Basic Restoration Advice
 

I'm new to this forum and am seeking advice. I have a red 2000 S2000 manufactured in Sept, 1999. The driver seat is splitting and shows wear and the top has developed holes...some very small, but a couple a little larger at the crease area on either side. Also, the rubber strip around the plastic rear window is half detached.

There is a shop nearby that can replace the roof and, I understand, now only installs a glass window in the back. They can also hopefully repair the seats.

My question is, from an authenticity perspective, is the above route the best one to take?

There's a reason they updated the car with the glass window. Any future owner will more than likely appreciate that it has been swapped out.

Agreed. I would not worry about the new top having a glass window. The car isn't something super rare to the point where a detail like that will matter and like AE said you will like it better and if you sell it that is a nice plus to potential buyers. If you are really worried about being authentic buy an OEM top which will be considerably more expensive but it will be authentic. The seat being repaired is another non issue to me so long as they do a good job.

If you’re trying to build some super 100% time capsule type restoration s2000, then find another plastic window top. But if you’re not going that route, as others have said, just get the glass top and you and future interested parties will be happier. Things to consider when doing this conversion/upgrade: straps need to be installed onto the frame that will help the glass top fold differently than the plastic top. You will not have the window defrost function unless you retrofit the wiring in.

Seats: I have rarely seen a seat reupholster job look OEM in quality. There is usually a noticeable difference in material and/or there’s more wrinkles because the seat skin isn’t pulled as tight as OEM was. I don’t imagine it’s impossible to get an OEM quality reupholster, but it’s probably really expensive to do so. I’d just look for another set of seats that are in better condition. It’ll probably be cheaper too.