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

Porsche9 · 10-05-2014, 08:15 PM

It's that time. I need to replace the clear vinyl window that cracked on both sides where it folds. The top is in otherwise good shape. Any recommendations for someone in the Phoenix area? Thanks.

Taipanic · 10-06-2014, 09:16 AM

Generally it is more feasible to replace the whole top than to have the window alone replaced. Window replacement will almost cost the same as a new top. The benefit is you can replace it with a glass windowed top. My stitching eroded on my otherwise perfect top a few weeks ago. I should have the S back this week with it's new glass windowed top. I'll post pics and a review when I get it back.

Ebell914 · 10-06-2014, 09:41 AM

PO paid $800 for a very good job to replace the rear window on mine....if you are getting a top done for that little, it is not with German canvas.....

Porsche9 · 10-06-2014, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebell914

PO paid $800 for a very good job to replace the rear window on mine....if you are getting a top done for that little, it is not with German canvas.....

At $800 just to do the rear window window it does not seem worth it. I'm open to options but need to talk to someone locally that I can trust and is knowledgable. Doing a quick search for tops gives me a price of $600 to $950. What is it going to cost to install?

Thanks.

Boxster Glass Window Upgrades
2002 - GAHH Online Store

Ebell914 · 10-06-2014, 03:47 PM

Dealer quoted me $2600 for the complete job with a non-OEM, but German made canvas top. Not sure on the breakdown, but I would think that is your upper limit.

gregdacat · 10-06-2014, 03:53 PM

$800 for rear window replacement seems high. I had mine replaced (plastic) this past April for $500 at an upholstery shop in Cincinnati.

herve_g · 10-06-2014, 04:44 PM

Seems really high to me too.
I replaced my whole top for 700$ CAD, and I've seen a few people trying to sell other complete tops for around the same price.

Replacing a whole top is a fairly simple operation that doesn't take long.

dghii · 10-06-2014, 06:01 PM

$800 for a window? No way. You can buy a really nice cloth top/glass window for ~$500. A good shop should get you in and out in a day.

I did my first top this summer. Removal took me 4 hours, bagging and taking pics. Install took me about 12 very cautious hours.

Second top this summer took 1 hour for removal and 6 for install. Top looks great!

Ottacat · 10-07-2014, 04:58 AM

I recently replaced the top on mine. The rear window had already been replaced once and the second one was splitting at the seams.

I got my replacement from AutoTopsDirect (ATP) for $659 which had the glass window and was made with the German A5B/DS Acoustic Canvas. It also included the wiring harness for the defrost. The same top from GAHH is $925 and all my research indicated they were exactly the same tops coming from the same factory.

I didn't feel brave enough to replace it myself. I found a local guy here in Ottawa that did the job for $630. It was in and out in a day. He had done other Boxsters and the local Porsche dealership here refers work to him. He had plenty of spare parts as apparently the factory roof replacements ship with various caps and screws that the aftermarket ones don't.

I'm very happy with it and it's nice to not have to worry about the plastic window cracking or clouding again and its nice to see clearly out the back. The glass window is smaller but its more than big enough for all practical purposes.

Perfectlap · 10-07-2014, 06:31 AM

I paid $400 and I would not do it again even for that price. My canvas was spotless when the window cracked so it seemed like a waste to just chuck the top.
But save your money and do it right with a glass replacement.
The person stitching in the new top has to nail it, it's very easy to end up with a weird crease since the canvas is already stretched a certain way. I had one and below the bottom of the window and the installer said "that's actually not so bad compared to others." On the drive home it was raining and I was seeing droplets forming all along the bottom stitching. When the old plastic is cut out they take with it the factory sealing along the border and just stitch right through the replacement plastic. And The stitching was not dead straight like the factory is capable of with their expensive machinery. If you have an eye for detail you notice it right away. Really this plastic was not meant to be replaced. Plus there were all sorts of adhesives on the inside that start to come loose so I had to get out the rubber cement and silicone.

Anything more than $400 is just money that could have spent on new canvas and a heated window.

Porsche9 · 10-08-2014, 07:42 AM

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I will likily go with a new top.

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.

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.

Gelbster · 10-15-2014, 12:36 PM

One issue nobody has mentioned is the grade of vinyl used for the rear window. There are many different grades available. The marine grade usually has the highest level of uv inhibitors. That will prolong the life of the window in terms of yellowing and cracking. The other issue is thickness. Thicker is not better. Thinner is more flexible. A place that does boat upholstery & tops may be a better place to shop. And be sure to ask what brand& grade of vinyl they propose using.

Ebell914 · 10-15-2014, 02:57 PM

I know many of you have questioned the sanity of the PO of my car by paying $800 to replace the window on my car, but I am telling you - it looks factory original - stitching is perfect and lays perfectly - plus it is still the original factory canvas - which I am willing to bet is better than the Gahh replacement...

I would highly recommend you find a competent shop to go this route since you said your canvas is in really good shape. I am quite glad the PO did on mine.

And, as far as shops go, I would be very picky with selection. I went with a cheaper option shop when I had the top replaced on my Miata back in 1997 - and it was still $700 for a vinyl top! Well, the 'cheaper' option turned out to be a bad idea. Top never did fit right and putting it up was a ******************** (remember - that puppy was manual)...I was always depressed with the results and pretty much used my hard top for the rest of the time I had the car (another 8 years!!!) I just think the convertible top is just one of those areas that may be worth spending a little extra for.

Good luck, which ever option you choose!!

Porsche9 · 10-15-2014, 06:01 PM

Ebel914,

The GAHH top comes highly recommended by several installers (several would only install this brand). I also spoke with several folks that have had GAHH tops installed on a variety of cars and all where pleased with the results. The particular top I have chosen appears to be of better quality and sound installation then the factory. We'll see once it's install. At that point I'll report back.

Anyone one on this forum have issues with their new top and if so what brand was it.