hard top pricing - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

thomschoon · 07-21-2006, 10:26 AM

I was wondering what a fair price is for a hard top, i just bought a Boxster to be my daily driver and would prefer a hard top for the winter. I was also wondering what needed to be done to mount one, I have the factory speedster humps so I am not sure what needs to be done to mount one.

Thanks for any help

thom

Jeph · 07-21-2006, 12:54 PM

$2145 new at Brandywine Porsche (includes shipping)

$800-$1500 used on eBay

You may need 2 spindle things and a couple of special bolts for installation. Part #s anyone?

mikefocke · 07-21-2006, 12:59 PM

The humps are the complicating factor.

The spinlocks are 2 little parts that mount in sockets behind the seats and into which a shaft fits when the hardtop is lowered. Vastly overpriced (isn't everything Porsche). Sometimes available from used sources.

A recent hardtop went on eBay for $610 in pretty good shape. Normally, they go for $1200-1400 in the winter. Nobody want to ship one.

A strategy I've seen work is to see if someone selling an older car on eBay with a hardtop would like to sell the hardtop separately so as to lower the price of the car.

thomschoon · 07-21-2006, 02:06 PM

I found one for $1400 that is the correct color, just trying to figure out if it is worth it as I am no in a huge rush but also dont want to miss on something that would work. I appreciate the help

Thom

70Sixter · 07-21-2006, 02:07 PM

I don't have humps, but thought the factory humps fit into the spinlocks. If you have them they are directly behind your left shoulder on the driver side (left hand drive) and behind right shoulder on the other side.

I just checked the PCA Mart and no Box tops had a price listed, but cabrio hardtops were as little as $800. I think the mikefocke $1200 - 1400 range is about right for a good, late top w/o ears.

I would not want one shipped after it has been assembled, they are fragile and UPS is not delicate. I also believe you need to disassemble one to paint it properly.

You need a storage rack for the top in summer. I think mine was about 200, but it puts the top up on the wall. And I also have cloth cover, which I recommend.

This is the time of year to buy one, whilest heat racks most of the US! Good hunting.

Dr. Kill · 07-21-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomschoon

I was wondering what a fair price is for a hard top, i just bought a Boxster to be my daily driver and would prefer a hard top for the winter. I was also wondering what needed to be done to mount one, I have the factory speedster humps so I am not sure what needs to be done to mount one.

Thanks for any help

thom

I keep hearing people say they want a hardtop for the winter. Why is that? I had no problems here in NJ this winter with my DD without one. Is that something advantageous if you park outside and tend to get a lot of ice on the roof or something?

Jeph · 07-21-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomschoon

I found one for $1400 that is the correct color, just trying to figure out if it is worth it as I am no in a huge rush but also dont want to miss on something that would work. I appreciate the help

Thom

Thom, if the top is in good enough condition, go for it. Have you seen the top? Is your color rare?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

I keep hearing people say they want a hardtop for the winter. Why is that?

I think it insulates better. And I'd argue that it's safer (leaving your car parked or unattended for a while -resists slashings).

Jumps · 10-10-2007, 06:24 AM

Part numbers, if you're interested:

Spin-lock mount, left 98656371302 $33.30
Spin-lock mount, right 98656371402 $33.30
Spin-lock fitting (bolt) 99921904100 $10.62 x 2

2001 Boxster S, 1989 BMW 325ic, 1987 Range Rover Classic, 1997 Honda Accord (the wifes)

Chris_Craft · 10-10-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeph

$2145 new at Brandywine Porsche (includes shipping)

Does a new one fit older Boxsters?

KevinH1990 · 10-10-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikefocke

A recent hardtop went on eBay for $610 in pretty good shape. Normally, they go for $1200-1400 in the winter. Nobody want to ship one.

A strategy I've seen work is to see if someone selling an older car on eBay with a hardtop would like to sell the hardtop separately so as to lower the price of the car.

I'm the guy who bought the $610 hard top, and I was very lucky. The seller was auctioning it on eBay with the auction ending on July 3rd - not exactly the time when most people are looking for one. He wouldn't ship it, so the market was essentially limited to the people who would drive to South Carolina and pick it up.

By the way, it was in nearly perfect condition, not "pretty good shape".

I think that $1000-1500 is a more reasonable expectation for a price. I used Mike's suggestion on buying a top from a car for sale to locate several other possible tops before I pulled the trigger on an the top I bought. Persistence is necessary.

Good luck in your search. If you buy a top from Brandywine, just ask if it will fit your year. They'll know.

10-10-2007, 02:38 PM

$610 for a hardtop is a true bargain.

Uncle Bob · 10-10-2007, 04:19 PM

$610!!!! No kiddin!

One negative with having an '05....no used tops available! This is why I figured I needed a hardtop!

Jumps · 10-10-2007, 05:07 PM

I dont know if anyone has checked this out, but I would have went with one of these if I knew about them before I bought a used hardtop and had it painted. All together it cost me about $1500 after paint. The Zeintop cost about $3000 before paint. These Zeintops look pretty sweet if you like the Cayman styling. The only drawback seems to me that you had to take the trunk lid off to fit the top, which means you cant just take the hardtop off on a hot day and just drive.

Anyone know of a cheap Porsche parts place that sells Spin-Locks?

Check out my Porsche vids on YouTube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLmPusgoFDM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH4fE5Y7iWs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FflEIWWX-go

2001 Boxster S - Tiptronic, HIDs, Heated Seats, Hardtop WOOOHOOO

!

KevinH1990 · 10-10-2007, 05:36 PM

I like the looks of the Zeintop in the pictures I've seen. I'd love to see one in person. It sounds like the price has dropped a bit since it was introduced.

KevinH1990 · 10-10-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

$610!!!! No kiddin!

One negative with having an '05....no used tops available! This is why I figured I needed a hardtop!

What's wrong with your garage?

Uncle Bob · 10-12-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

What's wrong with your garage?

I took the pic after I had been sleeping for just 4 hours. Had a project going in there (spray paint) and didn't want either car in there. Normally, they are both in there. But I do drive in that stuff as well!!

rick3000 · 10-12-2007, 01:18 PM

To keep it simple you have to:

Remove the speedster humps
Install spinocks on each side
Then buy a hardtop
I paid $900 and I was lucky enough that was the same color. If you have a weird (rare) color then you will have to pay to get it painted (about $300) Most people want $2000 for a used top but they normally sell for $800-$1400.

I got a hardtop and trust me it the best thing you can but for the boxster. you can remove it for fun trips on curvy roads in about 5min. and put it back on for the day to day freeway commute. The noise differeence between the softtop and hardtop is amazing!

Chris_Craft · 10-14-2007, 09:14 AM

Anyone have info on this top?
http://www.gtmotorsport.net/index.php?menu=Boxster+Street&page=Hardtop

nola911 · 10-14-2007, 09:46 AM

I emailed them a few months back and they said they will not have anything till after xmas. They did have one leftover top for sale that had no carpet, no glass, no paint, no wiring, and you had to pay shipping still. It was 800 dollars. I said they are nuts.. By the time you buy from them and paint, you will end up being higher than a used OEM top that is going to fit better.

yellowboxster01 · 10-14-2007, 10:29 AM

I'm going to splurge around Christmas time and buy a Zeintop. I just can't get over the looks of it vs. the stock top. It'd kind of be like having two different cars.