Convertible Top, to glass or not to glass

[sasha055]

Hi,

My insurance company agreed to pay for my new top.
I had a small leak at the seam which I patched with some silicone, but after reading the stories here, I decided to give the insurance company a call.

Long story short, they send me a check and now I have to replace the top.

As usual there are 2 options: glass and plastic.
I know all the cons and pros of glass top.. however I wanted to ask:

Is there anyone who upgraded to glass top and regretted it afterwards?

Thanks
Sasha

[tuanle16]

no regrets. go glass!!!

[MileHighBoxster]

I looked at doing it with my last Boxster and decided to stay with the plastic. I like the larger window. I also see no downside with the stock window.

[ChrisZang]

well, that's a no brainer: Glas
You will get very soon get used to the smaller window and not having to "karate chop" the window: priceless

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

You will get very soon get used to the smaller window and not having to "karate chop" the window: priceless

Chris, Who does this? I've hear references about the "chop" for years but have neither seen it done, nor done it. I'm on my 4th Porsche and second Boxster (3 of 4 have been convertibles) and I've never contemplated or performed any manual manipulation when lowering my top at a stop light or in the garage. Where does this come from?

[pothole]

I think there are a few factors here.

Does you Box live outside? If so, glass is a boon.

Do you need to replace the whole hood / top? May as well go glass.

The other question is how much does it cost you locally to get a new plastic screen sown in?

For me it was £200 vs about £700 for a whole new top. My top was fine and my Box lives indoors, so I just had the new screen.

I also prefer the external and view out from the cabin of the large plastic screen. So that's what I went for. Even If I have to get it replaced again once or twice, it will work out now more expensive. Guys who did the screen did an immaculate job.

[sasha055]

Well, I was pretty much set on glass, because it has a lot of positives

It's free (kinda, I have to pay the deductible)
I live in Seattle area.. so if it's not raining, I usually put the top down, sometimes when temperature is lower then 50F
It's a daily driver.. so I put the top down in the mornings and evenings and during the day it's parked with top up (you may never know when it rains in Seattle) so I don't have to worry about top cracking again..

However.. I never been inside a boxster with glass top, I saw pictures.. but I'm worried it's gonna be too closed up..
Also the restricted engine access and the fact that it's really hard to close the top...

I wanted to make sure I won't regret choosing glass.

On the bright side if I ever will have money to upgrade to all weather family car (997TT cab), resale value of boxster will be greater with glass top.

Thanks
Sasha

[DenverSteve]

Since it will cost you the same regardless of which you go with, get the one you like best. Resale will not be effected with either top.

[MN 986]

I am just finishing up my first driving season since I retrofitted an OEM 2004 top assembly (with glass) on my 2002, and I can't express how happy I am not to have to do the chop anymore. Living in Minnesota, I often drive with the top down in lower temps and I no longer have to worry about cracking another plastic window. Go with the glass!

[Perfectlap]

^You DON'T have to do the chop. Eventually the plastic creates a bend that has memmory.
doing the chop keeps it from developing that natural crease. So if you're doing the chop it may make it worse if the plastic is now well maintained.

What wrecks the plastic is not regulary using Plexus to keep the plastic from becoming hard and brittle or not heating up the cabin if the outside temp is below 60 degrees, before lowering the top. Or in my case, when I used to park outside I once cleared off some ice using too much force and it created a tiny 1/4" puncture that got bigger. Otherwise my top is spotless and the plastic is crystal clear after a good Renovo/Plastic cleaning.

I'd also like to do an OEM retrofit. Having replaced my previous convertible with an aftermarket glass top I know there are stretching issues, which I found to be extremely annoying. and I'm not crazy about the smaller window but it does look much nicer. I'd rather replace the plastic window professionaly if the OEM top is not possible but I think have plenty of time since my car is garaged and only drive weekends.

[fivepointnine]

I have the robbins top on mine with the small glass window......I did not notice much of a difference between the new one and the old plastic one, still fills up the rearview mirror and outward visibility is not bad.

[Chuck W.]

I put an OEM 2003 top on my '01. IMHO, there is no comparison. The glass window is well worth the upgrade.

[ddb]

I think installing a 2003 or 2004 OE frame and top like Chuck W. is the ultimate solution. However you have to find one and pay for it.

With your car being a daily driver and considering the climate where you live I would think having the electric rear defroster would be a nice addition as well.

IMO, the limited access to the top of the engine with the aftermarket glass retrofit tops is annoying, but worth it when you factor in the positives. The limited view with the smaller window is quickly forgotten in a day or few. I can however imagine if I drove a 986 with the larger plastic window I would love the better view. So I just won't drive such a car. That is why I refuse to drive a Boxster S also!

[Perfectlap]

Does every Boxster in SoCal look this well kept?

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I put an OEM 2003 top on my '01. IMHO, there is no comparison. The glass window is well worth the upgrade.

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Does every Boxster in SoCal look this well kept?

Every Boxster SHOULD look this well kept.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

Every Boxster SHOULD look this well kept.

Amen...caught myself drooling at that image every time.

[sasha055]

Total price is 1525$, but I had to shop around.

The insurance shop quoted 1200$ just to sew in new plastic window, I told my insurance agent that it's rip-off.. and found a new shop.
Insurance had no problems with the new quote.

Thanks
Sasha

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Does every Boxster in SoCal look this well kept?

Thanks for the kind words. I do enjoy waxing my cars (& the garage floor!)

[lbrown2009]

i have a 2001 with a nice crack in the platic window as of last week

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I put an OEM 2003 top on my '01. IMHO, there is no comparison. The glass window is well worth the upgrade.

[lbrown2009]

630 shipped for a new top with glass window? defroster cable included. details below, is this good quality?


1997-2002 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top


PORSCHE BOXSTER, 1997-2002 TOP, GERMAN A5 ACOUSTIC, GLASS WINDOW, BLACK
[Vehicle Year:2001]