Glass v Plastic rear window: which do you prefer?
 

My 99 has a GAHH replacement top that is coming unglued around the glass.
My first thought is to replace the top and cables that are aged and no longer fulfilling duties.

One of the pitfalls of a glass window top is service accessibility. I learned that the hard way when I was trying some minor service and had to play octopus. However I presume the glass top should last longer? My car is a fair weather car. I don’t really need a rear defroster so that’s not swaying me.

Has anyone had both for an extended period of time?

Yes. I prefer the glass top because I think it looks way better. The plastic window looks cheap to me. But the biggest reason is i can drop the top no matter how cold it is without having to worry about cracking the plastic window.

Yes. I prefer the glass top because I think it looks way better. The plastic window looks cheap to me. But the biggest reason is i can drop the top no matter how cold it is without having to worry about cracking the plastic window.
(+1)
...one of my cars did have the old style GAHH glass that eventually came out. Replaced it with the newer style.

For the original frame I prefer plastic as I feel that fits the style better, and allows more visibility on the fewer bows.

For the later frame... glass of course. ;)

Yes, I had both types of top for a couple of years. When I had the chance, I replaced the plastic window top with a glass window top. I was much happier with the glass because it looked better and I could see out much more clearly.

The rear field of view is slightly reduced with glass but IMHO the Boxster's rearward visibility is already so badly compromised that the glass top didn't make it hardly any worse than it already is. But I would recommend that you sit in a friend's car that has the glass top to see firsthand if the slight reduction in rearward visibility is acceptable to you.

I prefer the glass window . I had mine replaced with glass and have no regrets .

I have plastic, but have seen P cars with glass and look much better. I am switching to glass which can also be tinted easier than plastic

I ended up putting on a 2004 glass window top and frame. You get a big window that works with the included frame and is easy to swap over and you still have good engine access.
If you can get one for around $1000 - basically same price as new top and labor to install.
The aftermarket glass tops sometimes look a bit weird to me and it is quite a job to install.
The best thing about any glass window is ease of use - no getting out to chop - use in any weather, etc.

Engine accessibility really concerns me, so I'm probably gonna stay with the plastic. I am considering have a new window installed and have the local top shop make so it can zip out and zip back in. Nothing new, they were doing that back in the late 50's & early 60's.

For now, I've ordered cleaner/polish from the guy on Ebay.

This is one of the best mods I have done (04 top/frame on my 02) as far as ease of putting the top down in cold Minnesota Spring and Fall weather. Pretty simple swap. Highly recommended if you can find one!

Hi Brian, I replaced mine on my 99 about 2 years ago with one with the plastic window. Partly for originality purposes and it was around $100. cheaper I think at the time. I had a Triumph TR6 years ago and I think the rear plastic window had a zipper on it which I liked.

I have an 03 but in side profile..top up...can't beat the origional profile

I have an 04 top and frame on my 2000 Boxster. An added bonus is that you also have a headliner which gives the interior of the early cars a higher-quality ambiance. The car is also a bit more quiet with the top up.

Im going with the Gahh German Sonnenland top in metropol blue with glass

Having an Arctic Silver on Black/Black is killing me. Too common and no true color

Why not burgundy, like 987 RS60? That’s what I’m debating, along with glass vs plastic.

I'm a DIY mechanic so I want the best access to the engine. Plastic. Also as a sporty driver I want the best view. Plastic.

Plastic is more functional. Glass is more cosmetic.

Yeah, plastic for me too. Mine is in great condition fortunately. I don't sweat the "issues" such as the karate chop, not lowering colder than 50 deg etc. Also, though marginal, it is lighter. And the fastest, easiest way to make these cars faster is to make them lighter.

My boxster had the aftermarket glass window when I bought it and switched it to the plastic for the weight savings. Along with making it manual.

Bottom line up front - Your comparison between the plastic window and an aftermarket glass-window top is valid. But, I haven't heard anyone say that they regret putting an 03/04 top and frame on an earlier car.

Access to the engine is fine with an 03 or 04 top and frame. I've heard that the aftermarket glass window tops on an original frame make life a bit more difficult for the DIY mechanic.

The rear view with the 03/04 top and frame is also good. The plastic window was larger, but when they get hazy you feel like you are looking through a shower curtain in the back. I kept my plastic window pretty clear with regular polishing, but it was never going to be as nice as glass. Again, I have no first hand experience but I heard that looking through the aftermarket glass windows is like looking through a mail slot.

The glass windows also have a defroster which comes in handy if you drive your car year round.

Because I like Blue and you're not the boss of me! :D

I installed an 03 a couple of years ago, love it, I always thought it was odd to get out 1/2 way through putting the top down to chop the plastic window, with a power top you should be able to sit throughout the whole process

Geez I was just wondering your thought on Burgabdy as a fellow polar silver car owner, who was bored with the color combo...

So did you get your boss approve blue top over black interior? ;)

I've experienced 3 different rear windows in my 98 Boxster.
My car came with the factory hardtop option which gives GREAT visibility and a rear defroster, but alas, does not go up and down. It is a great compromise for the dark rainy months (Oct to June) in Seattle.

My original soft top had the plastic rear window which was so badly discolored after 20 years that I could not see anything thru it. It finally cracked one day when it was getting the chop...

I have had a original style soft top with the glass window installed, visibility is excellent thru the glass window and the rear defroster is nice to have. BUT, the smaller size of the glass rear window does reduce overall visibility. As others have mentioned the glass rear window in an original style soft top also makes DIY in the engine compartment a bit more challenging...

Kevin

:D:D:D

One step ahead of you my friend. Going to do blue seats and a few other tricks to the interior

Glass v Plastic rear window: which do you prefer?
 

Good plan!

I humbly offer this as a design template (in case you haven’t seen it) for your consideration...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...355a77444e.jpg

I’d be curious to see pics of yours in blue when it’s done. My daily has a factory blue/black combo that I love.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...61b45c57fd.jpg

Sorry, off topic I know.

Interesting, I recall liking 993 with polar silver and blue top/ blue leather interior scheme. Anyway good luck and show some pics when done!

I swapped my cracked plastic window top for a new one with a glass window on the same frame. The rear window is significantly smaller which affects rear visibility a bit, but now I know it won't break, so I recommend it highly.

I do like the red with the black, and blue is my favorite color
Working with an upholster now :)

I know I said I wasn't going to do it, but I found a nice, complete 03 top and frame this weekend at a wrecker in Phoenix. $1000 for the top, and a set of black carpeting is included. I jumped on it. Can't pick it up for a couple of weeks. But I think I'm pretty excited by the prospect. I wish it was closer, I'd like to pick over the just junked car--nice shape just an engine expired. Might be buying some other must haves for my project car.

My 98 got a new GAAH top with a glass back window last October. I'm very pleased.
One question for those that had a new top installed....... the first couple of times I tried raising and lowering the top I had some difficulty un-latching it and relatching it. It was a bit of a 2-handed effort and needed more "force/effort" than the old previous top. I spoke to the installing company and they assured me that in time it would loosen up (ie: stretch out a bit). They advised me to store it with the top up (I store it over the winters)....and said that I shouldn't have a problem when I open it or close it in the Spring/Summer. They did say that IF I had further difficulty there is some small adjustments they could make but told me to hold off on that until I give it more time..........

Any thoughts from those of you who have had new tops installed?

Yes mine was a little tight when it was first installed. What the guy told you seems correct to me.

Thanks for the reply.