01-08-2013, 12:20 PM
|
#21
|
Multi-Boxer Driver
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 1,417
|
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).
__________________
-Chris
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 (gone )
2004 Porsche 911 C4S Cab
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
|
|
|
01-08-2013, 06:21 PM
|
#22
|
Kiritsugu
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: MD, USA
Posts: 31
|
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.
__________________
"Drive it like you stole it..."
|
|
|
01-08-2013, 10:30 PM
|
#23
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Peoples Republic of Kaliforneea
Posts: 686
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by coreseller
FNever could get over how Porsche could put a plastic window in a $60k car.
|
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.
__________________
02 Boxster (DD sans kids)
03 Dodge Ram Quad Cab (Stuff hauler)
06 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa (Personal weekend car)
06 Maserati Quattroporte (Family hauler)
08 Corvette Z06 (Track car)
|
|
|
01-08-2013, 11:45 PM
|
#24
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
|
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.
__________________
GT3 Recaro Seats - Boxster Red
GT3 Aero / Carrera 18" 5 spoke / Potenza RE-11
Fabspeed Headers & Noise Maker
BORN: March 2000 - FINLAND
IMS#1 REPLACED: April 2010 - NEW JERSEY -- LNE DUAL ROW
|
|
|
01-09-2013, 02:37 AM
|
#25
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,746
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 986_c6
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.
|
My 1968 442 Convertible had a glass rear window.
|
|
|
01-09-2013, 03:50 AM
|
#26
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 316
|
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.
|
|
|
01-09-2013, 05:51 AM
|
#27
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,266
|
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:
__________________
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...6/PC120055.jpg
Old Hippie Young Heart
2000 S/3.2 Liter/Tiptronic/Boxster S Sport Package/Cruise Control/Slate Grey Metallic
Red Special Leather Interior/Red Floor Mats/Red Hand Painted Instrument Dials/Roll Bar/Windstop
Small Carbon Package/Leather Wrap Carbon Wheel/Center Console Exterior Color/Alum Carbon Shift Knob
AM/FM Radio w/CD Player & Changer/Digital Sound Package/18" Turbo Wheels/Wheel Caps w/Colored Crest
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 02:40 AM
|
#28
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Peoples Republic of Kaliforneea
Posts: 686
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by coreseller
My 1968 442 Convertible had a glass rear window.
|
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.
__________________
02 Boxster (DD sans kids)
03 Dodge Ram Quad Cab (Stuff hauler)
06 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa (Personal weekend car)
06 Maserati Quattroporte (Family hauler)
08 Corvette Z06 (Track car)
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 08:10 AM
|
#29
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 49
|
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!!!
__________________
1999 black boxster
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 08:34 AM
|
#30
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Agoura Hills (LA) So.Cal.
Posts: 1,574
|
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.
__________________
1995 Porsche C4 Cab
2016 BMW M2, 6 Speed LBB - ED 7/2016
1997 993 Cab - Sold; 1997 993 Turbo - Sold
2001 Boxster S - Original Owner - 30K Miles -SOLD
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 01:32 PM
|
#31
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 327
|
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.
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 02:08 PM
|
#32
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 140
|
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.
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 02:20 PM
|
#33
|
Opposed to Subie Burble
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central CT
Posts: 1,197
|
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.
__________________
-O/D
1997 Arctic Silver Boxster, 5-spd
IMSR + RMS
Robbins glass window top
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 05:24 PM
|
#34
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,746
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 986_c6
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.
|
No Problem Brother..... 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...........
|
|
|
01-14-2013, 09:56 PM
|
#35
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 23
|
Glass 100%
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 09:34 AM
|
#36
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 1,396
|
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
__________________
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... that's what gets you."
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 09:52 AM
|
#37
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Waco, Texas
Posts: 405
|
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.
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 01:57 PM
|
#38
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 46
|
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.
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 01:58 PM
|
#39
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NY/NJ
Posts: 195
|
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?
|
|
|
01-17-2013, 06:24 AM
|
#40
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 46
|
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.
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:49 PM.
| |