Hardtops....?

[jjflash]

I saw this thread here, with some custom striping on a hardtop-equipped Boxster.

Check out the new stripes! - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

In my search for a Boxster, I've seen only a few with the factory hardtop, but, as this thread reminded me, I actually like the look of the car with the hardtop installed.

Are there any considerations I should be aware of regarding the hardtops? Noisy? Leaky? Prone to breaking or wearing out? I actually have had occasion (once) to install and remove a hardtop on a car that I was considering several years ago, and it wasn't super-difficult, although you need a little help.

Overall how does the hardtop compare with the convertible top in the areas of cabin noise and comfort?

Anyway, I thought I'd better check and see what others' experience and advice might be regarding the factory hardtop.

TIA for all pointers and recommendations.

[Joel Lester]

I put my hardtop on the car for the winter months - mostly because up here in the Seattle area it tends to rain a lot and I don't want the soft top to be wet all the time. I can tell you the hardtop is much quieter than the soft top - both wind noise and other traffic noise. It is easy to take on and off (with two people). I've thought about one of those "one man lift and storage" deals - that sounds like it would be handy. The hardtop is also warmer too. I really like it.

I have to admit - it came with the car so I didn't go out and shop for one but have noticed many used tops for sale on e-bay. I hear they are very expensive new and it may not be worth it. A '99 Box like mine is only worth ~10K and spending 5K on a top doesn't seem worth it.

One other super cool thing to consider is one of those ZeinTops - looks like a Caymen! I really like those. The bad thing about them is that if you like having a covertable, at lest part of the year, those tops would be a MUCH bigger job to take on and off.

Good luck!

Joel

[jjflash]

Originally Posted by Joel Lester

I put my hardtop on the car for the winter months - mostly because up here in the Seattle area it tends to rain a lot and I don't want the soft top to be wet all the time. I can tell you the hardtop is much quieter than the soft top - both wind noise and other traffic noise. It is easy to take on and off (with two people). I've thought about one of those "one man lift and storage" deals - that sounds like it would be handy. The hardtop is also warmer too. I really like it.

I have to admit - it came with the car so I didn't go out and shop for one but have noticed many used tops for sale on e-bay. I hear they are very expensive new and it may not be worth it. A '99 Box like mine is only worth ~10K and spending 5K on a top doesn't seem worth it.

One other super cool thing to consider is one of those ZeinTops - looks like a Caymen! I really like those. The bad thing about them is that if you like having a covertable, at lest part of the year, those tops would be a MUCH bigger job to take on and off.

Good luck!

Joel

Joel,

Thanks for the input. I'm definitely going to try for one, although $5K is out of the question. I think I've seen them for about $1,500 which is more like it. Hopefully I'll run across a car that already has one.

I've seen the pix of the Zeintop and while I agree that it looks cool, I think the Porsche top is fine with me and I'd much rather have the ease-of-installation factor anyway.

Your car looks really good with the hardtop and the stripes! I've seen some pix with a black hardtop and silver car which didn't look bad either--a nice contrast. We'll see how it shakes out, but I'm hoping I end up with one.

[egress91506]

I had a hardtop on my 99 Boxster before it turned into a spec race car. I'm also in Southern Calif. I liked the hardtop a lot. Made the car quieter and I liked the looks of it as well. I used to put it on for long trips, in the winter when it rained and when I tracked the car. I received more postive comments about the car when the top was on. Installation is pretty easy (2 person job because of the size, not weight). I also had a wheeled hardtop rack to store the hardtop in the garage, so it was out of the way and not likely to get damaged.

If you end up finding a car without one and are looking for a hardtop, the rack, the spinlocks (part that installs in car to lock hardtop into place), cover for hardtop and felt plastic window pad, let me know.

[jjflash]

Originally Posted by egress91506

I had a hardtop on my 99 Boxster before it turned into a spec race car. I'm also in Southern Calif. I liked the hardtop a lot. Made the car quieter and I liked the looks of it as well. I used to put it on for long trips, in the winter when it rained and when I tracked the car. I received more postive comments about the car when the top was on. Installation is pretty easy (2 person job because of the size, not weight). I also had a wheeled hardtop rack to store the hardtop in the garage, so it was out of the way and not likely to get damaged.

If you end up finding a car without one and are looking for a hardtop, the rack, the spinlocks (part that installs in car to lock hardtop into place), cover for hardtop and felt plastic window pad, let me know.

Thanks! I definitely will. I just sent you an email from Pelican, so watch for it and you'll have my email and phone number. If I can score a good deal on a hardtop beforehand, that will make shopping much easier.

[egress91506]

I emailed you as well. I checked and updated the email address associated with my login. It was going to an old job email address.

[Wayne 962]

The hardtop is great! I have a project on installing one in the new book. Very quiet, and also leak-proof. Changes the car into a coupe, you don't realize how noisy the stock cabriolet top is until you drive the car with the hardtop on.

-Wayne

[jjflash]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

The hardtop is great! I have a project on installing one in the new book. Very quiet, and also leak-proof. Changes the car into a coupe, you don't realize how noisy the stock cabriolet top is until you drive the car with the hardtop on.

-Wayne

And it looks GOOD too.... I want one

[Doug&Julie]

I read somewhere that Bruce Anderson used his on his Boxster all the time. Something about not being a convertible person. I'm a convertible person, but I could see it. It really "solidifies" the car.

[txhokie4life]

Anyone know what the dimensions are?

I've got to get one shipped to me and trying to figure out the best
way to do it.

thanks,

Mike

[mbdoctor]

Anybody Needs a Hardtop for their Boxster? I have it in Guards Red.... Email me Mbdoctorbenz@hotmail.com

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by txhokie4life

Anyone know what the dimensions are?

I've got to get one shipped to me and trying to figure out the best
way to do it.

thanks,

Mike

Roughly the same size as the cloth roof you have on the car when it's up - use that as a measurement guide.

-Wayne

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by txhokie4life

Anyone know what the dimensions are?

I've got to get one shipped to me and trying to figure out the best
way to do it.

thanks,

Mike

Here are two pictures showing how the tops are shipped from Porsche:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/986-hardtop2.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/986-hardtop1.jpg

Here's a top that was shipped in a cardboard box - note the paint damage:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/IMG_42172.jpg

I finally found a top within driving distance.

Here's the final product:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/IMG_1341v2_1_1_1.jpg

[no1biscuit]

Really dumb question here. So no laughing (at least on the board so everyone can see). Does the soft top need to be removed or does the hardtop sit on top?

Thanks
Thom

[egress91506]

No need to remove soft top. Put it down like you normally would (Porsche makes a soft felt cloth to protect the plastic soft top window) and install the hardtop on top.

[BerneseMtnDog]

I also find that I can see considerably better through the large hardtop window, especially in the rain. I leave it on from late fall through early spring. Love it.

Steve
2000 2.7L

[no1biscuit]

I am looking at a 99 in Idaho and it has a hardtop. They are telling me that it doesn't have a soft top. Is that possible?

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by no1biscuit

I am looking at a 99 in Idaho and it has a hardtop. They are telling me that it doesn't have a soft top. Is that possible?

You can remove the soft top, so yes it is possible. You can tell by looking at the car whether the soft top is in place. Even with the top on, you can look behind the seats and see the forward edge of the soft top.

Perhaps the soft top was damaged or worn and the owner removed it rather than go through the expense of repair or replacement.

[mikefocke]

Depending on who is selling the car, it is also possible they don't know where the top is or the mechanism is broken.

[UNYboater]

The glass rear window is a big deal too. My old Boxster had the plastic window & it was getting hazy. If I had replaced the top, I would have gotten the glass rear window (like my S has now!) even though it's smaller. With the hard-top, you get bigger glass & rear defroster.

Even with a top that has a glass window, I too would like to pick up a hard-top. If anyone comes across a nice inexpensive one in the North-East, let me know! I'd drive to pick it up instead of trying to get it shipped safely.