One of my favorite activities is driving with the top down. There is nothing, in my opinion, that even comes close. Unfortunately, winter is coming. I know that I can still keep the top down and use the heat, but the reality is that it rains, snows and gets mighty cold.

My question, for those of you who have hardtops, is this, what is the benefit of the hardtop over the softtop? Is it worth the approximate $3,000. Does it help to keep the car warmer and quieter? Is it reasonably easy to remove and install, or do you leave it on all winter once you put it on? Would you buy it again?

As far as styling goes, I happen to think the S is beautiful either way so this is not a consideration.

I live in Northern New Jersey so weather is a factor.

I am considering one and I'd like some feedback from those of you who have some experience with it.

Thanks.

 

I definatly woud get the hardtop again, one of the best advantages to me is the large rear window that enhances the visibility, especially in winter. Also seems like snow is easier to clean off hardtop. I plan on putting my top on for the winter around holloween untill around St. Pattys Day. The top is very easy to put on and take off..just need a helper as it is clumsy.

 

I think the ht is a wise investment. I too enjoy driving with the top down, but do not like top down driving a convertible in extreme wheather, to hot or to cold. My car won't see snow but I love using the ht when it is 90+ dergress out with high humidity. The ht also gives the car a totally different look. It is like having 2 cars in 1.

As far as price goes call Jeff at Ganley Honda, outside Cleveland. He is selling tops for $2000 as long as you don't have the new 02 colors. Tell him hondafan sent you. Buy it. You will love it!

 

I wouldn't get it after reading your post above . Like the poster above said you need a helper to put it on & take it off, if your going to be taking it on & off depending on weather its gonna be a pain in the ass esp. if your doing it every other day. For me the hardtop was a must & i have no regrets. I live in southern PA(20miles north of philly) & my hardtop is on from Oct.-March, 6 months on 6months off. I think the hardtop looks amazing & the rear defroster really helps out on those cold days. Since you have a 2002 you already have a rear defroster unlike the '00 & '01's which had the plastic window, so the defroster shouldn't be an issue for you. Expect to pay between $2500-$3000 for the top installed, good luck with your decision

 

adding the hard top is like having a second car. not only does it look great.... ....but it makes for a much better ride than the rag top. you listed the benefits, quieter (the stereo upgrade sounds much better with the hardtop, better visibility, rear defroster and maybe a little more safe at the track.
order one today!!!

 

Put a hoist in your garage and it is a one person job to take on and off. Only takes 5 minutes to drop down from your ceiling and attach to the car. Taking it off is even faster.

 

Though I've sold my S2000 and am now enjoying the benefits of public transportation in Madrid, Spain, I would absolutely recommend a hardtop. In addition, to all of the other comments that people have contributed, it gives the car an entirely different look. It really add to the lines of this beautiful vehicle.

Originally, I was very skeptical on purchasing it. I declined when I originally bought the car... $2500 is a lot of money. Eventually, I took the plunge and was ecstatic with it. It really is a 1 minute install/removal with a helper.

Rest assured, once I return to the States and purchase a new S2000, I'll be buying another hardtop from the beginning.

 

Hardtop? YES, save cost get it from Ganley. $2450 installed and delivered or $2150 installed and picked up.

 

Get it, get it, get it. Get it from HardTopGuy (Jeff from Ganley Honda in Ohio).

You'll be warmer in the winter (though with the awesome heater in this car that may not really be an issue), definitely quieter (though you do hear the driveline a bit more), and I'm sure it's way easier to clean snow off (not an issue for me - mine's parked all winter).

Build yourself a hoist in the garage (one of these days I'm going to post pics of mine.....) and taking it off becomes a 5 minute one-person job, so if the weather is really nice at some point in January, top-down is 5 minutes away....

Just my opinion, of course...



JonasM

 

I drove my car the first winter with no hardtop as it was on back order. I scratched the heck out of my rear window but if you have a glass window, then it's not a problem to go the whole winter without the HT.
Since I have winter almost 5-6 months a year, the HT transforms the car. It's like driving two different cars during the same year. It definately changes the character of the car. It's not chump change but I think it's worth it. It does keep the interior a bit warmer but the heater is so good that the HT is not really necessary for this point. The trouble is, if you are running only soft top all winter, you may be tempted on a warmish day to put it down. Doing this repeatedly in winter 'might' cause problems with the material as it goes through such dramatic temp changes over such short periods of time. You may think it's warm out but when the top is folded in its well, does it get as warm as the rest of the interior? (I'm just guessing, here.)
As for needing a helper to handle the top:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=16061