I really wish, I want an OEM too. Probably sometimes later trade whatever top I buy + cash for OEM.

 

But is the RSG amuse fitment actually 9/10?

 

I guess it depends on what 9/10 means to you? All replica tops using non-OEM seals are going to take quite a bit of fiddling to be mostly noise/leak free. I have a Forbidden top that doesn't squeak and has very minimal wind noise (I've used both Forbidden's seals and RSG's seals with no discernible difference), but it's not an OEM top. I have no reason to believe RSG tops will be any better or worse; as long as the top is made right the amount of noise it will make really comes down to the quality of the seals used. Whatever top you get I highly recommend you use a set of two-piece OEM style latches in the rear. This makes installation, removal, and adjustment of the hardtop significantly easier. You're going to do a lot of installing, removing, and adjusting if you want to get rid of creaks and wind noise.

If I was going to do it all over again I'd probably try out Ballade's top because it comes with everything required. It's still more expensive than buying a Forbidden or RSG top, retrofitting OEM window seals, and adding two-piece rear latches, but it's also a lot less work and still cheaper than the OEM setup (I can't imagine paying $4k for a damn hardtop). Just make sure you're really happy with how the top fits and seals before you leave. The top I've seen in person was really nice, but I know someone has had a really shitty time trying to get Ballade rectify issues with a less than stellar top.

 

1x1.

 

Comparing my RSG Mugen rep to a friends Forbidden Mugen rep, my RSG one is complete shit. top doesnt sit flat on the windshield and sticks up on the sides which creates insane windnoise. The rear of the hardtop has a gap which you can see a bit of daylight through it. I had tossed out seals that they provide and bought some off McMaster and it helped seal the rear better but that gap is def still there.

 

Ok then, thanks a lot. I think I have enough info to make a decision now. Mugen price is around $3400 brand new not include shipping and paint (and no defrost for the rear window glass too). Probably around $4000 in total. The rest fitments are not good so I will go with ballade CF v2. Budget-est to me at least, plus they will install it for me for free. Thanks a lot guys! Enjoy your S

 

One thing about hardtops even if they are not painted you can always just wrap them black and you can resell them to almost anyone as a black hardtop looks great on almost all S2000's
Wrapping the top isn't very expensive either just get a good 3m glossy black color perfect on most

 

thank you for the tip friend. cheers

 

Let us know how it goes/how fitment is.

 

The oem top is expensive but it is made of alloy and great quality. I also think the price of oem tops will only rise over time so it's an 'investment' in the sense of preserving or perhaps increasing your capital.