I can see clearly now, the plastic's gone! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Retroman1969 · 09-23-2015, 11:38 AM

The glass conversion top for early Boxsters fit like a glove! I can't believe I waited so long.

The total bill with installation was $1,550. $150 more than the original estimate, however the installation was supposedly a bit of a bear as the last people to put a top on it apparently broke or lost several pieces in the top frame that had to be replaced or fabricated. Not surprising on this car.

"I can see! I can see!"

The weekender is totally getting this treatment as soon as it's necessary. The two year old plastic window is already scratching, clouding, and wrinkling on it.

JayG · 09-23-2015, 12:03 PM

WOW

Its like a new car.

Now you have to go buy another one so you have a beater

Perfectlap · 09-23-2015, 12:31 PM

congrats on the new car. That old car was really starting to look beat up.

Retroman1969 · 09-23-2015, 01:55 PM

Thanks guys!
I bought this to be a beater for the other car. If I'm not careful, I'll have to get a beater for the beater!

Man, Boxster ownership is a slippery slope!

jpc763 · 09-23-2015, 02:12 PM

Looks Awesome!

Did you have a complete new top installed or did you just put in the glass window?

Does the defroster work?

J

JayG · 09-23-2015, 02:15 PM

Its like heroin, highly addictive

kjc2050 · 09-23-2015, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpc763

Did you have a complete new top installed or did you just put in the glass window?

J

That's impossible. It's a new top.

KevinH1990 · 09-23-2015, 04:57 PM

Which brand of replacement top did you use? If there were fabric option (e.g. A5) which did you choose?

M31 · 09-23-2015, 05:03 PM

Wow...that's one sweet looking window & new top! I have an '02 that's on it's second plastic window and this morning I had to use my squeegee to get the early morning dew off it. It's ironic that I have the defroster control on the dash that's hooked up to nothing! Do you notice any less vision out the slightly smaller glass window? Been thinking about this for a long time and now you have pushed me to do it...thanks!

Retroman1969 · 09-23-2015, 06:18 PM

Thank you for the compliments everyone!
It is indeed a new top. The old top was more dry and worn out than it showed so I just went for the whole thing to get the glass window.
The defroster has a wire coming off of it, but I have no switch to hook it up to. I'm going to look into adding one and making it active.
I'm just so thrilled to be able to see at ALL.

The view is more limited but so much more clear than even the good plastic window in my weekender with no distortions, that it seems to balance out. And it's perfectly fine. The only limitation that I notice at all is that I can't see anything that's more than a few car lengths behind me because the window is narrower and set fairly low. But parking lots and ramps are where it really counts and it gives plenty of vision in those situations.
As a more shallow observation, I personally think the smaller more oval-ish window just looks classier and more classic roadster-like.

I'm sorry, I don't know the technicals because the shop had their own source for the tops, and they have such a reputation among the Porsche people that I trusted their judgement in picking the proper specs. Sure enough, it looks just like the factory tops.
I'll ask them or I can send their contact info for anyone that wants to find out all the details.

Jager · 09-23-2015, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

As a more shallow observation, I personally think the smaller more oval-ish window just looks classier and more classic roadster-like.

I agree.

tommy583 · 09-23-2015, 08:42 PM

There should be a plug behind the drivers seat over your left shoulder. There is a cover on it that flips up. There should also be a switch on the dash. At least there was one on mine.

Retroman1969 · 09-24-2015, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

I agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy583

There should be a plug behind the drivers seat over your left shoulder. There is a cover on it that flips up. There should also be a switch on the dash. At least there was one on mine.

I must be blind. There is a switch on the dash next to the central door lock switch!
I also didn't notice that the wires aren't just dangling as I thought. The shop tucked them under the shelf carpet and they are plugged in behind the driver's seat.
So I DO have active defrost! Awsome!
I didn't even look for these things because I assumed that there would be no hookups built into a car that wouldn't have a glass window fitted from the factory for several years yet.
Then again, I forgot about the optional removable hardtop. (forehead slap!)
Thanks for the head's up Tommy!