sorry to go off topic here...but how often do you guys put your tops up and down ?

I ask because I have never had holes in my convertibles tops but I only put the top up 2 or 3 times a year and one car has not had the top up in 4 years now, no I don't have that many cars but all 3 of them are convertibles.

Since the S2000 would become my nearly daily driver when I get one, I can see putting up the top a lot, such as whenever it rains (does not rain often here in S.Calif. but it does rain sometimes), I can see 2 or 3 months of the year where I might put the top up or down 2 or 3 times a week, with the top down the other 9 months. Am I going to be having holes in my top after a few dozen times up and down or are you guys putting them up/down daily ?

 

Not all owners have this problem. I put mine up every time I park and down practically every time I drive with no sign of unusual wear (yet) so it would seem that usage is not the main problem. However, preventative maintence might be prudent in this case and clag seems to have come up with a quick effective fix. I don't think the molding he's selected is too thick to stretch the top material beyond reason (it's got to be thick enough to resist buckling out of position).
A pic of the area from the outside would show whether or not you could even see the imprint of the pad.
I hope clag gets back to us with good results after a little testing. Nothing like a cheap quick fix for a potential major PITA.

 

[QUOTE=GTI 20v,Feb 15 2007, 08:53 AM]I am still trying to find photos of what the wear looks like that this fix is designed to solve.

 

 

Great idea! Ap2's have this same problem as well.... check out this post

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=404988

I think i may try the sail tape material idea. Can you guys take pics of where that needs to be placed? and where can I get that material from?

 

I almost never drive with the top up. Only do so when inadvertly caught in rain.

I never hatch the top up, unless i have to drive with the top up. In particular, i never hatch the top when parked (even in the street), just bring it to the closed position. Being in Japan, car theft is not an issue.

In conclusion, my top is almost never stressed by the hatch. I believe with this treatment, it won't develop holes...

[addendum August 2008]
... but it did anyway. Top replaced under warranty.

 

That must be nice.

 

How cold does it get in Reno? Do you operate the top in weather under 60 deg. F. ?

 

Be careful with that...I used to put the top up without latching until I once drove off without lowering it again. It's now quite difficult for me to latch the top.

 

Google is your friend, however if you are a hands-on shopper, try your local marina.

[QUOTE=Ravenwerk,Feb 17 2007, 05:23 AM]A pic of the area from the outside would show whether or not you could even see the imprint of the pad.