Hardtop and soft top question

[Hasan]

Hi all,

I am about to purchase a hardtop from a fellow club member, but reading on a few forums has now given me second thoughts.

Pros are that it's a more soundproofed cabin in winter....gives the car a differen't 'look' for winter, and a larger rear screen.

Cons are that many report squeaks and rattles, that a top that fits one car will need re-adjusting for another, the loss of spontenaety in winter months, reports of softops not returning to position after the winter months in the down position, excessive creasing also due to prolonged down position and problems with seals

Can any cab owners help me make my mind up?!

Also, what are cab owners using to wash and protect their soft tops?

 

[DSM]

I have a 911 coupe but my wife has run an MR2 for several years and a Z4 over the past 2 winters. We always fitted HT around the end of October until about end of March. A little more civilised than with soft top but, more importantly, protects the ST from the winter weather.

Never had the slightest issue with STs coming back up after the lay off with the Toyota or BMW so can't see why that would be a worry with Porsche.

 

[ullah]

I brought my Boxster in Feb 2007 and wanted a hard top also. The dealer talked me out of getting one, saying the porsche fabric roof is as good and insulating as a hardtop.

I gave in and got myself a hard top last october and have to say its brilliant. its quieter, warmer, and looks good in winter.

I had to have 'spinlocks' fitted at the dealer, and thats was it. No squeaks or rattles. I was expecting some as the dealer said it takes a couple of days for the roof to settle down after fitting, but that never happened either.

The only downside is that on the odd day in the winter, you might want the roof down, even then it takes a couple of minutes to remove, but does need two people to do it.

Hope this helps.