How hard is it to change a convertible top on an 87 irocz? I can get a top off of ebay for around $270 for a vynil top with pads and cables, and instructions. Ive never done it but want to save the money of having someone put it on. Also how much better is cloth then vynil for a top?

 

If you have no prior upholstery experience, I might not go jumping into the deep end with a top replacement. I've replaced a top before, on one of my Vette restos. You need to be patient, meticulous, careful, a good measurer, a good fitter, and a good planner-aheader. For instance, at the rear bow, above the window, beneath the fold-over edging, the lower and the top portion of the top are separate pieces and are stapled to a tack strip in the bow. Get it too loose, no big deal, you can remove the staples and pull it tighter. But oops and get it too tight, you probably aren't going to loosen it back up enough without those staple holes showing. You might want to see if one of the top makers has an installation guide that you can download and read through so you know what you're getting into. If you don't feel like a drooling mental patient by the time you read it through, then give it a shot!
As far as the fabric, cloth tops are classier. And vinyl tops can/will eventually crack at the pivot point, at the corner above the rear edge of the side windows.