I always thought that the hardtop looked like a baseball hat... It isnt necessarily bad looking but part of the reason that we got a cab was for the contrast between the black top and grey paint.... I just thought it looked rather awkward, but mabye its because to me it was missin one of the main elements that it was purchase for...

 

Unfortunately on the east coat we have several months where the top won't be down. The hard top makes things a little more comfortable in cold temps, has a rear windown defrost, and might be a nice change of pace.
Trust me, if I lived in warmer climates I'd sell mine.

 

I'd love a copy of that TSB if you got it still?!?! drjustinrichardson@hotmail.com

I have my hard top on right now and i like it quite a bit. Changes the looks of the car for a few months (people think you own 2 porsches ) and makes it a little warmer. Mine does squeek a ton though, especially in "spirited" driving!

 

Mine has a rear window defrost (is glass) and like I said I don't see any reason for a hard top...looks good either way.

 

nomo16@yahoo.com

Thanks!

 

I like the look of the hardtop but when I've had a cab' w/ a hardtop it *rarely* got used. Long long trips were about the only times that I ended up using it. Plus where do you put it when you're not using it, who helps put it on and take it off, etc. Kind of a hassle.

 

Nomo -
Sent - let me know if you don't get the TSB's and good luck with the noises. Squeaks and rattles suck.

 

I currently have the hardtop on and I love the look minus the squeeks and weight on the sprinted drives. Can you please send me the technical bulletin to rodneyconsunji@yahoo.com Thanks!

 

gahewson@ntlworld.com

Tempted to leave the hard top off but...........

 

check my avatar they look good with the hardtop on

 

They look great. I wear mine between two and three months during the year. Even when I have it on for PCA events, most people don't know it's on unless they know my car. Quieter with also. No squeaks from mine.

 

This is where I keep my top in the summer months. Hanging on a ratchet pulley. I reverse the car into the garage dead center and lower the top into place. Not much of a hassle to operate only two times a year. However, it is easier to operate with another hand steadying it into place as I lower it. Easier to remove at the end of summer. Did mine last week and the hard top is on the car now.

 

They are pretty light. My wife helps with mine. I too have it raised up in the garage high up to the ceiling and covered with the Porsche hard-top cover. I like the look of mine enough that if it was just a little easier/quicker to do I would do it every 2-3 months for a month just for the change of appearance. It's like having two different cars.

 

I find that the trickiest part is parking the car exactly dead center under the top as it hangs in the ceiling. When that's done I too ask my wife to steady it as I wind it down on the ratchet into place. Window first and then the Alan key tightens up the rear. Taking it off is a lot easier than putting it back on I think. I also have a piece of chain and a bunji chord cord back up to the hook in case the ratchet slips and the top should fall onto the car. That's where it hangs all summer. I reverse mine into the garage when that times comes around to put the hard top in place.. I believe that the hard top weighs about 60 pounds. I see Boxters at 45lbs and Carrera tops at 70 to 90 lbs on the net so I am not sure. Which ever weight I would imagine it would make a mess of a car if it fell onto it from the ceiling. .

 

I just lower it to the floor onto pads then lift it onto the car. Too much chance of bunging up the paint if I tried to center it up exactly. Plus the top has to completely off and on the ground to get my cover on and zipped closed for complete protection of the top.