rear window is torn :(

[jgama25]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

Nice weather means top down, right? Tape it until you decide what to do, the top will be down most of the time anyway. :

I'm in the same boat as you are OD and I agree with Whip. I'm a new boxster owner as well and really don't have the $$$ to replace my top yet. Duct tape is keeping the water out for now. I figue that with the warmer months coming it'll give me some time to save $$$ for the top.

[jcb986]

There is a guy in either NY or NJ that will remove and replace window for around $450. Search the forum and you may find someone who's used him.

[gschotland]

The shop I used for my top is Stan's Auto Top, 43 Center St., Chatham, NJ, (973) 635-3443. The owner Pete (not Stan) told me has customers coming from as far away as DC and Boston. Cost was around $500. Well worth it IMO. You're probably looking at $1500 (labor & top) for a high quality top w/glass window such as a GAHH. I believe Stan's is a certified installer for GAHH.

Your 1st top lasted 14 yrs. Chances are good the replacement window vinyl will last as long as the car, or at least your tenure with the car. There will be no shortage of things to spend money on, particularly on a '97. A new top isn't a waste, it's just not a necessity. Think need versus want.

[tuanle16]

from what i've gathered by speaking to multiple installers, the labor is the same whether you fix the vinyl window or install a new top. either way, they have to remove it, and put it back on. so most installer have recommended just getting a new one.

i looked at autotopsdirect.com. seems to have good rep and cheapest prices. new top about $600 with glass window.

now i have also run across this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270741161017&ssPageName=ADME:X:SCO:MOTORS:1123

not sure if this is "too good to be true". glass top for only $370? thoughts anyone?

[Overdrive]

Thanks for all the replies, advice, and suggestions, everyone. All are being taken into consideration. As I was stating before, my only reason for replacing the top would be to have a glass window, which for me is just preferable overall, thought it will come at a higher cost. But that is more in the "want" sector.

As for "need", that would be to have a car with a top that hasn't been compromised. For this to happen sooner than later and cheaper, this would lead me to the cheaper solution of simply having a shop stitch in a new window and keep right on rolling. A buddy of mine in my car club has referred me to a local automotive upholstery shop that he and his roommate feel do a very good job for the cost. They're literally 5 minutes from my home, so I'll be stopping by to see them and get a quote soon. I figure if they do things like top replacements for classic Corvettes and can completely redo a 15+ year old motorcycle seat like new, they know what they're doing and should be able to help me in my situation. We'll see where that takes me.

Tuanle, you've brought up another interesting point, though, and I will also have to look into seeing if it's something that can be covered by the insurance. Thank you for that, it wasn't even on my mind before.

A top with glass is still something I'd like to have on this car some day, for peace of mind and the ease of clearly seeing what the heck is in my rear view mirror . If the right OEM late 986 top happens to come by me at the right time, then I'll go there with it. It's good to know that it'll just bolt right into the car, I just need to look more into what changes to any motors/cables/switches, if any, would need to be made to ensure that it operates properly. I'm also still going to be seeking out a hardtop for the car, yet another item I've been trying to track down.

As I've also said before, the only concern I really would still have with a plastic window is that this, whether it's a stress tear or a cut by some lowlife, could happen again, hopefully not until I can make the changes I'm looking to do.

[Mark_T]

I used clear packing tape applied to both sides of the split as a temp fix before I changed out my top. Doesn't look quite as scabby as duct tape.

Putting a 4-bow top from an 03-04 with the glass window can get complicated on your model year. Search this forum and Renntech and you'll see what you are up against. It can get expensive. This is personal preference, but I think the older 3-bow top has nicer lines.

An aftermarket glass window top to fit a 3-bow creates engine access issues. That, and I think the bright orange defroster lines are heinous.

A sewn-in replacement window will never look quite as good as the original, and may leak through the stitching.

After working through this thought process I replaced my top myself (a day's work for me and a buddy) for about $500. I stayed with the plastic window as it is much bigger than the glass one and rear visibility is bad enough to start with without further reducing it. A plastic window will remain clear and last a long time if you look after it.

I don't know what your insurance deductible is, but doing it myself cost about the same as my deductible would have been and I would have lost my claim-free discount had I gone the insurance route.

Decisions, decisions.... good luck!

[JTP]

That does look more like a cut, that's a bummer. Check with forum member tonycarreon. He replaced his top with a GAHH and he was offering his old top for almost nothing. From the pics he posted of it the top was in perfect condition. Black too.