First, I must say that it is a honor to be a member of the S2KI forum. I need some help from the forum, and I know that the advice and experience from the members has always been the best, and I would appreciate sharing the knowledge. I have an idea, and I would like to run it by the forum. Is it a possibility to remove the soft-top, including the mechanics of operation? The climate in Seattle is harmful to my soft-top, and I would like to have the option of adding a hard-top. I do not need the soft-top for nine months out of the year, and would like to remove the entire assembly, without causing permanent damage to the car, in case I would decide to put it back on. Is this a possibility, or is the rain getting to me head, a bit???

 

lol. have you looked around the forums at all? the ht's (hardtops) are everywhere. try looking around. -_-

 

Yes you can do it without problems

actually it is best of both worlds..a 2 seat coupe with removeable top
but if you go without hard top... it is ONLY a convertible.
It also leaves options for putting custom rear speakers in the rear deck lid
I also think by removing entire soft top and adding hard top it will net you a minimal weight savings

HTH

 

Do you plan to sell the soft top?

 

Entire soft top assembly can be removed but it's a major PITA. You need to remove the seats, center console, rollhoops, etc to get to the panels and mechanisms. It'd probably take a good 5-6 hrs of wrenching. You would definetly save weight. The entire assembly is near 110lbs. While a hardtop weighs in at 50lbs. I am considering doing this but what the hell would you do if you had the top off and were caught in a rain storm?

 

Umbrella?

What you're saying can be done. However, I have to say, if the S2000 came standard with no soft top and just a put-it-on-take-it-off hardtop, everybody would be coveting the fancy aftermarket soft-top option people were inventing. Just think. A convenient up in 6 seconds soft-top for only 110 lb.

 

I briefly considered doing this in my car since I almost never take the HT off, but I decided that the weight savings weren't worth it to me. The soft top doesn't get in the way and doesn't get damaged by sitting folded. At least this way for those occasional few days of the year that I take the HT off, I still have the soft top for security when parked and as rain protection. IMO it's just not worth it unless you're at the track every weekend.

 

If you remove the softtop you can put in the smallest back seat ever! Like the Jaguar convertible has, you cannot out your feet on the floor and the front seats touch the back seats. It is done for insurance purposes. I would leave it in, if you are ever planning on selling the car, major PITA.

 

Well Dan... one of two things...

Drive really FAST... or pull over under a bridge go to trunk get duct tape and tack down two big black garbage bags!!! from a distance it will look stock

 

Thanks for all the good input. Since the top is only 110 lbs, I thinik I'll just leave it on. Now to shop for the hardtop. Seems like the hardtop guy has that best prices...