Originally Posted by
nickwe21
Looks great! I think reading through hundreds of self-glued threads on forum and facebook we can come to an accurate conclusion. What the individual does with that information is entirely up to each of them. I like my car, I want to keep it as nice and presentable as possible. Yes, expenses can add up but that is what you signed up for when purchasing a 18 year old Roadster with a soft top. To me (and again, that's just me) the time and effort as well as money put into gluing the top and then taking the chance that water will still enter you trunk and ruin your electronics would not be worth it to me. OR the chance that I will have to re-do it in a few weeks. New tops make old cars look brand new people
Added to the above, which is all valid, is this thought: A new top is cheap considering what it does for you (Provides security against water intrusion as well as cosmetic appeal).
Tops cost almost NOTHING. Here is my math:
In fifteen years and over 130,000 miles, I have bought no less than six sets of tires for $850-950 a set.
In fifteen years and over 130,000 miles, I have done no less than 22 oil changes at $60-90 each (prices have increased over the years).
That's over $7000.
In the same time and miles, I have bought ONE top for a cost of $740 (with free install thanks to forum members at the Eureka SPrings Meet, your cost will be up to $350).
$740 in fifteen years? The expense is
insignificant compared to the cost of tires and oil changes. In 90 minutes, all that was left to do was to throw away the old top. You can't reglue the top in that amount of time, and you are going to replace the top soon, anyway.
