Hardtop...or not?

[Tim Gedney]

Does anyone have any experience with the optional hardtop? Living in SOCAL, I'd probably be driving with only blue sky over my head, but what are the advantages of the hardtop?

[karnito]

Hard top is really nice. But you have to get the original factory one, and if possible get it in black color. The matching color one makes the car looks funny. The factory hardtop is a perfect fit top, and it would take 2 people to get on and off; unless you have a hoist device. I don't see how the carbon fiber would match the fitting, but then I wouldn't know since I have to OEM hardtop. It is much quiter then the canvas top and I can actually have a conversation in the car or listen to my favorite track. So, if you can find one on line or anywhere then get one. Honda is not making it anymore, since I was told that the factory that made the hardtop was destroyed in a fire. So, good luck with the fidning. And when you do get one, I can walk you thru the installation steps with the included hardwares. The only instruction came with the hardtop is how to lock the latches and removed the top from the vehicle or vice versa, and the actual installation is supposed to be done by the dealer's mechanic, ca-ching!!!

[Tim Gedney]

Gosh, lots of good information. Never thought of getting the top in a different color, but the contrast (like the ragtop) would be nice. The brief conversation with the dealer led me to believe that I can get one if I desire (at their price...eek). Think there'd be one on Ebay? Then again, living an hour north of San Diego, think I'd need one?

[karnito]

Tim,
The sunshine state eh. No one need a hardtop for the s2k, they just want one. I didn't need my at all, but there was one on ebay with black color and the price was right so I bit the bullet and did it. Now I am all happy cuz winter is coming to Houston pretty soon and so is the rain. In another word, if you like to drive with the top down all the time then the hardtop is not for you, because it is a pain to remove and storing it must be done properly; otherwise, the top wil bent and you will have a harder time to put it back on the car! But nevertheless, it is real cool to see it on the car. It gives the car a totally different look and sleek. With it on then the giant spoiler would look so proper on the trunk, not so without it!
So, to sum it up. You have to want one, but until you have one then you are going to enjoy it more. It is different! Oh, my s2k is red.
There is a chance a hardtop is listed on ebay at any time. So check it often.

[Tim Gedney]

Good advice. I think I'll skip the hardtop. Doesn't sound like it's really necessary here in SOCAL. I'm not bothered by road noise with the top up, and I guess it's just my new owner enthusiasm looking at all the "stuff" for the car. Thanks for the input!

[Java Junky]

If I'm not mistaken the Honda hardtop is aluminum.
Jus' what I'd want: another expanse of beautifully curved dent magnet (that, incidentally, has godda be wrestled around on occasion).

[sinister1]

Does anyone know the round about cost of the oem top?

[buddhahead]

Hi, I'm new here. I just bought an 06 silverstone with a matching hardtop. I liked the matching top for this color, just my preference, but I can understand with other colors such as yellow a black top would make it pop.

I live here in Huntington Beach Ca. and the weather is temperate all year round. I bought the top for those very hot, and the ocasional cold and rainy days. Also, when I go out on overniters I feel more secure with a hardtop. I figure a cut soft top is more expensive than a shattered window. I also drive the freeways and the sound isolation that the OEM cover offers is a definite plus. I'm still adjusting the top, and I'm close to completion. I had some creaking from the back which was resolved with Shin Etsu grease on the seals, and a bit of misalignment of the weather seal on the driver's side which was resolved by adjusting the matching seal.

I had the top installed, but as you can tell from my post I wasn't really happy with the results. There are instructions on the web for the installation of the top or in the service manual. If you're gonna try it yourself get the instructions and a friend before starting. I tried to attach the instructions, but it was too big.

Oh yeah, the cost of my top was $3200 and some change. Prices do vary by several hundred dollars, so look around. Also, check out the "hardtopguy.com". I've never done business with the guy, but his prices are pretty good.