Has anyone shipped a hard top and what did it cost? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

ukchris · 09-22-2006, 08:20 PM

I was quoted $275 for crating and ANOTHER $715 for shipping a hard top cross country today! There must be a better way, surely? Suggestions welcome...!

KevinH1990 · 09-23-2006, 06:34 AM

That definitely sounds high to me. When I was looking for my hardtop I tried to have one shipped from the West Coast and never found anyone who was willing to crate it.

Here's how to do the job properly: http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/?action=view&current=986-hardtop2.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

I also looked at a top that had been damaged in shipping:
http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/?action=view&current=IMG_42202.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1

So you don't want to do the job poorly.

I eventually found a top within driving distance at a great price, so I didn't have deal with the problem.

My local dealer quoted me a price of around $2500 for a top in my color installed. Before you pay almost a $1000 for shipping and crating you might want to see what your dealer can do for you. I also heard that there was a dealer in Florida that specializes in selling tops removed from the cars of folks who move down there and no longer need them.

Jeph · 09-25-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

Here's how to do the job properly: http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/?action=view&current=986-hardtop2.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

Cool, that's actually my top in that photo!

My top was shipped by freight to Dallas, TX from Brandywine, PA for $150 if I remember correctly. It was delivered in the crate in the picture above... which I still have for storing my hard top.

ukchris · 09-25-2006, 05:39 PM

Thanks guys, the hard top I was hoping to buy has been sold unfortunately but I'll keep a lookout and this info will all be valuable.

Chris.

KevinH1990 · 09-25-2006, 05:41 PM

If I had remembered who posted that picture I would have been happy to give you credit.

I found your photo when I was planning to ship a top from California to Virginia. My college roommate was going to crate it for me, and I wanted to give him some guidance. In the end, I found one close to home (well 300 miles away) and didn't need his help.

I tend to look at a lot of options before making a decision and I enjoy sharing the results of my labors with others. I guess I need to do a better job of crediting the authors.

By the way this should look familiar too:

http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/?action=view&current=986-hardtop1.jpg

KevinH1990 · 09-25-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukchris

Thanks guys, the hard top I was hoping to buy has been sold unfortunately but I'll keep a lookout and this info will all be valuable.

Chris.

What color are you looking for?

vouvoune · 09-25-2006, 06:22 PM

hi there, I have been looking for a used hard top in silver arctic for my 99...The right price/place hasn't come along...and I have family in Fairfax, VA...are you around there? Thanks, V

KevinH1990 · 09-25-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vouvoune

hi there, I have been looking for a used hard top in silver arctic for my 99...The right price/place hasn't come along...and I have family in Fairfax, VA...are you around there? Thanks, V

I saw an Arctic Silver on Craigslist in the DC area for $1000 about two weeks ago, but it is no longer listed there so I guess it has been sold.

The reason I asked the question is that there's a black one for sale there now. Here's the link: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/pts/211410937.html

Black and silver would be an interesting combination. If you became tired of it you could always paint it.

Here's another possibilty: http://www.ppbb.com/board/boxbin_parts.htm, but I guess it is a long way from St. Louis to Dallas.

I started looking for my hardtop in May, right after I bought my car. By July I had found five before I decided on the one I bought. Artic Silver must be one of the most common Boxster colors, so the odds are with you especially if you are willing to wait until next spring. Demand is increasing now.

The dealer in this area (Euroclassics told me they would sell me a new one for $2400. If that's in your price range give them a call at (804) 794-3399. Richmond is about two hours south of Fairfax.

Good luck.

bnorman · 09-26-2006, 12:49 PM

I purchased an Artic Silver hard top on Ebay for $1,600 including shipping. The seller used Roadway Express to ship it from Minnisota to California, it cost approximately $175.
It arrived damaged. I put in a claim with Roadway and they paid $733 to have it repaired and repainted.
I was going to repaint it Merridian Metallic anyway so I ended up with a new looking hard top for less than $900.
I was extreemly pleased with the way Roadway Express handled my claim, although it took about 3 weeks to reslove. They paid the higher of two estimates.
If you purchase a hard top that requires shipping, make sure you have plenty of photos from the seller showing the condition before shipping and how the item was crated.
Here are pix.

Jeph · 09-26-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

If I had remembered who posted that picture I would have been happy to give you credit.

I tend to look at a lot of options before making a decision and I enjoy sharing the results of my labors with others. I guess I need to do a better job of crediting the authors.

By the way this should look familiar too:

http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n161/KevinH1990/?action=view&current=986-hardtop1.jpg

Sweet! That's Tyrone, the delivery guy! Actually the credit goes to my brother, he's the one that took the pictures. Even so, they're not exactly photos requiring credits...