Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Dichotomy on September 02, 2010, 07:38:22 PM
-
Well it seems that someone decided that the top on my 2000 Mustang needed a little modification last night and took a razor blade to it. Now who hates me that much let me think..... hmmmmm...but I digress.
Before I get hosed by somebody what's a decent price and turnaround time for replacement and install? Sure my insurance will take care of it but I'd still like a decent price and I can't be without my car for any length of time.
Thanks in advance
-
When i read the title i thought it was typing like computers, lol
-
Just go to the dealer.. that way you'll know they are using a true FORD top, and not some piece shipped in from China. Also, insurance companies almost never argue about a dealership doing the repairs.
-
ty Tigger
-
what tigger said.
that sucks. i used to have a 64 galaxy 500 convertible.......but no one ever messed with it though.
-
Thanks Cap... I'll call the insurance company today and get it taken care of.
Somebody is very angry with me right now *shrug* hopefully that got it out of their system. :D
-
Thanks Cap... I'll call the insurance company today and get it taken care of.
Somebody is very angry with me right now *shrug* hopefully that got it out of their system. :D
for what it's worth now.......there are dvr systems on the market, that you can install in your car. some can be activated different ways....such as motion, or shock.
this may be something helpful, should this happen again....video evidence to present to the police, so they have no excuses to not try to help you.
-
most likely you will get a LKQ top, good luck though ;)
-
most likely you will get a LKQ top, good luck though ;)
New tops are EXPENSIVE. Black top brand new from the ford dealer (the cloth part) $991.78 That does not include taxes or installation. Tan top $1070.58 from the ford dealer, does not include taxes or installation. A white top is $1053.42 from the ford dealer, doesn't include taxes or installation.
-
hmmmmm... perhaps I'll just buy a repair kit for now. I'm going to give it to my son soon anyway.
-
They make ductape is all colors find some that matches :aok
-
hmmmmm... perhaps I'll just buy a repair kit for now. I'm going to give it to my son soon anyway.
don't do that. fix it right the first time. you'll be glad ya did
-
don't do that. fix it right the first time. you'll be glad ya did
What he said.
-
hmmmmm... perhaps I'll just buy a repair kit for now. I'm going to give it to my son soon anyway.
If I were you, I would get it fixed right. It will help your vehicle keep its value.
Yeah original manufacturer parts cost a lot, but quality wise they are ALWAYS better than an aftermarket part from what I have seen. I do work at a volkswagen/audi dealership.
-
If I were you, I would get it fixed right. It will help your vehicle keep its value.
Yeah original manufacturer parts cost a lot, but quality wise they are ALWAYS better than an aftermarket part from what I have seen. I do work at a volkswagen/audi dealership.
.
actually, vw/audi is one of the few where this is true. i've installed aftermarket cats a looonnnnnnnggggg time ago on vw's.....and they always came back witrh a cat. efficiency code. when i get them now, i go right to my local vw dealer for em.
as for the reason to use the factory parts on the top........mustangs have historically been built as coupes, and then shipped to an aftermarket company to convert it to a convertible. i think kar kraft does or did them.
because of this, they've had a tendency to rattle, and flex a lot. the added bracing wasn't really enough.
i'm not sure if the mustang convertibles are still built like that or if they're constructed as a convertible right off the bat now.........even if it is, it's still a uni-body, it's still based somewhat on the "fox" chassis, and it still flexes.
this is the most important reason to have the O.E. top on it. and preferably installed by the dealer, as they'll know this car in this area better than most of us non-dealer types will get the opportunity to.
-
- 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!
-
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.
-
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