I'm having my top replaced due to an accident. The local shop here has a top replacement guy thats replaceing the whole shooting match for mine for $1,000 front to back. I think that's more than high and think they are just using the opportunity to screw over insurance. I figgure hell with it though if they do a great job I'm not crying about it. The last time the top was replaced in Texas in the Houston area, 1997, the cost was $350 with materials provided. The material itself is cheap it's the installation that's a bear. From my limited understanding of it the top has to be adjusted as well in order to make certain it functions properly. Not exactly a weekend shadetree undertaking IMHO.
I paid $3200 for my 5.0 LX Vert about a year ago. Has 106k miles, T5, 93 Cobra long block, aftermarket cam and a few other goodies. It's a bit rough cosmetically, but runs like a scalded dog!
5.0 Verts are not real plentiful here near Dayton, Ohio. Matter of fact, 5.0s PERIOD are NOT real plentiful around here. Sucks living near cluster of GM plants. Although, it does make it fun picking on F-Bodies!