Quote:
|
Originally Posted by 23109VC
is it possible to get a glass window and just have it sewn/retrofitted into the top of a 2000-2002 top? i would think not because my plastic window actually folds in half when the top goes down.... does the frame mechanism of the 03-04 top actually open/close differently such that the top just lays flat rather than get folded???
i would assume you can't just retrofit a glass window into where the plastic one is on a pre-03 top...
my rear window is still pretty good, but there is one small spot near the edge where I can see it discolored and starting to crack... it sucks b/c 99% of my window looks flawless/clear and this one darn spot is cracked. "Out damn spot!"
my top is relatively new - it was replaced by the dealer a few years ago under an extended warranty - too bad htey dind' tput in an 03-04 top and save me the timehassle... now I want to do this..
i can't tell you what a PITA it is to have to fold the window every time i want to drop the top. being able to just drop the top and no "chop" needed would be NICE
|
You can't have a glass window sewn into your current top because the glass has to be small enough to fold. This is because of your 3-bow frame used for the plastic window. If you cut out the plastic window, your glass window would need to be bigger than the plastic window that used to be there. The 03 and 04 tops have a 4th bow in the frame which allows for a larger window that nicely folds flat (without having to fold in half), and thus fits perfectly under the clamshell.
The aftermarket makers like GAHH, Robbins, and others make a top that incorporates a smaller glass window that folds, but because it is stretched over the older 3-bow frames, there is a lot of pressure put on the window itself because the folding point is not optimal. The 3-bow frame was made to accomodate a plastic window that folds in half, as you know. GAHH has improved upon their design to at least prevent the glass from separating from the seams, but their window is still smaller in size than the OEM top's window, and to me, looks like a mail slot. The other issue is that because the 3-bow frame really is meant to accomodate a plastic window that folds in half, with the aftermarket glass window top installed, you have less access to the engine from the top because the glass window doesn't fold in half when held up to get to the engine. The OEM top folds up and out of the way because of the 4th bow in the frame that will allow the window to pivet up.
I totally agree with you about the hassle of having to get out of the car to do the chop. Not only does it look kinda retarded when others are looking at you, it is a pain to have to get out of the car. With a glass top, you no longer need to do that. Oh, and your dealer probably replaced the fabric part of your top, not the frame, and that's why they could not put the 03/04 glass soft top fabric on your car...it wouldn't fit over your 3-bow frame. In order for them to give you an 03/04 glass top conversion, they would have had to replace your frame too, which adds another several thousand dollars to the equation...which is why the best/cheapest way to get this done is to source the 03/04 top and frame from a wreck.
What bothers me is that Porsche waited 6 years (model years 97-03) before they finally offered the Boxster with a glass top. That is kinda pathetic...even cars like the mini, beetle, mustang, MR2, and Chrysler Sebring came standard with a glass window, but not on a Porsche. They should at least now offer an option to retrofit the 03 or 04 top on previous models, because it obviously works, but no- they would charge you about $8k for the new top with frame if you order it, so the only cost effective way to do it is to source thru a salvage yard.