used or new soft top replacement?

[domchang]

Greetings

Well, my worn out soft top finally had its main window crack during the current cold spell.

Now I am looking to replace the soft top in the Spring. The condition is marginal at best, in fact the rear window had been the best part. : )

However, was looking at local salvage yard on west side of town today and saw what appears to be a good condition soft top that they'll sell me complete with frame for $400.

The top is dusty and dirty but I did not see any wear marks, holes and such, specially on the plastic windows. Heck, the cloth portions looked better than my present top! The interior lining looks pretty good, way better than my present top, in the short time they gave me to look at it before they locked up for the day.

My gut (or the fact I'm a cheap bastard) tells me just spend the minimum to get it back to working order...my 560SL is not even close to concours level, but a nice looking daily driver.

However there's the small fear I'll buy the used top and get it home only to find some unfixable defect and be out $400.

So, here's the decision I'd like input on from fellow SL owners:

Option A. Spend the $400 for this used soft top, clean it up and use it. ( I think she'll clean up nicely, it was all dirt and dust that I could see.

Option B. Wait till Spring, pay between 800-900 for a new soft top and the labor to install it.

comments?

thanks

domchang