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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHOpinions on a new top?
Leading reported evidence
Clean then up and applied some rust stop
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
While he was replacing he noticed some corroded bows and cleaned then up and applied some rust stop before painting.
Leading evidence: 'Clean then up and applied some rust stop' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check individual switches)' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The labor costs on fixing any existing top (about $1000) can easily get close to the labor for a new top (about $800), so most people have the top replaced (about $1800-$2000 total).
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had mine replaced fall of last year and IMO it's worth it.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
2000 C4- I just had the top replaced on mine + the headliner.
Replace plastic window some time ago and it looks great
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The prior owner of my '00 said he replaced the plastic window some time ago and it looks great.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The labor costs on fixing any existing top (about $1000) can easily get close to the labor for a new top (about $800), so most people have the top replaced (about $1800-$2000 total).
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T133652Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My 2001 C2's top may have seen it's better days. The fabric still looks good but the rear plastic window is marginal at best. I stopped by a local shop yesterday and was quoted $2,900 for a new top with a glass window or $2,400 for one with a plastic window. He advised me that the window itself could not be replaced. (true or not?) I'm trying to decide on which path to go with or just wait for a hardtop to appear and buy that. My car is blue so finding a color match is probably difficult but getting one painted is no big deal. Opinions on the price for a replacement, or now that the weather is breaking anyone round the mid-Atlantic states wanting to sell a hardtop with the older hardware?
Thanks.
Don't need a top replacement yet for my 2000 C4 Cab but would like to know the answer to the questions posted by the OP too.
Would particularly like to know if it's possible to replace the plastic window w/a glass one w/o replacing the entire top. Even my 2002 MR2 Spyder has a glass rear window.
WTF? LOL!
I had mine replaced fall of last year and IMO it's worth it. I was on the fence thinking it won't make that much a difference but it definitely did, I opted for the glass window which shouldn't have the same delamination issues. The price seems good, I paid a little more here in the NE.
It is true that that the plastic window can't be replaced. I paid about $1800 all-in for a new top with German A5 canvas and a plastic window a few years ago. The new plastic windows are double-stitched and will not delaminate. The original windows were just glued in. I chose the plastic window because I felt that it more closely matched the lines of the coupe and gave a much larger view when backing up. Just a personal preference.
The prior owner of my '00 said he replaced the plastic window some time ago and it looks great. I can't tell. I did watch a video (youtuber: BeatTheBush) about a DIY and it looks tedious, didn't come out perfect, but a lot less $$$ if you have the time.
My solution for convertible top care - never put it up (well rarely anyway).
I went with a specialized convertible shop. They replaced it the entire thing and recalibrated my 996's top mechanism for about $2000.00. I personally wouldn't fool with it myself. The plastic window are the worst to oxidize. I think you may be able to retrofit a glass version the earlier cabriolets.
This is something I didn't know when I was getting it was that the back window was smaller. The only complaint I have but that was me not paying close enough attention.
The labor costs on fixing any existing top (about $1000) can easily get close to the labor for a new top (about $800), so most people have the top replaced (about $1800-$2000 total).
Mine had failing cables, but the top fabric and window were fine.
Some people tackle this themselves and save about $1k, but it takes the better part of a whole day and isn�t easy.
I have stopped operating my top 5 times a day, and try to leave it up or down for longer periods of time to reduce wear and increase longevity. There are a lot of other things to break on cabs.
I caught my delamination early and was able to reseal the window with some wetsuit glue. It’s been about 5 months since I did it and it’s been rock solid through a lot of rain (car is my DD). I basically patched the first break and then used more glue to reinforce the remaining seal. It would be hard to glue a whole window in
cosmetically it’s pretty good. You can’t tell unless you know where to look. There is a little extra glue in one corner as I laid it on too thick at the start. So far no issues with opening and closing but it’s just getting warm enough to star putting the top down
I used some plexus to clear the plastic which helped a lot.
When this fails I’ll replace the top and get a glass window. It’s worth it for the defogger.
M
2000 C4- I just had the top replaced on mine + the headliner. My plastic window had been restitched before and was again coming loose. Cost right at $3k. While he was replacing he noticed some corroded bows and cleaned then up and applied some rust stop before painting. Lubed everything within the top assembly also. Supplied me with photos of the replacement to boot.
I stayed with the plastic window because of the size difference + I drive the car so seldom, rarely in bad weather and keep it inside, I think it'll last longer than my ownership.
Came out perfect!
I don't think my top guy knew how to recalibrate the top. Mine hasn't closed properly since he put on the new one. I wonder, does it take a special tool or just a series of inputs from the user?
You need a durametric to calibrate the top. Piwis will also do calibration (and let you check the individual switches). You may or may not need to put it in a pre calibration state where you align the hook motor and put the clamshell motor at a particular resistance.
I also stayed plastic because the glass one was another $1,000, and it was heavier and smaller. I like to keep my 99 996 as stock as possible for the most part. By 2040, a stock 996 will be pretty awesome.
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