Time for a new rear window - and recommendations for the Phoenix area? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Ebell914 · 10-08-2014, 02:28 PM

I have to say, the original top is pretty too quality, new one is like $4k... Whoever my PO got to do the window on mine - did an awesome job...it looks factory fresh! It better, since he paid so much.

One thing about the glass window- it is tiny and has much less visibility.

herve_g · 10-08-2014, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebell914

One thing about the glass window- it is tiny and has much less visibility.

I actually feel I have a much better visibility with the glass window as I can see through it, compared to the plastic one that gets cloudy in no time.
And when looking at the car from the outside I like it better too

Porsche9 · 10-10-2014, 01:05 PM

Just got a quote from this place called the Top Shop hear in Phoenix. For a new vinyl window they want $450. They would completely remove my top to put in a new window and reinstall it. For a new glass window top with german material they want $1,350. This seems a bit much since they are doing the same work in removing and installing the top plus a little more time to work the new top into place. I can get the top for about $650 so they are basically charging $700 for a day of labor.

Since I have a hardtop I am leaning towards the vinyl top. When it's hot as hell the hartop is on and when it nice (now until late May next year) the top is always down. Not having to do the Boxster chop would be nice just not sure $900 nice.

Perfectlap · 10-10-2014, 01:13 PM

for the extra $900 the car looks $20,000 newer.

Plastic window has excellent visibility but it dates the car instantly.

Porsche9 · 10-10-2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

for the extra $900 the car looks $20,000 newer.

Plastic window has excellent visibility but it dates the car instantly.

Good arguement for spending the extra $900. If it's top up weather the hardtop goes on. What is interesting is with the hardtop on the positive comments I get from people on the car easily triples compared to when the top is down. I doubt that a glass window is going to elicit the same type of response. I'd rather spend the dollars (unfortunately I'm not Mr. Moneybags) on interior upgrades or respraying the front bumper to get rid of paint chips.

Perfectlap · 10-10-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche9

Good arguement for spending the extra $900. If it's top up weather the hardtop goes on. What is interesting is with the hardtop on the positive comments I get from people on the car easily triples compared to when the top is down. I doubt that a glass window is going to elicit the same type of response. I'd rather spend the dollars (unfortunately I'm not Mr. Moneybags) on interior upgrades or respraying the front bumper to get rid of paint chips.

well that's another good reason to go with a new top (with the glass). You may be doing this all over again once something other than the plastic window starts to let go. For instance the canvas on my top right below the plastic window started to fray very quickly after it was re-installed and I suspect it contributed to some wiring under/behind the seat getting water-damaged requiring about $1K in shop time to figure out and repair..
Cosmetic stuff in the interior is nice but the you need a top that's going to keep the interior well guarded.
I would shop around for a better quote. Check Rennlist or Flat6 forums for installers.
$1350 (labor and new top) if I'm reading correctly, seems to be about the right ball park. Under $1200 is considered low. Over $1400 seems steep.

p.s.
I would get that front bumper painted before doing the top. I had a previous car where I did the reverse and noticed that the threading on the replacement top looked a little weird after being in the bake oven.
But you have a hardtop so maybe moot.

Porsche9 · 10-10-2014, 05:45 PM

Thanks Perfectlap.

I'm going to shop around on getting a new top installed and see if I can get the cost down a bit. After reading about itsnotanova's experience with sloppy vinyl windows installs I might just bite the bullet and go with a new top. A sloppy install would irritate the hell out of me long after I've forgotten how much I saved.

The bumper resprayed and baking would be done with the bumper removed.

itsnotanova · 10-10-2014, 02:33 PM

This is my experience in the 13 Boxsters I've bought for my salvage yard.
1 I bought didn't come with the top
6 of them still had the original plastic window and all of the windows were either cracked or ripped.
4 of them had the window replaced and all of them you could tell from a mile away. Usually the stitching was off and looked like they were drunk when they were doing it. Not only was the stitching bad, but the thread they used fades quickly. Another problem with the replaced ones was the plastic would be slightly warped or wrinkled even when the top was fully stretched out. I will say that none of them leaked at least.
1 had the window replaced and it was done very professionally. Perfect stitching and the window looked clean and flat. The only problem was the thread they used faded, but because their stitching was so nice it didn't really matter. When I bought the car it came with receipts and I want to say they spent $400-500 to have it replaced.
1 had the complete canvas top replaced with an after market glass window top. I was able to track down the previous owner and he told me he paid $400-500 for the new canvas top off some Ebay company and then brought it down to the local upholstery shop and had it put on his frame for $200. The finished product looked great and the canvas looked and felt of good quality. From what I've seen, the after market glass windows are even smaller than the factory glass windows.