Value of a 2003 Top Frame
How much would you pay for a used top frame from a 2003 Boxster?
I'm probably going to need to do some top maintenance in the next year or two. (At a minimum I'll need to replace the rear window.) My preference would be to have a top from an 03 or 04. If I bought the used 03 frame, I could put a GAHH top on it. I'm assuming that combination would not have the engine access issue that GAHH tops on the 97-02 frames have. Does anyone know if the 03 and 04 GAHH tops have a larger rear window than the 97-02 tops? |
I'm not sure of exact value. I've never seen a used frame for sale, but I'm guessing pretty expensive as I believe the frame is made of magnesium. Maybe a couple grand?
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I paid $700 for a complete 03 top frame and soft top with glass window. Came from a wreck, but the top was totally undamaged.
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That does sound like a great deal especially for both the frame and top. Kevin, to answer your question about the window size, the 97-02 plastic rear windows are considerably bigger than the glass ones found in both the GAHH tops and the factory 03-04 tops.
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The window is smaller, but still large enough, and I don't even notice it being smaller from the driver's perspective. The advantages (no longer worrying about cracking plastic window, no longer having to clean/polish the plastic, having a heated rear window, etc), more than make up for the slightly smaller window size, in my opinion. I love it, and it's probably my favorite mod to my car cause I no longer have to watch how my window is folding, or do the chop as I put the top down. http://i37.tinypic.com/24g3m8x.jpg |
How hard is it to replace the frame mechanism. I have also toyed with the idea of getting one for my 2000 base, thanks,
Ed :) |
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Here is a full DIY walk thru (by the way, the picture of the white car in the article has an aftermarket GAHH top installed, as we wanted to show the difference in window size between the GAHH and OEM factory top.): http://www.google.com/gwt/x?ei=O0z9SoO1J5SpoAepwoGjAQ&source=pagecreator&u=h ttp%3A%2F%2Fmike.focke.googlepages.com/installinga%2703-%2704glasstopandframeona%2797&wsc=pr&wsi=54d22947e e6e732d What's cool about it also is that it updates the look of your car. Check out my 01 model next to the Orange 08 special edition to my right. No ratty plastic window. :) http://i38.tinypic.com/2iubxwi.jpg |
I paid $900 shipped for my '04 top and installed it by myself in around an hour. I have to agree, it's probably my favorite mod to date. I didn't unbolt the pushrods, I just popped the plastic ball connectors off the old top and popped them back on to the new top.
I believe that the factory glass top rear windows are larger than the GAHH rear windows, but not by much. It's also cool that at the bottom of the factory window it says "PORSCHE". :D With the large surge in folks converting their boxsters to spec racers, there should be more of the '03 - '04 tops coming available in the near future. That's where mine came from. A guy converting his low mileage '04 550 special edition to a full time track car. I don't think I would've done that to a 550 special edition, but it was his car. I was able to pick up a few other choice items from him at bargain prices. I have seen the dismantlers getting $1,500 to $2,000 for these tops, so some detective work is in order to locate a true bargain. |
A SoCal dismantler quoted me $2000 for the entire top including drive; they wouldn't sell only parts of it.
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I just did a search, and it looks like there's one dismantler in Texas that has one undamaged for $950. Check with them if it is a complete top with the frame, and if so, it's not a bad deal. Enjoy. |
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That one has been sold. |
Well with threads like these, the values are going to go up. Wish I was the seller rather than the buyer.
:cheers: |
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