I am in the "love the look" category and even though it is purely psycological, I like having a bit more material over my head for track day usage and general weather.

I live in the hot south and our comfortable top down days equal about two weeks in the spring and two weeks in the fall. Other than that is it too hot or too cold.

I am not looking to go as far as 986 to 987 cayman conversion level but am satisfied with a 986 coupe concept.

With the 3.6 and the other mods I am planning, I am excited about the end result.

I think I'm missing something...

Replacing plasctic window is 400-450$ (from what I read it's very hard to sew it yourself)

Buying a new top with glass window is 550-650$ and you can change it yourself

I think it's would be an easy choice towards glass... am I missing something?


Sasha

I think you're correct, and that most people would prefer to have the glass top. However, as I stated before, with the aftermarket tops, there is a slight restriction to the engine when you put the top in service position...nothing you can't overcome, but some might see that as a drawback. The other slight drawback, and this is stretching it a bit, as it's not really much extra, but the glass window adds a slight weight penalty over the plastic counterpart. All in all, however, the overall advantages of having the glass windowed top IMHO, greatly outweigh any cons.

Replacing the canvas from the top frame is not really a DIY type job. Well in theory with the right tools anything is DIY...But this isn't one of those you can really afford to get wrong and not end up with a some issues that will require you to pay someone to fix who should have just done the job from the start.
Its not like changing the oil, as in something you will need to do countless times in the future. You do it once, and with proper treatments and cleanings even one top (with glass) should last the life the car while looking good. The cables and motor perhaps would need to be replaced at one point or another since they have mechanical wear.

glad Im not the only miserable person with this issue!

Im going glass, end of story

by the way, for you guys that are only going to replace the plastic, if you clean and treat with Raggtopp the canvas will darken a few shades giving it newer appearance...a pretty cool side effect. And obviously never use car wash soap on the top. Strong rinsing only.

What product should I use on plastic window?

There should be some stuff that makes it shinier and more flexible?

Thanks
Sasha

Everybody uses Plexus spray for cleaning. I apply it with an old t-shirt. Microfiber is maybe not so great because of the prickly ends. Renovo liquid polish is good for removing cloudiness and stains. That's all you need.

I had GAHH install their glass top on my car a few months ago. I love it and I am very happy with the quality.

While it was a little more restrictive, I really didn't think it was difficult at all to change the air filter. These cars are slightly more difficult to work on than say a Honda to begin with (although much better on the engineering front) and I would say the difference was minor.

My top is probably 6+ years old and clear/flexible
 

I use Novus #1 and #2 on it. When I bought the car the window had a clouded look and brittle feel. I used Novus #3 to basically sand the scum off, then #2 to get rid of the scratches, then #1 to polish it. The #1 seemed to provide some chemical that restored the suppleness of the window. I polish about once every 6 months.

Now it opens and closes just fine at any temp above maybe 45. The colder it is the slower I open the top, pausing about 3 times to let things settle slowly.

I got tired of the glass vs. plastic dilemma, and since my car has the top down as often as humanly possible, I sewed in some matching black canvas where the stupid plastic was. My top is only up in case of inclement weather, so I could give a rip if I cant see out the back.... that is what side mirrors are for. Plus, I think it looks kinda cool with an all black top.... It was kind of a ******************** to sew in, but worth it.....no more problems.....

^ That's pretty interesting. More interesting would be installing one of those little pin hole cameras that the big SUV's have and having a digital rear view with a wider range.

Do you have pics?

sonofab...... I think reading this thread jinxes you!!!!

leaving for work today, a cool 63 degrees, wanted to rock top down...

zzzzzz *pop* gahhH!!! half inch crack in the seam on passenger side.

clearly not enough to replace the whole top, but dammit! just one of those things... kinda scared to use the top now. what is a locally available product I can use to make the plastic more flexible again?

locally is tough...maybe you can find some plexus, Renovo is better but definitely mail order.

Just put clear packaging tape on it until you get a new one....no biggie.

:cheers:

Whatever you do don't use clear silicone like my PO did, it looks like crap.

What I want to know is where do you get a glass top for $500? I saw the gahh ones were 750+

If you look at one of my previous posts in this thread, you will see I posted a link to a site that sells the GAHH glass tops for $599.

For what it's worth, I filed a claim under my comprehensive insurance coverage when I cracked my rear window due to opening it when cold out. The insurance company covered a new top less my $500 deductible. I shopped around and the GAHH top was as economical as most of the others I found.

I wasn't entirely sure they would cover it, but since it ws accidental, they did. My agent tells me that comprehensive claims (at least with my carrier) don't count against me as accidents and so there should be no rate increase as a result.