It does seem odd that a community so vocal about driving with the top down gets all teary when the convertible top frame wears a fine hole through the material. One second you’re a jingoistic top-down proponent cocking a snook (thumbing your nose) at other convertible drivers who are blissfully unaware that the roof can be rolled down, and the very next you’re a quivering mass of jello as you contemplate the cruel blow that fate and the engineers at Honda struck you with.
At this juncture, “more gas equals less wet” and “top always down” and “storm should have a name” conveniently slip the mind as you reach for the keyboard to bawl your heart out in S2000 Talk or another forum of your choice.
To be fair, a feeling of getting sucker punched is par for the course, especially when most of us go the extra mile to take care of the convertible top. We wash the vinyl with a gentle soapy mix, rinse it off and lovingly rub RAGGTOPP or 303 Aerospace Protectant for that extra sheen. When we park it at night, some of us leave the top unlatched (only if parked in a secure personal garage, of course) so we don’t cause undue stress to the top frame and mechanism, and yet fate and Honda engineering put paid to all our effort.
It’s all well and good if the car is still under warranty as a request for a top replacement is usually expedited provided no red flags are raised. Your friendly neighborhood Honda dealer as well as the American Honda representative will confer and make a determination as to how much they like you and how much they want you to pay. The issue, though, is when the car is out of warranty. All of a sudden, you are clutching at straws. That service advisor who you ticked off for not knowing how to start the car suddenly appears as stern as Simon Cowell (when in fact you are seeking a sympathetic Paula Abdul) on American Idol as you, the “contestant,” desperately try to convince him or her by waving the TSB in their face hoping you can magically turn it into a recall. If the stars are in your favor and the dealer service rep is a half-decent person (which would depend on how you behave with them), then a request for consideration will be made and you could come away with a new top, albeit with a somewhat lighter wallet.
We recommend that, if your top is flawless and your car’s VIN is listed in the convertible top TSB, you check for abrasive spots on the frame rails and also reinforce the material at the points where it is likely to wear. A stitch in time saves nine. Alternatively, S2KI also contains several DIY threads for convertible top replacement should it be irreparably damaged. Maybe that damage is the perfect opportunity for you to order the blue top that was offered as an extra accessory or perhaps to go all out and purchase a hardtop (as if Honda made that easy to find). If your car should develop a tear in the convertible top, we recommend you contact your dealer for goodwill consideration as well as do your civic duty towards the community and post in the Soft Top Tears thread in the Tell Honda forum. If Honda is reading it (as we expect them to), then it would give them an insight as to the extent of the issue.
While keeping your car in pristine shape is laudable, we think a tear, were it to happen, only lends to the character of a car much like the British roadsters of yesteryear with all their gremlins. Come to think of it, we are probably better off than vintage roadster owners as the car is reliable as can be. A tear can be patched with liquid vinyl repair complemented by Tear-Aid Type B vinyl repair patches. Once patched, it can last you a long time, following which you can organize a top-replacement tech day in your garage mahal and invite members of your local community over to help you. Be sure to provide cold beer and nourishment though.
Do tell us, have you had your convertible top tear or are you among those smart enough to patch it in time? Or do you belong to those who could care less about the whole issue?
Photo courtesy of dagle
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on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 4:19 am
Personally, it really pissed me off. And I say this because I didn’t abuse the top. I took really good care of it, yet this seems like such a common problem. I finally opted for a hardtop because I actually prefer the look, but the tears just made it more certain that I go that route. Had my top held up, I most likely would have never forked out the money for the oem hardtop. In turn, I would have been much happier. Honda really should at least contributed to helping us owners pay to fix the tops. If it’s not a Technical Service Bulletin it should at least be.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 4:20 am
And somehow I missed the part about how there is a TSB. Darn it.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 5:04 am
Sadly, I didn’t patch the right rear corner on time and it had started to tear. So I sewed it up, applied StormSure adhesive in between the stitching and slapped on a Tear-Aid patch and called it a day . As for the left side, I sewed a patch of S2000 roof material on the inside to prevent any further issues. The stitching isn’t too noticeable so I’m pretty pleased with the results.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 6:04 am
It’s torn, got a hardtop.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 6:05 am
Well… I also live in Miami and S2K seats go missing on a daily basis so along with my alarm, gate, and Glock I also went with the hardtop (To clarify).
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 7:36 am
Since the day I bought the car, I’ve wanted to rip the soft top and motor out and put a Spoon hard top on it. I’m just waiting until the top tears to do that so I have a better excuse for spending $4,500 on a hard top.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 8:08 am
Anyone have a link to the DIY to help prevent the rubbing in the first place? Replaced my top after almost 10 years. Not bad I guess.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 9:09 am
How much is it to have a new top installed at the dealership?
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 9:21 am
The top should never tear on a 35k car but my ’08 started showing wear. I brought it to the dealer last fall. They took pics and sent it to HQ. Everything is approved for a new top (or so they say). The manager told me to come back in mid summer for the replacement like July or something before my 3 year warranty expires. That way I get the most use out of my current top which has seen more wear now. July is just around the corner and I haven’t scheduled the service yet so keep your fingers crossed!
Another thing is I plan to get the better modifry straps after they replace it. Also cover the wear areas with gorilla tape from the inside.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 9:31 am
When i got MY00 s2k i went to honda to get the car inspected prior to the buy. When i spoke to the technician about the car he told me, “yep everything checks out great, you even got lucky because it’s got a brand new top”. So i bought the car and drove it around maybe 6 months and randomly started noticing wear marks in certain spots on the top, and over time more and more tears began to show through. Im very anal about my car…
So to answer the question up top. “DO convertable tops tears give me tears”. Yep they gave me so many tears that i decided to take a razorblade to to the soft tops b**** a$$ and throw on a VIS hardtop and call it a day.
I was a BIG top down whore so the only thing i miss is driving with the top down, but the cars so sexy now i think i’ll survive =)
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
+1 to CR owners never to endure this lol!
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 2:27 pm
haha i was wondering why that photo looked so familiar.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 2:52 pm
I have 2 rips. You really think Honda would replace a torn top for free,heck I’d be happy if they paid 1/2 Soft top way nicer then a hard top.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 3:10 pm
The TSB is popsted in the Tell Honda “soft top tears” forum for those looking for it. I fought 2 days with the regional rep for Honda to get a top done on a 1 year old 2006. Most would not have been able to be in the reps face(not yelling or anything but just being there to annoy) but since I worked for the Honda dealership and the car was new when bought off the Showroom I could afford to bug him for the 2 days he was there. Since he had no rebute for many of my comments as to why the top should be replace he finally got mad and caved and walked with me to parts to order and cover the cost in full to replace the top. Since most on this site can not affor 2 days to deal with this issue i proceeded to tell the executive vice president of N American Sales for American Honda about the terrible experience the regional rep gave nme and went on to describe the numbers of people I know with the same issue caused by the same thing and within days of my last correspondance there was suddenly a TSB. I let the Executive VP know that the regional rteps were costing Sales at dealerships nationally and told him that even as a 7 year employee I would be hard pressed t obuy the new 2011 EX-LV6 6 speed Accord I was concidering. it should not take an act of god to correct a known issue and I have not bought another new Honda since, I really did enjoy the 2.0T Passat 6 speed I got though, now looking for something to replace that Passat(lease)
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
also pretty incredible how my 2001 top lasted 10 years, just replaced it 5 weeks ago, got a tear that was an inch long so I went ahead an replaced it rather than wait
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 4:01 pm
I patched mine this weekend. I saw obvious wear, but it didn’t go all the way through, thankfully. I used Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Flexible Adhesive to glue a piece of OEM tonneau (from someone else’s top) to the worn areas. I hope it’ll hold up.
on Jun 22nd, 2011 at 7:30 pm
I got mine in pristine condition. But much like everyone else that enjoys having the top down the more you do it the more it tears. I have so far gorilla glued thin areas inside the top to keep minor scuffs at bay and “protect” the top from further damage. I even did some manly sewing at one seem that had sadly gone all the way through. Ultimately I will likely need a new top because although a HT makes this car look stunning it gets in the way of my 5PM top down unwinding cruise home from work. Wish it came HT vert but hey we cant have it all right.
on Jun 23rd, 2011 at 9:18 am
Put industrial velcro between the top and the bars for a year. It kinda helps and hopes it last forever!
on Jun 23rd, 2011 at 10:32 am
Like Samir, I just put a fresh patch on the driver’s side. Upon inspection, I discovered a 3 cm tear on the passenger side and patched it as well. Just need to hold out a little longer for a Robbins top!
Before (ugly)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HhSWTBOiUdc/TK1TlOqLHdI/AAAAAAAADJ0/WHW8Py3PRRE/s1024/DSCF4773.JPG
After (less ugly)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rCZyahFbmYI/TgOE7FAhLVI/AAAAAAAAE2w/sfpOBV6kXqU/s1024/IMG_20110623_110255.jpg
on Jun 24th, 2011 at 9:31 am
On close inspection of mine, it seems there are two ‘stress’ cracks just behind the hinges of the roof – just above the top of the bodywork behind the passenger and drivers shoulders.
Two squares of acoustic carpet spray glued in place on the inside of the roof have halted the cracking but there are two sharp metal edges that sit behind this that started the tear.
I’m hoping that mine is now saved but anyone else that hasn’t inspected that area would be wise to do so – the rest of my roof is in A1 condition.
on Jun 28th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
I’m now on my third top. I’ve had it replaced twice; once under warranty and once under goodwill. The first replacement happened at around 32,xxx miles and the second happened at 54,xxx miles. The second time they smoothed out some of the sharper edges to the frame and put some sort of fabric tape over the frame that passes directly over the windows. So far, so good.
on Jul 2nd, 2011 at 1:18 am
so how much is the new top cost
and how much is installation in LA
on Jul 16th, 2011 at 7:54 am
The dealer invoice states the total cost of parts and labor to be just about $2000
on Jul 18th, 2011 at 7:28 am
I have a 2002 S2K, not with a vynal but a heavy fabric top. First top was replaced in 2005 just a couple of months outside the 3 year warranty. Honda was “generous” and offered to pay for the top while I paid for the labor ($500). The second top wore out in 2007 in exactly the same spot as the first one. Dealer again replaced it – this time 50/50 ($1000 on me).
Now I am the proud owner of top #3 which has torn again – in the same spot as top 1 and 2.
I have patched it on the inside (contact cement + patch of a material that I got from a company that builds convertible soft tops) but in the heat the patch does not seem to stick: when I put the top back up (after the top was down for a few hours), the patch is wrinkled up.
Any idea out there what type of patch / glue might work ?
I am very disappointed about this very obvious mechanical problem (there are no sharp edges on the metal frame) that are causing this particular wear and so much headache.
While Honda engineers have created a flawless and fun engine, they obviously do not have the same quality of engineering on the design of the top.
Out of principle I will also likely not purchase another Honda because of it.
on Jul 30th, 2011 at 7:13 am
My 03 has the original top that has been patched a few times. The 3M vinyl repair kit has worked pretty well, I don’t care much if it does not look perfect (which is possible if you repair with care)
on Aug 1st, 2011 at 8:46 pm
I just had the roof replaced on my 2007,
Honda paid $1900, I paid $125.00
It was a great deal all in all.
The dealer was not to good, they rushed the car and did not reassemble it correctly.
on Aug 5th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Small price to pay for the joy of driving this car top down.
on Aug 9th, 2011 at 1:27 am
I have an 01′ that has a factory replacement with the glass & defroster. About a month ago, i put the top down & heard a “POP”. Apparently a bar didnt shift properly & the latches busted through the top on BOTH SIDES ! Mind you, this top was in Immaculate condition. So, now that ive just spent $1500 on fresh bumper paint/ new windshield, shes looking less than perfect. Any thoughts on the VIS FRP top that “Chris” is selling in CA on craigslist ? He says $1100 installed . . Im skeptical . .
on Aug 9th, 2011 at 1:30 am
Oh, & the latches broke as well . . .
on Aug 9th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
’03 s2k with 80,000 miles. Top had been taken care of but developed 2 tears on the passengers side from the sharp support tube. Thinking about a hardtop.
on Aug 10th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
I have an 03 my top started to wear in 05. I took it to the dealer South Shore Honda and was told I would have to see the district mgr. xxxx xxxxx this guy was/is a complete A****** he should be fired. He told me my ‘canvas’ top was punchured from the outside and there was no way the frame could rub through nor had he heard of such a thing. when I told him the top was vinyl and he was incompedent. He just walked away.I went on to S2ki and printed all of the incedents from other owners posts took another day off from work and presented him with the paper work and he really got nasty to the point of cursing. To which point I told him if he weren’t a old POS I would wipe the floor with his tired a**.
on Sep 12th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Mine came with a semi patched tear on the passenger side right where the TSB says it will be and some ware marks on the inside by the latches. It also came with a new top which after reading the repair, I am in no rush to spend 8+ hours putting on. I will just reinforce the patches for the 1/2 times a week I drive my s2. For autocross the top is down anyway.
Any one recommend brand names of patches and liquid vynl?
on Jan 29th, 2012 at 11:47 am
I bought a beautiful light blue 2004 S2k in the fall of 2008. In the summer of 2010, I noticed the first tear on the right rear — the typical tear — I patched it and the other side for good measure. The other side tore anyway, but the tears haven’t grown. I now have a few other little holes, so I’m looking to replace the top — considering Robbins. Any comments? A top every 8 years seems worth it for the joy of driving top down in this great car. Some of the every-2-year stories are really scarey! Any ideas whether canvas wears better than the factory vinyl?