convertible repair recommendations in DC/Maryland area? Options

[ajsnow]

Hi all,

Does anyone here have a trusted rec for someone who repairs convertible 6GCs in the DC/Maryland area? I just got my '96 a couple months ago and I love the car, but one of the top motors failed and the opposite side's frame rail broke right in half from the extra/unbalanced weight.

Thanks in advance for any recs ...

[dgbldr]

I have motors, but not the rail part he needs.

Here's the scoop on shops: Most good upholstery/trim shops do convertible tops. There are only a handful of top-only shops in the country. The shops get the mechanical parts from the dealer. You can by a whole rail from the dealer for about $800. They don't sell parts of it. You can try junkyards but it's a long shot.

[ajsnow]

Thanks dgbldr (again). The advice is much appreciated.

I've been to one local upholstery guy; he's careful but doesn't seem to know a lot about Celicas, and he doesn't appear to shop around (e.g., quoted me $950 on an OEM rail; I've found a few places that sell it for $700-$750).

I'll poke around and see if anyone else is nearby.

[dgbldr]

he doesn't appear to shop around (e.g., quoted me $950 on an OEM rail; I've found a few places that sell it for $700-$750).

He is a business, not a hobby or charity. He will "shop around" if you offer to pay for his time. He will also mark up everything that passes through his business, to cover his time, expenses, warranty, overhead and profit. I'm not a mechanic, but I do the same in my business. Just like a restaurant charges you $50 for a bottle of wine you can buy at the wine store for $25.