986 hardtop pros, cons... Your thoughts

[mighty mouse]

I have a 2000 986 s that i like to take to the track 3 or 4 times a summer. I have been pondering the benefits of a hardtop purchase. As i see it, a hardtop looks good, insulates the cabin from road noise, and the rear window would be nice verses the plastic window.
What i'm curious about is would the hardtop add rigidity to the chassis?
Also, although the top is only about 45 lbs, i'd be adding weight to the car which is something i'm usually trying to avoid. I suppose the hardtop would have to be removed to access the engine compartment too.
Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Is a hardtop a good purchase?

[mikefocke]

You live in PA. Is the Boxster a year round driver for you?

At the track or even on the road, if something comes flying off the car in front of you, it is nice to have a hardtop absorb the shock and deflect the debris rather than the soft top and your head. It is required in some classes and venues.

Negatives. Weight and high on the car. Can be somewhat mitigated by removing the canvas top and frame. Two man job to remove unless you have a pulley system rigged to the roof of your garage. Take room to store during the summer. Needs spinlocks (separate purchase) to install it. Cost.

Suggestion. They vary in price with the season, color and condition. Buy in the summer. Be prepared to go get the top after getting and mounting the spinlocks. Or pay for boxing and shipping.

Confession: I got the spinlocks, never got the top but I was a daily driver and did not go to the track.

[mighty mouse]

Thanks for your thoughts!
It's not a daily driver and the weight up high does bother me for track days.
I was also thinking if I do club racing or something like that in the future then I'd have the hardtop which is required.
Things that make you go Hmmm ....

[jmitro]

racers can chime in...but I believe if you go racing, you can get the aftermarket fiberglass hardtop which is probably cheaper and less weight than factory hardtop

[mighty mouse]

Yes, I believe you're correct. Just found them on line last night.
Thank you!

[Brian in Tucson]

this is on CL here, today. https://tucson.craigslist.org/pts/d/tucson-porsche-boxster-hardtop/6808397948.html

[NICKG]

I have one in NW Jersey with a broken rear window I will let go for 300

[racer]

Subjectively, I've felt that the hardtop offers more headroom. I can't confirm if this is actually true though.

Its been many years since I had a Boxster, but I thought, hardtop or not, that the driver is subject to the "broomstick" test for DE participation. That said, I could see lazy folks not bother if the hardtop is in place.

I also wouldn't count on a 45lb piece of fiberglass and glass to add much to the chassis structure, and I would think in case of a rollover, the top would simply get smashed and possibly detach. I am not sure it offers much more protection than the factory softop in this scenario.

Spec Bosters run a full rollcage underneath, including above the driver, to protect in case of rollover. The Hardtop is used to cover the cage and maintain an OEM look is my presumption. Also, lighter and fewer parts than a full softop.

[mighty mouse]

Thanks racer! Makes sense.
I've decided not to go with the hardtop.
Mainly, I think the cons outweigh the pros for me personally.
Plus, it's just one more thing laying around when not in use. I'm too OCD for that.