Hardtop Advice - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Onad · 03-23-2006, 07:45 AM

I'm beginning to look for a hardtop (while prices are low in spring) and wanted to get some advice on the importance of year.

I have a 2003 Boxster. I know that any hardtop from '97 to '04 will fit and I also know that the '97 and '98 hardtops have "ears" on the side. Other than that, are there any other differences? Are some years more prone to rattles than other years? Should I be looking for a top closer to my model year, as opposed to purchasing a ’97 or ’98 top?

Appreciate your comments. Thnx

Jeph · 03-23-2006, 04:52 PM

I don't know if there are differences other than what you've listed ("ears"). There's a chance that if the top is relatively older than your car, the paint could be faded differently. It just depends on how the previous owner took care of it (and how you've taken care of your paint).

And they all rattle, regardless of the year.

Lastly, I don't know if there's really a way to tell the difference in the year of the top (except with those old ear-y ones). I don't think they have a year, just a manfactured date. But the closer you are to your year, the better off (my opinion).

Onad · 03-23-2006, 05:08 PM

Thanks for the reply. Your advice makes sense. I'm going to go ahead and buy the hardtop mounting hardware (spinlocks, etc.) so whenever I find a hardtop I can just put it on and drive it home. Dealers have been quoting me $130 plus, but I'm hoping I can find the equipment for less (the dealer also suggested I have them install the spinlocks to the tune of $250).

Thanks again for your comments.