Any advice on top and installation - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

SJEFFB986 · 06-10-2015, 03:16 AM

My Box needs a new top. Can anyone recommend a good reasonably priced installer in the Chester/Delaware/Montgomery/Bucks county area of PA? I was going to buy a top and have a pro install it. Any advice appreciated..Thanks! BTW- I only checked out one place so far. Futureline in Exton. Quote was $1990 installed. If I buy one $990 installed and NO WARRANTY. I though that was a little out of line.

RandallNeighbour · 06-10-2015, 07:35 AM

It does sound out of line. $1200 or thereabouts seems right from all I've read. $990 for the top sounds way high too. You can get a plastic window or glass window retrofit for under $700 now.

Call GAHH and ask them for an installer in your area.

Perfectlap · 06-10-2015, 08:16 AM

Economy must be good in Bucks county area.

I've seen a few posts from the Southern Cali guys coming at under $1100 parts and labor.
There must be a lot of competition.

Around here there are not many places, I can only think of two off the top of my head that are within an hour driving distance (one is a forum member). The rate seems to be about $600 for the top and $800 labor. I imagine this is a 4-5 hour job for someone who has done many. So it's expensive if you compare it to indedpent Porsche mechanic rates between $85-$110. But not as expensive as the paintless dent repair guy on a time worked per $$$ basis. Those PDR guys can make $600 in the time it takes me to microwave a frozen pizza and then they're done for the day.

Run · 06-10-2015, 08:33 AM

I paid $1300.00 in Jan 2015 that was out the door for a robbins top with glass. Shop it around 1900.00 is way to high.

Viper10000 · 06-10-2015, 02:48 PM

I bought a replacement top from eBay. German cloth with plastic window. Came in around $400 if my memory serves me right. I replaced it myself using the 101 projects book and it took me about a total of 16 hours spread out over a few days. It was fun and I would do it again now that I've seen what's involved.

Perfectlap · 06-10-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper10000

I bought a replacement top from eBay. German cloth with plastic window. Came in around $400 if my memory serves me right. I replaced it myself using the 101 projects book and it took me about a total of 16 hours spread out over a few days. It was fun and I would do it again now that I've seen what's involved.

what is the quickest you think it could be done?

Viper10000 · 06-11-2015, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

what is the quickest you think it could be done?

Now that I've done it I think I can do it in about 12 hours. If you are really good and really know what you are doing, I would think maybe one can do this in about 8 hours.

BruceH · 06-11-2015, 01:48 PM

I bought an Auto Tops Direct glass window top(same as a GAHH top) and had it installed. Total was less than $1200. Look at the ATD site for installers near you and then call around.

JFP in PA · 06-11-2015, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJEFFB986

My Box needs a new top. Can anyone recommend a good reasonably priced installer in the Chester/Delaware/Montgomery/Bucks county area of PA? I was going to buy a top and have a pro install it. Any advice appreciated..Thanks! BTW- I only checked out one place so far. Futureline in Exton. Quote was $1990 installed. If I buy one $990 installed and NO WARRANTY. I though that was a little out of line.

Give Willow Grove Auto Top at call (43 York Rd, Willow Grove, PA (215) 659-3276)

Muzzle of Bees · 06-12-2015, 11:26 AM

I received three quotes for my top replacement.
One is an autotops direct recommended installer. ~$800.00 for the installation.
The other quote is from my indy mechanic. ~$1000.00 for the installation.
Same top price. $659.00 for the top. I order it and have it sent to the shop.

Last shop - Robbins top $500.00 and $500.00 for the installation. I order the top and have it shipped to the shop.
I guess times are good.

Perfectlap · 06-12-2015, 12:51 PM

$500 is a great deal. I would have done in a heart beat for that. Based on past experience you want the shop that has done the most of these installations with good feedback. I've seen some not very good installations where there were creases, the latches didn't line up perfectly, the top started going up or coming down all weird, etc.

video

78F350 · 06-12-2015, 01:23 PM

I saw some nice looking 05 and 06 tops very cheap (around $200) on eBay. Makes me wonder if with enough duct tape and velcro I could make one work on my 99 or 01.

...probably not.

Muzzle of Bees · 06-12-2015, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

$500 is a great deal. I would have done in a heart beat for that. Based on past experience you want the shop that has done the most of these installations with good feedback. I've seen some not very good installations where there were creases, the latches didn't line up perfectly, the top started going up or coming down all weird, etc.

video

The shop that quoted $500.00 labor likes the Robbins tops. He has followed in his fathers footsteps. A top knotch installer and businessman.
I was not sure about Robbins tops. So I have been waiting.

randy7601 · 06-12-2015, 03:05 PM

I'm going through this right now. I have an appointment on Monday June 15, for installation. I bought the top from Tops Online.com after going through their list of installers and finding one in my area. I called them and they seemed knowledgeable and reasonable.

Calling other shops around town the price out the door for a top with glass window installed ranged from $1600 to over $2000.

This way I got to pick the top I wanted (about $525 shipped) and installation will be about $600. That's a price I can live with.