Opinions needed: Hardtop?

[KevinH1990]

When I had my Miatas I would pop the hard top on and off fairly frequently. For example, if the weather forecast called for a rainy week, I would install it and then take it off when we were due for a dry spell. The Miata top was a one-person job.

The Boxster hard top is more difficult to maneuver and the mounting system for the rear consists of two bayonet-like devices that could scratch the paint. Caution dictates that it is a two-person job even if you have a storage lift.

When I bought my 2000, it had the stock plastic-window top with no headliner. The benefits of the hard top are less significant since I installed a glass window top with a headliner.

I continue to use my hard top from November to March since I drive the car in the winter. I paid $615 for mine, and it matched the color of my car so it was almost a "no brainer." (The "almost" is related to the road trip from Virginia to South Carolina to pick it up because the seller wouldn't ship it.) I doubt that I would pay some of the current asking prices for a top now that I have upgraded the cloth top.

I hope this information helps with your decision.

[Rob175]

I DISLIKE the look of the car with the hardtop. To me, it just doesn't show off the beautiful lines of the body........for that matter, I dislike the cloth top too, but since mine is a "summer driver" 99% of the time my top is down. With the top down, IMHO, the car has one of the best "looks" of ANY car out there.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by Rob175

I DISLIKE the look of the car with the hardtop. To me, it just doesn't show off the beautiful lines of the body........for that matter, I dislike the cloth top too, but since mine is a "summer driver" 99% of the time my top is down. With the top down, IMHO, the car has one of the best "looks" of ANY car out there.

I agree. The Boxster is at its best with the top down. But some compromises are needed if you need or prefer to drive the car year round.

[Rob175]

Well....in the Chicago or Midwest area you don't see many high end sports cars during the winter months. Almost no Vettes, Porsches, or any rear wheel drive cars.....it's just not good driving on crappy roads with slush, ice and salt.