Plastic Window Cracked - cheap fixes?

[23109VC]

UPDATE-

I called a local upholstery shop that has been in San Diego for years and years - they quoted me $275 to restitch the plastic window. they said they can get me tinted plastic for another $30 but they have to special order it as they don't normally stock that... so $300. they said it takes less than a day.

they said they do NOT take the top off the frame. they remove the top from the car and do it while it's on the frame.

they said they can upgrade to a glass top window - I dind't ask if it was GAAH or some other brand - but the cost to convert to an all new top with glass - $1425. that is a total cost including labor.

so essentially i'm looking at an extra $1000 to go to glass. i'm almost tempted to go to glass b/c I HATE the chop. I would LOVE to be able to jump in the car, fire it up, drive off, and then just put my top down as I'm cruising at 5-10mph... I've got that fuse hack so I can raise/lower the top while rolling after just clicking the ebrake up one little click..but I NEVER do it to lower the top b/c I can't properly fold the window..I do it all the time when raising the top and it's soooo convenient.

decisions decisions...

[eightsandaces]

Try a marine canvass shop, some are even mobile and tow their equipment. They are used to working with what they call glass (the clear plastic) and mating it with canvass in just about every way one can imagine.

[fatmike]

I just posted this in another thread.

I installed the GAHH top with the acoustic material and glass rear window. Its a HUGE improvement. Well worth the money. You can actually see out the back. But the biggest surprise is how quiet the car is with the acoustic material. Its so quiet that now I can hear all the rattles that I never heard before.

[23109VC]

what did you pay for your top and what did you pay for install? or did you DIY??

can you see any major difference in the top vs your OEM top or is it something "invisible" that you can't see from inside the car looking up at the top while closed??

my canvass top was replced a couple years ago by the dealer under warranty by the former owner. why they didn't covert to a glass 03-04 top I don't know - maybe the part was more mney, maye the warranty wouldn't do it..i dunno... but my canvass is VERY clean. It would be hard to justify going to glass for all the expense JUST to get glass... although believe me, I want to...

$300 vs $1500..... arrgghhhh...

i'm about to buy another car too...my current DD took a crap and I had to sell it. I'm back in the maket for antoher car AND found out my work is cutting pay for 7-10% due to the "economic crisis"....so shelling out "extra" money might not fly well with my CFO / wifey.

honestly... for a car i only drive on weekens...I honestly coudl live with a new plastic top - as long as it turns out nice. but glass would be nice!

[fatmike]

ANSWERS BELOW:

Originally Posted by 23109VC

what did you pay for your top and what did you pay for install? or did you DIY??

TOP AND INSTALL WAS ROUGHLY $1400. $800(ish) for the top and $600(ish) for the install. Ballpark pricing. I only did it a month ago, but I actually forgot what I paid already...I am getting old.

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can you see any major difference in the top vs your OEM top or is it something "invisible" that you can't see from inside the car looking up at the top while closed??

YES BIG DIFFERENCES. The new top has "acoustic" material. Its quiet. Really quiet. Its as quiet or maybe more quiet than my hardtop. Seriously big difference. Also, you can easily see out the back window. Finally, I like the convenience of not having to think about doing the chop.

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my canvass top was replced a couple years ago by the dealer under warranty by the former owner. why they didn't covert to a glass 03-04 top I don't know - maybe the part was more mney, maye the warranty wouldn't do it..i dunno... but my canvass is VERY clean. It would be hard to justify going to glass for all the expense JUST to get glass... although believe me, I want to...


YOU WILL REPLACE THE PLASTIC AGAIN IN A FEW YEARS...

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$300 vs $1500..... arrgghhhh...

PLASTIC ISN"T $300. ITS A HUGE JOB TO SEW IT IN. GONNA PAY $600 OR MORE TO INSTALL IT. YOUR REALLY COMPARING $900(ish) plastic to $1400 Glass with acoustic material.

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i'm about to buy another car too...my current DD took a crap and I had to sell it. I'm back in the maket for antoher car AND found out my work is cutting pay for 7-10% due to the "economic crisis"....so shelling out "extra" money might not fly well with my CFO / wifey.

BUMMER ON THE WORK THING. BUT, BUY HER SOME FLOWERS OR SOMETHING.

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honestly... for a car i only drive on weekens...I honestly coudl live with a new plastic top - as long as it turns out nice. but glass would be nice!

[Boxtaboy]

...hhmmm.. Or, you can source an OEM factory glass top and frame from a 2003 or 2004 model yr. Boxster, and just unbolt your old top and bolt on your new one. Found one for $750...

Factory part, built in strap that holds the glass window completely out of the way when you put the top in service position (no limited access to the engine like the GAHH top), and a larger glass window due to the 4th rib in the newer top frame design...

[ChefCarnivore]

Clear Duct Tape!

:chicken:

This chicken is a duck