i want to know if the MY-2002 and later, provide any better viewing angles than the previous MY's. I know the obvious, that the glass provides more clear, but strictly just dimensions. I guess the correct question would be is the soft tops different in the area of the rear window?

 

Yes, plastic (00-01) windows are larger and provide better viewing angles than the glass (02-05), HOWEVER, angle means exactly di** if you can't actually see through the plastic.

 

The glass rear window on MY 02 and subsequent years is smaller (top to bottom) than the plastic window in MY's 00 and 01.