Yo you auto type dudes

[Tigger29]

• An insurance company is not likely to allow for a used LKQ top to be installed.  If you want to go this route, you can pocket the insurance money, and then pay out of pocket for someone to install a used top.  I wouldn't even consider a repair kit... while there are quality methods out there for repair, they DIY kits are typically very temporary.. the kind that would last just long enough for you sell the vehicle.
• As far as aftermarket part quality, I've seen this go both ways.  Usually with German cars OE is always better than Aftermarket (if it is available aftermarket in the first place).  Japanese cars can really go either way, as they've become so popular a lot of aftermarket companies are making "heavier duty" versions of OE parts.  American cars have a lot of very nice aftermarket parts available, many of which I would consider superior to their OE counterparts.  In any case, the kind of parts you would get from AutoZone are not included in this argument.
• Yes Mustangs are produced as convertibles from the factory, and have been done this way since at least 1994, possibly even earlier.
• Catalytic Converters are hit-and-miss.  There are a lot of quality aftermarket versions available, but there are so many versions of cars' emissions calibrations out there that it is impossible to have a "one-size-fits-all" type of converter for them all.  Generally speaking, a factory converter is going to work better because it is designed for that car's specific calibration.  An aftermarket is going to be inferior because it is basically a "universal" converter welded into whatever piping fits the vehicle.  These work fine for over 90% of cars out there, but some cars are just stubborn about it.  The rule I follow is if it says "California" or "Green State" on the emissions sticker under the hood, or if it says "LEV, ULEV, SLEV, or SULEV" anywhere then ONLY install an OE converter.

It has gotten so bad that with every customer who wants to save money with a universal converter (and yes the price difference is crazy) I make them sign a waiver stating that an OE was recommended and that they chose to install a Universal instead.  This way, when they come back with a Catalyst Efficiency code and a check engine light, I don't have to eat the repairs.

In case you were wondering, a universal converter can usually be installed (retail parts+labor) for as little as $200-250, whereas a factory OE converter assembly is usually close to $1000, sometimes even $2000 or more!  If your car has the converters built into the exhaust manifolds, then you're talking $3000-4000 in some cases to replace these.  Better hope those never go bad!

[CAP1]

OK.... it had to be 94, because i know for fact that the original fox chassis mustangs were built as coupes, then kar kraft reinforced them, cut off the roof, and installed the convertinle stuff.

 yea....the cat stuff is crazy. i had a girl in here the other day........for an o.e. cat, was pretty cheap....only 600.00 installed. she was squeaking about the price, yet seemed to not mind that there were 4 universals done in the previous 2 years.

 it took me a few minutes, but i got it through her head, and she went with the oe one this time.

[cobia38]

 another thing to consider befor turning it in to insurance is if the damage exceeds 80% of value then they will total it.
  and trust me the value has gone down on most vehicals in the past year due to the economy. so be carefull