Top knifed, replacement sucks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 35
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From: Decatur Ga
Top knifed, replacement sucks
About a month ago, some miscreant sliced through my top and headliner trying (I assume) to steal my car. I had the alarm set so I guess he/she ran off when after reaching inside through the top, unlocking the car and trying to open the door, the alarm must have gone off. Anyway, I just got the car back and although the top looks pretty much the same, the headliner is really cheap. The original was one piece while the new one is made of three panels sewn together. In addition, it no longer seals the interior from the top and there is much more wind noise now. I can put my hand between the headliner and the top. The rear of the headliner is attached to the bottom of the frame with some eleastic bands which I am sure wasn't how the original headliner was attached. Finally, there are some sheet metal screws holding the edges of the headliner 
to the frame at the top of the window. The dealer said this was now the replacement for the original and that GM must have swapped suppliers. Also, he said each headliner has to be individually fitted which is why the bands and screws. Has anyone else had to have their top replaced and does this sound "normal"? Oh yeah, it cost over $3700 to replace (insurance covered some).
to the frame at the top of the window. The dealer said this was now the replacement for the original and that GM must have swapped suppliers. Also, he said each headliner has to be individually fitted which is why the bands and screws. Has anyone else had to have their top replaced and does this sound "normal"? Oh yeah, it cost over $3700 to replace (insurance covered some).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Toledo Ohio
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Man that sucks worse than haven the 1st top cut. I'd be back there. bands and screews. No way a proper replacement. Is this a GM dealer?
Man I feel your pain. Have you talked with your insurance co. about not being happy with repair? Best of luck
Man I feel your pain. Have you talked with your insurance co. about not being happy with repair? Best of luck
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Man that's not good. So now that the car is not being produced we are starting to get cheap replacement parts. Is this the case? But where else can you go? Man sometimes the General gets it all wrong. Why not have the original replacement and a cheaper one that customers can choose if they want. Or did the insurance company have something to do with what was choosen for the repair? Keep us posted. I hope you can get something done about this. Aren't they supposed to repair to original. Something fishy. My .02
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I agree, something just doesn't sound right. I'd be talking to the insurance company and tell them that you are definitely not pleased with the quality of the new top. Check around with a different dealer too to see if that is truly a replacement top from GM. Best of luck.
Le Mans Master
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I've seen new GM replacement tops here for about 20% of that price. $3000 + for the install? You're dealing with crooks.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Whittier California
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I agree, something just doesn't sound right. I'd be talking to the insurance company and tell them that you are definitely not pleased with the quality of the new top. Check around with a different dealer too to see if that is truly a replacement top from GM. Best of luck.
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From: Paducah KY
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I agree, something just doesn't sound right. I'd be talking to the insurance company and tell them that you are definitely not pleased with the quality of the new top. Check around with a different dealer too to see if that is truly a replacement top from GM. Best of luck.
Defiantly do some more investigating on this!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
It's not clear to me. Did they replace just the fabric top or did they replace the entire convertible top assembly?
GM Parts Direct lists the entire assembly for about $3000 plus their horrendous "handling" charges so the total price plus shipping is about $3500+. The fabric piece is considerably less at around $1800 plus "handling."
Also, unless the insurance policy stipulate only OEM parts, they can replace it with an aftermarket item which normally has neither the looks nor fit of the OEM parts.
GM Parts Direct lists the entire assembly for about $3000 plus their horrendous "handling" charges so the total price plus shipping is about $3500+. The fabric piece is considerably less at around $1800 plus "handling."
Also, unless the insurance policy stipulate only OEM parts, they can replace it with an aftermarket item which normally has neither the looks nor fit of the OEM parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Drive for Five N.J.
I changed my top about 2 years ago, I went from oak to black, all GM parts of course. What you describe sounds like you got ripped off. Try and compare it to someone else's vert if you can, this way you have all the correct info....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Decatur Ga
Thanks for the feedback. To answer some questions.The insurance co. didn't care where I got the top replaced nor did they specify where the parts came from. The parts were definitely GM equipment because I spoke to the parts manager at a Chev. dealer that ordered them. The install was done at a local repair shop and while that may say something about the quality of the install (not the issue), it doesn't address the quality of the parts which are gen-you-wine GM. One would only assume the frame was replaced as well for that amount of money. I assumed it was necessay although I don't think the frame was damaged. I'll touch base with other dealers though. Thanks.
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Since the insurnace company paid for the repairs, I would certainly touch base with the adjuster and voice your complaints to them. They can exert pressure to make sure the repairs are performed to your satisfaction (within reason).
And it is reasonable for the car to look at least as good as it did before the claim, especially for the amount of money charged to the insurance company.......jmho, of course!
And it is reasonable for the car to look at least as good as it did before the claim, especially for the amount of money charged to the insurance company.......jmho, of course!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Houston,Texas USA
Originally Posted by ArmyVette
Also, unless the insurance policy stipulate only OEM parts, they can replace it with an aftermarket item which normally has neither the looks nor fit of the OEM parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 802
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From: North Royalton Ohio
This sucks big time and I feel your pain as a Vert owner.
As you've learned 99% of all new car dealers send their "trim" work out, called a "sublet". Find out who did your work, call other dealers and find out who they use and look in the Yellow pages for local trim shops. Take your Vert to several and ask them if they would inspect the replacement top and verify if it was done correctly. Use the carrot you're not happy and willing to pay to have it done to your satisfaction.
My .02
As you've learned 99% of all new car dealers send their "trim" work out, called a "sublet". Find out who did your work, call other dealers and find out who they use and look in the Yellow pages for local trim shops. Take your Vert to several and ask them if they would inspect the replacement top and verify if it was done correctly. Use the carrot you're not happy and willing to pay to have it done to your satisfaction.
My .02
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From: North Texas Area Tx
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St. Jude Donor '03
May not of used the correct top. I also believe that at some point GM switched tops and they may have gotten one of the older models.
