Glass v Plastic rear window: which do you prefer?
 

My 99 has a GAHH replacement top that is coming unglued around the glass.
My first thought is to replace the top and cables that are aged and no longer fulfilling duties.

One of the pitfalls of a glass window top is service accessibility. I learned that the hard way when I was trying some minor service and had to play octopus. However I presume the glass top should last longer? My car is a fair weather car. I don’t really need a rear defroster so that’s not swaying me.

Has anyone had both for an extended period of time?

Yes. I prefer the glass top because I think it looks way better. The plastic window looks cheap to me. But the biggest reason is i can drop the top no matter how cold it is without having to worry about cracking the plastic window.

Yes. I prefer the glass top because I think it looks way better. The plastic window looks cheap to me. But the biggest reason is i can drop the top no matter how cold it is without having to worry about cracking the plastic window.
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...one of my cars did have the old style GAHH glass that eventually came out. Replaced it with the newer style.

For the original frame I prefer plastic as I feel that fits the style better, and allows more visibility on the fewer bows.

For the later frame... glass of course. ;)

Yes, I had both types of top for a couple of years. When I had the chance, I replaced the plastic window top with a glass window top. I was much happier with the glass because it looked better and I could see out much more clearly.

The rear field of view is slightly reduced with glass but IMHO the Boxster's rearward visibility is already so badly compromised that the glass top didn't make it hardly any worse than it already is. But I would recommend that you sit in a friend's car that has the glass top to see firsthand if the slight reduction in rearward visibility is acceptable to you.

I prefer the glass window . I had mine replaced with glass and have no regrets .

I have plastic, but have seen P cars with glass and look much better. I am switching to glass which can also be tinted easier than plastic

I ended up putting on a 2004 glass window top and frame. You get a big window that works with the included frame and is easy to swap over and you still have good engine access.
If you can get one for around $1000 - basically same price as new top and labor to install.
The aftermarket glass tops sometimes look a bit weird to me and it is quite a job to install.
The best thing about any glass window is ease of use - no getting out to chop - use in any weather, etc.

Engine accessibility really concerns me, so I'm probably gonna stay with the plastic. I am considering have a new window installed and have the local top shop make so it can zip out and zip back in. Nothing new, they were doing that back in the late 50's & early 60's.

For now, I've ordered cleaner/polish from the guy on Ebay.

This is one of the best mods I have done (04 top/frame on my 02) as far as ease of putting the top down in cold Minnesota Spring and Fall weather. Pretty simple swap. Highly recommended if you can find one!

Hi Brian, I replaced mine on my 99 about 2 years ago with one with the plastic window. Partly for originality purposes and it was around $100. cheaper I think at the time. I had a Triumph TR6 years ago and I think the rear plastic window had a zipper on it which I liked.

I have an 03 but in side profile..top up...can't beat the origional profile

I have an 04 top and frame on my 2000 Boxster. An added bonus is that you also have a headliner which gives the interior of the early cars a higher-quality ambiance. The car is also a bit more quiet with the top up.

Im going with the Gahh German Sonnenland top in metropol blue with glass

Having an Arctic Silver on Black/Black is killing me. Too common and no true color

Why not burgundy, like 987 RS60? That’s what I’m debating, along with glass vs plastic.

I'm a DIY mechanic so I want the best access to the engine. Plastic. Also as a sporty driver I want the best view. Plastic.

Plastic is more functional. Glass is more cosmetic.

Yeah, plastic for me too. Mine is in great condition fortunately. I don't sweat the "issues" such as the karate chop, not lowering colder than 50 deg etc. Also, though marginal, it is lighter. And the fastest, easiest way to make these cars faster is to make them lighter.

My boxster had the aftermarket glass window when I bought it and switched it to the plastic for the weight savings. Along with making it manual.

Bottom line up front - Your comparison between the plastic window and an aftermarket glass-window top is valid. But, I haven't heard anyone say that they regret putting an 03/04 top and frame on an earlier car.

Access to the engine is fine with an 03 or 04 top and frame. I've heard that the aftermarket glass window tops on an original frame make life a bit more difficult for the DIY mechanic.

The rear view with the 03/04 top and frame is also good. The plastic window was larger, but when they get hazy you feel like you are looking through a shower curtain in the back. I kept my plastic window pretty clear with regular polishing, but it was never going to be as nice as glass. Again, I have no first hand experience but I heard that looking through the aftermarket glass windows is like looking through a mail slot.

The glass windows also have a defroster which comes in handy if you drive your car year round.

Because I like Blue and you're not the boss of me! :D