Terd,

Honda replaced my MY01 (50k miles) soft-top with a brand new top (with glass), for free. None of the "75%" BS. Only think I can think of that may be different is I do all my service at this 1 dealer, who vouched that I was a "good honda customer." Maybe that helped...?

Dinnyin

 

Yeah, my dealer vouched for me too. I get all my service done at the dealer and I am a loyal repeat customer.

 

Hey Terd,
the whole point of this thread was to illustrate a successful technique to get a new softtop. You've already shown that the dealership will screw you if you go to them even with a legitimate claim on 'extended' warranty. You already have a decision made on your VIN number. Goodluck on trying to get that overturned.

As discussed earlier, American Honda has a obscure decision matrix when they elect to goodwill the top ranging from free to no coverage. What was the reason you harped on to get the top replaced? Defect seems to be one that Honda will react positively toward....

 

Dinnyin,

Are you the original owner of your s2k? If so, that coupled with your regular maintanance of your car at the dealership means the dealership has made a lot of continuing revenue from you that more than made up for the cost of a softtop, and will also insure you continue to do so.

If this wasn't the case, why do you think you made out with the free top? The dealership is not your friend more times than not...

 

I followed his "successful strategy" to a T. It just didn't work out for me. Jeez, he didn't even have a warratny and got 75% covered. I am a loyal customer to my dealer as well. I HAD to go the dealer to get the problem seen by someone. I first called Honda customer service just as he did and was instructed to take it to the dealer to have it seen.

The bottom line is that Honda makes arbitrary decisions on warranty claims and they just pull these decisions out of the air (or their ass) and do whatever they feel like.

I still don't understand how a convertable top couldn't be covered when it clearly is a design flaw/defect that when you put it up and down, it rubs against the latch until it rubs a hole. Even the dealer admitted that it sucks that they are going to deny this claim. There is not a lot more they can do. They are assisting me in every way with Honda Customer Service to try to get this problem goodwilled.

 

I believe I said the word defect at least 7 times in my call to Honda customer service...

I should have an answer by Monday and I'll be sure to share the results.

 

Went out and marked my problem areas on my top before I bring it in so that I can reinforce all the spots after I get the new top on.

 

woohoo for you

 

Got my car back with the new softtop. WOW...that's what a clear plastic window looks like! I am going to put static tint on it tomarrow to guarantee that it stays NEW. The dealership also put in RECALLED spark plugs for me too!

One negative that happened was they pulled the interior door handle off my drivers door somewhere along the last two days they had it...they ordered a new drivers side panel to replace it and that will come in within the week.

Overall I am ESTATIC to say the least. My 4 year old car looks INCREDIBLE now with it's deep black top and it seems to run better with the NEW plugs!

 

Well, Honda has changed their minds and are giving me a brand new top. No word yet as to whether it will be a plastic or glass window. Good luck to everyone else trying to get a top.