993 Cab Top Question

[aerocrosby]

The previous owner of my '98 993 Cab told me that I should never leave the top in the down position for any length of time and that I would stretch the cables and ruin it if I did. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I tend to leave the top down on my cars. I haven't had the top up on my Boxster for a couple of years now. Obviously, I don't want to do any damage to the 993. Am I at risk?
Thanks,
Scott

[Don Plumley]

Great question - I have no idea.

Anyone?

[Tom W]

I don't think it's a question of "cable stretch" but the top and window can/will get a wrinkle in them from where it folds back. The manual says not to leave it down overnight or longer.

That said, I've left mine down for a few days to no ill effect - it just takes a little longer for the fold line to go away once you put it back up. I also know of guys from the LA area that almost never put theirs up and are happy with it.

Use the cover, it cuts down on the wear from the top flapping in the wind and get a wind-stop, it's a nice addition that cuts down on the back-draft.

[Becker135]

There are a lot of things you should and should not do....I've left mine down for weeks with no problem, however your should insert something in the fold of the window as it goes down, like a small pillow, to keep the rear window from creasing. Also, the cables and motors are very sensitive to being synchronized. Don't raise or lower the top unless you are on flat ground, or at least level between sides. I've spend many dollars fixing all of the above, so be careful!

[gamma]

The tops are very over engineered and problem prone. I have had mine to two dealers, and it still does not work right. I only have one successful raising of the top in my five years. All other times it has been at least a partial manual operation. I put mine up in the fall, and take it down in the Spring. I have done this for three years with no problem. Window is fine, top is fine. I clean both sides of the window before lowering the top. Kevin

[notfarnow]

I have a set of 993 cables & transmissions, if anyone here needs them. Was going to Ebay them next week, but would prefer to sell 'em to a pelicanite

[craig001]

Pelican used to sell a cabriolet window pillow to put in the rear window as you lowered it. I got my last one from MidAmerica Parts in their Corvette section - ~$15 + S&H.

As others have said, the main reason not to leave the top down is the rear window cracking.