Targa Top

[Chip 82 Targa]

Has anyone had recent experience with the SunDialent top advertised on Ebay? I have seen the 5 to 10 year old comments.

Chip

[Justin@Athens]

I bought one 2 years ago. Communication was somewhat curt. Not a horrible product, but I wouldn't buy another. The big let down with this product is the front locking mechanism. It does not use the factory latches, but rather requires you to drill two small holes above the front windscreen for installation. Also, because it is not very rigid, wind often creeps past the seal in the front under the middle of the top and causes a great deal of wind noise. Spend the extra dough and get a refurbished top and correct seal from Dan Petchel and CarsInc.

[darrin]

Chip:

What's driving you to consider this top? Might be able to provide better guidance if we better understood your situation

[ScottT80]

Any other comments on this particular top?

[archtech]

I'm using one as a second top. Didn't have to drill hole since hole was already there but covered by the vinyl so just poked thru. I bought mine second hand. Front seal on mine was already modified to seal better. Window seals were already coming off so no idea if it worked. In general decent structure to begin adding better seals for. The manufacturing guy was not very friendly when I was asking questions about the top. I think he thought I was trying to reverse engineer it.

Nothing beats a good original top though. I rebuilt mine.

[ScottT80]

Mine needs rebuilt but I don't like the idea of shipping it off to NJ without anything to put back on the car.

[DRACO A5OG]

Dan can send you a loaner, as I recall

[darrin]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Dan can send you a loaner, as I recall

or, I believe, you can arrange so he'll keep yours as a core and send you a rebuilt one.

I went the loaner top route -- I sent my top to him in the box that I received with the loaner top and returned the loaner to him in the box containing my rebuilt top. VERY happy with the quality of his rebuild.

[ScottT80]

Whats the going rate on a rebuild by Dan? Around $1000?

How much extra does the loaner run?

[beren]

Dan's the man - trust him. He helped me out. He's a good guy.

[beren]

Although I do have to say that I think it is odd that there isn't more of a response from Porsche to make sure that these cars have parts and stuff. It is a bit odd. I got better parts support from (hack, burp, excuse me) Saab for cars in the same age range.

[Michael T]

Compared to what a Cabriolet top costs plus install, Dan is a bargain. Both my 1987 and now 1989 Targas had recently refurbished top by Dan. They were both top notch in quality. Dan also had a new moulding for my windshield, when a previously new install was the incorrect part. Great communication too.

[OsoMoore]

I've got a new top by Dan. Works great. The previous owner bought it with my deposit. I believe he used the system whereby Dan sends you a refurbished top and you send yours back in the packaging.

[ScottT80]

It is disappointing Porsche isn't more supportive of the targa parts. Especially for a car like the 911.

[nvr2mny]

Dan is great and so is Dave Brown out of Colorado. Used them both and am very happy with either of them.