How to Affordably Replace Your Convertible Top | TopsOnline Blog

When you are a convertible owner, you have a love affair for your car, and taking it out on the road gives you a great deal of satisfaction.  But when your convertible top is showing age or damage, if you don’t have the budget to invest in the best quality replacement top on the market, that can weigh you down.  Many convertible owners are seeking a budget-friendly way to fix up their convertible, whether they plan on keeping their car forever, or whether they want to spruce it up before they trade it in for a new one.  Regardless of the reason, if you are shopping for a replacement convertible top on a budget, here are a few ways you can trim the cost and get your sun-loving beauty in a new top.  

Material

One way to save some coin is to consider alternative materials for your replacement convertible top.  Many convertible tops come in a variety of fabrics that vary based on thickness, vinyl vs. cloth, soundproofing and other factors.  This translates into options for different budget levels and can allow you to trim the cost off of your convertible roof replacement by choosing a material that is not as thick or soundproof as another. Some fabrics can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than others, even when the rest of the top is the same, so this is a great way to trim the cost of your replacement convertible top project.

When shopping with TopsOnline, we list all the fabrics available for a make, model and year and you can use the different fabric types to help you get into a price-point that you are looking for.  Keep in mind, that sometimes the factory-original cloth may even be a step lower in quality and expense than some of the premium, aftermarket options available for some soft-tops. That means you can get a factory-original material and still save money.  Yes!

Brand

Another way to trim cost on your convertible roof replacement project is to choose a brand that specifically targets the budget shopper. Robbins Auto Tops are high quality, premium convertible tops, but which are priced to be affordable to budget shoppers as well.  Other brands like EZ ON and GAHH also offer affordably priced options for customers to save money on their convertible tops.  Replacement convertible tops at these budget prices still come with a great warranty that is in line with premium brand replacement soft tops.

Models with affordably-priced replacement convertible tops are found throughout our website, including on pages such:

• Alfa Romeo Spider
• Audi TT and A4
• BMW E30, Z3 and E46
• Chevrolet Camaro 1994 through 2002
• Chevrolet Corvette 1986 through 2004
• Fiat 124 1968 through 1985
• Ford Mustang 1983 through 2014
• Honda S2000
• Jaguar 1989 through 2006
• Mazda Miata MX5 1989 through 2015
• Mercedes Benz (most models)
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
• Mini Cooper
• Porsche 911
• Saab 900
• Volkswagen

Reusing Hardware & Accessories

Convertible tops not only require the material for the top, but also the frame, pads and cables.  If you want to trim the cost of your convertible roof replacement, then re-use these components when possible. You will need to do an assessment of whether they are in good enough shape to reuse. Never reuse any components that have sustained water damage or corrosion.

The convertible top frame itself is almost always re-usable.  If it is bent or warped in any way or does not raise or lower properly, then you may check with your installer about a repair or need to replace your convertible top frame.  Most vehicles do not require convertible top frames to be replaced in their project.

Between the new convertible material and your convertible top frame, there are convertible top pads, which protect the material from friction damage when the top is raised or lowered.  If you are truly on a budget and if these pads are not worn thin or damaged, then you re-use these to save money.

Side-tension cables help the convertible top to raise and lower in an even and smooth manner.  In most cases if your top is opening and closing smoothly and not sagging or leaning to one side, then your side-tension cables are likely in good shape.  Take care not to damage them during removal and inspect them for water damage. (Check out this blog for more info on re-using your cables.)   

Re-using these elements can help you to save hundreds of dollars on your convertible roof replacement.

Installation

With the advent of the Internet, there are any number of resources available to toolbox wielding auto owners who are accustomed to DIY.  We’ve found with experience that convertible top installation is one of the hardest installation jobs that you’ll run into with your car, so we would recommend leaving it to professionals.  They are efficient and can save you from a devastating error that may end up damaging the top or causing a costly leak that may require repairs on your convertible interior. Check out our list of Installers Near You to get a quote on the installation of your new convertible top.

If you have a strong automotive upholstery repair background and the available time and tools (see this blog which lists the tools you’ll need), then you will be better equipped than the typical weekender hobbyist.  For those with auto upholstery experience, TopsOnline offers installation videos on popular models that can be purchased as DVDs or available from our streaming library.  When you purchase a replacement convertible top for these select models we include the streaming installation video free of charge.

Repairing vs. Replacing

Having been in this industry since 1987, we can attest that repairing ripped or damaged convertible tops is a lot harder than it seems.  We went into this in great detail on this blog about convertible top repairs, so would recommend that you check it out if this is something you are considering.

Save Hundreds by Shopping with TopsOnline.com

Shopping with these tips in mind while on TopsOnline can help you get a new convertible top while on a budget, cutting hundreds of dollars from your overall investment and getting your convertible top looking and working great again.

If you’re asking yourself how to replace your convertible top or how much to replace convertible top, visit our website for affordable solutions to suit every budget. Knowing how to replace a convertible top can save you time and money, and we provide all the resources you need to get started. Don't let the question of cost to replace a convertible top stop you—let us guide you through the options.