$3600 for a new top?!?!?!?!? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

conradtan · 02-19-2008, 03:51 PM

Someone cut the plastic part of my top yesterday. I call the stealer, and almost $hit my pants! $3600 installed for a new top. Can anyone direct me to a more reasonable place please!

VTCMart · 02-19-2008, 04:09 PM

<-----------LOok over to the left

GAHH

Adam · 02-19-2008, 04:15 PM

A lot of that $3,600 is in shop labor I bet. I hear top installation is a tricky job and takes several hours. Still, $3,600 is way high.

racer_d · 02-19-2008, 04:23 PM

1) Consider an aftermarket top from a place like GAHH or Cabrioworld

2) Consider finding a local upholstry type shop/ convertible top shop to sew in a new plastic window

3) Yes, the genuine Porsche top is expensive.

4) An advantage to a top like the GAHH, is that you can get an upgrade to a GLASS rear window.. Last I checked, the glass tops were about $1,000-1200 and a plastic top ranged from about $700-1000.

Sammy · 02-19-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conradtan

Someone cut the plastic part of my top yesterday. I call the stealer, and almost $hit my pants! $3600 installed for a new top. Can anyone direct me to a more reasonable place please!

We are glad to hear that you didn't actually $hit your pants.

As everyone mentioned look at the GAHH top. At one point I priced one out (with glass window) for $950 + $400 for installation. I contacted GAHH and they quickly responsed with a list of recommended installers.

mjstallion · 02-19-2008, 07:40 PM

You can get a new top with glass window for under $700 at topsonline.com
Add another $400 or so for the install and you're set.

conradtan · 02-19-2008, 07:51 PM

Thanks everyone! I feel better now. Don't have to $hit my pants anymore. Hehe... I'll be getting the glass top. I can't help but lose my faith in humanity when things like this happens, especially to ME! I remember reading someone on this board had his car spat on over and over till it was covered. Jealous ********************es!

Again thanks!

kgorman · 02-19-2008, 10:49 PM

I have a black top in very very good condition if anyone wants it, make offer.

Benny986 · 02-19-2008, 11:00 PM

hey, let me know what you find for installs. i need to replace mine too. i am in the east and s. bay, so maybe we can work out a deal w/ the installer for 2 installs.

also, if you just want to sew in another plastic, i found a couple of places that will do it for between 750 and 800. both have done porsches in the past.

PM me, and we'll exchange emails.

Tool Pants · 02-20-2008, 02:45 AM

The local shops are Premier Upholstery and Jeda Generations.

Years ago when we were filming DIYer projects a mechanic I know at the local Porsche dealership that does the top installs agreed to install a glass window top on a Saturday, if I cleared this side job with the shop foreman or service manager. I cleared it with the foreman.

But back then I did not know a local owner who needed a top, so we did not do this project....

Peter Serbanica · 02-20-2008, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer_d

1) Consider an aftermarket top from a place like GAHH or Cabrioworld

2) Consider finding a local upholstry type shop/ convertible top shop to sew in a new plastic window

3) Yes, the genuine Porsche top is expensive.

4) An advantage to a top like the GAHH, is that you can get an upgrade to a GLASS rear window.. Last I checked, the glass tops were about $1,000-1200 and a plastic top ranged from about $700-1000.

Cabrioworld does not make tops. Better off with GAHH or topsonline they don't sell factory seconds

unklekraker · 02-20-2008, 06:13 AM

Hey Conrad, what did I tell you about parking the car in the red light district while doing your business

Bro, sorry to hear that and I'm glad nothing happen to you! Did you found out who did it?

Chills · 02-20-2008, 07:14 AM

Conrad, that really sucks about your window. I wish more people had common decency.

I'll give a +1 to the GAHH top. It would be a good investment to get a glass window, too. I tore my plastic window last winter and replaced it with a GAHH glass windowed top. It is the best thing I've done to my BoxS.

By far the best thing about a glass window is no more Boxster Chop. WOOT! :hahaha

RandallNeighbour · 02-20-2008, 08:26 AM

What a great opportunity to upgrade your top to a glass window version for the cost of your insurance deductible.

conradtan · 02-20-2008, 08:51 AM

@ Benny986 - PM sent

@ Toolpants - Did you want to set up a DIYer filming with your mechanic? PM if you are interested. I'm game.

@ Peter - Thanks for the heads up.

@ unklecraker - But the red light district IS where THE business is! Haha! I don't know who did it. Oh well, I needed a new top soon anyway, mine was getting hazy.

@ Chills - I am seriously thinking of the glass top, NO MORE CHOP!

@ Randall - I need to contact my insurance. You are right!

To all,

!

CA_Boxster · 02-20-2008, 03:47 PM

[QUOTE=Tool Pants]The local shops are Premier Upholstery and Jeda Generations.
QUOTE]

I had mine replaced a couple years ago by Premier with the GAHH glass window top. It was when they first came out (my original top was too far gone when I bought the car). GAHH has gone through a few design issues and I'm now on my 2nd new top with a few other annoyance-level adjustments in between. The good news is that the current design is solid and Premier stood behind their product. I think any aftermarket stuff runs that risk until it's been through a couple years of street life.

My original plastic rear window cracked and I investigated getting a new one sewn in. It's going to run you hundreds of dollars anyway, and every shop I asked said they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't leak once they poked holes in it sewing and didn't have the original seal in there.

Your insurance probably covers repair of your top back to original condition. Porsche does not recommend sewing in new windows, and they will certainly put that $3600 repair cost in writing. That's what you pay premiums for. You can always take that check and shop around.

[EDIT - I just hit "submit" and saw Randall's comment. My bad for not reading all the way through...]