Personally I'd stick with plastic if that's what the roof came with originally. Overall I prefer the look of the 2003+ glass roofs over the ones like the GAHH roof since the window is larger (and the roof designed for it).

Use of the glass tops on the 1997-2002 frames is really personal preference, some like it and some don't. You could retrofit the 2003-2004 roof on there instead (which is what I would do if going from plastic to glass).

Glass, because it reacts more kindly to repeated temperature change and is stronger. Though Plastic is lighter, if you're trying to shed every last milligram for some reason.

Funny thing is I believe the F360 spyders have plastic rear windows, and those are $200k cars brand new. That was just the technology available at that time considering a 986 Boxster is really a 97 car developed a few years before that.

you have to be VERY careful clearing snow/ice from the plastic top. My rear window was spotless for the first 10 years. I left the car outside one weekend and the snow came down. Then the temps dropped. The next day I went down to dig out. I cleared the snow off the top with one of those snow brushes. it was all sliding off the car in long pieces. cool I thought no need to apply pressure. well the next day I noticed a tiny horizontal gash in the plastic, just the surface, it didn't penetrate all the way. But as time went by it did go all the way through and it gradually went from a 1/8" tear into this t-shaped puncture.

My 1968 442 Convertible had a glass rear window.

I changed my plastic to glass and I like it. I don't have to hop out of the car to "chop" the window when putting the top down. It is a pain to get to the engine bay to change air filter.

2000S with GAAH Glass Top
 

I went with the GAAH glass top on my 2000S. It takes a few days to get use to the smaller window but has had a minor effect on my viewing. Cleaner looking too.:dance:

Oh...my bad!

Although I do marvel at what options American cars had in the 60's, 70's (think Cadillacs, Lincolns). They were definitely AHEAD of their time.:cheers:

I went with glass this past spring and absolutely love it!!!!
The top goes down without any issues and looks a lot better in my opinion.
I will say that it does make accessing the engine a little more difficult as there is less room, but its not that bad. I've accessed the engine a few times to change out the cold air intake without any issues. You will need a cable or rope to hold up the glass and be very careful not to break the glass against the roll bar. With the plastic window it would fold in half where as with the glass window it gets blocked by the roll bar when you try to "fold" the fabric to access the engine.
As far as visibility is concerned I do not notice any difference. Yes it is smaller, but you get used to it quickly.
All in all I highly Recommend it!!!!
Hope this helps.

Here is a picture of my baby!!!

http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/...che/photo1.jpg

It is a personal preference, but the aftermarket ones just don’t look right to me. I think shopping around for an OEM 2003 or 2004 top would be a better way to go. Albeit, the price will be a tad higher and it will be harder to source than an aftermarket one.

http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/...che/photo1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/P1070350.jpg

I'd highly recommend a top with glass. I think the aftermarket ones look pretty good, but I was lucky enough to find a complete OEM top/frame from a 2004 that was being converted to a track car. Following instructions from this forum, I was able to swap the assemblies easily myself. If you can find one at a decent price, I think it is the best option, and it keeps (03-04) OEM engine access.

1mm Plastic
 

My top was fine and I am sure it would have lasted a few years more. I just wasn't thinking one cold day and it cracked when I folded it down. Its a 2002 Boxster S, the fabric is in excellent condition. What I am going to do is stitch another plastic top in. I am going to do this over the winter ( they seem very long in the UK) I take my car off the road at the end of December. To me the shape of the roof is better with the plastic. I will post how I get on, I am doing it by hand.

I say get a glass top. I did, and I enjoy it. Yes, rear visibility is affected, but at least I have a clear view out back and not a hazed over foggy view of the things behind me. The shorter you are the less you're affected by the glass height, and when the top is down it's a non-issue. As I understand it the majority of folks on this forum put their tops down at every opportunity, so if you're anything like that you'll be fine. If you really need to look that far back down the road when the top's up, you just have to dip your head a little bit or use your sideview mirrors. I like having the defroster, because unlike someone claimed earlier, I would get frost and condensation on my plastic, even on the inside.

As for engine bay access, I've never known regular engine bay access. The first time I ever went back there and opened everything up was only after I'd had the new top put on, so what I have to work with is what I'm used to. I was able to change my air filter pretty easily, and also my MAF, though that was admittedly more difficult. I doubt I would have fared much better with the clearance I'd get from the plastic, though.

I say glassed top, whether you choose to get an aftermarket or track down an 03/04 frame and top to retrofit.

No Problem Brother.....:cheers: In their day they may have been something but having restored a few muscle cars........."ahead of their time" is a term that Currently is far from the tongue lol....."thick steel and Fenders" is the best I can come up with...........:cheers:

Glass 100%

i went with a GAHH top and love it. i like the slight change in the profile and shape of the car that it brings as well as the more "aggressive" look. of course no longer dealing with the plastic is reward enough.

as for the lowered visibility behind you, it's something you get used to quickly. you can still see behind you, but you no longer see into the cabs of pickup trucks. that's about it.

side-by-side comparison
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1358271134.jpg

Finding the OEM glass top and frame
 

from the 03-04 models would be nice but I would have a problem paying the premium required for the later model top/frame and installing a potentially 8-10 year old convertible top when I could get a brand new one for much less.

I went with Robbins w/glass, against the wishes of my indy mechanic. Robbins tops do however come with a "service strap" cord to hold it up and out of the way for engine access. Visibility is reduced considerably, but a hidden benefit is it blocks headlight glare in your rear view mirror when trucks ride your ass! Defroster works great, you should already have the connection for plug and play.
All in all I prefer it to cracked and foggy plastic.

See if your insurance will cover it.

What about when at a yield sign, and you have to look back over your shoulder to see oncoming cars? Sometimes the angle the car is at doesn't allow use of the side mirrors, and you have to look back. Does the glass top obstruct too much of this view?

How much is too much? I'd say it does obstruct your rear view to a degree (maybe 10%?), but it doesn't bother me. Like others have said, you can tell the difference at first but then you get used to it.