hardtop. second thought

so i have hard top, and live in NJ, i think it's great for the winter. until i found out my friend, who has a 99 996 cab, always parks his car out side. no car cover, directly under the sun/rain/slow, whatever. The best part, he NEVER clean up the snow, since he never driver the car in the winter. upon close inspection of his top, in fact, i found it's in a very good condition! well for me, since my top is down during the winter, there're some tear-&-wear on the some spots already, where the roof touches the cover. i am convinced that the soft top is great, and i won't be getting hard top again.

I guess you're right about the wear of the soft top with the hard top on and I agree that the soft top is exceptionally good and quiet. However, the hard top has such a great rear-window, isolates even better and in my opinion just looks great. I got it locally for $600 + $400 re-paint (preparation is standard on every cab), so it even was a bargain.

i think when it comes down to it.... the long term, the hard top is essential. if you're planning on keeping your pcar for a short period of 2-3 years, i don't think you need the hard top...... i personally like the looks of the hard top.... very different fron other cabbies especially in Socal... where hardly anyone has a hard top on..... ..... i say keep it..... your winters over there are brutal and what you don't want to do is replace your soft top when you don't have too.......

soft top will last for a long time if you take good care of it (clean it, put it up, use protectant, stay out of element w cover or garage). eventually, they will wear, it's just a matter of time. leaving it outside year round isn't smart for the car, not just the top. ur crease will eventually come out. if you are having wear spots, make sure the top is correctly adjusted and not making noises when up. IMO, opt out on hardtop next time and just take good care of it as you are doing already.

I never liked my hard top until I put it on last month. Now I don't want to take if of this spring.

more kudos for the hardtop. I love the look of the turtle shell. I just removed it for the "spring" weather. But around October..I plan on putting that baby back on!

I have a Coupe so I can't comment on the hard top/soft top issue, but you need to report your friend to the PHS (Porsche Humane Society). He needs to know that abuse, neglect, or crulity to Porsches will NOT be tolerated!

I agree, I enjoy having the hardtop on for the winter. It gives the car an entirely different look. I have actually had inquiries into whether I traded cars. The hard top is also quieter. I put an EZ Hoist in for easier placement and removal. From a maintenance perspective, life is short ....enjoy! (Do I really have to say that on a Porsche forum?) Personally, I enjoy the two different looks.

I wish I had one.

I hate the look of the hardtop-- the lines of the hardtop 911 are all wrong (IMHO). I have a seal grey hardtop that I took off when I bought the car and haven't touched it since. I will never put it back on unless/until I sell the car. If interested, any reasonable offer takes it, I'm in NY 10514-- pick up. GBG

Great name 70's ref. I think the top in the long run is the way to go. But thats why I bought a coupe.......

I had a boxster with hard top and loved that car with the hard top on. I love it so much, I got a Coupe as my next car Guess I wasn't a cab person.....

Thanks - from The Night Stalker......Favorite show when I was a kid - thought no one else was old enough to rememeber.

I had the hardtop on my C4S cab and loved the two different looks of the car. As good as the soft top is/was, the hardtop just made the car just that more solid and quiet. Truly the best of both worlds. I owned the car for three years and when I traded it in the soft top looked as good as the day I took delivery.

I am a hardcore top down driver....so hardtop is not needed...but I am lucky and live in Socal...the coldest it gets here is 42F....and with seat heaters and the heating on MAX...top down with light jacket on is a very nice ride. Was thinking about buying a hardtop when I bought the P....but storage of that thing seems a big problem!

We had nice weather this weekend, so I took the car out. The hardtop is a little too quiet, but shows how solid the car really is. I'll keep it on 'til about the end of April , unless we get a warmer spring. Love the Kolchak reference- Bumpusses!!!!!