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.