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jwalther
10-13-2014, 03:40 AM
I've been looking to purchase a hardtop since I picked up my car in July. I gave up trying to find one in the right color, and focused on something at least geographically convenient. This one popped up on ebay last month, and although it was in Maryland, I was scheduled to attend a conference in DC this past weekend. The seller was a great guy, and agreed to a delayed pickup in the event I won the auction. So for $880 I got the top, along with the OEM trolley, cover, and roof racks. I showed up yesterday morning on my way home, installed the top, and drove off. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but the difference in interior noise is significant. I'm taking it to the body shop today to be sprayed, at a cost of $450.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s216/jeffw63/558BCA61-742F-4244-8F8C-89E2DEBE1758_zpsbn1qcts8.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jeffw63/media/558BCA61-742F-4244-8F8C-89E2DEBE1758_zpsbn1qcts8.jpg.html)

As an aside, I was the victim of an attempted scam trying to buy a different top. Someone responded to my WTB, we communicated by email, and he sent some pictures of the top. He offered to ship, and claimed he was going to do that by Greyhound. That should have tipped me off, as I now realize Greyhound wouldn't have shipped something that large. Anyway, I paid by by Paypal using my Amex as the funding source. The seller even engaged in some post sale communication regarding shipping details, then went dark. I filed a Paypal dispute, and waited patiently for the seller's response time to run. When he failed to answer, Paypal reversed the transaction. I've been dealing with private online sellers for years, buying and selling watches mostly (including a number of high end pieces), and never encountered a problem. I guess I just got lazy, and failed to take some basic steps to protect myself. Lesson learned!

az3579
10-13-2014, 03:42 AM
Gotta love PayPal (and credit card) buyer protection.

danewilson77
10-13-2014, 05:20 AM
Nice job picking that up JW.

Smilez
10-13-2014, 05:25 AM
Main reason i use paypal. Protected by Paypal, and Credit Card.

Can't wait to see finish product :D

danewilson77
10-13-2014, 05:29 AM
Main reason i use paypal. Protected by Paypal, and Credit Card.

Can't wait to see finish product :D

+1

johnrando
10-13-2014, 05:49 AM
Good news, and glad this one worked out. Amazing there are people like that out there. What's the point of trying to scam someone wen it can easily be reversed on paypal?

danewilson77
10-13-2014, 06:13 AM
If the guy is successful one out of ten times.....he's winning. Just don't be the one guy who doesn't pursue payment cancellation after the scam.

Oli77
10-13-2014, 08:58 AM
Nice pickup Jeff. Where are you going to have it painted?

jwalther
10-26-2014, 08:18 AM
Done (Oli-Bluegrass Auto Body next to Motorsports)! The paint matches pretty well, so I'm pleased with that.

Query what to do with the trim?

Option 1: Leave it as is.
Option 2: Replace/mask chrome top trim with black.
Option 3: Replace A pillar black trim with chrome.

What do you think?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s216/jeffw63/E971A0AA-973D-4C7A-8A18-0F6474F69E82_zpsvhi47e5d.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jeffw63/media/E971A0AA-973D-4C7A-8A18-0F6474F69E82_zpsvhi47e5d.jpg.html)

ELCID86
10-26-2014, 08:19 AM
Glad it matches. Great option for a vert. I'd like to see option #2.

danewilson77
10-26-2014, 08:38 AM
Glad it matches. Great option for a vert. I'd like to see option #2.
+1

"No flamesuit required"

johnrando
10-26-2014, 09:08 AM
+2

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Oli77
10-26-2014, 09:12 AM
Silver A pillar would tie the line towards the front and play well with the silver wheels. I like option 3.

stephenkirsh
10-26-2014, 03:43 PM
Zhp = no chrome trim around windows, so that's my vote!

Silber92
10-26-2014, 05:39 PM
Definitely, I'd vote for Nummer Zwei!

If you go the chrome route, once the hardtop is stored at the end of the season, you'll have black trim on the body and chrome on the A pillars.

jwalther
10-27-2014, 05:08 AM
Is trim replacement a DIY kind of project? Anyone ever tried it on a hardtop?

Oli77
10-27-2014, 09:27 AM
I think most people go black and use 5-6 thin coats of plasti-dip.