Hardtop: Key Reasons to Have It
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Calgary, AB
I hope I'll be happy with mine. Honda Canada is giving me some BS about a 5-month wait for a GP White top. It was ordered in March, and hopefully I'll have it for August/September, just as summer is starting to end.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Brookfield
Originally posted by Daniel L
Is it really quieter? I've heard from some that it's louder.
Is it really quieter? I've heard from some that it's louder.
Yes and No. Basically, roadnoise is decreased, but engine noise (especially on the highway) is amplified. Now you have an aluminum top for all the engine noise to echo off of. Dont forget, our car was not designed to be quiet, so sound deaddening material is used sparingly!
Advantages...
1) Looks
2) Less road noise
3) Heat/AC retention (big one for me since I live in a colder climate)
4) Structural Enhancement (i read on this board it actually does not make a difference, but i feel a SLIGHT difference in handling characteristics)
5) Security
6) Looks!!!
Disadvantages:
1 and only 1) Dealership FVCK UP'S!!!! They put two holes in mine but are paying to get it fixed!
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,063
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From: Redondo Beach
The hard top is NOT structural -- it basically just clips on. If you think the car "feels" stiffer, it's probably just because you had a rattle or two developing with the soft top up. With the hard top, no rattle = greater perceived stiffness.
Try this: take off the hard top, put the soft top up, and drive over a bumpy road. Then put the top down, and drive over it again.
Try this: take off the hard top, put the soft top up, and drive over a bumpy road. Then put the top down, and drive over it again.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Kingwood
Originally posted by twohoos
The hard top is NOT structural -- it basically just clips on. If you think the car "feels" stiffer, it's probably just because you had a rattle or two developing with the soft top up. With the hard top, no rattle = greater perceived stiffness.
Try this: take off the hard top, put the soft top up, and drive over a bumpy road. Then put the top down, and drive over it again.
The hard top is NOT structural -- it basically just clips on. If you think the car "feels" stiffer, it's probably just because you had a rattle or two developing with the soft top up. With the hard top, no rattle = greater perceived stiffness.
Try this: take off the hard top, put the soft top up, and drive over a bumpy road. Then put the top down, and drive over it again.
No, amazing as it sounds, I can honestly feel a difference in the chassis rigidity. I've always had especially keen senses for small things like this. I can hardly believe how loose the BMW 330ci convertible feels compared to the S2000 (the Japanese engineers beat the Germans at this one!), whereas the 330ci coupe feels more rigid.
Being an engineer, I'll try to think of some way actually to measure this on the S2000--perhaps some kind of sufficiently sensitive measurement from top left windshield bracket to bottom right bracket where the hardtop attaches, measuring the slight distance changes as the car goes over bumps, both with the hardtop on and with it off.
Don't mind everyone's skepticism, though. It's healthy discussion. And there's always some chance I'm wrong, which I'll readily admit if my conclusions of today are later shown to be incorrect. I'm a true scientist and engineer, so my conclusions are always based on the evidence--all obtained so far and all to come.
Stan
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From: Brookfield
Rusler...I had the sidestrakes on the car when I bought it. I got the car with the HT, Side Strakes, and Rear Spoiler. The only thing I am missing is the front lip. I wouldnt know how hard to install, but looking at them, just a few screws and thats about all!