Softop/Hardtop ??
hey guys, just registered for this website. So bear with my nooby questions. After 5 years of searching finally found me the perfect ap2. 08' 30K miles. Only bad part is the softop was looking a bit faded and has potential tears coming along. I honestly love both the hardtop and softop look. However money's a bit tight right now so what would be the best suggestion besides patching the softop. Is it cheaper to replace it with a softop or a hardtop ? if so can you guys recommend me a good brand for either or.
PS----> I've seen the OEM hardtops and not really my style. It sort of makes the s2k look like a Miata. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by Diaznoe15
(Post 51347736)
hey guys, just registered for this website. So bear with my nooby questions. After 5 years of searching finally found me the perfect ap2. 08' 30K miles. Only bad part is the softop was looking a bit faded and has potential tears coming along. I honestly love both the hardtop and softop look. However money's a bit tight right now so what would be the best suggestion besides patching the softop. Is it cheaper to replace it with a softop or a hardtop ? if so can you guys recommend me a good brand for either or.
PS----> I've seen the OEM hardtops and not really my style. It sort of makes the s2k look like a Miata. Hardtops for the S2K, either OEM or aftermarket, cost a pretty penny to get a good one. This would be my recommendation for you: ROBBINS AUTO TOP COMPANY | CONVERTIBLE TOPS Robbins is a reputable aftermarket manufacture for replacement soft tops for the S2000 and other vehicles. They're a solid company with a lot of good reviews and backing, I've never heard anything bad or negative about them. I'd highly recommend giving them a call or ordering from them (their prices are also pretty hard to beat). They've been vouched for on S2KI many times, you can search their forums for pictures and reviews of their tops. If you have any other questions, like I said I'd recommend checking out S2KI. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
hardtops IMO, I have one from forbidden and it was about 1200 shipped to me. VERY good quality, color matched, and they can even wrap the whole thing in CF or just the sides if you like. take a look at them
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Hardtop
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Hardtop turns the S2000 into just another coupe. Zillions of those around. Get a BRZ is that's all you want.
-- Chuck |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
I'd recommend a hardtop as well. Overall less maintenance compared to rag tops. IMHO.
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by Chuck S
(Post 51459393)
Hardtop turns the S2000 into just another coupe. Zillions of those around. Get a BRZ is that's all you want.
-- Chuck |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
I have an OEM hardtop and love it. I prefer the look over the soft top during winter months, but remove it when it’s warmer.
and I agree; looks like an entirely different car. Also only looks like a BRZ or whatever that guy said to the untrained eye :P |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
I have both. If I could only have one I would choose soft top. Top down is the way I drive this car 90% of the time and I would never give it up. Too much joy.
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by rpg51
(Post 51549695)
I have both. If I could only have one I would choose soft top. Top down is the way I drive this car 90% of the time and I would never give it up. Too much joy.
I do hate that my OEM top squeaks on both latches, and had to put rubber hoses on the hooks to fill the noise. My wife’s old Del Sol’s top wasn’t as bad as mine without those hoses... |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...45045fe715.pngYeah baby!
So noob here, but just wanted to give you another side of the coin.. I had a NA Miata for a long time (I know not S2K), but when I first bought it I swear I would get a hardtop. I thought it just looked so good! (and I thought convertibles were for old people and girls hehe). After awhile, I realized I loved just popping the top down and driving. I used to ride on sports bikes until I got into a nasty accident. I haven't ridden since, but I enjoy convertibles as it's that same kind of feeling. Not exactly, but just very "freeing" lol. I live in Florida, so it's obviously drop-top weather. If you live, say, in Seattle, in might not be. I can't tell from the OP if you actually bought it, but just drive it for awhile and see how you like it. Once you go hardtop, it becomes annoying to drop the top, especially if you're already out at the beach. If this is just a dedicated track car, I'd say screw it and go hardtop. But, I only like the million dollar Spoon hardtop so.. lol. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
The reality for me is that although I have a hardtop, and I do like it, I almost never use it. When I do put it on, its almost out of a sense of obligation. I think about selling it all the time. But, I keep it. I'm really not sure why. I store it in my garage overhead with a hoist so its out of the way.
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Well, I feel like it's not so much a necessity as it was for an NA MX5. That thing was so loud, and the gearing for overdrive was terrible. I'd probably be at like 4k ~70 m.p.h, and the softop, combined with older frameless window, was terrible!
In the S2K, it's less of a disposable chassis and it's designed with more creature comfort in mind. It seems to me like you don't really need it, I would just sell it and cash it in for other parts. A decent roll-bar comes to mind :). |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by CloudStrife
(Post 51584159)
...I would just sell it and cash it in for other parts. ... :).
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by rpg51
(Post 51584161)
Or, at the rate these OEM tops are appreciating, maybe hang on to it and think of it as part of my retirement planning. :)
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Lol, really? I thought they were in the 1-2k range.. Gives me more of a solid foundation for reasoning about buying Spoon top lol.
But I've noticed parts like hardtops change price from region to region. One state you can't find them under xxxx, and in another they'd be almost free. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
I'll second the Robbins soft top if you go that route. The previous owner of my car had recently installed one. Very nice looking, OEM fitment.
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Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Only negative to the Robbins is the front corners are glued, I have a Robbins under my hardtop and after awhile those corners became a pain in the ass. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Even though this forum is dead, I’ll continue to add information to help the search function users. I spent a lot of extra time getting the fitment right on my spoon style top, I feel like we went the extra mile doing a lot of cutting and re-glassing to get it perfect. The top is water tight and very quiet but because the carbon in the center section is relatively thin, you could still hear a faint wind noise. So, I decided to add a headliner to insulate the top, I went to head and matched up the full interior because this design enabled me to use a pretty thick piece of foam in the headliner design. It worked out very well and it feels and sounds like an OEM top. An idea for anyone looking to insulate their aftermarket top. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...3d1da46d9.jpeg |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by NfiniteccS2000
(Post 51627711)
Even though this forum is dead, I’ll continue to add information to help the search function users. I spent a lot of extra time getting the fitment right on my spoon style top, I feel like we went the extra mile doing a lot of cutting and re-glassing to get it perfect. The top is water tight and very quiet but because the carbon in the center section is relatively thin, you could still hear a faint wind noise. So, I decided to add a headliner to insulate the top, I went to head and matched up the full interior because this design enabled me to use a pretty thick piece of foam in the headliner design. It worked out very well and it feels and sounds like an OEM top. An idea for anyone looking to insulate their aftermarket top. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Originally Posted by NfiniteccS2000
(Post 51627711)
Even though this forum is dead, I’ll continue to add information to help the search function users. I spent a lot of extra time getting the fitment right on my spoon style top, I feel like we went the extra mile doing a lot of cutting and re-glassing to get it perfect. The top is water tight and very quiet but because the carbon in the center section is relatively thin, you could still hear a faint wind noise. So, I decided to add a headliner to insulate the top, I went to head and matched up the full interior because this design enabled me to use a pretty thick piece of foam in the headliner design. It worked out very well and it feels and sounds like an OEM top. An idea for anyone looking to insulate their aftermarket top. (pic here) |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
That’s an amazing job. How come everytime I set off to start a project like that it NEVER even comes close to how good yours looks?! Haha |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...688f07441.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...1c68fd5d9.jpeg Oh and here’s my beater to keep this thread semi-alive. |
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Thank you everyone. I think the key is to DIY when you can, and seek the help of professionals in their field when you can’t do it 100%. Like the stitching on the diamond tuft, I have a good upholsterer for that lol. Thats a clean looking ride, I’d still love to pick up an OEM hardtop for easier trunk access on longer trips, and so easy to take off! |
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