Convertible top help/ advice please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Convertible top help/ advice please
Hi everyone,
I have a 2000 vert. I got some damage from a racoon on my Oak top. IT is only on the outside of my top.. The insurance company will pay for an aftermarket top place to replace the oak cover portion of it..
I think I would rather put on a new GM replacement.. I would have to do the install myself though for the GM top.. How hard is it and what special tools or tip would be needed for me to just order a repl. top and do it myself. Thanks for your help, Tom
I have a 2000 vert. I got some damage from a racoon on my Oak top. IT is only on the outside of my top.. The insurance company will pay for an aftermarket top place to replace the oak cover portion of it..
I think I would rather put on a new GM replacement.. I would have to do the install myself though for the GM top.. How hard is it and what special tools or tip would be needed for me to just order a repl. top and do it myself. Thanks for your help, Tom
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 562
Likes: 21
From: Southington Connecticut
I think you should have another talk with your insurance company. They should cover replacement with like kind and quality including labor.
Everything I've seen and heard suggests replacing a top on these cars is best left to experienced pros. Its not as easy as you might think, and even small mistakes can result in air or water leaks and major aggravation.
Good luck.
Everything I've seen and heard suggests replacing a top on these cars is best left to experienced pros. Its not as easy as you might think, and even small mistakes can result in air or water leaks and major aggravation.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
The ins. co gave the name of the company here local in KC that they quoted.. about $1100. I just will have to contact them and find out what they use, etc.. I did a search and found most recommend a Robbins brand top.. then I found a thread about 3 ply versus 5 ply and the 5 ply is quieter, etc that gm started using in 02... I'll just keep poking around I guess.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
The ins. co gave the name of the company here local in KC that they quoted.. about $1100. I just will have to contact them and find out what they use, etc.. I did a search and found most recommend a Robbins brand top.. then I found a thread about 3 ply versus 5 ply and the 5 ply is quieter, etc that gm started using in 02... I'll just keep poking around I guess.
Robbins Top!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
Hi everyone,
I have a 2000 vert. I got some damage from a racoon on my Oak top. IT is only on the outside of my top.. The insurance company will pay for an aftermarket top place to replace the oak cover portion of it..
I think I would rather put on a new GM replacement.. I would have to do the install myself though for the GM top.. How hard is it and what special tools or tip would be needed for me to just order a repl. top and do it myself. Thanks for your help, Tom
I have a 2000 vert. I got some damage from a racoon on my Oak top. IT is only on the outside of my top.. The insurance company will pay for an aftermarket top place to replace the oak cover portion of it..
I think I would rather put on a new GM replacement.. I would have to do the install myself though for the GM top.. How hard is it and what special tools or tip would be needed for me to just order a repl. top and do it myself. Thanks for your help, Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 29
From: McKinney TX
These are the 'preferred' installers in the area.. which one do you guys recommend?
Cash Upholstery 1325 Whitlock LN. Suite 101 Carrollton TX 75006 usa (972) 245-5744
Blairs Trim Shop 1940 Forest Lane Garland TX 75042 USA (972) 272-1163 (972) 242-1163
Preston's Auto Upholstery 105 West 6th Irving TX 75060 USA (972) 253-8831 (972) 253-8831
Dee Trim Shop Inc 1730 Millard Drive, Suite D Plano TX 75074 USA (972) 422-7623 (972) 424-9055
This is the home page for Robbins: http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/homepage.html
Cash Upholstery 1325 Whitlock LN. Suite 101 Carrollton TX 75006 usa (972) 245-5744
Blairs Trim Shop 1940 Forest Lane Garland TX 75042 USA (972) 272-1163 (972) 242-1163
Preston's Auto Upholstery 105 West 6th Irving TX 75060 USA (972) 253-8831 (972) 253-8831
Dee Trim Shop Inc 1730 Millard Drive, Suite D Plano TX 75074 USA (972) 422-7623 (972) 424-9055
This is the home page for Robbins: http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/homepage.html
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If the insurance company will allow it - this is probably a better replacement top than OEM:
http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/
http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
These are the 'preferred' installers in the area.. which one do you guys recommend?
Cash Upholstery 1325 Whitlock LN. Suite 101 Carrollton TX 75006 usa (972) 245-5744
Blairs Trim Shop 1940 Forest Lane Garland TX 75042 USA (972) 272-1163 (972) 242-1163
Preston's Auto Upholstery 105 West 6th Irving TX 75060 USA (972) 253-8831 (972) 253-8831
Dee Trim Shop Inc 1730 Millard Drive, Suite D Plano TX 75074 USA (972) 422-7623 (972) 424-9055
This is the home page for Robbins: http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/homepage.html
Cash Upholstery 1325 Whitlock LN. Suite 101 Carrollton TX 75006 usa (972) 245-5744
Blairs Trim Shop 1940 Forest Lane Garland TX 75042 USA (972) 272-1163 (972) 242-1163
Preston's Auto Upholstery 105 West 6th Irving TX 75060 USA (972) 253-8831 (972) 253-8831
Dee Trim Shop Inc 1730 Millard Drive, Suite D Plano TX 75074 USA (972) 422-7623 (972) 424-9055
This is the home page for Robbins: http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/homepage.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
It is State Farm.. They are usually very good. My body shop guy said they have the option to pay for aftermarket and not oem..
But the concensus here is that Robbins aftermarket is better than oem anyway..
I got on their websit and found one of their installers close to me..
I will give them a call. I know this place is pricey from past quotes on other projects.. I'll cross my fingers!
But the concensus here is that Robbins aftermarket is better than oem anyway..
I got on their websit and found one of their installers close to me..
I will give them a call. I know this place is pricey from past quotes on other projects.. I'll cross my fingers!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Robbins Top Replacement
Found out from local Robbins installer the price for my new oak top;
$910 robbins top
$535 install labor
$1555 Total with tax.. I may just have to eat the $455 difference
my insurance co is willing to pay.. I don't wan a POS top on my car.
Does this installed price sound about normal??
they said they have installed Many C5 tops, so that makes me feel a little better about the $$$
$910 robbins top
$535 install labor
$1555 Total with tax.. I may just have to eat the $455 difference
my insurance co is willing to pay.. I don't wan a POS top on my car.
Does this installed price sound about normal??
they said they have installed Many C5 tops, so that makes me feel a little better about the $$$
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
Found out from local Robbins installer the price for my new oak top;
$910 robbins top
$535 install labor
$1555 Total with tax.. I may just have to eat the $455 difference
my insurance co is willing to pay.. I don't wan a POS top on my car.
Does this installed price sound about normal??
they said they have installed Many C5 tops, so that makes me feel a little better about the $$$
$910 robbins top
$535 install labor
$1555 Total with tax.. I may just have to eat the $455 difference
my insurance co is willing to pay.. I don't wan a POS top on my car.
Does this installed price sound about normal??
they said they have installed Many C5 tops, so that makes me feel a little better about the $$$
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 32
It is State Farm.. They are usually very good. My body shop guy said they have the option to pay for aftermarket and not oem..
But the concensus here is that Robbins aftermarket is better than oem anyway..
I got on their websit and found one of their installers close to me..
I will give them a call. I know this place is pricey from past quotes on other projects.. I'll cross my fingers!
But the concensus here is that Robbins aftermarket is better than oem anyway..
I got on their websit and found one of their installers close to me..
I will give them a call. I know this place is pricey from past quotes on other projects.. I'll cross my fingers!
So, I will never buy their insurance again.
I'm glad that others have been treated better. Maybe it really comes down to your agent and the relationship that agent has with the adjusters.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Marion Ohio
FYI, I stopped at a GM dealership last week to have the parts department run my VIN and find out if my convertible top is cloth or vinyl (the 2000 verts used both, apparently), and while he was looking it up, he mentioned that a new OEM top through the dealer is $3250! 