Yes Ws2000R, it does do something special, it transforms the car!

I have the Hardtop, and I will admit, it is not on often, but I'm so glad I got it. Some of my reasons are below, and some of them have been mentioned already.
- changes the look of the S completely when on
- makes me feel like I paid for one car and got two
- not many other people have one
- quieter highway ride
- easy to put on and take off
- greater security when traveling
- increased headroom for a helmeted head
- potential safety increase if car rolls over in sandtrap

 

some people, like me, didn't buy the s2k solely for the convertible top. i bought it mainly because it looks great, RWD and has an excellent engine mated with a close-ratio 6 speed transmission. having the converible is just another 'perk' of owning the s2k. for winter/fall, ill definately get the hardtop.

i agree that the hardtop makes the s2k look like a different car. another advantage is that people can't cut through your top because of the sturdier material.

 

I bought the hardtop with my S2K and then sold it when I never used it. The car is SUPER noisy with the hardtop on and I actually thought it did not look good with the hardtop on. Also on a spur of the moment thought I could not just lower the top for top down driving enjoyment. I was also worried about the HT leaving marks on the car as well. for these reasons I dumped my hardtop.

 

Didn't see it listed , but for the guys that do Track Time , it is a must. Many groups will require a Hardtop to let you run with them, so I purchased a Spa Yellow top Friday , as my first option. After a ton of local calls and 2 out of state I got lucky and checked the Sponsors page. I spent 5 minutes on the phone to Ganley Honda ( ask for Jeff Goetz , the Hardtop Guy , 1-800-342-8158 ) and I should have the top next week. Not only did he have one in stock, he knows his stuff, and I didn't have to wait 20 minutes on the phone with a Parts Mgr.
who had never even gotten one.Good info, fast processing, and a price $700
less than I found anywhere else. Track rats, this is the guy to call.

 

If you use the car as a daily driver and you live in the north, I can definately see use for the hard top in the winter. But down here in Florida, I'd only have to find a place to store it.

 

I've had my S in Tampa since 1/03 and I can count on one hand the number of times my top has been up at the same time as my wheels are rollin' .

 

I tried to find the Mugen hartop on mugen's site, but I don't read Japanese and I could find it. Anyone have a link to the Mugen Hardtop?

Also can anyone list the benefits/cons to Mugen vs Honda Hardtop?

 

The best reason for not buying the hardtop is that my top is always down. I don't use the car in the rain or snow, and the temperature doesn't bother me. If I had the hardtop in place I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the sunny January and February days.

 

If I had one I would use it for high speed runs.

 

I had a choice between the S and a 350Z. The Nissan dealer was giving me a good deal on a Z with the touring package. I liked it when I test droved but I wanted a convertible so that was the end of it.

However i hate the 'wwwwmmmpphhh' sound the soft top makes every time a truck goes by in the other direction. It also gets cold inside pretty quick when it rains heavily. And i like the way it looks with the HT on.

Probably not the most convincing reasons to by the HT but enough for me. Now I just need to find the money...:-)