much about the quality of material from either places. I have read that Electron and Stayfast tops have good fitment and are easy to work with during installation. I haven't decided what material would be best to replace the 14+ year old cloth top I have now, so I haven't bought a new one yet.

When pricing though, I noticed rear windows ran approximately $150 and tops individually were close to $250. topsonline.com has a package deal, top and window for $379 pre-shipping. I don't mean to threadjack, but maybe these can help you out too...

My questions for anyone that has replaced their top is:

1.) What kind of material did you switch to? / where did you get it..--I'm trying to find the best one that will sustain heat as well as rain, as that's the typical weather patterns here in TN, not much snow to deal with.

2.) Any idea where I can order a "charcoal" tinted back window? --I want a new back window similar to S15nS13vert's but rather than call up a shop he is local to, I know there are other places you can get them from, I just don't know where.

[azndan2]

good good good! everyone should know these things and i have also been wondering about them

[S13_convert]

Ok, here's what you gotta do: Get online and google search some tops/manufacturers/distributors and actually pick up the phone and talk to someone.Here's what you will find out: All fabric tops are made of Stayfast canvas. There are two types, one is the German type (unnecessary and no difference) and the other is every other canvas top. Stayfast is a type of material, not a top company. No matter which manufacturer or distributor you choose, it will be the same material. What can be different is the fitment.The other type of top is vinyl. These are considerably less expensive, but are also not the stock material. This will give you the look of a 1960's convertible (not a choice I would make).As for windows, call a distributor directly because typically you cannot order a tinted back window just by clicking around on the Internet.

Personally, I called the DISTRIBUTOR, topsonline.com, a California based company, and talked to them and ordered a tinted back window, a new stayfast canvas top, pads, and headliner. The MANUFACTURER they use is EzOnTops out of S.Carolina (I believe that is their location). My price without install was $670 and they hooked it up with free shipping.

Another piece of advice is call your local auto upholstery shop and ask them questions. They will usually give you the right advice because they are not trying to sell you anything and they work with all tops of all cars.

[Topless_92]

topless 92, when u say 300+ i thought tops cost over 400 even without the labor price included...

https://www.topsonline.com//in...D=734 $379

Then theres ebay...I got mine for $179 + $30 shipping [But its a vinyl material, not OEM stayfast canvas] He bumped his price up to $200. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

But i guess you're rite that they're closer to $400

[azndan2]

whats better... vinyl or stayfast canvas... or even something else?

[Topless_92]

Stayfast canvas is better.

[SKSilvia]

Okay. So I'm picking up my vert tomorrow, and it looks like it'll come out to be About $750 dollars for the window replacement, some minor work on the top supports, and some cosmetic re-stitching that I wanted taken care of. I stopped by today to have a look at it and it looks incredible. That window is taut.

The guy who did it does some amazing work (he does custom interior work for half of Seattle's big name athletes), so he charges quite a bit of money (though I got it at wholesale, through connections). You can definitely find places that will do it cheaper. I'll post a breakdown of my bill tomorrow.

[azndan2]

cool!so let me get this straight,hes fixing up your top (not putting in a new one) and replacing your window with a brand new onefor 750?

does anyone know anything about "reconditioning" or dying a top?

[SKSilvia]

Yep, that's correct! The bill was $750 exact, and it was for installation of a new window (which was cut from better-than-stock material, which is is thicker, more durable, and less prone to scratching), replacing one or two of the secondary supports (they had started to crack), and doing some minor cosmetic stitching. It looks incredible, and my top doesn't have that strange ballooning-out effect that I've seen on some verts that have had their windows replaced.

[azndan2]

*droolmy top is still OKi just need window... but the "better than stock" material that u are describing sounds goooood

[09quickly]

I had mine done at a reputable shop in Charlotte, NC. The materials came from Kee Auto Top Manufacturing, also located in Charlotte. Kee has an excellent reputation in this area for quality replacement tops, both vinyl and cloth. I did a top and window, came to $1,143.00 with labor and tax.