Once you replace a soft top, is it never quite the same?
11-12-2015, 07:11 AM
#21
Thread Starter
Update - sorry, no pics. Car is getting a new black Robbins Stayfast cloth top installed by a reputable company for $1,495. I know that's a pretty significant amount of money, but it's a fair price judging from my research... and it'll be worth it.
The reason I decided to do this is simple. The company installing the top knows the S2000 inside and out. It took them about five minutes to show me exactly why I have my three problems. Problem one is because of improperly installed tension cables. Problem two is partially because of improperly installed tension cables, but primarily because of issues with the weather stripping. Problem three is caused by a couple of things: improperly installed straps (the ones that come with a glass upgrade soft top kit), improper mounting in the back (where the top disappears under the car's body, it's not tight like a drum and has too much slack).
They could fix all three issues (the first two being fairly easy), but the third issue requires disassembling the top. Plus, since the top has been stretched in its current position for a few years, it might not look perfect. Hence, the new top.
Like some of you said - it's all (at least, mostly) in the install. Thanks for all the insight.
The reason I decided to do this is simple. The company installing the top knows the S2000 inside and out. It took them about five minutes to show me exactly why I have my three problems. Problem one is because of improperly installed tension cables. Problem two is partially because of improperly installed tension cables, but primarily because of issues with the weather stripping. Problem three is caused by a couple of things: improperly installed straps (the ones that come with a glass upgrade soft top kit), improper mounting in the back (where the top disappears under the car's body, it's not tight like a drum and has too much slack).
They could fix all three issues (the first two being fairly easy), but the third issue requires disassembling the top. Plus, since the top has been stretched in its current position for a few years, it might not look perfect. Hence, the new top.
Like some of you said - it's all (at least, mostly) in the install. Thanks for all the insight.
11-12-2015, 07:19 PM
#22
my brother s2000 as well as mine both have the ez on top and we installed both of them ourselves and they fit 100% like OEM and we have no issues with them at all. In fact its nicer than oem because we got the stayfast material which is a lot softer and nicer. Lot of people bash ex on tops and i'm no expert but my 2 ex on installed tops are perfect.
11-14-2015, 06:37 AM
#23
Join Date: Nov 2007
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It comes down to the install. I installed my EZ ON top myself, and I think it turned out like 90% as good as OEM. I should have fixed the rear bar at a lower length than it said in the "instructions" that came with it. Which is why my rear window was very close to...or in contact with the rear hoops. I see that ALL the time with aftermarket tops though.
It was my first time ever doing anything like that, and it took me like 12 or 14 hours (I worked straight thru). My weather stripping could have been adjusted a little better. There was one small line of water entry right at the front corner of the driver window.
I could have fixed it...but decided to just go on living my life for the like....6 years that I had that top. I think I may have been the only one that noticed oddities in the top.
If I did the install again, it would be 120% as good as OEM...but...I sold my top and bought a hard top...and will likely never look back.
The white car has an actual original top.
This was my original Honda installed top for comparison.
It was my first time ever doing anything like that, and it took me like 12 or 14 hours (I worked straight thru). My weather stripping could have been adjusted a little better. There was one small line of water entry right at the front corner of the driver window.
I could have fixed it...but decided to just go on living my life for the like....6 years that I had that top. I think I may have been the only one that noticed oddities in the top.
If I did the install again, it would be 120% as good as OEM...but...I sold my top and bought a hard top...and will likely never look back.
The white car has an actual original top.
This was my original Honda installed top for comparison.
11-15-2015, 06:24 AM
#25
Registered User
Now that you know what's wrong, have you thought about trying to fix it yourself (before shelling out $1500 on a replacement)? Since you're willing to spend the $$ on a replacement, you don't have anything to lose.
11-15-2015, 07:18 AM
#26
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jdrum1
Now that you know what's wrong, have you thought about trying to fix it yourself (before shelling out $1500 on a replacement)? Since you're willing to spend the $$ on a replacement, you don't have anything to lose.
11-19-2015, 06:19 AM
#27
Thread Starter
Well, the new top is basically perfect (I have to replace a few broken plastic clips in the tray, but that's it). It fits like a tailored suit, looks terrific and has zero of my previous issues. The Stayfast cloth is nicer looking than my previous vinyl top too. Like some of you said, it's all in the install! Hopefully I can sell the previous top and recoup a little bit of my money.
11-20-2015, 02:39 PM
#28
Registered User
I have a very bad fitting, cheap looking aftermarket top as well. Installed by a cheap previous owner 
It is the single ugliest thing about the otherwise great car. I'm going to sell the car and get another S with a proper top. Never cheap out on a car!
It is the single ugliest thing about the otherwise great car. I'm going to sell the car and get another S with a proper top. Never cheap out on a car!
11-20-2015, 03:00 PM
#29
Community Organizer
Any particular reason you're selling the car instead of fixing the top? That seems like a extreme and pain in the butt process for correcting one thing.
11-20-2015, 03:11 PM
#30
Registered User