Ted -
I'm sure the quote you got was broken down into the labor and the top cost. There are alot of top suppliers on eBay and The Internet, and you might be able to save some money on the top, depending upon how much the shop is quoting. I got a terrific deal on eBay on a Robbins top from an upholstery shop in Florida because they had ordered in the wrong type of German canvas (BMW-style canvas instead of Porsche-style canvas, which is "scorched") and I didn't care about the difference (the top material is going to out-last the window material anyway). You might want to check to make sure the shop is willing to install a top you supply, and maybe get the names of the manufacturers they're comfortable with (based on the chatter in Renntech, Robbins and GAHH seem to be commonly used).
After reviewing alot of the info out on the internet, I decided to try replacing it myself, and after some effort, managed to install it successfully. Below are some of links that you can look at to see what's involved and decide if you guys are up for it, and at least you will have a better understanding of what the shop will need to do:
http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/replacingthetop-adiyhttp://www.renntech.org/forums/lofivers ... p/f46.htmlIf you've already got a headliner (on base models after 2001, I think), then you can re-use it so long as it is not damaged. (The most common form of damage to the liner is stretched elastics which are supposed to pull the sides of the liner down at the base near the top pivots; these can be replaced if you like to sew...).
Good luck,
Russell