Recommendations on new Soft top - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Britrover · 12-09-2019, 12:05 PM

Hi,

My 98 Boxster has finally developed a crack in the original rear window. I have searched the forum heavily and the best option appears to be replacing the soft top as a whole. I do have a few quick questions prior to pulling the trigger on this necessary fix.

1) Does the soft top with rear glass window cause any service headaches? There are comments I read that it makes the vehicle harder to service and will it cause any issues with the mechanism as a whole?

2) I am looking to order the newer soft top German material in red as used on the newer Porsche’s, Mercedes etc. Looking for input on what this newer material is called a reliable vendor to buy it from. I have seen many listings on eBay around $550 for the German fabric with the glass window and then GAHH which is around $1250.

Look forward to some valuable feedback and getting this project completed quickly.

BYprodriver · 12-09-2019, 12:46 PM

My 2000 has it's original top which gives best engine access of any available. To my knowledge any other top will reduce access to the engine, and many will reduce rear vision.

Given your current auto fleet & others you wish to obtain you must be a good mechanic &/or a gluten for punishment.

A8ked · 12-09-2019, 10:48 PM

I replaced the original soft top on my 98 with a glass rear window version. The roll bar gets in the way of the glass window when you open into the service position. As a result you don't have as much room to work on the top of the engine as you do when the soft window is pulled all the way up into the service position. That said, I have not found it to be a major issue but more of an annoyance.
Having a rear window that I can see thru and rear defroster is a major plus! And not having to do the chop is nice too!

BruceH · 12-10-2019, 05:36 AM

There is a thread on this from sometime back. I went with Auto Top Direct (ATD) which from my understanding is the same company as GAHH. I purchased mine on eBay and had it installed by a local installer 6 years ago, still very happy with the top. The glass window, though smaller than the plastic, makes a big difference.

Britrover · 12-27-2019, 11:24 AM

Many thanks for the input. Has anyone here purchased from the vendor below? Considering them as I am looking to go with the Bordeaux color top as have a red interior with Arctic silver paint on the 986.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-Boxster-1997-02-Convertible-Soft-Top-Glass-Window-Bordeaux-German/281568378407?hash=item418ec87e27:g:qcQAAOSwYGFUvHF u

Tried Auto Top Direct (ATD), but no joy in getting the Bordeaux color.