The top on my E30 has shrunk

The top on my E30 has shrunk and no longer covers the area above the windows. When it starts raining here, it's going to be a problem.

I called a convertible top specialist near me and they want $1,400 including labor to replace the top. Seems like a lot of money on this car that was literally given to me. 

I'm thinking of trying to install an eBay top or find one on CL. Has anyone done this job at home before? How time consuming is it?

Also, how out of the question is find a hard top for a reasonable price? 

$1400 is a pretty good price for a replacement top installed.  I remember a top install on a Miata running $1500, almost fifteen years ago when parts were cheap for those cars.

The e30 hardtops I have seen are less expensive than Miata hardtops. Unfortunately they are nowhere near as common and I think I have only ever seen 2 for sale. 

$1400 is a good price. The best in town wanted $1900 for my NC Miata about 4 years. 

EvanB, where? I sold an E30 hardtop with a busted rear window that needed the latching area fixed, leads to the window fixed and needed new covering for $500 like 7 years ago.

I could be very wrong, that is just what I recall from the random ones I have stumbled across on CL over the years. I definitely wouldn't count on finding one either way. 

I put a top on my E36. It took 8 hours following a DIY online. If I remember right I paid $600-800 for the top itself. 

Can't say about BMW's I did go through the fun of replacing the top on that S197 Mustang I had. Found it was cheaper and way easier to replace the whole top than it was to try and recove my existing frame. I did help a buddy replace the top on his S2000, that was a major PITA.

So if you can find a good used top, go for it.

I think I posted this EXACT question a month ago, for a second I thought I was having an out of body experience.

I also have a free E30 with a shrinking top. I was also quoted $1400 for a replacement. 

Do I have an alter ego posting on here?!

We actually just bought a convertible E30. The receipts included with the car showed a convertible top replacement for $1200 about 3-4 years ago, so I think your price is in the ballpark. I haven't done this job on an E30, but on a Miata which I imagine is a little more simple. I think it's reasonable to do it yourself, but it would be much easier with another pair of hands to help with removal, installation, and general holding things in place. Most manufacturers I have used include semi-decent instructions on replacing the top with basic hand tools. 

Personally I'd stay away from buying a hard top without replacing the soft top. It might make sense if you plan on keeping the car forever, but it seems a lot of people that buy convertible E30s are in the market for a convertible, otherwise they'd just buy the coupe.

So you got the car for free?  Hmm, that means for $1400 you have an E30 with a brand new top!  Win! 

I fail to see the issue here....