Got my GAHH Installed
 

No more karate chop!

I got my GAHH top w/ a glass rear window installed yesterday at the GAHH site in North Hollywood. Thought I'd share my thoughts and some pics.

The folks at GAHH are great to deal with. I handled my scheduling with Jackie and dealt with Jack once I was there. They are very friendly, informative and helpful.

I dropped it off early on Wednesday morning (somebody met me there at 6:30 am - let's see a dealership do that!) and picked it up Thursday afternoon (again, they waited for me until 6:00 because I couldn't get there sooner).

The installation went smoothly. Jack walked me through the whole product and told me about the 2-year warranty. He also recommended that I not put the top down for at least 2 days so the fabric can "stretch" a little bit - he said if I did put it down too early, I might have to force it closed when I put it back up. So, I can't tell you how easily it opens/closes just yet.

Regarding the rear view, you lose about 1/3 of your vertical view (a little off the bottom, most off the top). For example, I could see a Jeep driving behind me, but couldn't see the driver. So far I haven't noticed this to be a problem. I also think the lower profile window looks pretty sharp from the outside.

Here are some pics - the car is still very dusty from the install (forgive me!). I included some up-close shots of the defrosting stripes, because I know some people have concerns about those. For me, it's a small price to pay.

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So far, I am very happy with it. I'll let you know if anything changes.

Looks good...

What did the entire thing cost you? Including the Top Labor and everything.

Sorry - meant to include that too. I paid $1,400 all-in, and received $400 from my Porsche dealer, which was part of the deal when I bought it because the plastic window had a small tear in it at the time and that is what just replacing the plastic would have cost.

How, those look great! But does this mean that the window has the defrosting lines in it, but don't actually work because they are not hooked up to anything? It still looks nice and I would rather have glass than plastic anyday. :cheers:

At nite looks good and well as close up in day lite, but i dont like it too much from a distance in the day light... But damn you can forget about karate chopping that mofo, i envy you ;)

Can you still put the top in "service position"?

The defroster bars do work. At some point, Porsche started pre-wiring for rear defrost for people who bought hardtops. I never even noticed I had the switch until GAHH pointed it out to me - it had been there all along. So the switch is there and the wiring is in place - you just have to buy the wiring kit from GAHH, which is an extra $125 or so. Only takes them about 10 minutes to install.

So...$1400 out of your pocket PLUS $400 Porsche Credit = $1800.00 total? Did I understand you right?

No - $1,000 out of pocket, $400 from Porsche. $1,400 all-in.

I think he said $1400 and Porsche CREDIT $400 = $1000 total. Last time I checked credit meant you get money back :rolleyes:

Congrats. It looks great. Has it lowered the cabin noise?

looks great...i want one too! :cheers:

Dcallas, the new roof looks great.

You should treat it to 2-3 coats of Ragg Topp asap.

Did it come with that nice interior headliner too? My 97 has no headliner now and that would be a really nice touch.

tops
 

I have install a lot of gahh tops they are the best

Here's an update on the new GAHH top - also, I wanted to answer a few questions people posted last week.

I finally put it down for the first time on Saturday, after the two-day waiting period. Turns out, I probably should have waited a little longer (I found one guy online who waited 10 days). The top doesn't quite get itself closed yet - I really have to force it into place when I bring it back up. The lock/hook stops about 2 inches short of the windshield. I had it down this weekend, but I'm going to leave it up all week this week to finish "stretching" the fabric. Hopefully it closes with ease eventually.

In addition to the added practicality, I really like the look of the glass back window. The lower profile looks really sharp - I know it's only smaller because it has to be to open/close, but I think the shorter window actually looks better too. It just looks sleeker/more stealthy from the rear now. Much like an old 356 - those windshields and rear windows are a good 8" shorter than a Boxsters.

Some of your questions:

blinkwatt: yes, you can still put it in service position. The GAHH top functions exactly the same as the stock top in that regard.

Arona: regarding noise reduction, I honestly think it is a little quieter, but that is not something GAHH claims, so it could be wishful thinking on my part. But it does seem quieter to me.

Bmussati: thanks for the tip. Actually, GAHH will scotch guard the whole thing for me - I'm going to take it back next month.

RandallNeighbour: yes, the top came with the headliner pictured in the first post of this thread. I think it's pretty nice!

Thanks everybody for your thoughts and questions - let me know if you want to know anything else about the GAHH, and please share any other thoughts you have on things I should be looking out for, etc.

DC

my installer recommened to not put in down for two weeks so that the fabric stretches..yes, it can be put into service position but much less access as the window no longer folds...

Gahh Top
 

I get $1350 installed.

Looks great......somone would make a fortune if they could work out how to put the glass in the back without fitting a new roof. :confused:

The top came with the headliner? I thought they just reuse the factory one if the car has one, thats what they did on mine.

it's probably quieter because it doesn't have a hole in the rear window like your old top.
just a guess.

It looks just amazing! Is anybodyels planing to change to a GAHH top aswell?

I would very much like to change mine into one as yours. My top is looking as new from a distance but when your close you see that the fabric is in some areas torned by the ups end downs. Do anyone have experiance if it's a adjustment prespective to keep the fabric from getting torned?

Thanks !


Keep distance..... from he car behind!

How does one find a GAHH installer?

Go to the GAHH website, and they have a list of recommended installers in your state, or buy the top and bring it to your local Porsche dealer, and they will install it for you by charging you the per hour labor rate.

Oh my.. now that was funny.. bring it to the dealer :p


It was only after i posted that I saw the "installer" section on their site. Thanks!

new top
 

u have any more pictures???? lol

I want to do this NOW!

But..............

No listed "approved installers" anywhere close to me.

My dealer said HUH???

I am actively looking in the area south of Toledo, OH for a quality
installer that has previous succesful Boxter top replacement experience.

Can anybody make a solid recommendation?

I want someone who can confidently say"Sure....do them all the time,
know all the tricks......we can do the perfect job for you".

My S has only 10K on it and has never even been rained on.
Original top is perfect as new and the window is still very good........
but I can't take the chop any more!!!

"but I can't take the chop any more!!!"

Hahahaha... At this point I've got black belt in karate...

I too want one badly, and planned to get one this fall. However, I am also hankering to invest my money right now and I am torn between buying a new top or investing the money for a year or two and spending some of the gains on a new top later.

I know deferred gratification is the path of the most successful among us, but it's a hard-fought battle, yes?

Thanks I have been thinking about buying one
 

Thanks for the info, I have been thinking about buying one of the GAHH tops with the glass window, since my rear window cracked last winter when snow landed on my car falling off the roof of my house.

FYI You can fix small cracks in your rear window with a product called shoe goo, its made for sneakers so its tough and its clear and flexible. I patched my top with it and its holding up nicely after a summer of hot weather, and lots of putting the top up and down.

I bought a used hard top in good condition for this winter, and had it painted a few weeks ago. I have to get me some spin-locks and I am all set.

Im most likely going to go purchase a new top this spring, now im definately going GAHH!

2001 Boxster S, 1989 BMW325ic, 1987 Range Rover, 1997 Honda Accord (wifeys)
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