How important is a glass rear window?
 

Hi all,

I'm hoping to join the ranks of Boxster owners sometime in the next few months. It will be my daily driver. I have been limiting my search to the later models with a glass rear window, but maybe that's not necessary? How would you rate the importance of better visibility out the back, and the added convenience of not having to do the Boxster Karate Chop when putting the top down?

Thanks!

The glass rear windows actually reduce visibility because it's not as large as the plastic windows-also be advised aftermarket glass window tops are available for the pre 2003 cars, they cost 500-600 dollars plus installation. That being said I wouldn't pass up an otherwise clean well documented car just because it has a plastic rear window. I'm about to change the top on my 02 to the glass replacement top.

I don't mind the plastic rear window. Never done the chop, although window was replaced a couple years before I got it, so maybe it's still soft enough to not be an issue.
As far as visibility - not much room between the roll hoops anyways.
Only drawback to me is that I've heard lowering it in very cold weather is bad for it. I don't lower it when it's in the 30s, but haven't had any issues yet dropping it in the 40s.

But, the glass cars have other features that may also be important to you (cup holders, glovebox, non-amber headlights -- not sure on specific years for all those), so those may all add up.

My 02 has a very clear, excellent condition plastic window
When I replace top it will most likely be Glass
My top will need replacement before my Plastic Window
-- Because I do the Chop and it's a pain in the Arse to have to get out to put top down. But it keeps those really ugly and possibly damaging diagonal crease out of the window so its paid of so far
Also you really take a chance on cold temp folding and unfolding of the plastic.

Top engine service:
How much work do you intend to do your self?
I do all my own and go through the top only a few time a year

As said, don't dismiss a good boxster just because of Plastic window

if you can avoid the plastic rear window you will be much happier . The plastic gets dirty , scratches easy and one wrong fold it will get wrinkled . i have had 3 plastic window porsches and will never buy one with plastic again , still own one ( 996 cab ) . plus the 03 , 04 cars are of much better quality . the motors are much smoother with less chain noise an deliver power better . The interior is a step up and they also have a glove box .

I had a plastic rear screen that cracked and recently changed it for a 2003/4 glass screen. Straight swap took about 3 hrs and is much better. Looked at aftermarket replacement roofs but went oem

Thanks for all the responses! First-hand experience was exactly what I was looking for.

My original Boxster had a plastic window. When I replaced the top, I got the slightly smaller glass window. Didn't make much difference - view directly out the rear is fine but the 3/4 view is blocked by the top with both types of window.

I never did the chop with my plastic window and never had any problems but it is relatively warm here in LA most of the time.

What made a difference to me was clarity; if the plastic window is yellow, clouded, or scratched, you will appreciate a clear window when you get one. :)

Go with a glass top, they come with a rear window defroster.

I find that the roll bars/seat headrests block rear visibility, not the glass rear window.

Glass window is much nicer. You can add it to any car for less than $1500 so an otherwise perfect car could have a glass window top easily. I would never go back to plastic again.

My 02 has a glass window, and this alone makes it worth it to me.

No experience with glass...but no issues with my plastic. The car is meant to be driven with the top down, so most of the time the issue is moot.
If you are going to drive it in the snow, I would think glass would be the better option, although overall, if you find a nice ride with a plastic top, don't let it scare you away.

I have had plastic and I have had glass (transplanted 2004 OEM top and frame). Glass is much nicer. Also, pre-2001 cars with the exception of the 2000S did not have a headliner. So, the OEM glass-window tops are also quieter and seem better finished.

If you live in an ideal convertible climate like Southern California, maybe it doesn't make much difference. But, I see you are from Oregon so I think you will prefer glass.

Good luck with your search

How important is a glass rear window?



VERY Important...................

I take the car out of storage in April, and once the top goes down... it stays down until October. If it'going to rain, I don't drive it. Rear window material is a moot point, lol. But if I had to replace it (which I doubt, the top's pristine bc it's garaged and rarely sees daylight) I'd put in glass.

Even though I keep the top down 90% of the time, the glass top is a huge plus. I put an '03 top on my '01. The glass rear window, for me, was a huge improvement. It offered a clearer view, looked better and no more "Boxster chop".

Odd thing:
My 2000 base Boxster with plastic rear window has the plug-in connector for the rear window defroster already in place. Appears to be original equipment.

Yep.......

There is a harness behind the passenger seat for the subs to plug into also. May be that. You would need the dash switch.

Fortunately, for those who retrofit a soft top with glass and defroster, Porsche put the plug there for the defroster in the optional hard top.

I think the switch should also be on the dash as well. It was (at that point) for the hardtop's defroster.

I recently had my plastic window replaced for $450. I do the chop, put a soft cloth in between before lowering it. I live in RI so usually once the top goes down it stays down till the fall. I don't drive it in the winter. I also bought a conditioning kit for the rear window to keep it pliable. If I had a choice I would prefer a glass rear window so I don't have to have it replaced but as others have stated a well documented car goes a long way.

The outside mirrors are also heated and controlled by that switch.

Forgive my ignorance but what is "Boxster chop"?

It is where you manually push the plastic window in while you are closing it to ensure that it folds correctly when closed.

Here is a YouTube video showing the procedure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwnwmtyScQY

Wow 3 hours is great. I read the chapter in the 100 projects website and it looked like a bigger job than that. Did you replace the top and frame or just the top. Can you share the cost?

The 1997-2002 and 2003-2004 frames are different. The late frame has an extra bow in the rear.

I paid $1100 for my 04 top and frame from Oklahoma Foreign. Fortunately, I was able to re-sell my top and frame for $500 so the net cost wasn't too bad.

As noted in the previous posts, you can buy a replacement glass top only and put in on a 97-02 frame. The window is smaller and some people state that this arrangement restricts access to the engine compartment.

The swap is a relatively quick and easy job. The hard part of the 03-04 swap is finding a good donor top. Only the 03 and 04 cars are potential donors so you are talking about a relatively small pool. I think you can also buy the top and frame from Porsche, but I think I read somewhere that the frame alone would set you back $3-4 thousand.

The other downside is that the fabric on an 03 or 04 donor tops is now 11-12 years old. Mine is starting to develop holes in the area behind the doors. (The glass on the other hand looks like new.)

If you can find a nice 03 or 04 top and frame locally at a good price, you will be happy with the results.

There is an important qualifier missing in the discussion of plastic rear windows. All clear vinyl is NOT the same. Cheap, Asian clear vinyl is often lacking the expensive u.v. inhibitors that prevent yellowing and cracking. It may be both too soft(scratches) and too stiff(splitting when cold).
There is much better quality clear vinyl available. The incremental cost of the best is trivial in the total cost of a window replacement.
If you 'search' you'll find a lengthy catalog I wrote of the various brands available. The short cut is to ensure you get marine vinyl from a reputable boat upholstery shop.
Beware ,it is very difficult for the untrained eye to discern the difference between the junk clear vinyl that many auto upholstery shops use and the best quality marine product.Do it once, do it right?
start here;
Strataglass | The Clear Choice Alternative Solution to Vinyl

As mentioned...........dont let a plastic window stop you from buying the right Boxster. I found a beautiful 02S with only 34k miles, but it has a plastic window and no glove box. I decided that those 2 factors were minor and got the car and havent regretted it one second. Yes its a pain to do the chop sometimes, but overall a plastic window is nastalgic and reminds me of all the other roadster/converibles I've had in the past (my mother's 61 Aquamarine Impala, my dad's 1969 Caddie, my 66 vette, 69 vette and BMW Z3) When its time for a new top I will get a glass window, but until then I just wash and polish the top and it looks like new with great visability.........As far as not having a glove box thats just fine with me. One less reason for some jerk to break into the car. They dont hold much and it wont rattle if you dont have one. On my Z3 the glovebox drooped so much it was an eyesore.......Good luck.

The Boxster top is a joy to deal with compared to the car I spent most of my high school and college years with. A 1972 Ponitac Catalina convertible with that wonderful GM "Sissor top". You had to hold the switch with a broom handle while tugging and chopping on the material on both sides to get it to fold properly. When the top frame sticks halfway down, stand in the back seat, grab both front corners, jiggle like crazy, then grab the folding Sissor bars and push them to free them up.
Then hit the switch again to finish the drop. Same process going up.
And this was far from unique to my GM car. Burned up a top motor every couple of years. Tops would last 3 years at most.
The Boxster top, even with the plastic window, is bloody brilliant! :)

When I was looking for my boxster, I was at first only considering 03-04 precisely for the glass rear window. But then I test drove a 2000 which had the glass top retrofit done. That made me think twice about that and expanded my search to include 01-02 as well figuring that price savings from older year could be used toward top retrofit.

Then I found an 01 with 58K miles and plastic rear window that was still exceptionally clear and looked brand new still. I do Appreciate that the plastic window is larger than the glass window especially when lane changing. So glad I expanded my search for good 01-02s.

+1 :dance:

I totally agree with this. I just replaced my top today with a glass top and I think I can see just as much with the glass window because I could not see much anyways with the roll bar like you said. I am more excited about being able to get the car tinted now since I have a glass window now.

As already stated that sounds like the harness for the rear speaker package. The plug for the rear window defroster is behind the driver's seat and has a removable cover. It is a rectangular receptacle for the plug in defroster harness and is operated by the heated mirror switch.

Which top did you purchase?

i own both a 00 boxy base and an 05 boxy s. the base has a plastic rear window, and the s has a glass window. when all is said and done they are the same to me. the glass will stay clear longer, but the plastic if kept clean stays clear enough for me to operate the car safely. if i were to replace either top they would maintain their original style top. as far as the boxster chop, i have never done that, and probably won't ever because i have never seen the need to do so. on previous cars both have been also used. usually i have found by the time a plastic window goes bad, it is already time to replace the top in it's entirety. unfortunately, my cars stay outside, so they are exposed to the sun's u/v rays constantly which will accelerate a top's deterioration. my personal advice would be worry more about the car it's self rather than what top is on it.

I haven't had any issues with the visibility from the dimensions of the glass window. I believe that these windows are the same size as they are on the newer models that come with a glass window. My plastic window was also kind of fogged up from age, so the improved clarity was a huge improvement.

The glass window is also more effective at reducing road noise than the plastic window was.