Value of a 2003 Top Frame - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

KevinH1990 · 11-12-2009, 02:46 PM

How much would you pay for a used top frame from a 2003 Boxster?

I'm probably going to need to do some top maintenance in the next year or two. (At a minimum I'll need to replace the rear window.) My preference would be to have a top from an 03 or 04.

If I bought the used 03 frame, I could put a GAHH top on it. I'm assuming that combination would not have the engine access issue that GAHH tops on the 97-02 frames have. Does anyone know if the 03 and 04 GAHH tops have a larger rear window than the 97-02 tops?

Adam · 11-12-2009, 03:52 PM

I'm not sure of exact value. I've never seen a used frame for sale, but I'm guessing pretty expensive as I believe the frame is made of magnesium. Maybe a couple grand?

Boxtaboy · 11-12-2009, 04:09 PM

I paid $700 for a complete 03 top frame and soft top with glass window. Came from a wreck, but the top was totally undamaged.

KevinH1990 · 11-12-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

I paid $700 for a complete 03 top frame and soft top with glass window. Came from a wreck, but the top was totally undamaged.

That's the kind of deal I'm looking for. It sounds like you were very fortunate.

Adam · 11-12-2009, 07:55 PM

That does sound like a great deal especially for both the frame and top. Kevin, to answer your question about the window size, the 97-02 plastic rear windows are considerably bigger than the glass ones found in both the GAHH tops and the factory 03-04 tops.

Boxtaboy · 11-13-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

That's the kind of deal I'm looking for. It sounds like you were very fortunate.

Thanks. You should be able to source one from a dismantler for less than $1k, as I have a friend who found one for around $900 shipped after I got mine, although I'm not sure if some of these places are wisening up now that they know more people are looking to retrofit them to their pre-2003s.

The window is smaller, but still large enough, and I don't even notice it being smaller from the driver's perspective. The advantages (no longer worrying about cracking plastic window, no longer having to clean/polish the plastic, having a heated rear window, etc), more than make up for the slightly smaller window size, in my opinion. I love it, and it's probably my favorite mod to my car cause I no longer have to watch how my window is folding, or do the chop as I put the top down.

edevlin · 11-13-2009, 02:35 AM

How hard is it to replace the frame mechanism. I have also toyed with the idea of getting one for my 2000 base, thanks,

Ed

Cloudsurfer · 11-13-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

I'm not sure if some of these places are wisening up now that they know more people are looking to retrofit them to their pre-2003s.

They have. I haven't been able to find any dismantler who will take less than $2k. Some have gotten lucky, by finding one locally that just got wrecked, but by the time the wreck gets to a major dismantler, they know the value of these and want their money.