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YOUR RESEARCH996 Cabriolet Hardtop Standard Equipment?
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Install hardtop
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I have just installed my hardtop for the winter, and it really transforms the car.
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Suggestion
There is an electrical connection one one side that changes the defrost switch on the dash over from the convertible window to the hardtop window.
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Suggestion
Folks that enjoy the cars all year would have a use for the hardtops.
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Was a hardtop standard equipment with every 996 Cabriolet? I've read "yes", heard "no", and searched the forum (oh yes, I did) and haven't found a conclusive answer.
What's the real answer? Thanks.
They were standard up until a certain year. But even with those that were standard there was a hardtop delete option that would give you some extra cash in your pocket. So not every car came with one.
My 2002 C4 came "with" the hardtop delete option. It shows as -1495 (approx.) off the original sticker.
I can scan the window sticker if anyone is interested in seeing documented evidence of this.
That said, if anyone comes across a Guards Red hard top, my birthday is September 19th
Sadly, many Porsche cabriolet owners were stupid about turning down anything from Porsche, and many left their hardtops at the dealerships, citing their desires for a "cabriolet" and not a coupe. The dealerships later got rid of them on Craigs List and Ebay.
Why is that stupid? I have a cab and I don't have (and don't want) a hardtop. Where would I put it? My car stays in the garage unless the weather is nice and then I want to have the top down. I don't believe I would ever put the hardtop on and it would just get in the way and collect dust (kind of like my car these days).
Barry
Anybody notice that when the hardtops were standard, the delete option gave a credit of $1,495, then when they were made an option the price to add one was about $5,000. Always nice dealing with Porsche.
Barry,
Folks that enjoy the cars all year would have a use for the hardtops. It is like having two different cars. When my hardtop is on the car is much quieter inside and I have more head room.
Also subsequent owners, or even original purchasers, might want to do PCA DE in the car. They need the hardtop to do that. (not all tracks accept that PCA will allow this)
if you drive the car in winter in places where a lot of salt is put on the road then the hardtop would be a blessing to keep the salt from staining the material and over a few winters damaging the integrity of the softtop fabric.
Pete
Stupid in that you can ALWAYS sell it to someone. I have yet to see any logic in turning down any 'freebie' from Porsche AG. Particularly in the early years where they simply gave them to you.
Hardtop:
Actually mine came with the hard top (bought the car used) - It actually made the car feel like different car with the top on. I kinda liked the option!
99C2
2002 was the last year that the hardtop was included in the price of the 996 Cab. After that, it was optional. Nice thing is that the mounting hardware necessary to install a hardtop in a 996/997 is the same, and 996 hardtops fit on 997s just fine.
Just remember if you want to add a hardtop to a 03 996 or a 997, you will need to install the receiver hardware in the car.
I have just installed my hardtop for the winter, and it really transforms the car. Much quieter, and it gets better gas mileage as well.
I have the install process down to a science. With the help of my neighbor (also a 996 owner) coming over, and the 2 of us pulling the hardtop off its storage rack, and setting it on the car, it takes us about 10 minutes to install the top, and 15 or so to store it back in the spring.
During the summer months with I go on long road trips, I also install the top as it makes the car cooler, quieter, and more economical.
Actually, I think 2003 was the last year they came at no extra cost. My '03 came with one and no charge was listed on the sticker. I was told that starting with '04, they were extra.
How can I tell if the hardware is actually present in the car? My car is a 2003 cab and I believe the 'delete hardtop' option was selected. However, when I popped off the protector caps I can see something grey and metallic in there. I know you suggested earlier in the thread to do this to another poster. It looks like it's there but I'm not sure why it would be given that the option was not selected at purchase by teh previous owner. Sorry if this is a stupid question.
BTW nice car you have - great taste :-)
Mine too and I keep the top in a cradle above the car in the garage. A nice addition during the winter months I think.
I winch the top down from the ceiling straight onto the car in 5 minutes... alone...
This is a link to a pic looking down one of the holes of the rear trim with the cap taken off. Is that the hardware I see inside?
https://plus.google.com/101252251132...ts/RkhnrVURvVu
Yes - that is the "receiver" portion of the hardtop hardware. Be aware that Porsche altered it slightly for the 997 and you want to make sure the pins on the hardtop are compatible. There is an electrical connection one one side that changes the defrost switch on the dash over from the convertible window to the hardtop window. There is also an automatic cutout for the top switch so you can't activate the top mechanism with the hardtop in place. You will need the hardtop wrench to turn the locking pins to fasten the top. Don't try to muscle it and a little judicious pressing helps to seat it when you are putting it on. Get the trim cover for the windshield bow too - Sun Coast or Pelican should have it.
I too have a seal grey car. I bought a silver top off of CL for my '01 with the intent of having it painted. However, it looks good as is and I decided not to have it painted.
I will probably put my hardtop on this weekend. As others have said, it is like a different car with it on. The only thing better than putting it on in the Winter is taking it off in the Spring. Both give me renewed excitement with the car.
I'm so envious of the hard top owners out there - '04 cabrio with the "delete" option - so I'm needing the receiver kit/hardware and the top to help with the Midwest winters...
+5. My 03 cab came with the hard-top. Even though it is parked in a garage and I don't drive it much in the rain, it is nice to have and is easily stored. Also, the aero-dynamics are better with the hard-top, as it starts to float at about 10 MPH less with the soft-top.
BTW, A buddy who recently got a 4-door J**p with a hard-top spent over $8,000 for a soft-top and half doors. Other cars can be expensive too.
No need for the hardtop out here in sunny California. Mine sits in a basement year round gathering dust. We don't get snow and it seems to rain mainly at night so I see no reason to put it on. Maybe if I was taking the car up to the mountains to ski.
Hardtop is pretty cool for winter (indeed quieter and it protects softtop)
And of course, when I go on trackdays I prefer to set it it's heavier but safer.
Does anyone know if the Hardtop mounts were standard in the car whether or not you took the hardtop or delete options from factory? I bought a hardtop for my 2004 996TT and the mounts are NOT in the car. Bummer, thats another $400.
All 996 Cabs up to the 2003 model had the rear receiver hardware installed regardless of if the car had the hardtop or not. Starting in 2004, the hardware was not installed if the car was not fitted with a hardtop at the factory.
It is an easy retrofit, but beware that there are two types of rear mount receivers, a twist-lock version on cars up to 2002 and then an screw-in version on the 2003 cars or earlier cars that went in for a TSB to address hardtop rattling.
If you get a used hardtop, be sure to look at the rear mounting pins to see what type they are so you can order the right receiver mounts.
Here are the two types of rear mount receivers. The older version is on the right.
I got a hardtop with my used cab and have had it on a few times. It rattles across bad roads. I built a lifting harass for $20 or $30 worth of pulleys and rings from HD so it can be taken off and on by one person. Never the less, we have too many nice days in Texas all year (like today--12/14) to justify putting it on. It has been hanging on the lift for several years.
Looks like my 04 did not come with the mounts. The hardtop I have has the bayonet style pins. Ill order the correct mounts and then keep my fingers crossed that its not an ordeal to attach them.
That is a shame. I have a hard top and it goes on at thanksgiving and comes off at the first sign of spring. I drive mine year round and enjoy it. (Of course not on salt days).
Seeing as this is a CABRIO thread, do any of you guys have water ingress from your hard tops?
I've just taken delivery of a hard top, but I'm getting damp carpets, because water is coming in from the window seals. The soft top is totally water proof.
Any advice on how to fix it?
