Hard top questions
#1
Hard top questions
I live in Massachusetts and am looking for a 996. I generally will drive it in the summer, and would prefer a cabriolet. But want to drive it in colder weather as well, which has led me to target getting the coupe with a sunroof, or the Targa.
The looks of the cabriolet with the soft top up, is not great. The coupe is very nice.
Then there is the hardtop option.
I can only find 1 photo with the cabriolet with the hard top. Are the lines nice as with the coupe? Any place I could see some photos? Is it as weather tight as the coupe?
Jonathan
The looks of the cabriolet with the soft top up, is not great. The coupe is very nice.
Then there is the hardtop option.
I can only find 1 photo with the cabriolet with the hard top. Are the lines nice as with the coupe? Any place I could see some photos? Is it as weather tight as the coupe?
Jonathan
#2
I have a cab with a hardtop. I much prefer the look of the car with the soft top as I think it more closely resembles the coupe. Having the Hardtop on in the winter makes it seem like a different car. It is much quieter and seems more solid.
I think it looks a little odd with the hardtop on but to each his own.
I think it looks a little odd with the hardtop on but to each his own.
#3
Burning Brakes
I live in Massachusetts and am looking for a 996. I generally will drive it in the summer, and would prefer a cabriolet. But want to drive it in colder weather as well, which has led me to target getting the coupe with a sunroof, or the Targa.
The looks of the cabriolet with the soft top up, is not great. The coupe is very nice.
Then there is the hardtop option.
I can only find 1 photo with the cabriolet with the hard top. Are the lines nice as with the coupe? Any place I could see some photos? Is it as weather tight as the coupe?
Jonathan
The looks of the cabriolet with the soft top up, is not great. The coupe is very nice.
Then there is the hardtop option.
I can only find 1 photo with the cabriolet with the hard top. Are the lines nice as with the coupe? Any place I could see some photos? Is it as weather tight as the coupe?
Jonathan
If your car is an unusual color (like mine), odds are you're not going to find a matching top. Options are to a) get it painted, or b) find a black top. I went with b) ...
#4
I think Bills car is the one I've seen photos of.
Thanks guys. How does it look from the rear? I really like the black with the seal silver. A ragtop color never matches the color of the car anyway.
Jonathan
Thanks guys. How does it look from the rear? I really like the black with the seal silver. A ragtop color never matches the color of the car anyway.
Jonathan
#5
I have a cab with hardtop. I also prefer the looks of the soft top over the hard top. It is nowhere near as clean as the lines of the coupe. The hardtop reduces a lot of road noise, but it has a fair amount of squeaking where it connect to the windshield. I'm told that can be mitigated with silicone oil, but my hardtop is almost never on so I don't really care. I only keep for resale reasons.
I don't know about others, but there is a fair amount of engine heat that makes it into the cabin. Between that and the heater, I don't think you'd need a hard top to keep warm - but others will know better.
I don't know what your summers are like. But I think people have the top down a lot less than what they are envisioning. Mid-day with a full sun is pretty unbearable unless temps are low 70s or below. My top is generally closed from 10A to 3P. YMMV
I suggest you drive both before making a decision.
I don't know about others, but there is a fair amount of engine heat that makes it into the cabin. Between that and the heater, I don't think you'd need a hard top to keep warm - but others will know better.
I don't know what your summers are like. But I think people have the top down a lot less than what they are envisioning. Mid-day with a full sun is pretty unbearable unless temps are low 70s or below. My top is generally closed from 10A to 3P. YMMV
I suggest you drive both before making a decision.
#6
Rennlist Member
I had a hard top on mine for wayyyy too long. When I took it off I was shocked at how much better I thought the car looked.
They don't call it a "baseball cap" for nothing - so no, lines aren't as nice as a coupe.
Pretty squeaky and clunky when on, too.
That being said, it's a great thing to have for rain and snow.
They don't call it a "baseball cap" for nothing - so no, lines aren't as nice as a coupe.
Pretty squeaky and clunky when on, too.
That being said, it's a great thing to have for rain and snow.
#7
Instructor
I got one because it was so hot in SoCal when I lived there that I ran it in the summer.
Now that I live up north I probably won't be driving the car in the winter so will leave it off.
I don't think it looks bad and it definitely makes the car feel more solid.
Now that I live up north I probably won't be driving the car in the winter so will leave it off.
I don't think it looks bad and it definitely makes the car feel more solid.
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#9
I picked up a hard top while waiting to replace my soft top. The price quotes I got to repaint the top was ridiculous so I ended up wrapping it in carbon fiber.
I can feel the weight and the car feels more heavy. That being said, I think it looks better than the matching color top.
I live in Rochester NY and drive a Boxster as my winter ride. The snow can brutal on the plastic window if you leave it outside too much.
Last edited by Richard Jenkins; 09-29-2017 at 01:26 AM. Reason: Mispelling
#11
Rennlist Member
#12
#13
Rennlist Member
I like a black top on a light color car. It camouflages the rear joint line. With a light top and car it looks unfinished. I traded my Arctic silver top for a black one.
Last edited by fpb111; 09-30-2017 at 09:49 PM.
#15
Rennlist Member
I think the big difference in lines between the Cab and Coupe is the area behind the quarter glass. I've got a 99 Coupe and 99 Cab with the Carrera Aero kit with a 997.2 GT3 front bumper and have been looking for a silver hard top for it. IF I get one I will black out the area behind the quarter glass like the picture above, but of course much neater..lol ..Using Microsoft Paint is like using etch-a-sketch.
Last edited by Porschetech3; 09-30-2017 at 12:45 AM.