My 2001 has an annoyance that my 2000 did not have. Its VERY hard to get the top mechanisms to release my top. I have to PUSH real hard to get the latches to get closer to the windshield pillar or they continue to catch. its a real pain, I sometime had to push extremely hard. Its been a real pain!

 

On the last two 2001's I sold, I noticed the same thing! I really had pull down on it just to put enough "slack" on the top to release the latches. On the "plus side" at least they don't rattle like mine.

 

I have a 2001, and mine are VERY tight as well...however, I am able to snap them off and on very quickly now, and now appreciate how reassuringly tight they are.

I find it a TON easier if I always start with the passenger-side when I am putting down or up. Its too far away to fiddle with any amount of strength or leverage.

Another thing that helps a lot, when putting roof down, is to do the passenger-side, then keep the tight seal with my right hand by holding down on the little handle in the roof header and using my thumb to cynch against the trim just below that. It takes the tension off the driver-side mechanism and lets that hook get free of the catch.

[Edited by SilverFog on 04-15-2001 at 11:51 PM]

 

I've got the same problem... it's not a problem really, just pull the handle as far forward as possible. It seems to be more noticeable during cold tempuratures.