need help with buying a CF top
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 420
Likes: 2
From: Livermore
I think it is a major downgrade to go from OEM to a knock off like Seibon or Vis. I know they have their fans on this forum, but they are fake parts that copied from a company with real engineering.
Besides, OEM and Mugen aren't far from each other by any means in used price. If you are lucky you might even get someone to do a one for one swap for an AUTHENTIC Mugen top.
Besides, OEM and Mugen aren't far from each other by any means in used price. If you are lucky you might even get someone to do a one for one swap for an AUTHENTIC Mugen top.
Is there an issue with paint fading, etc? It might be easier to just get the OEM top repainted.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,045
Likes: 45
From: Las Vegas
Ignore the mugen fanbois. There are good quality replicas... although there are a lot of poor quality replicas.
Challenge is an excellent replica, very good attention to detail. Currently the only OEM replica out.
I've had my Seibon CF replica for 3+ years and it's fitment is almost as good as an OEM top.
Ultimately though, why do you want a CF top? For the looks of CF or the weight advantage? The OEM top is the absolute best fit and finish...albeit heavy (comparatively speaking).
If you like the style of the OEM style (what's not to like?), but want a lighter top, go with the Challenge. It's OEM CF replica is awesome and is the lightest top offered right now. The 2nd lightest is the Seibon CF top. It's about 2-3lbs lighter than the Mugen CF it's based off of. Had Challenge had their OEM replica out when I was top shopping, I would have gone with that one as I was in the market for the lightest top available.
But, if I were you, I'd keep the OEM one.
Challenge is an excellent replica, very good attention to detail. Currently the only OEM replica out.
I've had my Seibon CF replica for 3+ years and it's fitment is almost as good as an OEM top.
Ultimately though, why do you want a CF top? For the looks of CF or the weight advantage? The OEM top is the absolute best fit and finish...albeit heavy (comparatively speaking).
If you like the style of the OEM style (what's not to like?), but want a lighter top, go with the Challenge. It's OEM CF replica is awesome and is the lightest top offered right now. The 2nd lightest is the Seibon CF top. It's about 2-3lbs lighter than the Mugen CF it's based off of. Had Challenge had their OEM replica out when I was top shopping, I would have gone with that one as I was in the market for the lightest top available.
But, if I were you, I'd keep the OEM one.
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,133
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs
gonna be selling my oem hardtop soon so i need to buy another top
i'm looking to buy a CF top for my car next but i don't know which one to get
mugen is too expensive....my budget is only around 2500-3000
vis seems to fit my budget but i don't know about their fitment...been reading some reviews some say they're good some say they're not
tho i am quite fixed on getting a vis CF top
and do all the aftermarket hardtop require oem hardware? because if yes then i'm not selling my oem hardware
please do help, any input will be much appreciated thanks
i'm looking to buy a CF top for my car next but i don't know which one to get
mugen is too expensive....my budget is only around 2500-3000
vis seems to fit my budget but i don't know about their fitment...been reading some reviews some say they're good some say they're not
tho i am quite fixed on getting a vis CF top
and do all the aftermarket hardtop require oem hardware? because if yes then i'm not selling my oem hardware
please do help, any input will be much appreciated thanks
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Ignore the mugen fanbois. There are good quality replicas... although there are a lot of poor quality replicas.
Challenge is an excellent replica, very good attention to detail. Currently the only OEM replica out.
I've had my Seibon CF replica for 3+ years and it's fitment is almost as good as an OEM top.
Ultimately though, why do you want a CF top? For the looks of CF or the weight advantage? The OEM top is the absolute best fit and finish...albeit heavy (comparatively speaking).
If you like the style of the OEM style (what's not to like?), but want a lighter top, go with the Challenge. It's OEM CF replica is awesome and is the lightest top offered right now. The 2nd lightest is the Seibon CF top. It's about 2-3lbs lighter than the Mugen CF it's based off of. Had Challenge had their OEM replica out when I was top shopping, I would have gone with that one as I was in the market for the lightest top available.
But, if I were you, I'd keep the OEM one.
Challenge is an excellent replica, very good attention to detail. Currently the only OEM replica out.
I've had my Seibon CF replica for 3+ years and it's fitment is almost as good as an OEM top.
Ultimately though, why do you want a CF top? For the looks of CF or the weight advantage? The OEM top is the absolute best fit and finish...albeit heavy (comparatively speaking).
If you like the style of the OEM style (what's not to like?), but want a lighter top, go with the Challenge. It's OEM CF replica is awesome and is the lightest top offered right now. The 2nd lightest is the Seibon CF top. It's about 2-3lbs lighter than the Mugen CF it's based off of. Had Challenge had their OEM replica out when I was top shopping, I would have gone with that one as I was in the market for the lightest top available.
But, if I were you, I'd keep the OEM one.
now that you said seibon top fits great i am even more attracted to it now, i was always thinking about buying seibon just couldn't find anyone whos actually got one to tell me fitment.
and i was reading on the whole color change issue on seibon products. is your top still....cf color? or did it turn yellow?
Former Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 105,828
Likes: 152
I think it is a major downgrade to go from OEM to a knock off like Seibon or Vis. I know they have their fans on this forum, but they are fake parts that copied from a company with real engineering.
Besides, OEM and Mugen aren't far from each other by any means in used price. If you are lucky you might even get someone to do a one for one swap for an AUTHENTIC Mugen top.
Besides, OEM and Mugen aren't far from each other by any means in used price. If you are lucky you might even get someone to do a one for one swap for an AUTHENTIC Mugen top.
agree....100%
I saw the Challenge one at GingerMan last year and wow...it looks good... anything besides the Challenge or the Mugen would be a step down in my opinion. The only thing I will say is the Mugen rear window is smaller than OEM and there is less rear visibility...
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Kite23' timestamp='1328082417' post='21372287
I agree with everyone. Why stoop down to a replica if you got OEM? Like stated above, a REAL Mugen HT should be very close in price to a OEM.
'cause if they're that close then i might as well sell my oem top and buy a mugen top
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Zoomie' timestamp='1328052152' post='21371076
IMHO, the best around right now is the Challenge. Beautifully, beautifully made.
do you know if they fit well?
currently i am trying to choose between seibon and vis but of course i am open to others as well since i don't really know how they fit
Fitment is great! Use the OEM rear weather stripping. The main reason I wanted this top is, not only does it look great but it only weighs a lil over 20lbs with the Lexan rear window.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,223
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
Ignore the mugen fanbois. There are good quality replicas... although there are a lot of poor quality replicas.
Challenge is an excellent replica, very good attention to detail. Currently the only OEM replica out.
I've had my Seibon CF replica for 3+ years and it's fitment is almost as good as an OEM top.
Ultimately though, why do you want a CF top? For the looks of CF or the weight advantage? The OEM top is the absolute best fit and finish...albeit heavy (comparatively speaking).
If you like the style of the OEM style (what's not to like?), but want a lighter top, go with the Challenge. It's OEM CF replica is awesome and is the lightest top offered right now. The 2nd lightest is the Seibon CF top. It's about 2-3lbs lighter than the Mugen CF it's based off of. Had Challenge had their OEM replica out when I was top shopping, I would have gone with that one as I was in the market for the lightest top available.
But, if I were you, I'd keep the OEM one.
Challenge is an excellent replica, very good attention to detail. Currently the only OEM replica out.
I've had my Seibon CF replica for 3+ years and it's fitment is almost as good as an OEM top.
Ultimately though, why do you want a CF top? For the looks of CF or the weight advantage? The OEM top is the absolute best fit and finish...albeit heavy (comparatively speaking).
If you like the style of the OEM style (what's not to like?), but want a lighter top, go with the Challenge. It's OEM CF replica is awesome and is the lightest top offered right now. The 2nd lightest is the Seibon CF top. It's about 2-3lbs lighter than the Mugen CF it's based off of. Had Challenge had their OEM replica out when I was top shopping, I would have gone with that one as I was in the market for the lightest top available.
But, if I were you, I'd keep the OEM one.
TL;DR: You get what you pay for.
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 0