You're right, I should have searched. I was headed out the door [to go check out the '04s at the local Honda dealers ] and posted this topic quickly before I left.

I did search now and found most people think there is a bit more headroom with the HT on. This is good. However there were a few who felt the opposite. Must have to do with how far back you sit? I'm 5'11" and mostly torso so I imagine I'd have the seat farther forward than most tall people.

Quik S2k - We'll see. I looooove my MR2 but lately it spends more time in the garage/shop than on the road.


For some reason headroom is a big issue for me in 99% of the cars I drive. I purposely bought my '87 MR2 with T-tops so I could remove them when I have my helmet on and gain more headroom [although my helmet still whacks the back of the roof sometimes].
http://www.pbase.com/image/23191148
http://www.pbase.com/image/23191142

 

You know you want to Brian.....and if you do and you dont like that monstrously ugly rear bumper, I'll swap it for my 03 bumper...only because you're my friend

OK, you drove one at the track, you have seen mine a few times, and seen the Fresno guys run theirs at the auto-x.....what's not to like? The one thing you just have to get used to is being able to drive it whenever you want. I know, comnig from an MR2 it is gonna be dificult, but give it time, and you'll be used to it

 

The window on the OEM hardtop is larger than the softtop so the visability is greatly increased...

 

Just a counterpoint - I'm 6'3", put the seat all the way back and had a bit of a problem with my helmet on for the last autocross of the year. Might be the difference in curve of the headliner compared to the lack of liner with the soft top but I had to make adjustments so my head wasn't cranked forward.

With no helmet, there's no clearance issue.

 

Guess I have to just get in and see for myself. Any Central Valley S2k owners have a hardtop and wouldn't mind me taking a test-sit?

The MY02 I drove at the track was driven with the hard top removed and the soft top down, of course. Plenty of headroom in that condition.

Rachael, now why would I want a yellow rear bumper? I'm a sucker for red, as you can imagine given what I drive. I'm not usually a fan of silver but I saw a Silverstone '04 at Honda North and it looked stunning. Heh, I'm picking out colors already and I haven't even crunched the numbers to see if I can afford one yet. Too bad you can't get the tan interior with New Formula Red. Clawson Honda has an '04 Grand Prix White with the tan interior... very inviting!

Too bad Mitch doesn't autox his S2k anymore... well, maybe he will again when it gets fixed. He really knew how to wiggle that car through the cones. He's an inspiration.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NNY S2k
The window on the OEM hardtop is

 

Seems to me to have less headroom with the hardtop than the soft top.

 

rworne: I don't notice the increased visibility in the mirrors as much as when turning my head and looking out the window, such as in backing up or when coming to stop signs at odd angles. And while we're talking about visibility I'll be the 1st to say it is better with no top than with a hardtop.

 

Does anyone regret buying their hardtop?

 

BryanH,
I have the same setup you want: an 87 T bar MR2 and MY00 silverstone with hardtop. I am 6'1". The S definitely has more headroom. I am not an avid autocrosser but I have done it once in the S but not with the hardtop. There is a lot more headroom clearance in the S so I have to say I would fit wearing a helmet with the hardtop on. The same cannot be said with the MR2. Headroom (and leg room also) is very tight in the MR2, in fact, I always drive with the sunshade off just so I can get more headroom. If I needed to wear a helmet in the MR2 I definitely would have to remove the glass T top to fit the helmet, just like in your picture.