by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re into convertible cars, then you know the great feeling of driving with the top down during the Summer months. The feeling of the warm air flying through the cabin and your connection with the outside world is most likely the reason that you bought a convertible in the first place. But if your car’s convertible is a soft top, then it will likely get damaged and degrade over time. How much does it cost to replace it?

Considering repairing it over replacing it

Depending on the type of convertible you have, replacing its soft top can be a lengthy and costly procedure. In that case, JD Power recommends accessing the soft top first and considering if it can be repaired instead of completely replaced. Depending on its overall condition, fixing the soft top can be a much more affordable option.

If you decide to fix the top instead of replacing it, then you can find many different convertible repair kits on sites like Amazon. And when it comes to doing it yourself, there are plenty of instructions to be found online.  

Replacing a convertible soft top with a tighter budget

If you decide to replace your car’s convertible soft top completely, then you can do so on a tighter budget. JD Power recommends checking out different types of soft-top materials as a canvas convertible top can cost less than a vinyl one. There is also the option of Stayfast canvas material with a cotton backing, which could cost a little less as well.

Additionally, there are certain sites like Auto Tops Direct and Tops Online that have budget-friendly prices and can even save you up to $200 over other sites.

Completely replacing a convertible top can cost a pretty penny

The price for replacing your car’s convertible soft top will vary depending on the application. However, you can look forward to paying around $900 to $1,500 for the complete process, according to JD Power. Of course, if you opt to get the top installed by a professional, then it could cost more depending on their specific labor rates.

Unless you’re very handy around the garage, we would recommend getting your car’s soft top replaced by a professional as the process is typically very labor-intensive. If you miss a step in the process or lose any of the parts, then it could have a great effect on the finished product. You wouldn’t want a poor-functioning soft top just because you wanted to save a few hundred dollars now, would you?

Doing it yourself can still cost a lot

In the end, if you decide that you would rather take the job on yourself, just remember that you could still end up paying a lot for parts and tools. Aside from the convertible replacement top itself, you can easily spend around $300 just to get the job done correctly, which is why it could be wise to seek professional help. Also, most shops will offer a warranty in case anything goes wrong. While you might pay more in the end, that open-air feeling and connection with the world outside are priceless.

RELATED: What’s the Best Convertible You Can Buy These Days?

The post How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Convertible Soft Top? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

California-based company ModVans has seen a gap in the van life market and taken advantage. Their new offerings promise to make the lifestyle not only more fun but far, far more practical. That is if the concept of a go-anywhere camping setup on wheels isn’t practical enough for you. Clearly, it wasn’t for ModVans, which is why the company has introduced two new models: the CV1/M and the MH1.

All it takes is a Ford Transit Van

Happily, both of the brand’s new models are based on a staple of the van life: the Ford Transit. However, by the time the brand is done with them, they’re anything but a Ford Transit. For one, the new CV1/M is able to be converted from a camping haven to a work van on a whim. Fixtures like the sink, toilet, and tables can be removed to open up the gigantic flat load floor that vans are known for.

Additionally, there’s also a pop-up roof, seen below, which can add a good bit more headroom to the vehicle. These are all fundamental changes from the brand’s initial CV1 model, which used a shorter roof version of the Transit as a platform. Speaking of platforms, the van of course offers sleeping space. The first sits just behind the kitchen, and the second appears to be mounted along the roofline. Unfortunately, that likely means that ModVans owners will only be able to use one sleeping space with the tent down.

ModVans offers the best of both worlds

The other ModVans model, the MH1, builds on the foundation laid by the CV1/M. Instead of just a taller Ford Transit base, the second model in the lineup uses a much larger extended height and length Transit for maximum van life. Think of the MH1 as more of a full-fledged camper van than the CV1/M, which is still very much a regular van. There’s further evidence of this in the interior. There’s a fully enclosed bathroom, for starters.

Moreover, there’s also a huge kitchen that comes complete with an oven. The features in the MH1 keep coming, and there’s also a full-size shower included in the more luxury-leaning MH1, just across from the bathroom. The best part? That shower can collapse electronically, according to ModVans, creating more counter space. There’s also a 50-gallon water tank and an available 500-AH battery to keep all your stuff charged. Finally, the MH1 offers both a queen and full-sized bed. Like the CV1/M, that full bed can only be used when the pop-up top is up.

Everything has a price

Of course, all this van life comes at a price. As expected, the CV1/M is the cheaper of the two. That one will run you $89,000 to start. The MH1 starts at a much higher price. $114,000 is a lot for a weekend camping setup, but you get what you pay for. Clearly, people are buying. There’s already a waitlist for the MH1. Will you be on it?

RELATED: The Mercedes Alphavan is King of the Custom Camper Vans

The post ModVans Has Two New Ways for You to Live the Van Life appeared first on MotorBiscuit.