I'm wondering what all is involved with having the convertible and the hardtop. How hard is it to put the hardtop on and off? What has to be done to the softop while the hardtop is on? I've never had a convertible before but having a hardtop sounds like a good idea for me in the winter time. Thanks for any help.

 

The initial installation takes a couple of hours and the kit used varies depending on the VIN range of the car. Pre-'02 cars require installation of a switch in the center console for the defroster, but that installation is simple as well. Once you have it installed, taking it on and off takes just a couple minutes. Two locking levers in back and two latches in front. When you've got the hardtop on, the soft top is folded down as it normally would be in convertible mode. Now call Hardtopguy and order your's today!

 

After first install, can one person remove it and put it back on?

 

If you have a hoist in the garage, one person can. Otherwise due to the size, it's a 2-person, 5 minute job.

 

That certainly sounds easy enough. Would it be best to get the dealer to install it or just do it myself? I'm taking it that Hardtopguy specializes in the tops for the S2000. I'll probably be getting a 2004 S2000. Thanks for the information.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lynn02
I'm wondering what all is involved with having the convertible and the hardtop.

 

I've taken mine off by myself(without a hoist) but it ain't easy. Its only 44lbs, but the size makes it very difficult to handle by yourself. And you better make sure you have a plan on how to put it down after you've picked it up. I would never even think about putting it on by myself without a hoist. That's just asking for trouble.

 

oh man..... i want a hardtop so bad..... I think I want the hardtop more than the comptech SC.

 

Although I don't recommend putting it on by yourself, it can be done if you're relatively strong. You have to put something on the seat (to prevent stretching the leather when you put your knee on it), then pick up the top from underneath. With one hand on the center of the glass and the other on the front edge, put your right knee on the driver's seat (or left knee on the passenger's seat) and carefully lower the hardtop pins into place. Your body gets twisted this way, but it works.

If you're skittish, you may want to put some towels around the trunk area. If you're a big guy, there might not be enough room to do it this way.

I've thought about doing this facing the other way (instead of putting your knee down, actually sit down sideways on top of something to raise you up a bit), but I haven't tried that yet.

 

You might want to re-think taking off and putting on the HT by yourself. It has been posted by an owner that he dropped the thing onto his car. Not a hard drop but the end result was NOT pretty.