Ok, I can't figure out if I'm crazy or that the prices I'm seeing are crazy. Looking to buy one. So, I'm going to look to forum wisdom.

I'm seeing these thing go for $100 to as much as $280 shipped. What is a "right" price?

 

Around $125 Including shipping seemed to be the average, when I was shopping around last month, for my project vert.

I am sure the price is variable with the quality in some cases.

 

That's all? Where are you getting your prices from and what kind of boot? Actually, what "boot" are you talking about? Maybe my brain is mixed up but are you talking about the thing that covers the top when you put it down?

If so...

The stock Mazda ones cost like, $600 brand new. I actually think it's closer to $800 for one, but I'm not certain.

 

Yeah, dealer cost is around $550 which would put over the counter at least $670. Not EVEN going there.

I'm talking used. Somewhere between $80 and $125 is what I was expecting considering those things are rarely used anyway. Just needed to return to factory stock. I'd talk the one from my '88, as a template, to my faithful upholstery shop and have one made for less than that. Only problem is what do I do about the plastic braces so it lays right.

At $125 sounds like my expectations are in the right range. Now, anybody out there got one for this humble Forum faithful (aka ME).

 

When I was thinking of buying a vert I looked at one that had no boot and several other things missing. Getting myself over to the dealer, I was informed that the boot was just about $1000, $980 to be exact. Now if the dealer cost is in the $500 range, they are making an immense amount of profit.
I have seen them sold on Ebay, more often than not in the $2-300 range. Never have I seen one for less than $150, though that's not saying they wouldn't come up.
Gray ones are rarer due to one year availability, with blue ones cheapest and black ones most common. All of them expensive for what you get.
I also thought about the upholstery shop routine, but the problem is the material is really thick vinyl and the plastic forms underneath are unique.
One other thing to keep in mind...once the boot is on the car, how do you prevent it from being ripped off? You have a $500-1000 laying on the back of your car...in the open...held on by snaps!!!!
Ralf
88 Vert

 

Comprehensive insurance! If they are gonna steal it, they will get it. If they took mine I would stand to make a LOT of money!

An alarm system would be a pretty good deterent, but depends on how much the thief wants it, a little siren and horn honking probally wont stop a quick and motivated thief...

Damn I got my brain working now...

Insurance Agent : blank blank insurance
Me: My thing covers my top just got stolen.
Insurance Agent: Did you file a police report?
Me:Yes
Insurance Agent: How much is a new one?
Me: $1000
Insurance Agent: Oh ****! LOL

You get the point, but thats dishonest and is insurance fraud. LOL

Anyone remember the old sunroof bags that held the 1st gen. sunroofs. Them things were like
$300!!!! I got one made a trim shop for $15, but thats a whole different thing. They were pretty easy to do, this one with the plastic and such would be a little differcult.

 

Those sunroof bags for the 1st gen moonroof's sell now for about $20-30 on ebay. Ask me how I know!
As for the top boot, yes, there is comprehensive if the owner has it. Absolutely correct and I think you could stand to make the money honestly, especially with the dealer invoice. Then go and buy a used one!
Ralf

 

A black one just sold on e-bay for the minimum $150 bid. Only one bidder, so thats what it went for. I took the silence on bidding a sign any other potential bidders viewed the minimum bid as being too high.

The bid wasn't mine as I was hoping it would cycle without a bid, then perhaps dicker with the seller post auction.

Ah well. More to come. No hurry. Thanks for the responses.

 

I have honestly thought about making these... fiberglass for the plastic parts, and have an upholstry shop stitch up the other parts... dunno about costs though. I have a good one for a pattern.

Brad

 

Brad sings: "I have a gray one, neener neener neener!"

 

Hey, what plastic parts and "boot" are y'all talking about? I have a vert, and I'm not understanding y'all's terminology. I think I know what you're talkin about, but I'm not sure. Is it the thing that snaps down over the top after you've folded it down? I have that, and I have some plastic pieces but I have no idea what they're for. They're long, black pieces that look like they're shaped to go somewhere on the top, but I'm not sure exactly how they fit. I need some input here badly!

 

2-300 is the norm.. i never got one because i dont have a need. time it takes to put on, i would have to take it off... my car is in no way a show car soo..

save ur money and buy a nice catback, etc!

scott

 

MisterMatt,

These pics should answer your questions. PM me if you need more info.
This one shows just one plastic piece installed.

 

This one shows the boot with both plastic pieces installed.

 

Brad,

Think hard about doing this. Think very very hard.

And I get first dibs.

 

Yes, that is what we mean. Those "long black pieces" are part of the snap down part... they keep the shape of the front corners.

Brad