New top - would you do plastic or glass window? - Page 3 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 01-17-2013, 08:54 AM

I'd be worried about the reduced visibility when parking or pulling out of a tight parking situation in reverse. Sometimes I really have to stretch my neck to get the most viewing angle out of my plastic window. I can't imagine that doing this with even less visibility would be something to look forward to.

Perfectlap · 01-17-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN 986

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..

finding a good price seems to require some leg work. LA Dismantler is asking $2K for a used glass top... and the canvas/trim is in only fair condition.

I contacted a junkyard that had a wrecked Boxster that belonged to a forum member. They would absolutely not sell to me, only distributors/dismantlers. I went onto their website was surprised to see that complete totaled Boxsters were selling for barely $3K.
Meanwhile dismantlers sell just the top for $2K? nice.

BYprodriver · 01-17-2013, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreseller

For me it would be a TOTAL NO-BRAINER...........Glass. While not that big of a deal, I found getting out and chopping the top a PITA. Never could get over how Porsche could put a plastic window in a $60k car.

In the beginning it was a $40K car & they couldn't make them fast enough to meet demand. And it was the #1 sports car for resale value.

thstone · 01-17-2013, 05:46 PM

New glass top installed today. Robbins top $450 + professional install $350 = $800 total. I like the look of the glass top. Makes the car look 5 years newer in person. Reduction in rear visibility seems insignificant (couldn't see out the rear before, still can't now).

Old plastic window

New glass window

Old plastic window

New glass window

Topless · 01-17-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thstone

New glass top installed today. Robbins top $450 + professional install $350 = $800 total. I like the look of the glass top. Makes the car look 5 years newer in person. Reduction in rear visibility seems insignificant (couldn't see out the rear before, still can't now).

Sweet! The new top looks great and you got it done for about 1/2 what I paid back in October.

doragman · 01-17-2013, 07:17 PM

Seems like a great price -- planning to do mine in the next 30 days ...my quote was $1560.

Perfectlap · 01-17-2013, 07:39 PM

$800?! Crap. I would have done that in a heartbeat. I payed half that just for plastic and I already have a pinch in it from lowering on a cold day... even with the chop. New plastic must be less flexible than the OEM.

Come to think of it. I'm not sure why some places charge so much to install. It's no more labor intensive than doing a Miata top which also cost $400-$500 to install.
Oh right.... because they think you're a sucker just because you drive a Poorshe

BruceH · 04-05-2013, 06:32 PM

New glass top from Auto Tops Direct. $559 for the top and $495 for the install. Very happy with the results!

rondocap · 04-05-2013, 06:35 PM

Bruce, I'm about to do the same later this month. I have the same color boxster, can you post a few more pictures at different angels? Especially of the back window.

BruceH · 04-05-2013, 06:46 PM

My pleasure, here 'ya go

Even though the glass window is smaller, visibility is better because it is clear!

rondocap · 04-05-2013, 06:48 PM

Looks good! It definitely does change the look of the original top though with the smaller window, but that glass is so much better than plastic.

BruceH · 04-05-2013, 06:55 PM

You won't be disappointed! It's different but still looks great. The glass is a big upgrade over the plastic, plus no more chop! Visibility for backing up is just as good IMO as the larger, plastic window since the roll bars and seat tops block visibility anyway. Sooner or later, I plan to upgrade to a Double Din Head unit with back up camera to take care of that problem.

Peter Serbanica · 04-06-2013, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

$800?! Crap. I would have done that in a heartbeat. I payed half that just for plastic and I already have a pinch in it from lowering on a cold day... even with the chop. New plastic must be less flexible than the OEM.

Come to think of it. I'm not sure why some places charge so much to install. It's no more labor intensive than doing a Miata top which also cost $400-$500 to install.
Oh right.... because they think you're a sucker just because you drive a Poorshe

I charge 275 for miata 410 labor for Boxster top installation.