Lotus,
No, the boot is optional. If you don't mind putting it on, it does get a lot easier after the first couple times. Still inconvienent enough I don't use it much. Can help keep window on pre-'02's from scratching.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by david1
[B]Weather got nice here in Columbus, OH. Took took my S2K out of storage to drive and put the top down. A little chilly, 50 degrees but with the heater on, not so bad.

 

my boot is almost always on...
have never had to wash the top or the top well- both are like new. it is hard to put on the first time, and then you learn how to do it (it takes a few times to get the hang of it)-
my only hint is to put a wine-cork or something similar in the passenger side elastic part of the boot to keep it from rattling at higher speeds.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by StwoK
[B]

The boot always pops up when driving.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lovetodrive2000
[B]

Take it back to your dealer and have them adjust the stops.

 

The boot cover is pretty easy to put on after you've used it a while. I constantly take mine off and on, and it's much easier to put on now, than when I first got it. I also have the Mingster aeroscreen, and it helps a lot more than the small stock one. You might consider getting either the Mingster one, or Rick's.

 

I never put mine on. Not only is it kind of a pain, but I don't like leaving it parked anywhere with the top down. You never know what the weather is going to do and I don't trust people not to mess with the inside. Besides, the two tabs that are supposed to go under the rear decklid to keep the boot down, never stay under. So the back of the boot is constantly sticking up like an open clam shell. I need to glue some extenders or something onto the tabs so they won't come up. Also, the strap that pulls tight onto the button on the inside of the passenger seat fats in high wind. I can't figure it out. Whenever I'm driving over 45 MPH it just flaps quickly in the wind. I end up having to stuff an old t-shirt or something in between the strap and the plastic body peice.

Anyone else with these issues?

 

Oh, also. The thing barely fits in the trunk.

 

I use mine on occasion, especially if I going on a long drive with the top down. I am able to put it on and take it off without a problem. I would guess it takes about a minute to put on and another minute to take off. The important thing is to line up the 4 snaps ('00 model) first then do the other 2. Then I push down on the back of the boot to get the tabs to seat under the lip.

Jaded41, twist the strap on the passenger side and the strap wont flap in the wind.

 

Never install the boot? That sounds familiar. I've only had the boot on my Z3 twice in 5-1/2 years of ownership. What a pain to put on, and it only has 4 clips to deal with. Now the inside of the top is dirty. I try to clean it on occasion, but have learned to accept it. This is where I really appreciate the Boxster design. I suppose that if and when I decide to trade the Z3 in on an S2000 the boot will be tucked away in some remote corner of the garage.