GT Motor Sport Hardtop, who has one?

[RobZ]

I'm interested in buying one considering how difficult it is to find a hardtop in South Texas. They are reasonably priced and are only $150-200 to ship from CA. I believe they only come black gel coated so painting would add to the $1k price tag. They also mentioned that the "Porsche hardware" is not included. I'm guessing this is easy to find and hopefully inexpensive?

Anyone have experience with them?

http://www.gtmotorsport.net/index.php?menu=Boxster+Series&page=Hardtop

[Jeph]

$1049 w/glass
$1000 painting
-------------------
$2049

And for a couple hundred more you could get a brand new PORSCHE factory top, with PORSCHE arctic silver, and it's NOT fiberglass -rather aluminum. With the time it takes to paint, and the fact that it's fiberglass... I couldn't bring myself to get that top. Splurge and get the real deal.

Shipping for either version would be the same. Finding a used one on eBay is usually in the ballpark of $1000 and would be a better way to go, right?

Mounting hardware will be $35-50 at the dealer.

[angman]

I have a factory hard top in Artic Silver that I barely use that I might consider selling. It is in excellent condition as I hardly use it since I have a second car to use when the weather turns nasty. Freight/shipping would be expensive though but at least you're getting a qood quality factory Porsche item. I wouldn't even consider buying a fiberglass knock off. Some misc items are Ok, but for something like this you're better off buying factory for the fit, finish, qaulity and durability.

[MikeM]

PM sent to "angman".

[RobZ]

Originally Posted by Jeph

$1049 w/glass
$1000 painting
-------------------
$2049

And for a couple hundred more you could get a brand new PORSCHE factory top, with PORSCHE arctic silver, and it's NOT fiberglass -rather aluminum. With the time it takes to paint, and the fact that it's fiberglass... I couldn't bring myself to get that top. Splurge and get the real deal.

Shipping for either version would be the same. Finding a used one on eBay is usually in the ballpark of $1000 and would be a better way to go, right?

Mounting hardware will be $35-50 at the dealer.

I was under the impression that you can't get factory hardtops any longer. Where should I look? Porsche dealer?

[insite]

$1,000 for paint is a bit high, no?

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by RobZ

I was under the impression that you can't get factory hardtops any longer. Where should I look? Porsche dealer?

I got mine in 2005 from Brandywine Porsche in PA (and had it shipped to Dallas). The total was $1995 + $200 freight.

Brandywine Porsche: 610-886-1000
Try also Suncoast Porsche: 877-923-1700

[Mike_Yi]

I too have read that Porsche is no longer making hardtops for the older models (pre-05). Prices on them have been going up it seems. There is no way that it would cost $1000 to paint one. I'd guess you could get it done for more like $500.

I am seriously considering buying one of these. They are lighter which makes the car a bit lighter and makes it easier to put on and remove. I have heard that a lot of Boxster Spec racers use them. I've also heard that the finish on the gel coat hasn't been great in the past. Dunno if that's improved or not. Even if you had to have it sanded down and corrected, a good body shop should be able to do that fairly cheaply along with a nice coat of paint.

[Thumper]

I was lucky that mine came with a hard top when I bought it. But why would you pay $2K for this fiberglass copy when the aluminum factory hard tops go on eBay for $700 to $1,200 all the time.....and you can probably find one already painted the color of your car.

Unless you just have to have a new one........

[RobZ]

Originally Posted by Thumper

I was lucky that mine came with a hard top when I bought it. But why would you pay $2K for this fiberglass copy when the aluminum factory hard tops go on eBay for $700 to $1,200 all the time.....and you can probably find one already painted the color of your car.

Unless you just have to have a new one........

No one wants to ship it and I'm far from any major city. Otherwise, I'd definitely go with a used factory top.

My thought on the fiberglass top was:
1050 for top
200 for delivery
and 500 for paint
= $1750

If it was comparable (quality wise) to a factory top I'd go for it but considering the factory top is aluminum, I'll likely wait for someone who will ship.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by Mike_Yi

They are lighter which makes the car a bit lighter and makes it easier to put on and remove. I have heard that a lot of Boxster Spec racers use them.

Weight difference is probably negligible. If weight difference really did matter, I'd imagine one would race without the top at all. Even so, the factory one is not heavy and BOTH version still ideally require 2 people to put on/take off. This isn't because of the weight, but because of its awkward size.

[986barnum]

from my understanding the fiberglass tops are about 30lbs and the factory one is 54lbs. i lucked out and found a factory hardtop on a parts car and picked it up for $1k... painted it for $200 (not the highest quality, but a decent 5 footer). dont forget spinlocks, i think they run around $50 from suncoast. it depends what you want, do you want the look of the hardtop and lightweight... or are you looking for some sound/weather insulation? check craigslist and ebay often, and when you see someone selling a boxster with a hardtop offer to buy just the hardtop.

[RandallNeighbour]

This company doesn't make the best product in the world.

I bought side skirts and humps from them last year and was very disappointed in the quality.

Their "gel coating", if not done perfectly, makes smoothing out rough spots far harder than just having the fiberglass without the gel coating.

Ask them about their guarantee on taking back the top if the gel coating isn't smooth and ready to paint... and don't take any of their crap about everything requiring paint prep because that's their standard excuse.

[RobZ]

The top I want (Arctic Silver): EBAY LINK just sold for $800 but same 'ol story, no shipping. Great price too. If I have to go $2500 I'd rather pay a couple thousand more and order a Zeintec top.

[9eighty6]

Hey Rob -

I know what this dilemma is like. Do you have a dealership near you? I talked to the service manager there and he found one for me within a week. It was in perfect used condition and from another customer of his. He didn't even step in to take commission, etc ... just said "send a check for $1200 to the owner, and I'll store it here until you're ready to have it put on". You just never know, might be worth a phone call. Also, like others have said, if you see an arctic silver boxster for sale with a hard top, just make a solid offer on the top.

P.S. The service manager had initally quoted me at a laughable $4k for a brand new, factory hard top. So there are a few floating around, but you'd be just as well off with a zientop.

[Mike_Yi]

Originally Posted by 9eighty6

I know what this dilemma is like. Do you have a dealership near you? I talked to the service manager there and he found one for me within a week.

Great idea! I'm gonna try this.

[RobZ]

Originally Posted by 9eighty6

Hey Rob -

I know what this dilemma is like. Do you have a dealership near you? I talked to the service manager there and he found one for me within a week. It was in perfect used condition and from another customer of his. He didn't even step in to take commission, etc ... just said "send a check for $1200 to the owner, and I'll store it here until you're ready to have it put on". You just never know, might be worth a phone call. Also, like others have said, if you see an arctic silver boxster for sale with a hard top, just make a solid offer on the top.

P.S. The service manager had initally quoted me at a laughable $4k for a brand new, factory hard top. So there are a few floating around, but you'd be just as well off with a zientop.

Great advice. I'm going to give them a call.