I have a question about the top... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

986 Girl · 03-13-2007, 06:21 AM

If you are worried about putting the top up and down each day, then you probably shouldn't have a convertible.

Yes, it's wear and tear on the motor, but it's built for that... you aren't putting unnecessary or unique strain on it by actually using it.

MartinJ · 03-13-2007, 08:24 AM

Don't worry about it. If I arrive at my garage with the top down it stays down, if I arrive with it up, it stays up.

Just drive and enjoy.

BTW the weather here in NorCal is great - Top down today!

SD987 · 03-13-2007, 09:36 AM

The 987 top (and perhaps 986) is prone to developing pressure circles with the top down for long periods of time. This is particularly true when the top is put down damp (a no-no per the manual).

The 987 top design is derived from the 996 turbo cabriolet with motors strong enough to raise or lower the top when moving at up to 60 mph (even though it's limited for liability reasons to below 31). If it can do that, then it can certainly handle the rigors of conventional usage. I'd also believe that like any other motor, it benefits from being put to use rather than neglect.

teacher · 08-02-2008, 07:16 PM

I watched a video recently about the convertible testing on a Boxster. It was reported that within testing the convertible is raised and lowered 40,000 times to assuage the motor quality. This is impressive to me, yet still, I can see a 1969 Chevelle convertible go up and down as well, without the dreaded markings. Are the Boxsters just wound too tight or is this a structural deficit? Seriously, you can buy a Camaro convertible, or many others, and not have this top problem. Not to knock Porsche, I love my car, but sometimes I wonder...