Someone sliced my plastic rear window!

[jl1252]

So I go out to my garage to twiddle around and clean up some odds and ends and as I walk by the rear of my car I noticed that there is a slice in my rear window. Its in the lower left (driver's side) corner almost right up against the canvas. At first I thought that it may have been a stress crack from putting the top up/down. So I get in and start putting the top down and notice that there is very little stress in the corner and that it couldn't have been from simply putting the top up/down. Also, my window is still very pliable and doubt it was from stress anyways.

The slice is basically the shape of an obtuse "\_" . I frantically called my insurance company (with whom I've never filed a claim) and discussed the issue and basically I'm covered for the repair. I then call the local Porsche dealership who informs me that they can have just the plastic replaced for $750. The service guy I talked to said they take the top off and send it to a local upholstery shop who sepcializes in automotive tops and upholstery. So, I'll skip filing a calim with my insurance and pay out of pocket to have a new plastic window sewn in. But I was so pissed off that some little bastard did this. There was nothing left in plain sight in the car either, so someone just did it out of spite.

By the way, the dealership wanted $5,500.00 to retrofit a glass windowed top with new frame to my car. Decided to pass on that obviously. I'll keep you all posted with the results.

Jeff

[djomlas]

why not just file a claim to get the whole top replaced, and just pay the deductable?

[jl1252]

Well, I thought about whole top replacement, and even considered an aftermarket GAHH or Robbins top, but I would prefer to stick with OEM. And to to a new canvas top with plastic window at the dealer is $3,800.00. If I claimed that on my insurance I'm guaranteed higher rates come renewal time. I'd rather not claim something like this anyway. $750 is no big deal out of pocket and my top is in great shape otherwise so I can't justify an entirely new top. I'd be happy with a new claerer plastic window.

Jeff

[Boxtaboy]

Don't know if this will matter to you or not, but you do know that when they sew in a new plastic window, they have to cut out the old one, so when they sew in a new one, the replacement window will be slightly larger than the original one. Not a big deal, but it won't be the same size as OEM. If your insurance co. is willing to cover a new top, why not just get a glass windowed GAHH or Robbins top? No more worries of someone slicing your plastic window right?

Originally Posted by jl1252

Well, I thought about whole top replacement, and even considered an aftermarket GAHH or Robbins top, but I would prefer to stick with OEM. And to to a new canvas top with plastic window at the dealer is $3,800.00. If I claimed that on my insurance I'm guaranteed higher rates come renewal time. I'd rather not claim something like this anyway. $750 is no big deal out of pocket and my top is in great shape otherwise so I can't justify an entirely new top. I'd be happy with a new claerer plastic window.

Jeff

[edevlin]

I think I paid 600.00 to have the plastic window replaced by one of the best (and most expensive) shops around.

Ed

[jl1252]

Does anyone have any thoughts about how I can fix the cut while I decide what to do? I mean, is there a product that can chemically mend the cut back together so that water doesn't seep in?

Jeff

[d18mike]

I got a new GAHH top (glass window) put on yesterday: literally.

After 6 years, clouds and cracks in the plastic forced my hand. My car was 100% OEM -- so I didn't take the decision to go with a non-OEM top lightly.

I could not be happier. The top is of equal/better quality and fit to the OEM top and the smaller window seems to give it a ever-so-slightly more streamlined profile. I like the look better than the OEM. I don't think anyone other than a Boxster owner would know it is not from the Porsche factory.

Also fully loaded cost was $2200 -- I'll pocket the differential between this and the OEM.

Long way of saying -- OEM is great. But so is the GAHH top!

[mikefocke]

Who will take his cut. Go to the upholstery shop directly. The going rate for rear window plastic replacement is $400.

And you can replace the top yourself.

See Here

[mjstallion]

If you were to file a claim and then switch insurance carriers, would the new insurance company be aware of the claim since it wasn't a DMV related incident?

[Oaktown 986]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Who will take his cut. Go to the upholstery shop directly. The going rate for rear window plastic replacement is $400.

And you can replace the top yourself.

See Here

I'll be installing the GAHH top myself with the help of this set of instructions. Thanks!

Jon

[Marc Gelefsky]

My top was slashed as well about a year or so ago.
I had a GAHH top with a glass window installed by my local Porsche dealer, ran about 1700 or 1800 bucks..if I remember.

[Peter Serbanica]

Beware Of Insurance Fraud!!!!

[Dr. Kill]

I am very sorry to hear about your window. Let me know if you want help torturing the inconsiderate sob who did this to you.

[pcs5978]

The Gaah replacement with the glass window fits and works great. The glass window is a little smaller than the stock plastic window, so you wind up with a bit more in the way of blind spots. Don't bother with the Porsche Dealership, they just farm it out to the local upholsterer anyway.

[23109VC]

i've got a small crack in my window 1-2mm from the edge/seam where the plastic meets the window.

does that loctite stuf dry CLEAR?

is the loctite stuff better than the silicone caulking idea? both sound like good ideas for a temporary fix. my tear is so small - maybe an inch long at most...I'd rather fix it this way, and then wait until I "have" to fix the window - as the rest of my window is pliable and clear looking.... once it totally goes bad, I can see springing the money for a new upgraded GAAH top or something, but for now, i'd be happy to just "ghetto" fix it as long as it doesn't look tacky. my crack is small and given the lcoation, this idea to DIY might work fine.

my car is not a DD, and when it's out on the road, 99% of the time the top is down anyway..to for now it's more just to keep it from getting any worse and for the rare occasion when I could get trapped in rain.

[mark1999]

I used a clear vinyl pool liner repair kit.

Cut a patch for each side of the rip.

Almost invisible repair and very water tight.

Later,
Mark1999