Friday, May 17, 2019

Can Tears Or Cuts On Convertible Top Be Repaired Or Patched?



As a soft top convertible owner, odds are you pay special attention to the wear and tear of your beloved convertible. From the tension cables to the headliners and the material of the fabric itself, your soft top is a delicate yet crucial part of your car. It protects you from heavy rains, strong winds, hail, extreme temperatures and just about any element. However, in doing so your car withstands a lot and this can often lead to unwanted tears or cuts in the soft top fabric. If you find yourself in this predicament, luckily there are some measures you can take in order to repair your soft top to last you a little longer before you really need to replace it.

How Do I Repair My Convertible Soft Top?


The first thing you want to do to effectively repair your soft top is simply to sew the tear using a strong thread or fine wire and using a cross-stitch pattern. This will ensure that you completely close the aperture and maintain a protective soft top. Remember to take your time and have patience as you carefully and meticulously close the laceration.

Then, you can also use strong tape and or glue to seal the tear in your soft top. You want to make sure to use a heavy-duty cloth tape instead of the cheap stuff. The best method is to use tape to close the laceration from the inside of the car and use glue to seal it from the outside of the car. Remember to apply both the tape and glue generously to completely seal your soft top.

Lastly, you should use marine canvas to completely patch up your soft top. Just simply cut a piece of canvas about 1 to 2 inches larger than the tear and emulate the shape of the tear as much as you can. Following this process is the most effective way to ensure that your convertible is as good as new.

Can Any Tear Or Cut Be Repaired?



Although this process is a great way to repair your convertible top, it is not a permanent fix. A soft top is only meant to last you about 5 to 15 years depending on the wear and tear it faces (rain, hail, sun, etc.). After a certain amount of time, the entire soft top will need to be replaced, not just for aesthetics, but for your protection. In fact, if the cut is longer than 12 inches, we would actually recommend that you replace your soft top altogether. In some cases, especially if the laceration in the soft top is the result of vandalism, the top cannot be replaced, no matter its size.

If you are unfortunate enough to face a tear or cut that you cannot repair using this process, we offer affordable replacements for a large variety of makes and models at AutoTops Direct. Also, if you simply need to replace a small piece and not the soft top itself, we also offer a variety of accessories that include headliners, seals and trim repair kits.

Which Material Is Best for My Replacement?


It’s also important to keep in mind which materials are best suited for the particular weather conditions that your car is prone to. We offer Everflex, Pinpoint, Sailcloth, Twill and Acoustic Vinyl as well as Stayfast, Sonnendeck and German Classic canvas. 

For weatherability, we recommend using Sailcloth or Everflex vinyl, which is also known for extreme durability. However, if your main concern is wear and tear from the sun, we recommend using German Classic canvas, Sailcloth vinyl or Sonnendeck canvas as they are known to be fade-resistant. 

But if you are looking for a more affordable fix and aren’t too concerned about the elements, then Pinpoint vinyl is your best bet. And if you are looking for a high-end replacement that offers you both durability and a clean look while reducing noise, we recommend using Acoustic vinyl, Twill vinyl or Stayfast canvas. All of our replacement soft tops offer you both durability and a clean look. 

Choosing the right replacement for your car depends on the daily wear and tear that your vehicle is prone to. At AutoTops Direct we are proud to offer you a 5 year warranty on all of our soft top replacements and a 30 day price match guarantee so that you don’t have to break the bank purchasing a proper replacement.


Monday, May 6, 2019

Most Expensive Convertibles 2019

Few things in life compare to the feeling you get when you travel along the open road with the top down on a warm, sunny day. Sure, any convertible car will afford you that luxury, but there’s just something about a convertible with a little more pizzazz, a little more style, and a little more muscle. Whether you are ready to buy or only feeding your curious side, below you’ll find a list of the most expensive consumer-model convertibles available in 2019. We’re not talking “pimped out” convertibles. No, the convertibles listed below are straight from the manufacturer and ready for the open road.

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertible



The Mercedes-Benz C-class if the first high-end convertible on our list. The 2019 model gets a boost in horsepower compared to earlier models and also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to make connecting to your smartphone as simple as possible. Buyers will also enjoy the new LED headlights and taillights. 

Depending on your exact needs and goals, you can choose from a range of horsepower and performance options when you place your order. Located in Germany, Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for producing some of the most luxurious cars on the market today. 

  • Dimensions: 185-187″ L x 71-74″ W x 55″ H
  • MPG: Up to 21 city / 29 highway
  • Horsepower: 255 to 503 hp
  • Cargo volume: 8.8 ft³
  • Curb weight: 3,869 to 4,275 lbs

You can add this car to your collection for a minimum of $51,000 MSRP.

2019 BMW 4 Series Convertible



For a perfect balance between sports car performance and luxury comfort, it's hard to beat the BMW 4 Series. BMW has optimized the 4 Series for performance across both their four- or six-cylinder option. The 2019 model comes with upgraded gauges for a clear display and upscale appearance. 

For a German car with performance in mind, the 4 Series offers a surprising level of comfort when you speed along the open road. Like other high-end convertibles, you have several performance options from which you can choose. You must find the right balance between fuel economy and raw power. 

  • Horsepower: 248 to 320 hp
  • Dimensions: 183″ L x 72″ W x 54-55″ H
  • MPG: Up to 24 city / 34 highway
  • Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 3.0 L 6-cylinder

This car sets you back $63,000 MSRP depending on the performance options you choose.

2019 Porsche 718 Boxster



No list of the top convertibles of 2019 is complete without mentioning the Porsche 718 Boxster. The latest model Boxster comes with enhanced features and offers plenty of power with a four-cylinder engine. 

The 718 Boxster convertible comes in several different engine configurations depending on the driving experience you want, including Base, S-model, and GTS in either manual or automatic transmission. This is one of the sportier, more powerful convertible available on the market. 

  • Horsepower: 300 to 365 hp
  • Curb weight: 2,944 to 3,032 lbs
  • MPG: Up to 22 city / 29 highway
  • Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 2.5 L 4-cylinder

Depending on your configuration and add-ons, the 2019 718 Boxster will cost you anywhere from $59,000 MSRP to $86,000 MSRP.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible



Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette is the first American sports car on our list. Chevrolet upgraded the Corvette's performance for the 2019 model, giving you a max 755-horsepower engine. This model offers an impressive amount of cargo space for a car of its class so long trips won't be a problem.

Chevy has continually evolved the details on the Corvette without abandoning its classic sleek look. The 2019 model improvements were focused purely on power and handling capabilities. The 2019 Corvette is one of the most powerful cars on the market and offers drivers one of the most luxurious interiors - so you won’t know whether to drop the top and enjoy the fresh air, or roll up the windows and bask in its luxury.

  • MSRP: From $55,900
  • Horsepower: 455 to 755 hp
  • Engine: 6.2 L V8
  • MPG: Up to 16 city / 25 highway
  • Curb weight: 3,298 to 3,618 lbs

The convertible model starts at $68,000 MSRP.

2019 Audi R8 Spider



Audi’s most powerful commercially available sports convertible is the Audi R8 Spider. Known for its sleek, sexy body design, the 2019 model of the R8 boosts power and doubles down on detail-rich features that really make this car stand out from the pack. 

Modeled after Audi’s sport racing models the LMS, the R8 is available in V10 and V10 Plus outputs giving you a wide range of horsepower. They’ve also made improvements to handling with their electromagnetically enhanced power steering system and three separate driving modes: Dry, Wet, and Snow. 

  • Horsepower: 532HP - 602 HP
  • Wheels: 20 inch

Currently only available in Europe, speculators are saying that the US-approved version will adopt many of the changes. This car will set you back $138,700.

2019 McLaren 720S Spider



The McLaren Spider is a British sports car that leaves other vehicles in the dust. If you want raw power above all else (and are ready to pay for it) this is the car for you. McLaren built the Spider as a street-legal version of a race car, so it's one of the fastest manufacturer cars that you can buy on the consumer market.

The 2019 McLaren 720 S Spider is a convertible not to be trifled with. With a mammoth 700+ HP, 4L engine, this bad boy tops out at 212 mph, with a 0 - 60 gun time in 2.7 seconds. The claim to fame for this Spider model is that there is now a difference between the hardtop version and convertible model. 

  • Engine Type: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
  • Power: 710 hp @ 7500 rpm
  • Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
  • Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode
  • Fuel Economy: Combined/city/highway: 18/15/22 mpg

If you’re ready to join the pros, you can get your own 2019 Maclaren 720S Spider for a cool $320,000 MSRP.

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