How important is a glass rear window?

[rdass623]

i own both a 00 boxy base and an 05 boxy s. the base has a plastic rear window, and the s has a glass window. when all is said and done they are the same to me. the glass will stay clear longer, but the plastic if kept clean stays clear enough for me to operate the car safely. if i were to replace either top they would maintain their original style top. as far as the boxster chop, i have never done that, and probably won't ever because i have never seen the need to do so. on previous cars both have been also used. usually i have found by the time a plastic window goes bad, it is already time to replace the top in it's entirety. unfortunately, my cars stay outside, so they are exposed to the sun's u/v rays constantly which will accelerate a top's deterioration. my personal advice would be worry more about the car it's self rather than what top is on it.

[KevinH1990]

I have had plastic and I have had glass (transplanted 2004 OEM top and frame). Glass is much nicer. Also, pre-2001 cars with the exception of the 2000S did not have a headliner. So, the OEM glass-window tops are also quieter and seem better finished.

If you live in an ideal convertible climate like Southern California, maybe it doesn't make much difference. But, I see you are from Oregon so I think you will prefer glass.

Good luck with your search

[coreseller]

How important is a glass rear window?



VERY Important...................

[Timco]

Originally Posted by coreseller

How important is a glass rear window?



VERY Important...................

Yep.......

[peterbrown77]

I take the car out of storage in April, and once the top goes down... it stays down until October. If it'going to rain, I don't drive it. Rear window material is a moot point, lol. But if I had to replace it (which I doubt, the top's pristine bc it's garaged and rarely sees daylight) I'd put in glass.

[Chuck W.]

Even though I keep the top down 90% of the time, the glass top is a huge plus. I put an '03 top on my '01. The glass rear window, for me, was a huge improvement. It offered a clearer view, looked better and no more "Boxster chop".

[jotoole]

Odd thing:
My 2000 base Boxster with plastic rear window has the plug-in connector for the rear window defroster already in place. Appears to be original equipment.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by jotoole

Odd thing:
My 2000 base Boxster with plastic rear window has the plug-in connector for the rear window defroster already in place. Appears to be original equipment.

There is a harness behind the passenger seat for the subs to plug into also. May be that. You would need the dash switch.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by jotoole

Odd thing:
My 2000 base Boxster with plastic rear window has the plug-in connector for the rear window defroster already in place. Appears to be original equipment.

Fortunately, for those who retrofit a soft top with glass and defroster, Porsche put the plug there for the defroster in the optional hard top.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by jotoole

Odd thing:
My 2000 base Boxster with plastic rear window has the plug-in connector for the rear window defroster already in place. Appears to be original equipment.

I think the switch should also be on the dash as well. It was (at that point) for the hardtop's defroster.

[mikesz]

I recently had my plastic window replaced for $450. I do the chop, put a soft cloth in between before lowering it. I live in RI so usually once the top goes down it stays down till the fall. I don't drive it in the winter. I also bought a conditioning kit for the rear window to keep it pliable. If I had a choice I would prefer a glass rear window so I don't have to have it replaced but as others have stated a well documented car goes a long way.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by Deserion

I think the switch should also be on the dash as well. It was (at that point) for the hardtop's defroster.

The outside mirrors are also heated and controlled by that switch.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by jotoole

Odd thing:
My 2000 base Boxster with plastic rear window has the plug-in connector for the rear window defroster already in place. Appears to be original equipment.

As already stated that sounds like the harness for the rear speaker package. The plug for the rear window defroster is behind the driver's seat and has a removable cover. It is a rectangular receptacle for the plug in defroster harness and is operated by the heated mirror switch.

[bwillia080261]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Even though I keep the top down 90% of the time, the glass top is a huge plus. I put an '03 top on my '01. The glass rear window, for me, was a huge improvement. It offered a clearer view, looked better and no more "Boxster chop".

Forgive my ignorance but what is "Boxster chop"?

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by bwillia080261

Forgive my ignorance but what is "Boxster chop"?

It is where you manually push the plastic window in while you are closing it to ensure that it folds correctly when closed.

Here is a YouTube video showing the procedure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwnwmtyScQY

[nobrakes]

As mentioned...........dont let a plastic window stop you from buying the right Boxster. I found a beautiful 02S with only 34k miles, but it has a plastic window and no glove box. I decided that those 2 factors were minor and got the car and havent regretted it one second. Yes its a pain to do the chop sometimes, but overall a plastic window is nastalgic and reminds me of all the other roadster/converibles I've had in the past (my mother's 61 Aquamarine Impala, my dad's 1969 Caddie, my 66 vette, 69 vette and BMW Z3) When its time for a new top I will get a glass window, but until then I just wash and polish the top and it looks like new with great visability.........As far as not having a glove box thats just fine with me. One less reason for some jerk to break into the car. They dont hold much and it wont rattle if you dont have one. On my Z3 the glovebox drooped so much it was an eyesore.......Good luck.

[Retroman1969]

The Boxster top is a joy to deal with compared to the car I spent most of my high school and college years with. A 1972 Ponitac Catalina convertible with that wonderful GM "Sissor top". You had to hold the switch with a broom handle while tugging and chopping on the material on both sides to get it to fold properly. When the top frame sticks halfway down, stand in the back seat, grab both front corners, jiggle like crazy, then grab the folding Sissor bars and push them to free them up.
Then hit the switch again to finish the drop. Same process going up.
And this was far from unique to my GM car. Burned up a top motor every couple of years. Tops would last 3 years at most.
The Boxster top, even with the plastic window, is bloody brilliant!

[russellsdad]

When I was looking for my boxster, I was at first only considering 03-04 precisely for the glass rear window. But then I test drove a 2000 which had the glass top retrofit done. That made me think twice about that and expanded my search to include 01-02 as well figuring that price savings from older year could be used toward top retrofit.

Then I found an 01 with 58K miles and plastic rear window that was still exceptionally clear and looked brand new still. I do Appreciate that the plastic window is larger than the glass window especially when lane changing. So glad I expanded my search for good 01-02s.

[cardiffgiant]

I haven't had any issues with the visibility from the dimensions of the glass window. I believe that these windows are the same size as they are on the newer models that come with a glass window. My plastic window was also kind of fogged up from age, so the improved clarity was a huge improvement.

The glass window is also more effective at reducing road noise than the plastic window was.