Is it "normal" to change tops?

[Nightsprinter]

Replacing tops reminds me of Ed Roman's old shop. If you haven't seen his website, well.... it's a TRIP.

 

[Levent]

Anything is possible If you have a good luthier and cash
I've seen a dude put a buckeye top on a cheap SX body and made It awesome, here;

 

[Astronaut]

Paint it.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

yeah, it's beginning to look like that would be the choice budget-wise and would be a simple ask (fill holes, fix p/u routes, paint).

will sleep on it...

Well, plugging the holes, repairing the routs and repainting the body to a solid color (a good quality pro job) will still cost you about $400-$500 total.