hardtop? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

boxsterboxster · 12-14-2016, 07:41 PM

Hello everyone, my first post!
I"m thinking of fitting my 2001 boxster DD with a hardtop in Winter. Any negatives I should consider?
Thanks.

Xpit77 · 12-15-2016, 02:23 AM

I drive mine year round.The only issue I found was with the windshield washer.With no engine heat in the front the jets tend to freeze over. Something to be aware of.Other than that nothing.Mine is parked in an unheated garage but it has sat outside in -30 C snow covered and it started.Have fun.I purchased a storage bag for it and installed two bike hooks in the garage ceiling to hang it up out of the way .

KevinH1990 · 12-15-2016, 03:14 AM

The only negative I can think of is that you will need to find a place to store it when you don't have it on the car. Also, if you have a warm day in winter, you cannot spontaneously drop the top and enjoy the day.

Overall, I'm glad I have mine.

itsnotanova · 12-15-2016, 04:00 AM

Having the top down is one of the best features of the boxster. In most of Texas the hardtop is only needed in the summer when the sun is blaring down at a million degrees. Spring, winter and fall are great times to have the top down here. I don't enjoy the hardtop like everyone else seems to because even in the summer there are times when it's nice enough to take the top down. Like Kevin said, it's a pain to take off quickly by yourself and store. It also gets in the way of checking your PS fluid and air filter. I have one and might never use it again.

steved0x · 12-15-2016, 04:45 AM

I'm with Woody, once I got my hardtop it took up huge amounts of room in the garage. I got it mounted, and drove it for a few weeks, but then I needed to get to the engine compartment and I had to get my son to help me take it off, and it ended up in his bedroom on the top bunk of the bunk bed. It has been sitting there ever since...

I think that to really enjoy one you would need a storage rack or one of those hoists with some straps that lets one person raise/lower it and install it by themselves. With no storage rack it takes up sooo much room

rick3000 · 12-15-2016, 05:33 AM

Besides storage space, in my opinion there are no negatives to getting a hardtop. You have a few options for storage: a hoist, a rack, or a wall mount. The top isn't particularly heavy (55lbs) but they are big and awkward so you will need two people to take it on/off without a hoist.

A few things to note:

-Once the hard top is on for the winter, leave it on. Putting your soft top up/down below 70° F will risk cracking the plastic window, unless you have upgraded to a glass window
-The hardtop will take a while to settle/mold to your 986, and will need to be adjusted (3 screws on each side above the spinlocks) for the first few weeks to get the best, least squeaky fit. I have written how to do this before, a search should turn it up.
-Cut a piece for felt/fleece to place over the plastic window when you fold the top for the last time, or use PN: 986 563 855 01
-If you are driving below 40° make sure you have winter tires, or at least all seasons, summer times are very risky below 40° F
-If you ski get a RTS.

PaulE · 12-15-2016, 05:47 AM

No real negatives as long as you have a place to store it in the off season and someone to help you to put it on and take it off. Getting the spin locks, the latch cover and the pieces that cover the windshield header tab inserts if you need them can be a challenge if you don't want to pay a lot! The first year I had my hard top it wore a bit of the black paint off the trim on the forward edge of the clamshell. I made a rack from 2x4 lumber and covered it with foam pipe insulation, so it sits out of the way in my garage in the off season. There was a neat Porsche OEM wall rack and cover available, they come up on eBay and Craigslist from time to time, I had already made my rack and bought my generic cover by the time I found one of those sets so I passed.

10/10ths · 12-15-2016, 05:51 AM

.....to just buy a Cayman?

steved0x · 12-15-2016, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulE

No real negatives as long as you have a place to store it in the off season and someone to help you to put it on and take it off. Getting the spin locks, the latch cover and the pieces that cover the windshield header tab inserts if you need them can be a challenge if you don't want to pay a lot! The first year I had my hard top it wore a bit of the black paint off the trim on the forward edge of the clamshell. I made a rack from 2x4 lumber and covered it with foam pipe insulation, so it sits out of the way in my garage in the off season. There was a neat Porsche OEM wall rack and cover available, they come up on eBay and Craigslist from time to time, I had already made my rack and bought my generic cover by the time I found one of those sets so I passed.

That is a nice wall rack, that's what I need!

PaulE · 12-15-2016, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steved0x

That is a nice wall rack, that's what I need!

Thanks, I should have used a square instead of eyeballing it, it's not completely square. But it was inexpensive, is overbuilt and does the job. The rope through the 2 eye hooks on the sides is probably overkill, but if someone slammed a door inside the house I wouldn't want the hard top to land on my Boxster!

particlewave · 12-15-2016, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxsterboxster

Hello everyone, my first post!
I"m thinking of fitting my 2001 boxster DD with a hardtop in Winter. Any negatives I should consider?
Thanks.

People telling you what a nice Ford Thunderbird you have?

Seriously, though...it's weird looking.

BoomerRoadie · 12-15-2016, 09:15 AM

I love the wall rack. I should do that with mine. That's the only thing I don't like about it, the lost floor space. And in my garage, that premium space!!

The only negative that I have heard was my mechanic did tell me that keeping the top down for extended periods was not a good idea. The reasons he gave were:
1. There is a mechanism in there that needs to be actuated to keep it from getting brittle (I don't know what the part is).
2. He mentioned that keeping is down will trap moisture (not a huge problem where I live (Az).

The only other thing I can add is that the tops have a tendency to squeak at the rubber seals. You may need to remove it or at least slight pull it off to wipe silicone spay on it. That seems to take care of the squeaking for about 3 weeks at a time. That could be because of my climate. DON'T SPRY IT ON!! Spray into a rag and wipe it onto the rubber seals.

Other than that have fun with it. Not too much, more better with the top down!! :dance:

rick3000 · 12-15-2016, 10:23 AM

I have had my hardtop on for 1-2 years at a time, and never had any issues when I went to use the soft top afterward. Squeaking can be an issue, but adjusting the top as it settles to your car makes a huge difference. I always condition the hardtop seals with Gummi Pfledge when I remove it.

PaulE · 12-15-2016, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

.....to just buy a Cayman?

Truth be told if there was a Cayman in 2003 I probably would have bought that instead of the Boxster. I don't put the top down often enough, but I try to when I'm driving it on those perfect days we get every so often - not too hot or cold, clear skies, no humidity or wind. This is my fourth 2 seat convertible sports car out of five sports cars over a 43 year span! I always wanted to try a hard top with the first three convertibles and never got a chance. With the hard top it's almost like having 2 cars.

mikefocke · 12-15-2016, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

-If you ski get a RTS.

RTS = Rooftop Transit System ????

boxsterboxster · 12-15-2016, 05:45 PM

This is great! lots of good suggestions, except "buy a Cayman" what, you think I'm made of deutchmarks?
Thx allhttp://www.986forum.com/forums/images/smilies/cheers.gif

78F350 · 12-15-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

The only negative I can think of is that you will need to find a place to store it when you don't have it on the car. ...

Just pick up a couple spares and you won't have to worry about a place to keep the top. ...Admittedly it is a bit harder now with just four Boxsters and the silver tops, not going well with the Biarritz White.

rick3000 · 12-15-2016, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikefocke

RTS = Rooftop Transit System ????

Yes, Roof Transport System.

rexcramer · 12-16-2016, 04:19 AM

I bought a rolling cart, with cover, for +/- $100 on eBay. I don't have ceiling height for a hoist or wall space for a holder.

PaulE · 12-16-2016, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78F350

Just pick up a couple spares and you won't have to worry about a place to keep the top. ...Admittedly it is a bit harder now with just four Boxsters and the silver tops, not going well with the Biarritz White.

What's going on with the first silver Boxster? It looks like there is no passenger seat?