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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHTalk to me about.... Hardtops!
Reported or suspected cause
vast accumulation of mouse droppings in the headliner
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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 report identifying a cause
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.
Reported cause
The paint was expensive but the real, unanticipated problem was the vast accumulation of mouse droppings in the headliner.
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.
Suggestion
Now it's almost all good: the top goes on and comes off easily (two person job), the fit to the windows required no adjusting, the stand left over from my T'bird works, the hardtop looks REAL good, and, tho' it has the early bayonet prongs, it's free of creaks or rattles.
Leading evidence: 'vast accumulation of mouse droppings in the headliner' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'vast accumulation of mouse droppings in the headliner' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust the stand left over' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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 report identifying a cause
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.
Reported cause
I knew it was the wrong color, but had a long-haul trucker friend police it up for free.
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 contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion
Now it's almost all good: the top goes on and comes off easily (two person job), the fit to the windows required no adjusting, the stand left over from my T'bird works, the hardtop looks REAL good, and, tho' it has the early bayonet prongs, it's free of creaks or rattles.
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 contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion
As a hardtop delete car, mine lacked the rear socket hardware (you should check on this, it's a factor).
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 contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion
Yeah it's kind of funny when I find myself having the soft top closed and running A/C full blast in the middle of the summer, it's because I just don't enjoy driving while getting beaten down by the hot sun.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Adjust the stand left over
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion
Now it's almost all good: the top goes on and comes off easily (two person job), the fit to the windows required no adjusting, the stand left over from my T'bird works, the hardtop looks REAL good, and, tho' it has the early bayonet prongs, it's free of creaks or rattles.
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.
Suggestion
Yeah it's kind of funny when I find myself having the soft top closed and running A/C full blast in the middle of the summer, it's because I just don't enjoy driving while getting beaten down by the hot sun.
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.
18 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: 20261027T025149Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
So I just joined literally an hour ago. I'm in the midst of a search for a late model 996 Carrera 4S Cab w/ Tiptronic. The Cab is necessary mainly bc I play a lot of golf and I've heard the Cab fits clubs much better, oh and I like convertibles...
But living in RI a hardtop just seems to make sense as our winters are horrendous.
So talk to me about how Cab's are driving with the hardtop on...
Are they easy to find if I buy a car sans one?
The cab with the hardtop on is much quiter and almost feels different. I have had two 996 cabs each purchased without the hardtop. There are tons on the secondary market. I paid 300 and 325 for mine in the right colors, with storage stand and within a two hour drive. It requires some searching for the right color and some patience with the seller. They typically start out asking a lot and soon realize the market is not there. Shipping is generally prohibitive . So find one close. Do some research to see about the two styles of rear attachment and how to determine which one yours has, if any
You do not need the tool either. It is a metric allen. Search for the size. 6,7,or eight if I recall.
Anyone have a cover for the front latch for the hardtop to sell? Dealer wants the usual pound of flesh.
I haven't been in a cab or close enough to inspect one before, but I gather they're the same if not better than the r129 mercedes (90s SL class).
I drove my sl600 at the time through 3 winters in Michigan while I was there for college without a hardtop and it was perfectly fine. I'll go with if that can take it, then so could the 996 cabs.
I wouldn't get a hard top for my cab if I had one unless it already came with one from the PO.
You can also pick them up anywhere from 200 to 900 bucks, so don't let your dream 996 get away because it doesn't have one.
-Ben
Bought an '04 cabriolet in late November. It was a hardtop delete. Wanted a hardtop because of a good experience with an '05 Thunderbird w/ hardtop. Found a hardtop in Miami, 600 miles away, on eBay for $200.00. I knew it was the wrong color, but had a long-haul trucker friend police it up for free. Here's where the problems started. As a hardtop delete car, mine lacked the rear socket hardware (you should check on this, it's a factor). Best deal I could find for the hardware used was $350, plus installation (I'm not at all handy). The paint was expensive but the real, unanticipated problem was the vast accumulation of mouse droppings in the headliner. THAT took time and labor to remedy. Now it's almost all good: the top goes on and comes off easily (two person job), the fit to the windows required no adjusting, the stand left over from my T'bird works, the hardtop looks REAL good, and, tho' it has the early bayonet prongs, it's free of creaks or rattles. Two downsides: cleaning the lower part of the interior rear glass is very awkward, indeed, and don't allow it, stored, to become a rodent dormitory.
I bought a hardtop for mine (99 cab). I paid more then I wanted too but it was local and the right color. You need to be patient to get the right color.
I'm very happy with it. It turns the car into almost a coupe. It has a nice speedster look to it too.
The car is quieter with the hard top on, but not as quiet as a coupe. Mine squeaks a bit.
I prefer it to having the soft top up, but it's not as nice as having the top down
Brian
This reminds me that I need to get mine out this weekend and install it. Been a couple of years. I keep mine suspended from the ceiling. Any worries from the rodents?
My hardtop has been great. I have had a BMW without it and the hardtop on my 996 cab makes it pretty quiet even at higher speeds on the highway.
I do like the look of it when on as well. It was very easy to install providing that you have 2 people or a lift to place it properly.
I have not investigated where my squeaks are coming from yet. It sounds like they are coming from the back. I do not have the cover over the front latch so that's not it. Thanks for the advice.
Hardtop definitely makes the car feel different. Much larger headroom and more quiet definitely. It does take 2 people to install.
I paid $150 for this hardtop on eBay.
Where we have a very mild winters and hot summers, it seems counter-intuitive but I keep the hardtop on during summer only. It's uncomfortable with the top down when it's 80+ degrees in direct sun. I think 50-70 degrees is an ideal range. I know.. I can always have the softtop on but I just prefer the hardtop when it's 100+ degrees outside.
I struggled some with locking mechanism of the hard top...there are 2 different models with the latter design being better maybe? You can search the forum.
$150? That's a steal and half!
I have an electric winch set-up so I can remove/install the hardtop all by myself, takes about 5 minutes all said and done.
I use mine in the winter and during track events. I know it won't protect me but it keeps the top from getting beaten up on the track.
Sometimes during the summer I'll still leave it on because during the really hot temps I'm not putting the top down anyway.
It does transform the car as others have said.
Yeah it's kind of funny when I find myself having the soft top closed and running A/C full blast in the middle of the summer, it's because I just don't enjoy driving while getting beaten down by the hot sun.
The odd times I put the hard top on because I know it's going to rain while I will have the car out, just a preventive measure to minimize any degradation from the chemical elements laden in the rain these days.
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