Softop/Hardtop ??
#1
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.
PS----> I've seen the OEM hardtops and not really my style. It sort of makes the s2k look like a Miata.
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Re: 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.
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.
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: bradenton, fl, usa
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
#7
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Firmly disagree, still a tonne of features unique to the S2000. Plus they're from different periods of mindset on development, they're very similar platforms but very different execution.
Trending Topics
#8
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
and I agree; looks like an entirely different car.
Also only looks like a BRZ or whatever that guy said to the untrained eye
#9
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Vermont
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#10
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
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...
#11
Re: Softop/Hardtop ??
Yeah 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.
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.
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Vermont
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#13
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 .
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 .
#14
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Vermont
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#15
#16
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.
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.
The following users liked this post:
#20
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.
The following 2 users liked this post by NfiniteccS2000:
#21
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.
#22
Honda-Tech Member
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.
(pic here)
(pic here)
#25
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!
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!