convertible top problems

[limoncello]

Re: tops getting stuck halfway down (halfway up if you're an optimist):

Is their a "permanent fix" for 2001 cars? Or if it breaks, does the dealer simply put in the same parts again?
I searched the threads but couldn't find the one I thought I saw on this subject.
Reason: My top still works, but yesterday it made, for the first time, a very slight noise of "struggling" at one moment during the top going down. A portent of things to come?
What can I do in advance to keep from getting it stuck on the raod somewhere? Replace key parts? Grease something? Is there a dealer upgrade (it would be expensive I'm sure) that solves the problem for good? Seems unlikely, since 987 owners have already posted problems.
Buy a hardtop and remove the unnecessary weight of the convertible top?
Open for any comments -