[CA_Boxster]

I had mine done today. It'll run about $2k total with the glass window top at a good installer (good = good rep for quality and someone that stands behind the work). The regular top (same quality aftermarket - not OEM) runs about $1700 for the same installation. A cheaper shop can probably knock a couple hundred $ off each install, but I chose a good installer. My understanding is that the installation process is the same. Personally, I wouldn't take off a good plastic window top just to get a glass window, but if you do need to replace your top for any reason, I see no reason not to get the glass. I had a tear in my plastic window. It was very small and not growing - actually livable - I got out the krazy glue to ensure that the seam didn't crack and put a little clear tape on the plastic so water would stop leaking in and that worked fine for the full 6 month rainy season and I had no new problems with the top. However, that coupled with the fact that the previous owner beat up the top a little and my grey canvas was no longer the same color it initially was prompted me to be ready for a deal on a new one. The emergence of the glass got me motivated. I went for a black top this time.

I like the way it looks. No different than the OEM top in shape, and the same material as OEM. The window is smaller and sits lower - the best way I can describe it is to compare it to the old speedsters. It's not that drastic, but it does have sort of that look. Keep in mind that the plastic window covers almost the whole back of the top - it's pretty big. The glass is smaller and the fact that it's on a slant decreases the viewing angle, but I wouldn't consider it a reason to pass on the glass. I used to be able to see the top of the plastic at the top of my rear view mirror and the bottom at the bottom of the mirror (did you ever notice that the shape of the mirror follows the shape of the plastic rear window so all you see is a clear view?) - now I've lost the top and bottom fifths of that view. The window sits lower because the top folds at the top of the glass and the glass lays flat in the boot, bottom of the glass toward the rear of the car. The glass height is about size of the folded top in the boot, as a point of reference.

The only negative I can think of is that if the glass ever breaks a whole top replacement might be required. I guess someone could try to sew in plastic as a cheaper fix, but new glass can't be installed (that was also the case with my last convertible with a glass window and I believe it's true of all tops).

By the way - it looks to me like these things are going to be everywhere very soon. We've been waiting because we saw the one in the UK, but I think this style will be available all over the place in a month. You're going to start seeing these on the road.