Feedback on hardtops on cabriolets???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
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From: Connecticut
Feedback on hardtops on cabriolets???
I'm kicking around hunting for a hardtop for winter for my '04 C4S cab.
Any negatives? General feedback?
I may have my job cut out for me to find one....my car is Polar Silver with black interior....not many Polar Silver's around and most have blue interior that I've seen.
Thanks,
Tom G. in CT (10 day / 500 mile owner!!!....love the PSE!)
Any negatives? General feedback?
I may have my job cut out for me to find one....my car is Polar Silver with black interior....not many Polar Silver's around and most have blue interior that I've seen.
Thanks,
Tom G. in CT (10 day / 500 mile owner!!!....love the PSE!)
Poseur
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,745
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
I'm sure you will like it. I use mine quite a bit and I'm not even in the RUST BELT. If I knew where you lived I could give you some tips in how to find one. There are some problems from what I hear on the earlier tops,--much noise. Focus upon finding a late one.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 12
From: Princeton, NJ
I drive my car all year round, and in the snow and ice. I think I've used my hard top once, for a DE. I don't use it for DE anymore (less weight). IMHO, the rag top is so good the hard top doesn't really add that much for me except for marginally better heat insulation and sound insulation. Plus I like the option of dropping the top on a sunny winter day. During hard driving it creaks a little when the body flexes. Storing it is a PITA. Mine hangs in the garage on a hoist. My own personal opinion is that the convertibles look better as a rag top, the shape of the hard top doesn't look as nice as the cleaner lines of the coupe.
If you're sitting on the fence, ask around to see if anybody has one you can test drive to see if you like the way it feels and looks.
If you're sitting on the fence, ask around to see if anybody has one you can test drive to see if you like the way it feels and looks.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 19
From: New York, NY
I love my hardtop. It's like having two cars. One in winter, one in summer. It is great in the event that you get heavily snow on while parked. It definitely has better insulation for warmth, also. If you can find a used one, it's a no brainer.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 11
From: near Seattle
I use my hardtop in the cold months (it hangs on a hoist the rest of the year). Snow is not so much an issue in Seattle, but being lazy, if the hardtop is on, I will take the car through the high quality, free car wash offered by the local Porsche dealership. I wouldn't take the rag top through the wash. So, during the wet months, it's easier to keep the car clean. That said, the hard top gives you more head room & a larger rear window. Yet, while the hardtop reduces noise from surrounding traffic, it can seem to increase the road noise, etc., from the car itself. A trade off. It's nice--but not a necessity.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
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From: Connecticut
Thanks for the feedback. I, too, worry about the convertible top in the car wash, but the amount of roadsalt we use in New England means the car will need a lot of washing in the winter.
My other concern, though, was if any long term damage could happen to the soft top if left in the retracted position for a long period of time (say 4 months)? Any special preparation needed?
Still learning these cars. I have another 4 wheel drive for really bad days, but this car will see its share of snow and flurries, for sure.
Thanks again!
My other concern, though, was if any long term damage could happen to the soft top if left in the retracted position for a long period of time (say 4 months)? Any special preparation needed?
Still learning these cars. I have another 4 wheel drive for really bad days, but this car will see its share of snow and flurries, for sure.
Thanks again!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 814
Likes: 1
From: Zurich, Switzerland
No, IMO it's even better for the soft top to be in the retracted position. I've my hard top on for 4-6 months and when it's off, I park my car in the garage, most time with the top down. Realistically in my case the the soft top is up less than 50 days/year. I'd say it still looks pretty good, going into it's 9th year.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
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From: Connecticut
Interesting. I've seen plenty of Artic Silver roofs, just a few Polar Silver roofs, though, and they have a different interior color.
So I guess that begs the next question: How hard and expensive would it be to change the interior color from a blue plastic/fabric to black?
If anyone has leads on a Polar Silver with black interior top I would be very grateful.....
Tom
So I guess that begs the next question: How hard and expensive would it be to change the interior color from a blue plastic/fabric to black?
If anyone has leads on a Polar Silver with black interior top I would be very grateful.....
Tom
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
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From: Connecticut
I've looked from Ebay to parts shops to user groups. I've found a few that are Polar Silver but with blue interior trim.
Try ebay for quick shopping, but the price you are getting quoted is the best I've seen so far....by far!
Try ebay for quick shopping, but the price you are getting quoted is the best I've seen so far....by far!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Prince George's County, MD
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 12
From: Princeton, NJ
I, too, worry about the convertible top in the car wash, but the amount of roadsalt we use in New England means the car will need a lot of washing in the winter.
My other concern, though, was if any long term damage could happen to the soft top if left in the retracted position for a long period of time (say 4 months)? Any special preparation needed?
My other concern, though, was if any long term damage could happen to the soft top if left in the retracted position for a long period of time (say 4 months)? Any special preparation needed?
If you leave the rag top retracted for a long long time, it can get creased and shiny in places. I think my car sat unsold on a lot for a long time, possibly a year. As a result there are permanent creases and shiny spots on the fabric (from rubbing). The most noticeable is a circular spot about the size of a JFK $0.50 in the middle of the roof. I doubt if a few months retracted will affect the fabric. I think I read somewhere that it's generally better for the fabric to be stretched out and not to retract a wet roof and store it like that.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
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From: Connecticut
My car didn't come from the factory with the hardtop option, so I will need to figure out how to retrofit my 2004, in at all, to be able to install this top. Any ideas?
I prefer to have the top down, but I will be using this quite a bit in the Winter, including in CT and northern NH, and the hardtop will just be easier to maintain....I feel.
I prefer to have the top down, but I will be using this quite a bit in the Winter, including in CT and northern NH, and the hardtop will just be easier to maintain....I feel.