replacing my 1993 Metro's convertable top

Hi!
I have a 1993 Geo Metro convertable that needs a new convertable top. I priced one on E-bay and found one for $155 with free shipping and instructions. Could 2 novices replace the convertable top and is that a good price or should I just go to someone who does that for a living? Would it be a good idea to buy one on E-bay? By the way, I absolutely LOVE my metro. It's the greatest little car!:)

Sorry I can't be of assistance here since I've never done this, but I too have a 91 ragtop in need of recovering, so please let me know how you make out with this project.

I'd also be interested to know who you got the top from and what the quality is like, fit etc once you get it on...

Good Luck!

I've done this job - (sorry in advance about my sketchy recollection). There are as I recall 2 manufacturers of tops for these cars. I believe one of them has a plain back (below the window) and one has a preformed ridge to it giving you an alignment for the back. I think the one with the alignment rib or ridge was the more expensive of the two, my recommendation is to spend the money as it made things a lot easier. I can't remember which manufacturer is which but I remember I learned about the difference by doing a forum search...

I seem to recall there might be more information on the teamswift board.

I have also read that there have been difficulties getting the hold down screws out of the body along that back edge, check yours to see if they have been buggered up by previous owners so you can get spares or figure out a work around before you take off your top. I believe some folks have convertedto stainelss fasteners with allen heads. I got lucky and mine were all fine but my project (read wifes car) had spent its life in AZ before we got it.

Find an auto body repair supplier in your area and get yourself a roll of the thinnest (thickness) double sided sticky tape thats used for attaching body side moulding to autos, you will use it on the front of the header bow to hold the leading edge of the top in place so that it will stay put while you screw down the metal clamshell that clamps it in place.

Take a carefull look at the cables and how they go through the top, I'm pretty sure I got mine in the incorrect place due to my ignorance. Take digital pictures so you kon't have to rely on your memory.

Take your time, test fit, think twice before you poke any holes in your new top, work carefully to make sure it will open and close without hanging up, do all your work on a warm day or in a warm garage (vinyl gets brittle when its cold). Allow yourself a weekend to do the work and then enjoy the fruits of your labor, in my case even with a top that I'm pretty sure isn't 100% correct, it doesn't leak, has only a couple small wrinkles in it, operates up and down just fine and has lasted 3 years so far without benefit of a garage.

When you are done post your how to on this forum. Good Luck!

Thank you so very much. After we are finished, I surely will post here on the forum! Hopefully, with success!!