lilredpo

Looking for some advice on recent experiences.

Local installer highly recommends Robbins/GAHH. Said origin OEM was GER A5 DBS, but could also go with GER A5 or TWK II.

I am also interested in upgrading to glass window.

Robbins is a $1,000+, I've seen others through distributors around $500 or less.

Installation is another $500.

Any roses or thorns for certain manufacturer or suppliers?

Should I break open the piggy bank? Thanks in advance!!!

Macster

Are you sure you want the glass window top? The top has a different shape, the window is smaller and not positioned the same and interferes with putting the top in the service position to access the engine bay from the top.

lilredpo

Good point and there are many posts on that.

I think the ability not to have to get out and 'chop' the soft top out weighs window size and access for me.

lilredpo

I am considering the DIY, but haven't seen any clear write-ups addressing the headliner on the 'S'.

Bottom line, from what I've found, DIY sub $500 ordering top online from distributor, verse complete install for $2,000+.

DennisAN

IIRC GAHH bought out Robbins a few years ago.

I went with a glass window/defroster top on my NA Miata last year. I'm not sure I'd do it again. The clarity is wonderful but the smaller size top-to-bottom makes rear vision dodgy - I have to "duck down" to see distant objects in the rear view mirror. And engine access isn't an issue with the Miata. My cars are garaged so who cares about the defroster anyway.

Another supplier is EZ-on Tops which is supposed to be a close rival to Robbins. This places sells both so you may get an honest view from them. http://www.topsonline.com/

stairmasterman911

My '02 boxster window is coming unstitched in the upper right corner. Any way just to repair it? The top is in great shape otherwise.

DennisAN

Plastic rear windows are replaceable. My dealer replaced mine while it sat on his lot for sale for 6 months. Presumably an "unexpected cost" for him. Upholstery shops can just sew a new one in place. Mine leaks slightly through the stitching so I'll have to seal it with seam seal compound.

Macster

What DennisAN said. I've had the one in my '02 Boxster replaced. A local auto upholstery/top shop did it. Nice thick plastic. The negative is the shop cut the old window out and left the edge in the canvas then sewed the new window in. There are two lines of stitching and a slight ridge around the window from the double thickness of plastic.

But the window is water tight, has not discolored. I no longer lower the top so the window has not creased, cracked or failed in any way.

I understand that if the rubber sheet under the canvas is ok just the canvas can be replaced. For the motivated this can be a DIY job. There have been some write ups on it. On another board (Pedro's Board) there is a person there who in my opinion is a top expert. Unfortunately I can't recall his name but a search of threads about Boxster tops should turn it up. Then you can search out posts on how to do the canvas swap.

Not sure how much this job costs at an auto upholstery/top shop or at a dealer.

I'm thinking the next time the rear window needs doing in my car I'll just have the canvas with a new window already installed replaced.

DennisAN

BTW my dealer farmed it out to an upholstery shop - this may be common practice at dealers nationwide.

lilredpo

Basically that is what I did. Called two dealers, spoke to service managers, told them I had a 12 yo Boxster and was looking fior a top without breaking the bank and they both offered up their third party supplier. They didn't think twice. Gave it right up.

Dealer quotes approx. $3,200, third party $1,800-$2k.

BostonDuce

Hey Red;

See you're from MA. Give Dynasty in Stoneham a try. Shop is kinda a wreck, but they do quality work. No affiliation.

BD

lilredpo

Will do, thanks.

CDLVancouver

hey all
friends plastic rear window cracked in his 02 boxster.
hes been quoted $700 to sew a new plastic window in there by a rag top shop...
sound ball park?
fyi we are in vancouver canada so prices will be more than in the us.
thanks!

Mighty Shilling

sounds about right... Or in Canadian, sounds aboot right

CDLVancouver

"sounds aboot right eh" would be more appropriate although that would be more eastern canada than western.

thanks eh