Need top advice - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Chills · 02-08-2007, 02:27 PM

Well, I made some phone calls to shops in the area. The local shop that works on Boxsters and can put the top on charges the following:

$695 to replace the plastic window only.

$1400 to replace the whole top with a glass window top. This is parts and labor

$750 in labor to put a top on if I bring it to them. I checked eBay and the cheapest top I can find is $625+$30 s/h. That means it'll be $1405 to use the eBay top.

So it looks like to get a new top with glass it'll be best to have them order it and put it on.

Or should I just replace the plastic?

Travis · 02-09-2007, 06:19 AM

Of course your budget dictates which way you can go, but if up front cost were not a factor I would go with the new top w/glass.

Seems if you go plastic you will run into the same issue again.

Just my .02

Boxter · 02-09-2007, 06:47 AM

if the rest of the top is in good shape...you should be able to have the window replaced for under 400...I have seen threads talking about 300-400 in the NJ area.

EuroProjektzKelvin · 03-03-2007, 02:12 AM

I had the problem too, a crack formed on the plastic window. I stopped by many places and they were charging from $1000-$2000

I went to porsche dealer and talked to the technican personally so no service manager crap trying to ripe you off. They direct my to a Upholstery person

"Bob's auto upholstery"
Redlands, CA 92374
Phone (909) 793-0043

He drove to my house took the top off professionally, and came back the next day with a brand new tinted rear plastic window and installed back on my car for $600

heres a picture of my rear window (sorry my car is really dirty wasn't washed for 8 weeks)

Chills · 03-05-2007, 05:35 AM

Ummm... Thanks Europrojectkelvinzwhatever but as you can see I live in Naperville, ILLINOIS. That's a long way from California. Also, I was quoted $750 for a new plastic window. I'd rather pay a reputed shop $750 than have someone no one has heard of do it for $600.

Hake · 02-09-2007, 06:53 AM

Looks like someone cut that with an knife. Call your insurance company, tell them about it and see if they will cover the cost of replacement. Then $$ is less of a factor in your decision (deductable??). If they count it as a break in it is covered by comprehensive and your rate will not likely increase.

Porschekid · 02-09-2007, 07:46 AM

I doubt an inch and a half tear will constitute a break-in. I would just get it replaced with glass... that's what I did and i'm very happy. Mine broke in the same spot on a cold day. That plastic window is garbage and I wasn't about to replace it every year. Plus, getting out of the car to chop the window halfway thru putting down the top is a pain in the ass. That price seems reasonable enough.

NickCats · 02-09-2007, 08:32 AM

Chills,

I would cough up the $1400 and get the glass top...

Never having to get out of the car and do the "Boxster Chop" again : priceless !

Nick

Chills · 02-09-2007, 08:56 AM

I'll check with my insurance company and see if they'll help me out.

If not, then I'll just cough up the money for the new top with the glass. It's unfortunate, because the rest of the top looks brand new. I must admit the idea of having defrost and not having to Boxster Chop the window anymore is very appealing.

The actual tear is 3-4 inches in length. I am pretty sure I did it. When my painter friend came over with my new parts I put the top down in the garage to make working easier. It was chilly in there and that's probably when it happened.

edevlin · 02-09-2007, 09:26 AM

I originally planned on getting a new gahh top with a glass window when my plastic rear window cracked. But then several things happened. First, one of the better shops in the area refused to put a glass Gahh top on my 2000 boxster. He said he had just done two of them and the cut of the Gahh top with a glass window was not right. He claimed Gahh was aware of the problem.

He had no problem with the Gahh tops with the plastic window, according to him the issue was with the tops with the glass windows. I was also concerned about the ease of getting into the engine with the glass window, and finally, I ran out of money. So I sprung for the 600.00 rear window replacement which looks great. I did not realize how poor my visibility was with my old hazzy plastic window.

Ed