If you have any questions about replica hardtops go ahead and fire them my way. I've had a lot of headaches getting mine to fit properly, as do most people with most replicas. Now I've got it in a good position where it works perfectly fine, but its been a pain in the ass getting to this stage where it is now.

It started being improperly sealed, so I bought new seals. Then I had some problems with my catchers that caused a little wind noise when it was really hot out, so I bought the spacers. 2 sets of spacers wasn't enough for the really hot and humid days. Driving 70+ mph with windows UP caused a lot of wind noise. Eventually I bought some brackets from a forum sponsor (can't remember the name) and they removed the wind noise. So now, my hardtop is perfectly fine. I tried to PM you but it wouldn't allow me.

If you have any questions buying a replica hardtop, PM me. I've been through most of the headaches.

Edit, and yes there will be headaches.

 

I had this awesome post typed up, but it was only going to start shit and it's just not worth it.

Good luck finding your hardtop.

 

Thanks Feezy. No hard feelings. Do you experience the issues that Ookielookie did with the OEM, or any similar issues?

 

Ookkir has a replica top not an oem top.

 

Yesh, he's asking if the OEM has the same issues.

I don't have any problems with mine. I took it straight out of the box and installed it on the car. I've adjusted the top once and have been happy with it ever since.

I get very little wind noise but over 70 you can hear it a little bit. The only rattles/noises I have right now are the damn soft top latches. They like to rattle when they are just laying back there.

 

They want to remind you that they're there.

 

Thats the great thing about the brackets that I bought. They are a pain in the ass to remove, but no more rattling latches! Twas an unexpected bonus to fixing my wind noise problem.

 

I'm assuming you're referencing mine as the double-sided carbon hardtop. It's Seibon, not Forbidden, just FYI. And with all OEM seals and hardware (everything used except the rear catchers, those bought through 3en), I paid about 3k. Fits pretty damn near perfect though. We finally installed my rear latches today, and we didn't have to adjust it at all. Doesn't fit 100% perfect, but better than a lot of aftermarket tops that I've seen. I don't have any wind noise (or at least any I can hear over the exhaust). It's got a few rattles, though that may just be the tonneau cover, I'm not sure.

I don't really get the attitude towards people that are trying to help you. Almost everyone who has responded has gone through the ordeal of purchasing a hardtop (whether replica or OEM), and they're offering you advice based on their experiences. You hadn't listed much in the area of what you wanted. And still, to this point, you have yet to really list a set price range. I understand you don't want a $3k top, but what's your limit? 2500? 1500? 1000? And on that note, also curious why it must be used and local? The group buys that happen on here can get you a fiberglass top for just over 1100-1200, brand new.
Shoot, this thread has it for $1250 shipped with hardware ($1000 picked up). Or Forbidden's OEM-Style Group Buy, you can pick it up for $1800 painted or CF (with all hardware, seals, and window). I would definitely look into the Forbidden one, I've heard nothing but good about them/their fitment, and if nothing else, like Godfather posted, the OEM (or that style) does have the best view out the rear window by far... the Mugen style one has a blind spot that is absolutely terrible for backing out of a parking spot.
Drive to Cali on a weekend and pick it up, you get to preview it that way. And if you're worried about no recourse... a group buy or simply buying from one of the vendors on the forum is probably better than buying from just some random dude. They have a reputation to uphold, and if their group buy thread gets blown up with 'they screwed me over', 'my top didn't fit at all, and they won't help me', etc, more than likely they'll try to do something to make it right. As with any big-ticket purchase, just do your research on the product and business first.
I know you want it to be more local, but odds are, that's not going to happen. If somebody hasn't already posted theirs for sale, they're probably not going to sell it for anything other than a premium if they don't want to part with it. Often times, from my experience, you don't really see them for sale unless the car itself is up for sale.

Good luck finding one, it's definitely an awesome purchase, albeit a pricey one.

 

NICE POST...

 

Is the view out of a mugen worse than a soft top?

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