CAB HARDTOPS: WHO HAS OR USES THEM

Seems like there are lot of hard tops for sale. My local dealer says it is a $145.00 option and he has not sold one in three years ! Do many cab owners use hard tops ?

I use my top every winter. It's a treat. It's like getting in to a new car year for a few months. Moreover, it really filters outside noise. I recommend one completely.

I used my hard top last winter and loved it! I can't recall if there was a big difference in road noise, but you defiantly get better visibility through the rear window not to mention the defroster.

Hardtop is much quieter and changes look of car. As far as preserving the soft top, probably a marginal plus. I say "marginal" because I'm not so sure it's very good for the soft top to be scrunched in the closed position for months at a time. Anyone have an infiormed view on that?

it's bad for the soft top down there for a few month. my soft top has shown some deep marks already. a hard top for $145.00? i think that's very low price.

On the 996 (at least when I got mine) the hardtop CAME with the car n/c but you got a credit if you deleted it. Alot of people didn't delete it and then did when the car arrived. Needless to say my dealer had several just "laying" around that he sold locally for $1500 each painted to match. Not bad. We love our hartop. It really changes the look of the car and keeps it much warmer in the winter. But in Vegas while we lived there it was great for that month it 110+ for a month or 2 as well. So the hartop has dual purposes!

can someone chip in my thread please~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/312233-mounting-hardtop-what-to-watch-out-should-take-out-smarttop-chip.html

Not much I can add since all the good and bad points are already described by others, but I do love the cool look of the hardtop on. When I used to live in CA, I put the top up for the short winter months (Dec/Jan) but now that I just move to Dallas, I will probably use my top for the summer months (July/Aug). Again, there is indeed a dual purpose of this hard-top. The cabin is also quieter which is great. I do occasionally see used HT's for sale in the $500-$1500 range depends on your luck. I got mine for $500 on CL. You are real lucky if you can get one at low price with the same color as your car It's good to check around. Cheers,

I'm getting ready to put mine on in the next week or two. I couldn't believe how quiet the car was, when I drove it back from FLA, witth the top in place.

$150? Sign me up!

I ordered the hardtop for my car (with the 997 cars the hardtop became a $3000+ option). I wanted to ensure that I had the option of having two cars for a bit over the price for one. Aside from the rear side quarter windows it is a lot like a coupe. The rear window is essentially that from the coupe. If you're used to the tiny rear window that the cabs give you suddenly having that full-sized window is GREAT! Quieter,--I suppose. I have not objectively tested that . Will do it, since I have the gear to do that. I keep mine hoisted up over my car year around so that I can stick it on by myself in about ten mintues. With my unusual Paint To Sample color I couldn't count on finding one in the resale market. Also,--equipping the car to accept the hardtops is no cheap matter, as I understand it from forums. My dealer, as well, reportedly had several laying around in their parts department from customers who never came to pick them up. Foolish. Even if you don't have the initial room find a hold for it and then sell it if you must! Frankly, I was surprised at the number of 911 Cabriolet owners who apparently don't have the room to store the top.

Exact same experience (except I don't drive in the winter, but the hard top goes on at the end of September and stays on till June, car hybernates December through March), and I could not have expressed my pleasure with the changing options any better.

Live in Hotlanta and use it in winter. Also recommend it. Extra bonus : the subwoofer sounds even better...

I have one and have never put it on the car. However, I do not drive my car much in bad weather, and I occasionally drop the top on sunny winter days. So, no hardtop for me!

Thank you,my car will be here friday from California and I alredt bought a top,yellow that I need to paint. If you put a yellow top on a blue car(Michigan colors) in Columbus Ohio(Buckeye country) some one will probably set it on fire ! Gregg

do a search you will like those 2-tone 996 out there!

Check my avatar! I bought my cab in October...and I told the owner to put the top on because I was prepping for some winter weather...but so far we have been having AWESOME weather! 80-90 degrees and SUNSHINE and its Thanksgiving? I plan on removing the top in the spring...and enjoying the NEW car.... I like the hardtop..its looks different..but I am very excited to go topless!!

I have had my Cab ro 6 years, use the hardtop every winter and it is great, quieter and warmer. When I pu it on I put a soft towel in the fold of the plastic window (mine is a 2000) to keep it from bending to tightly and creasing. Just a thought.

I have had my Cab for 6 years, use the hardtop every winter and it is great, quieter and warmer. When I put it on I put a soft towel in the fold of the plastic window (mine is a 2000) to keep it from bending to tightly and creasing. Just a thought.

pl, Maize and blue will not fly in Columbus Ohio !

In 2002, the hardtop came standard with the car, but was a delete option. I put my hardtop on every December, and keep it on until March. I highly recommend it. The hardtop really transforms the car, makes it much quieter, and I think slicker, because my gas mileage goes up when it is on. Some years in the heat of summer when we go to Las Vegas, my wife makes me put the hardtop on just to keep the car cooler inside. The biggest drawback that people have with the hardtop is where to store it when it is not on the car. I have a wall rack simply in one of the spare bedroom closets and simply stick it there when not in use. If you can get one for $125 then do it, that is a real bargain.

That is my problem I dont have anywhere to put it. I have the cover for it...so I may have to take it to mom's house and put it in the basement...sigh. What a hassle.

Yes Yes - December to March.

Gregg - actually, you should probably consider yourself lucky if all they did to the car was set it on fire!

just keep the top down all year long (exept when it rains)....love SOCAL....heating on high and seat heating on! Almost bought a hardtop last year but think it is to much of a hassle to put it on and store it after!

Have had a hard top for my rain forest green 2002. Used it for two days when I first got the car and never sense. I drop the top here in Jacksonville all year long so I really don't see ever using mine. Mean temp here in the winter is 50 to 60 with 2 or 3 freezes a year.

As much as I'm not a Michigan fan, I think the blue/yellow would look cool (as long as, as has been stated already, that you stay out of Cols.). Since my color is tough to match, I was pretty much out of luck on getting the matching top. The dealer was going to give me a white top to paint, but I found that the arena red top provides enough contrast in color, that I'm gonna go two-tone!

I love my hard top. I use it in the fall and spring when my car is not stored for the winter. It is like a whole new car. The best looking in my view. It does slow the car down a bit due to the extra weight. When I take it off it is like adding 20 HP!

I just put it on and forgot what a nice top it is. I didn't use it last year but thought it only takes 10 minutes to get it out of the basement and install it. I keep it in a soft flannel top bag that keeps it protected and clean. Mine has full leather inside to match the interior and gives the car a different look and feel. I've had complements as well on how good it looks from the outside. I have mixed feelings about that and can't decide.

Anyone use a ceiling hoist ?

Wow...please teach me how to install the top in 10 mins...by yourself?

Can't do it alone as I don't want to risk scratching the car, but with an assistant it shouldn't take but 10 minutes to install, 15 if you clean the back window inside first. How long do others take to do the install? Maybe it's one of those things that some people find enjoyable and take a lot of time doing. That reminds me, a couple of years ago, my wife told me dinner would be on the table in 15 minutes. I told her I was going to put rear brake pads on her Grand Cherokee first. I was able to jack up the car from the rear differential, pull both rear wheels and calipers, install the pads and finish the job, wash up and sit down at the table in just under 14 minutes. Pretty fast I thought! The day prior I did the fronts and luckily it took the same tools so it was a breeze.

if you have someone to help you, and you are not doing this for the first time, it should take about 10 minutes.

I have a ceiling hoist. It works great. I put the top on and off by myself in about 10 mins. I bought it in 99 so I don't remember where. Beverly Hills somthing or other. In the summer the top hangs there with the cover on it. I put some sponges where the hoist contacts the molding. No problems in 6 years.

Steve, I think you're thinking of Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories. I think they went belly up a while ago, but the hoist should be available from tweeks.com or other online stores. It's a semi-generic lift meant to work with Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes and others. Thanks, Peter

I have one and use it for most of the winter. Seems to keep the interior warmer and cuts the noise down quite a bit. I would not like it on a day when I could ride with the top down but, if I have to button up, the hard top is worth it.