First upgrade...new top w/ glass window?

[Wintermute]

So now that I have my Boxster and will soon get an extended warranty for peace of mind, I was thinking that my first upgrade might be to get a new top with a glass window.

I really hate the plastic window and would like to eventually get a top with a glass window, maybe even a different color. But I was wondering if I should get that first, or go with some other stuff such as new wheels (thinking 18" Carrera's).

For those that have gone from plastic to glass, is it worth it for just that reason? Should I stick with black or maybe go with something different? This is the best pic I have of the interior (as you can see it's tan):


Any thoughts?

[Perfectlap]

wheels are expensive but will make huge difference. As will an aerokit.
Both of those will run at least $2K each. But worth every cent in my opinion,especially if you plan to own the car for a while. Your car will look much more expensive.
in this order:
wheels (hold onto your stock wheels when you sell the car)
side skirting
GT3 front bumper


Next on the list would be a hardtop (which holds value well for resale)
and then look for 2nd hand set of clear halogens or bite the bullet on
Litronics HID lights (very little bang for the buck).

If your current soft top is still functional I would make that very last thing to replace. Just spray some Raggtopp on it and it will last forevere, and look a little darker after applying.


p.s.
A silver hood crest would look really nice on Lapis Blue.

[Wintermute]

Hmm...good points. I guess I was just annoyed at the fact that my neighbor has a new Miata with a glass window, and I wish Porsche had just done that from the get go. Bleh. Oh well.

As for the others, where did you get your GT3 bumper and side skirts? I've been lookin' but haven't found anything yet.

All these upgrades a ways off (I'd like to dig myself out of SOME debt first :P ), so I'm in no hurry.

BTW, I think the silver hood crest would clash with my colored wheel crests. :P

[Marc Gelefsky]

Originally Posted by Wintermute

Hmm...good points. I guess I was just annoyed at the fact that my neighbor has a new Miata with a glass window, and I wish Porsche had just done that from the get go. Bleh. Oh well.

Yeah, it really is a pain that everytime I put the top down I have to stop, get out and make sure the rear window folds OK... grrr

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Marc Gelefsky

Yeah, it really is a pain that everytime I put the top down I have to stop, get out and make sure the rear window folds OK... grrr

I've noticed that the window folds correctly by itself if it's been warmed up a little by sitting outside.

[Wintermute]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I've noticed that the window folds correctly by itself if it's been warmed up a little by sitting outside.

Yeah I've never had a problem with it folding properly here in Arizona I just like the look of the glass and the ability to have a defroster for when I visit my parents up north.

I think my upgrade path will probably be:

1. New tailights and clear lenses for everything. That's pretty inexpensive and will really help the look methinks.
2. Rear speakers.
3. 18" Carrera wheels (and new tires; might as well, eh?)
4. GT3 or GT2 bumper and side skirts
5. Litronics

I'll just play it by ear with the top. It's fine for now, so I can spend my money on somthing more useful.

[fab]

For those that have gone from plastic to glass, is it worth it for just that reason? Should I stick with black or maybe go with something different? This is the best pic I have of the interior (as you can see it's tan):

When you ready to purchase a top, for a color I've seen blue on blue with the light interior color. Looks real sharp....

[Brucelee]

Glass window is the deal.

Recommended.

[insite]

get wheels. if you're like me, your top will be down most of the time anyway. wait until the plastic cracks (it will) before you get the new top.

as for tail lights, i replaced the tails with the '03 style clear lights (eventually i'll do the headlamps). i rather like the orange on your car though; it's a nice contrast with the blue.

[Perfectlap]

funny I never do the the rear window chop and I have no crease at all.

Let it do it by itself correctly, leave it down for a long while if you can. I think after time it just remembers where to fold on its own.

As for replacing the top, you never need to replace the top with some care.
Raggtopp on the canvas. rinse it weekly with a stiff stream of water and blot it dry, that'll keep the spray on protectant from coming off.

For the window use Plexus regularly (spray onto the towel not the window to keep the Plexus off of the canvas). I also use Plexus on the windscreen and headlights and tails.
Every few weeks (if driven daily) use Renovo polish to remove hairline scratches and bring back clarity.

and of course the softop cover from Ebay when you are parked outdoors can make your top last well you may never need to replace it.

As far as plastic window in general I've seen them on Ferraris.
So don't feel bad. The Miata design guys are just really smart.

[Marc Gelefsky]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

funny I never do the the rear window chop and I have no crease at all.

Let it do it by itself correctly, leave it down for a long while if you can. I think after time it just remembers where to fold on its own.
.

I almost always need to do the "chop" unless its really warm out. I guess because my top is usually up since I only drive the car a couple times a week.

perfectlap is completly right...................beautiful colour if i might add. please don't put a black top, maybe that was a typo. blue on blue top only. i have the exact same car as you, other then the S logo on the back..... n yes wait until
the top breaks down, my back window is not the best looking, but rarely up. the back window is the last thing that anyone looks at. just keep it cleannnnnnn. i never chop at it, but recommended.

i just bought the side skirts, as perfectlap has made a strong point, that it adds to the looks of the car. this is the place that i bought them from. pretty dam cheap, and if you are as patient as me, slowwww delivery (although they have said that this is not there policy to deliver slow). i still have not got them yet, but i did get a ups tracking number today, so hopefully they are in by the end of the week. gt3 front i think next summer, just bought rims n skirts n thats all for this summer.

www.departstop.com

wheels (hold onto your stock wheels when you sell the car)
side skirting
GT3 front bumper

ohhh and whats really important about the rear window......clean the inside and outside, makes a big difference. just do a good job on the inside cleaning as it is kinda hard. this will improve the look of the window............

it did suck however driving to work today in my mini van behind a lapis blue boxster with a god dam glass window......

[Perfectlap]

oh by the way, Insite the GT3 front bumper looks fantastic in red.
just need the side skirts

[Marc Gelefsky]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

oh by the way, Insite the GT3 front bumper looks fantastic in red.
just need the side skirts

aw man..now I gotta buy GT3 skirts....

[slogans7]

I'll politely disagree with Perfectlap, and highly recommend a new soft top with a glass window.

I bought mine from GAHH (it was delivered the day after I bought it online, at no charge!) and had it installed locally. The smaller window took some getting used to, but I enjoy not having to get out of the car every time I want to put the top down. I don't have to worry about the plastic window scratching or breaking. BTW, anybody want to buy some Plexxus?

The top is well-coated, so water just beads off it.

After insallation, I kept the top up for 10 days, which gave it the necessary time to stretch. It's easy to put up and down. No problems whatsoever.

Since you live in AZ, I don't know if a removable hard top is necessary.

[slogans7]

Beware of doing the "chop" when it's cold out. That's a sure way to crack the plastic window. Trust me!

[Perfectlap]

how much plexus are we talking?

No I agree a new GAHH soft top will greatly improve the appearance of the car but new wheels and an aero kit is more than an improvement, more like a re-invention.

DPS autoparts sells the bumpers and sideskirts for the 986. I'm sure Dayton over there has looked into sourcing for the 987. They sell on ebay as DE parts.

p.s.
There aren't really GT3 sideskirts for the Boxster. Porsche only makes one style factory in polyurethane for the Box, Like the one in the link I posted. Other styles (like the GT3 on my car) for the Box are made of fibeglass which is cheaper but more fragile and only produced in the aftermarket and usually cheaper than the factory polyurethane.


996 GT3 with errr GT3 sideskirts

[Marc Gelefsky]

Whats is a Factory part a 986 side skirt? Just the aerokit?

[Perfectlap]

the factory aero kit is usually a three piece kit: side skirt, front bumper and rear spoiler.

the side skirt in the factory aero kit is usually a perfect lazer cut fit.

The aftermarket stuff is usually off and can have annoying gaps. There is tiny gap on one of my side skirts which is noticeable because the the mud guars needed to be removed in order to install the side skirt. I should have sent it back but I didn't feel like dealing with all that for a tiny gap. I would have ordered teh factory style but I really wanted the more aero 911 style like in the picture above^
instead of the rounder factory look for the boxster:


factory Boxster sideskirt (based off the 99-01 911's)


after market GT3 MK II look (based of the 02-04 911's)