Aftermarket cloth top on my '92?

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 01:50 AM

Dopestar mentioned to me that I could get an aftermarket cloth top for my '92 Sedan deVille for about $400. What do you guys think? I think it'd look real sharp, especially if I got it done in black. Right now it's Light Beige Metallic monotone. I've seen a few on ebay in that color with the full cloth top, it's either in black or dark brown. If I ordered my car new, I would have definetly ordered a full cloth top. I just think it adds to the formal Cadillac look and it actually makes it a bit quieter inside because of the added insulation.

Here she is:

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 01:52 AM

Just for comparison purposes, here's a '93 SDV in Light Beige Metallic with the full top I want:

krimson_cardnal · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 11:45 AM

Here's my 96 w/ a beige cloth top - yes i know it looks white, but it really darkens when wet. I would go for it, adds a mean look

, but keep in mind the type of molding they'll install. Mine has the old narrow half round which is really nice, but apparently hard to match. I'm missing a small piece along the bottom of the rear passanger door and I'm having trouble locating replacement.

These days they're using a flat molding w/ what looks like fasteners along it. In my mind it's tooooo much looking like a linkolin - ugh!

gdwriter · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 01:26 PM

This is just my opinion, Chad, but I hate those fake convertible tops. I would not have bought Cruella if she had one. A factory vinyl roof, like what what came standard on the Fleetwood and Sixty Special is OK, but I think the aftermarket tops look tacky. Plus, I would bet that there's be more wind noise with these tops, so it would counter any extra insulating properties.

If you're looking to spend $400 on Josephine, I would upgrade the sound system, the wheels and tires or maybe the exhaust since Illumina and GhostC have mentioned that better exhaust flow can really wake up the 4.9.

Besides, if your mom thinks Josephine is a pimpwagon now, what would she say if you added the top?

Feel free to ignore my opinion, of course.
__________________
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**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdwriter

If you're looking to spend $400 on Josephine, I would upgrade the sound system, the wheels and tires or maybe the exhaust since Illumina and GhostC have mentioned that better exhaust flow can really wake up the 4.9.

Sound system would come first. I am sooo sick of a cassette player! Tires are new, so that's not necessary. Wheels....meh I like what I've got on there. Exhaust...I did the muffler last summer, but now I have a leak in the cat or before that so I dunno. I would like to get a cold air induction though.

Night Wolf · #6 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdwriter

This is just my opinion, Chad, but I hate those fake convertible tops. I would not have bought Cruella if she had one. A factory vinyl roof, like what what came standard on the Fleetwood and Sixty Special is OK, but I think the aftermarket tops look tacky. Plus, I would bet that there's be more wind noise with these tops, so it would counter any extra insulating properties.

If you're looking to spend $400 on Josephine, I would upgrade the sound system, the wheels and tires or maybe the exhaust since Illumina and GhostC have mentioned that better exhaust flow can really wake up the 4.9.

Besides, if your mom thinks Josephine is a pimpwagon now, what would she say if you added the top?

Feel free to ignore my opinion, of course.
__________________
If I had known this is what friends are for, I would have signed up as an enemy! — Ethel Mertz

Totally agree.

krimson_cardnal · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 05:10 PM

pimpwagon !!! - i resemble that remark LOL

i've gotta say i never thought i would fall in love with a car a quickly as i did with my deville. was driving an 89bro - velor interior and loving every minute, but as the old gal was getting on, and my cadillac mech recommended the NStar, i spent a few weeks watching cadillacs on ebay.

along came my dream, down in miami. landed it for $3600 with only 85K on her. flew down and picked her up. private deal. full tint was a bit much and i wasn't really crazy about the roof [would never consider installing one] - but all things pass and after a year of smooth driving this little baby has me hooked.

like i said, the thing that makes the top work is the molding. that heavy stuff i see really cheapens the whole appearance. also having a lighter color [NOT white] makes it as well.

i like to think more of the "drug loard" than the "pimp"................

it is an extra that needs strong consideration against more practical up-grades and like i said, i would never consider installing one on a car with a clean roof.

new shoes and a kickin' sound system w/ a tuned exhaust is money well spent, but don't ya love the look - come on, sleak isn't she...

breynolds01 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-08, 09:44 PM

I also like a cloth top. Had one on my 98. I have my eye on a nice 2004, that does not have the top. I want to add one. Is $400 the going price for installing one?

Rodya234 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-08, 10:51 PM

My dad's '93 has an aftermarket rag top like that, but it only goes up to just forward of the split between the glass in the rear doors. Honestly, both he and I hate the thing. It's made of canvas and is very dirty and even attempts to clean it just stain it worse (the car is white with beige leather, so dirt stands out very well.). It also cuts down on the fuel economy of the car by three or so miles per gallon, but that may just be because of the design of the top itself.

codewize · #10 (**permalink**) 10-23-08, 11:21 PM

I don't know about where you live but a decent top around here will cost you well over $1000. I think the regular price is $1400 - $1600. The guy told me because I was buying the car from my dealer, he'd do it on the side for $1200.

It's not a $400 item.

dirt_cheap_fleetwood · #11 (**permalink**) 10-24-08, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breynolds01

I also like a cloth top. Had one on my 98. I have my eye on a nice 2004, that does not have the top. I want to add one. Is $400 the going price for installing one?

No. A top will easily run you over $1000. I was quoted almost $3000 to replace the top on my Fleetwood if it ever gets bad, but that also includes removing the old one. Mine is vinyl too, cheaper than cloth.

02parkave · #12 (**permalink**) 10-24-08, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt_cheap_fleetwood

No. A top will easily run you over $1000. I was quoted almost $3000 to replace the top on my Fleetwood if it ever gets bad, but that also includes removing the old one. Mine is vinyl too, cheaper than cloth.

THats absurdly high. i have been quoted by 4 local shops with good reputations between 1200-1500 to replace mine. thankfully, i can just get it redyed.

codewize · #13 (**permalink**) 10-24-08, 01:12 PM

$3000 sounds very high, but either way the point is that it's definitely not a $400 job.

02parkave · #14 (**permalink**) 10-24-08, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codewize

$3000 sounds very high, but either way the point is that it's definitely not a $400 job.

absolutly not! the part costs more than that iirc!

Big Pip · #15 (**permalink**) 10-25-08, 09:02 AM

My 90 Coupe has one of these tops and I am torn between likeing it or not. I really like that way it sets the car off but cleaning it is a pain in the @$$! I have found that Purple Stuff works great but it doesn't get everything off in one cleaning. I have also learned from my Last Caddy, an 89 ElDorado, with a 1/2 top that if I part under a oak or cyprus tree for too long it attracts ants, the large ones. She already has 4 10's in the trunk, FlowMaster Exhaust and blacked out windows. I already get pulled over just getting profiled by the cops so I have decided not to put and wheels on it, keep the nice spoke hubcaps. I am, however, in the process of installing an airbag kit on it.