info about replacing a convertible top.

I saw alot of poeple saying it was like 6 grand to replace there convertible top. So I did some researching and found this. I dunno if anyone has ever seen it before...

http://store.autocarpets.com/convertible-tops--convertible-catalog-mitsubishi-spyder-eclipse.html

130 for headliner (many colors)

440.31 for the convertable top with heated rear window (black and tan)

Note these are listed as 95 - 2000 so I think they really mean 96-1999 I've never dealt with them before So I can't say they are reputable but I just thought I'd post the info.

How hard is it to remove a top and put one on? I've been looking around for a green with tan top and havn't seen many. so I was thinking I could just go green with black top and get a replacement there.

dude that is cheap as hell, but i'm really wondering what is included. it's kinda vauge and i'm thinking that you will only get the canvas [with the glass] and no hardware skeleton or anything. also you have to think of the weather stripping and all the rubber involved. a very large project. there is a guy in here with a red one that he replaced the top like 3 times. haven't really seen him post lately [but i'm not exactly sure with all the 97eclipsegst 97_eclipsegst and 97eclipse_gst screennames]. i know my stripping is way bad and it looks like crap and i wouldn't be happier than to just get a whole new one, inards and all. but 450 is waaaaay cheap.

it probably is just the canvas/glass maybe the wheather stripping if its glue on but if the stripping is clip on its prob not there. and im almost positive that the skelton/frame isnt included. y would you want to replcae the frame boosted??

thats what i thought. It was super cheap compared to the 4-6k that everyone else was saying to replace their tops. I'm interested in getting a spyder so I've been looking around at stuff like this. I didn't know if anyone had scene it previously. I guess my next step is to email them and see whats included.

I don't see the point of replacing the skeleton. I imagine that could be quite a bit of money. Most poeple's are still okay though. Weatherstripping I hear is really expensive too.. I'm sorta scared about that with buying a used spyder. I'm not sure how I could tell if it really leaks or not. I guess ask the dealer "Can I go hose this thing down?" Or something lol.

Anyone that bought them used how did you tell if you would have leak problems or not?

here is a copy of the email i sent the guy's at the place:

No thats just the top and heat sealed plastic window
in your choice of materials. It does not include any
framework or pads or cables. The pads and cables are
also available through us but not listed on the site.

sorry, I don't have a detailed picture of this
specific top.

Dan
--- Vincent Carter <[email protected]> wrote:

---------------------------------
i'm just wondering what is included in the OEM top.
is this the entire framework or just the fabric and
glass? can you send a pic of the product please. if
i like the pic i will be definitly interested in a
purchase.


i didn't want to replace the whole framework, but there are some issues that just come with age [close to 7 years!]. the weather stripping is my worst enemy, mostly because of the way it looks [all fucked up!]. the dealership told me it would be close to 1200 to do it all [it's only foam and rubber for chrissake!]. i would say to take the car into a autowash in a gas station for a leakdown test. mine leaks like a bitch! but i live in So-Cali, so there isn't much rain here to begin with! i don't care when it does leak on me, i figure it is a convertable and i'm going to deal with the elements one way or another! i always thought of myself as a kind of outdoorsy guy as it is...

awesome by pads does he mean weather stripping? I'm new to convertables so i didn't know.

I live in a pretty rainy town. Which is going to be bad I guess.. alot of water as in what a cup or so. Or like no point in putting the top up in a storm... type of water.

I've never owned one before but wanted one my whole life.

soft tops usually leak around the edges top of the windshield, side windows, etc. the leaks get worse the faster your driving and if you drive with the top up it will be louder then a hard top and probably whistle if there are any leaks

i c. Not enough to deter me. I'll just seal it up somehow. Interlocking weather stripping maybe.... I'll have to see how bad it is.. I'd say it rains/snows 1/3 of the year here and I plan to drive it year round. Thanks for the info.

I've had mine for about 2 years now with minimal problems. It leaks maybe 1 or 2 times out of every 10 rains (it seems to have a mind of it's own. When it does leak it's not very much. It only leaks in the corner where the top meets the A-Pillar. The most it's leaked is about 1/2 a dixie cup onto the passenger seat. No biggie...and that only happened once. I found that if you wipe your seals down with baby oil it seems to stop the leaks for awhile. If you do go to hose it down just remember that almost all tops leak when you wash them (high pressure + horizontal spray = leaks!). I have never encountered the top leaking more when I drive at high speeds (it really doesn't leak at all when I'm driving...only when parked). Believe me, having the top down far outweighs the small hassle of carrying around a roll of paper towels in the trunk! Sorry for the long post but I don't want to see you not get the spyder because of a couple drips here or there. Enjoy!

yeah. It doesn't sway me away from it. They are still awesome cars. I love them. I can't find another car that i even like the body style as much. Thanks for the info. I don't mind carrying paper towels at all.