New Top Pictures
 

I've had my new top for a couple of weeks now and have been too busy to post pictures. I took these while on vacation last week. I always wanted a gray top to go with my gray interior, and the opportunity to get glass for my 2000 sealed the deal. I recently added Litronics, rear & side clears, B&M SSK + Evo linkage, PNP rear speakers, 996 6-chanel amp, 6-disc changer, painted bumperettes, and some other odds & ends. I'm currently working on a set of wheels. I will post pictures of the wheels when I get them.

ddb

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_3_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_2_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_4_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_5_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_6_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_7_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_8_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...451_9_full.jpg

ddb

Nice.... I have an 2001 Boxster in white with gray int with a black top and since day one I have wanted to change it out for a gray one. Did you get this top from Cabrioworld?

MLegere,

Thanks...

No, I ordered the top directly from GAHH. From what I read the Cabrioworld tops are manufactured by GAHH. I found some white/gray/gray cars when I was searching, but they all had problems that I didn't want to deal with. So I settled for a black top and made the change once the glass was available. I'm thrilled with the change!

ddb

Your car looks great. I'm going to order from the same company in a few weeks. What is the quality of the top material like versus the original? How long did it take them to get the top to you?

rxgolf,

They sell 2 different top materials. I chose the higher quality material (I think they call it "German Quality"). In my opinion, and the opinion of the installer, it is at least equal to the quality of the OE top.

I think they are in the state of Washington and I'm in NC. I ordered it on a Monday and had it on Wednesday. I was really anxious to get it installed, but my top guy couldn't work me in until the following Monday. If they have your top in-stock (already manufactured) they can get it to you as quickly as you would like to pay.

Post pictures once you get it.

Good luck,

ddb

if you get a chance take a picture from inside looking out of the back.

I'm sure everyone would like to see the view from the narrower window.

Hey Perfectlap,

I just finished cleaning all the road grime off the car from my vacation and have it covered and tucked away until the next adventure. I will take some more pics when I have a chance.

When I first picked it up from having the top installed it was a little strange looking out the smaller rear window. But now, no problem at all. I just returned from vacation in the car (approximately 700 miles) and it is like the window has always been this size. It was a lot harder getting use to the blind spots in general after first buying the car.

If anyone is considering one of these tops, I wouldn't let the smaller rear window affect your decision. If it bothers you too much, more reasons to drop the top! Now you don't have to worry about the plastic cracking , etc. if it is too cold.

ddb

Nice looking and unique to boot. Was it very expensive?

Your car looks REALLY clean with that color combo and all clear lights. I wish I could tint my rear window. :(

ddb, or anyone who would like to share...

I am currently in the position where I am reconisdering a GAHH top as well...

Couple of questions...

1) Does the top fit perfectly as the OEM one, any rattle noises...etc..??
2) I called a reputable top installer (NO AFFILIATION with porsche) and they mentioned to me that they were less than impressed with the GAHH tops...how does the quality and look compare to the original..?? Is there a difference..?
3) I am aware that for the after market tops, you need to "re-use" some of the screws, strips, etc..how difficult is this and can you purchase this seperately.


thanks

by the way...your car looks GREAT....the color combinations work very well.!!!!!

can't believe it took 8 years for someone to figure out how to do this.
I installed an aftermarket glass window for my old Miata ages ago.




http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...357_7_full.jpg


I hope this glass top is one upgrade I never have to do. I cover my top religiously.
Basically if its sitting outdoors for more than three hours this goes on.
Replacing your softop is an entirely preventable expense
http://i15.ebayimg.com/03/i/02/7a/8b/2d_1.JPG

Pilot,

It was $1094 including 2nd day shipping and $84 extra for the gray. It looks like the prices are lower already, as expected. My installer charged $520. I probably paid too much by purchasing so early, but I'm really happy and will never look back.

ddb

Hey Porschekid,

Thanks very much. I really like your car. You definitely don't see that combo every day.

I guess that is another advantage with the glass rear window, you can tint it.

What mods do you have planned?

ddb

dennizxxx,

Thanks for the compliment.

I haven't heard any (new) rattles or noises since the installation of the top. I think the quality of the fit is a function of the installers workmanship more than anything else, so results will vary. Properly installed the top will look and operate as original. I'm thrilled with mine.

I think the quality is excellent. I chose the higher quality, slightly more expensive material offered. I can't see a difference in the quality. My old top was black and the new one is gray, which complicates the comparison. My installer raved about the GAHH quality and installs a lot of their tops and interior kits. I saw many GAHH boxes and catalogs in his shop. I chose GAHH and then approached him, so he didn't have anything to do with my decision. I guess opinions will vary on quality on a item such as this. I didn't look at other tops nor did I have any experience in this area. Truthfully, they had a glass rear window top, and I could have it in 2 days. Maybe not smart, but hey.....

Sorry I can't help with question #3.

Hope this helps and good luck

ddb

That top looks great. Now you pre-'03 guys can enjoy the car without "chopping" the plastic.


-

actually if you do the chop early on the crease stays in the plastic and you don't have to do it anymore. The key is to lower it a bit slower as the final bend is settling in when you first start lowering the top. I've done the moving top down hack and use it every day. I haven't done the chop in months and I have no dents or sharp creases.
The larger plastic window seem more to my liking it stays crystal clear with Plexus. Although during winter a defrost would be nice! A hardtop will take care of that :)

Should the top be covered too?
 

I hope this glass top is one upgrade I never have to do. I cover my top religiously.
Basically if its sitting outdoors for more than three hours this goes on.
Replacing your softop is an entirely preventable expense


Pefect Lap:
This is my first convertible and from what I read in your post you are saying that we should cover up the softtops all the time. I had not heard this at any time before. Does this apply to all the seasons? I live in NY. My car is usually garaged but I do leave outside, for up to 8-10 hours, since I use it for work everyday. Las year I used to leave the top down but the dust inside the car got to be terrible that's when I started to put the top up all the time while working.

In my experience, if you use Plexus say every couple of weeks, your back window will stay nice indeed.

Now, if lived in the desert, I would cover the window if I was leaving my car out all day. That sun is brutal.

Pilot,
If we were talking about a vinly top I wouldn't bother taking any maitnenace precautions. Vinly is incredibly durable against sun, rain and dust.

But these canvass tops are a different story. If you leave your car outside when you're at work I would definitely cover it with one of the $40 top covers I use.
It only takes one minute to put on and protects the interior from fading. I also find it cuts down on interior cleaning significantly. Not to mention cleaner glass.

Dust is the big enemy, its the big culprit in causing tears where the top meets the bows. A weekly stiff stream of water will do you allot of good. No Soap though..
I'm on my second top cover after only one winter. You should see it, the threads were coming apart and the sheen from the cover is completely gone.
But actually, I think the summer is harder on the top than winter due to fewer rain fall and the accumulation of dust.

and Of course you should be using Raggtopp which will protect the exposed portion when the top is down. Personally I wouldn't leave the top down for more than an hour uless you have applied 303 to every inch of your interior.
I've seen allot of convertibles that look imaculate on the outside but the leather and dash looks about 10 years older than the car itself, which just ruins the whole experience, especially on a Porsche.

as far as my interior, I use 1Z Einzett Vinly and Rubber protectant on the dash (and tires) every two weeks and 1Z Einzett Cockpit premium every week. Klasse VLRP is good for the black plastic, makes it look new. I keep those little Meguiars and Black Magic brushes handy for getting in the vents an all the other dash crevices. Keeping a convertible looking new is easy if you do it briefly and frequently.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...9/789415_4.jpg

Great Info
 

But these canvass tops are a different story. If you leave your car outside when you're at work I would definitely cover it with one of the $40 top covers I use.
It only takes one minute to put on and protects the interior from fading. I also find it cuts down on interior cleaning significantly. Not to mention cleaner glass.

Dust is the big enemy, its the big culprit in causing tears where the top meets the bows. A weekly stiff stream of water will do you allot of good. No Soap though..
I'm on my second top cover after only one winter. You should see it, the threads were coming apart and the sheen from the cover is completely gone.
But actually, I think the summer is harder on the top than winter due to fewer rain fall and the accumulation of dust.

Perfectlap
Thanks for your lenghty answer and I will follow your advice and get the top that covers the canvass top(like the one the porsche is using in another pic in this thread). It is quite dusty here since I work in an area which there is a cement, concrete plant, asphalt plant around the corner. The other day I bought a Zwiffer to dust of the interior even though now I leave the car closed and with the top up. I bet you in two days the car would be covered indirt & soot. Im sure that that is no good since I know the effect of sand on any kind of structure.
Many thanks!!!!!

I still have the email of the guy I bought my cover from if your interested.

Question about the glass top upgrade
 

I am knew to this site, so I hope this gets seen by the right people. I have a 2000 Boxster with sport package. I purchased it pre-owned ony a month ago. My only complaint is the plastic back window.

ddb posted that they replaced the OEM top with a glass top. I had actually just recently inquired about the upgrade with the dealer and was told that they didn't think it could be done because of the place that the top folds. Can you tell me if that was an issue? When the top goes down now, it bends the plastic, so how does the glass top accomodate that?

Your dealer must have been thinking about the Porsche factory glass top from a 2003/04. This thread is about an aftermarket glass top.

The 2003/04 factory glass top will not work on your car because a 2003/04 has a 4 bow frame and a 1997-2002 with the plastic window has a 3 bow frame.

The aftermarket glass top will work on a 1997-2002. The glass window on the aftermarket top is not as tall as the factory glass window or the plastic window so it is able to tuck down when the top is closed.

More pictures here. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=4503

Thanks Tool Pants
 

Have you seen the top that is on ebay? That was the top that first sparked my question to the dealer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33652&item=7987262 516#ebayphotohosting

If that doesn't work, I found the top on the ebay store DPS Porsche Parts. They sell it for $995. Is this the same thing?

The one offered in your link appears to be the same as the one manufacturered by GAHH. You can check it out at www.gahh.com.

Somebody here is trying to put together a group buy with some pretty good savings:

http://986forum.com/forums/22364-post1.html

I would also say GAHH, plus the building in the background looks the same.

Here is a $750 deal. http://www.cabrioworld.com/secure/detail.asp?pID=454&modelID=413

I got the GAHH top w/ glass window put on my 2000 and put 5% tint all around on it and must say that I love it. No better feeling than not having to get out of my car and chop the top every time.

As I said before, I just got this car a couple months ago. I think it's Ocean Blue Metallic w/ a Metropol Blue top and Savannah Beige interior. Is there a way to be positive of the color, so that I am sure to order the right color top?

Sorry to ask so many questions! :)

Rolf
 

NICE!
Did you have to shrink the back window for this to work?? It looks shorter (thinner from trunk to roof) or is it just the angle of the picture?

"No better feeling than not having to get out of my car and chop the top every time."


I couldn't agree more. I'm also looking forward to being able to drop the top when the weather gets cooler and not having to worry about the plastic cracking.

ddb

You can contact GAHH for installers in your area. There may be an installer in your area that has a GAHH color sample book or perhaps a top in the shop. Maybe GAHH can mail a scrap piece to check out.

I got the same top. Bought it from some shop called Maxspeed Motorsports on ebay. I paid $674.99 for the top and paid $34.95 for shipping to my home in Pasadena, CA. The total cost was $709.94 shipped. I was not sure who the manufacturer was until it arrived. It came in a GAHH box. I called about 9 upholstery shops in my area and got quotes anywhere from $450- $650 for the installation. I then came accross one local shop near me in South Pasadena and they charged me $275 for the install. Just had it done yesterday and I love it. $984.94 for everything was not bad at all from what I'm seeing here. Today I am getting the windows tinted. I will try to take some new pics and post them next week.

shift26, did you go to Ken Sorenson's "Top Shop" in Pasadena? They replaced the whole top on a BMW convertible for me and did a first-rate job for a great price...just curious.

$275!!!

whoaaa dude you got a D-E-A-L

that's less than I paid for my Miata top. Get one of those top covers and keep that new top looking new forever.

Great advice, Perfectlap!

I ordered one of the top covers from Manny (manueles2@juno.com) for $60 delivered. Great service & product. He sells on E-Bay too.

Do you happen to know his eBay seller ID?

Hey Blink:

His seller ID is maginnyna7
100% Positive Feedback

He has a Top Cover now on his site- item # 8019202092
His price went up $10.

No, it wasn't Ken's shop... I called him and he wanted $450. Perez Upholstery on Fair Oaks in South Pasadena did it. I saw some of their work inside their shop and I've got to say I was impressed. The job came out perfect.

oh, forgot to add this earlier... Here is the seller's info: http://stores.ebay.com/maxspeed-motorsports_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZ km
looks like he still has them for the same price.