My #%@^! Plastic Window!

smalls777 · 01-09-2006, 07:15 AM

Well, i think it was the cold air that did it, but i'm really not sure. But my 2001 PLASTIC window BROKE! YES BROKE! Has this happened to anyone? I am very curious on what to do. Can it be unglued and replaced, how much? Is it
new top time? Thanks.

passmans2kNY · 01-09-2006, 09:35 AM

it broke on its own? like it just was standing still and broke, i cant see how that would happen, i have seen glass break in the cold but not plastic, were u putting the top down?

simpletantra · 01-09-2006, 10:36 AM

If you happen to have the warranty from Honda, they will replace it. (of course, only if you're still within the guidelines of the warranty - 100k miles) If I'm not mistaken, the convertible top is not actually covered in the warranty, but out of... I dunno, Honda's understanding that the plastic window was a piece of junk, they usually are willing to help you out with little or no cost. I am actually going to have my 2002's top replaced in two days...free of charge. It somehow manage to put a pen-tip sized hole in itself at one of the creases. So between the hole and the little tears at the bottom edges of each side, they offered to replace it.

smalls777 · 01-09-2006, 03:54 PM

no i was putting it down....

I also have tears on the creases and on the bottom of the roof( i'm sure in the same places all the rest of these early s2000's. but i talked to honda of america and they pretty much told me i could purchase just the window, but in light of things i may just replace the whole roof. after looking it over i feel it's about time. thanks for the input.

Java Junky · 01-09-2006, 06:57 PM

Replacin' the whole shebang? Gettin' a glass window this time?
Be well.

MattG · 01-09-2006, 10:13 PM

Given that is is probably winter ove there - what was the outside temperature whilst you were trying to lower the top?

smalls777 · 01-10-2006, 02:33 PM

it was about 55 degrees. but i have done this before, even in colder weather. its just bizarre. as far as replacing it with glass, i don't believe that this is possible... my understanding is they changed the way it folds via chassis, hence the plastic folding in half. the glass window must fold in, then down... i'm not replacing the chassis, just the vinyl...

smalls777 · 01-10-2006, 02:40 PM

Color me red...

I guess you can get an aftermarket glass top. Cool. Now i just have to recover from christmas and save my pennies. Got Duct Tape? :P

Java Junky · 01-10-2006, 07:42 PM

Jus' as a matter of note guys: plastic work hardens just like metal. 'Difference is that plastic work hardens without bein' stressed. It work hardens jus' sittin' there. Most plastics slowly leach the chemicals that they're made of to different extents. They go from bein' young n' pliant to old n' cantankerous . . er . . plastic . . I'm talkin' plastic here . . brittle. Old n' brittle.
Anybody up on the findings of research on plastic bein' aged RAPIDLY by it's use in the microwave? 'Ever notice how those opaque plastic containers get alot opaquer n' brittle after bein' nuked? This ain't rocket science folks. Those chemicals that the plastic's breakin' back down into are goin' somewhere.
But I gotta admit, it adds a certain "zing" to Ma Java's meat loaf.

WhiteS2kHardtop · 01-12-2006, 11:26 AM

Sorry to hear about your problem Smalls. Just a little bit of advise for you......At the two Honda dealerships I have worked at, we put S2000's on an upper level and try to help them out whenever possible. Depending on the year and miles on your car, if you are outside the 3/36 warranty the dealer can "goodwill" certain repairs up to 75,000 miles. There is usually a cost limit of 750$ or less, but with a little assistance from the factory DSM
(district service manager) they can exceed that 750$. If I were you, I would go to your local dealer and explain your concerns with the window and the top tearing. You arguement should be.." If I have to budget for putting a window or complete top in this car every x-amount of years then why isnt it in the maintenance schedule?" I would go on to explain how youre a loyal Honda owner and purchased their top of the line car because it is supposed to be just that...top quality and that this seems to be a design flaw which causes premature wear and tear. Now dont go in there guns ablazin....because they dont have to do anything at all. You'll catch more bee's with honey if you get my point. My roomate has an S2k as well. His is a 2000 with over 90k miles on it and the DSM offered to split the cost of his 50/50. And it should be noted that your share of the 50/50 is at the warranty cost which is about 20% less than list price. Let me give to an example...if retail is 750.....your cost would obviously be 375. If warranty cost for the same repair is 600, then you pay 300. So, not only are you getting it at half the cost, it is discounted. Some dealers...depending on service history and what not.... will go 50 or 75% and is some cases even 100%. All you have to do is ask.....Hope this helped.

smalls777 · 01-16-2006, 12:19 PM

Thank You for the advice. I will do my homeowork and start deciding my plan of action.

01-09-2006, 07:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
smalls777 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 69	My #%@^! Plastic Window! Well, i think it was the cold air that did it, but i'm really not sure. But my 2001 PLASTIC window BROKE! YES BROKE! Has this happened to anyone? I am very curious on what to do. Can it be unglued and replaced, how much? Is it new top time? Thanks.

01-09-2006, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
simpletantra Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 18	The broken top.... If you happen to have the warranty from Honda, they will replace it. (of course, only if you're still within the guidelines of the warranty - 100k miles) If I'm not mistaken, the convertible top is not actually covered in the warranty, but out of... I dunno, Honda's understanding that the plastic window was a piece of junk, they usually are willing to help you out with little or no cost. I am actually going to have my 2002's top replaced in two days...free of charge. It somehow manage to put a pen-tip sized hole in itself at one of the creases. So between the hole and the little tears at the bottom edges of each side, they offered to replace it.

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01-09-2006, 09:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
passmans2kNY Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 182	it broke on its own? like it just was standing still and broke, i cant see how that would happen, i have seen glass break in the cold but not plastic, were u putting the top down?

01-09-2006, 03:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
smalls777 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 69	no i was putting it down.... I also have tears on the creases and on the bottom of the roof( i'm sure in the same places all the rest of these early s2000's. but i talked to honda of america and they pretty much told me i could purchase just the window, but in light of things i may just replace the whole roof. after looking it over i feel it's about time. thanks for the input.

01-09-2006, 06:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,442	Replacin' the whole shebang? Gettin' a glass window this time? Be well.

01-09-2006, 10:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
MattG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 363	Given that is is probably winter ove there - what was the outside temperature whilst you were trying to lower the top?

01-10-2006, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
smalls777 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 69	it was about 55 degrees. but i have done this before, even in colder weather. its just bizarre. as far as replacing it with glass, i don't believe that this is possible... my understanding is they changed the way it folds via chassis, hence the plastic folding in half. the glass window must fold in, then down... i'm not replacing the chassis, just the vinyl...

01-10-2006, 02:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
smalls777 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 69	Color me red... I guess you can get an aftermarket glass top. Cool. Now i just have to recover from christmas and save my pennies. Got Duct Tape? :P

01-10-2006, 07:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,442	Jus' as a matter of note guys: plastic work hardens just like metal. 'Difference is that plastic work hardens without bein' stressed. It work hardens jus' sittin' there. Most plastics slowly leach the chemicals that they're made of to different extents. They go from bein' young n' pliant to old n' cantankerous . . er . . plastic . . I'm talkin' plastic here . . brittle. Old n' brittle. Anybody up on the findings of research on plastic bein' aged RAPIDLY by it's use in the microwave? 'Ever notice how those opaque plastic containers get alot opaquer n' brittle after bein' nuked? This ain't rocket science folks. Those chemicals that the plastic's breakin' back down into are goin' somewhere. But I gotta admit, it adds a certain "zing" to Ma Java's meat loaf.

01-12-2006, 11:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
WhiteS2kHardtop Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 13	Sorry to hear about your problem Smalls. Just a little bit of advise for you......At the two Honda dealerships I have worked at, we put S2000's on an upper level and try to help them out whenever possible. Depending on the year and miles on your car, if you are outside the 3/36 warranty the dealer can "goodwill" certain repairs up to 75,000 miles. There is usually a cost limit of 750$ or less, but with a little assistance from the factory DSM (district service manager) they can exceed that 750$. If I were you, I would go to your local dealer and explain your concerns with the window and the top tearing. You arguement should be.." If I have to budget for putting a window or complete top in this car every x-amount of years then why isnt it in the maintenance schedule?" I would go on to explain how youre a loyal Honda owner and purchased their top of the line car because it is supposed to be just that...top quality and that this seems to be a design flaw which causes premature wear and tear. Now dont go in there guns ablazin....because they dont have to do anything at all. You'll catch more bee's with honey if you get my point. My roomate has an S2k as well. His is a 2000 with over 90k miles on it and the DSM offered to split the cost of his 50/50. And it should be noted that your share of the 50/50 is at the warranty cost which is about 20% less than list price. Let me give to an example...if retail is 750.....your cost would obviously be 375. If warranty cost for the same repair is 600, then you pay 300. So, not only are you getting it at half the cost, it is discounted. Some dealers...depending on service history and what not.... will go 50 or 75% and is some cases even 100%. All you have to do is ask.....Hope this helped.

01-16-2006, 12:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
smalls777 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 69	Thank You for the advice. I will do my homeowork and start deciding my plan of action.