I just bought my new S2000 last week and I'm thrilled with it so far - it really is a fantastic car. I'm considering purchasing the hardtop for use during the winter months and I had a few questions for those of you out there who have one.

1) How does it effect visibility? It only took me a couple of hours to get used to the rather large blind spot over my left shoulder when the softtop is up - for a roadster the visibility is pretty good. Is it better or worse with the hardtop in place? Based on the few pictures I've seen, it looks like visibility would improve.

2) Is there any change in noise level with the hardtop on the car? Is it better or worse? Also, is the hardtop itself quiet, or have you noticed any squeaks and rattles coming from it?

3) How heavy is this thing? It looks like a pretty big piece of equipment, and I'll have to store it in my basement during the spring/summer/fall months. Do you think it is too big or heavy to get down a flight of stairs into a basement for storage? I know some manufacturers of roadsters with hardtop options will store these things for owners at local dealerships (some BMW and Porsche dealerships will do this). Does Honda do this?

4) How is the inside of the top finished? Is it a cloth/fabric liner, or is it a hard material?

5) Any thoughts in general on the benefits of the hardtop? Has it mostly been a cool cosmetic addition for you, or has it primarilly been positive as a functional improvement? Is there anything not to like about it?

Thanks ahead of time for any advice. I really appreciate it!

 

My hardtop is on order along with the car but I feel confident I can give you some good feedback.
1- visability is better with the hardtop than the softtop because the glass window wraps around the sides and is so very much larger.
2- road and car noise will be reduced with the hardtop. Some have had rattle/squeak noises but most have been solved by making adjustments to the installation i.e. tightening things up for a better fit, in addition to lubricating the rubber seals.
3- 44 pounds, not too heavy for one person but too awkward. 2 people moving it downstairs should be easy. Many have made hoists and have just stored them from the garage ceiling.
4- cloth/fabric liner on the inside is my understanding. People have said it is very nice.
5- personal call, I know I've ordered one!

 

What "Triple-H" says is pretty much it. The hardtop offers greater visibility, an incredibly responsive de-fog/de-icer, and some reduction in noise, but not a lot. For example, mine has some wind noise, although not excessive, and there is also a droning/booming sound when deccelerating as the engine drops below 2700 rpms. That said, I've been very pleased with the fit and finish of my hardtop and am delighted that I bought it.

 

Get the hardtop if you can afford it. It looks great and is very well made. My is Silverstone and has a black vinyl inner liner that matches the red/black interior perfectly. Noise is down a significant amount, especially at speed when you get a little of the soft top flap action. Visibility is significantly improved as well. One other thing -- you probably will get more comments about the car with the hard top on. It makes a rare car even more rare.

 

This brings up an interesting question: If I have the new all-Red interior, what color will the hardtop interior be?

JonasM

 

Probably ALL red

 

Sweeeeeet!

(I'll post the answer if my dealer can tell me for sure.....)


JonasM

 

(JonasM- I'm not laughing at you! I'm just laughing at the idea the dealer might know the answer to this very good question. Dealers in my area have amazed me over and over with their lack of information)

 

I've the hardtop (On for the UK Winter.).

1 - Visibility is a bit better. There is still a pillar to the sides, but the rear window is wider. I still have to watch what angle the car is to some junctions, but you soon adjust. Certainly better than the soft top.

2 - It's quite a bit quieter. I've had another owner who doesn't have a hard top in the car and he commented on this. Particularly wind noise is less when cruising at high speed.

3 - ~20kg. It's awkward to manouever. I'd strongly recommend always using two people to move it. There are metal spikes that go from the hard top down just behind the doors - these along with the latches fix it. You have to be careful lowering the hard top or you could easily dent/scratch the paintwork here. So it's not heavy enough to have you grunting, but it's awkward enough to require two people and car moving.

4 - It's a vinyl link finish. Quite hard to the touch. Very like the dashbaord.

5 - If you're driving in a climate like the UK's winter where you can use it for 3 months per year I'd recommend it. However, I suspect living with the soft top on a MY2002 with the heated rear window wouldn't be too bad. I specifically orderd my hard top with the car, because I knew I was going to be driving year round. Looks wise, it's great. Toughens up the car a bit. It's also been well designed - the whole hard top integrates with the car very well. Also improves the stereo sound a little bit.

-Brian.

 

I just got off the phone with him. He said "Knowing Honda, I expect that they'll all be the same" (i.e. Black Interior), but he'll be sure to tell the guy doing the ordering to check on color options, then let me know. Even though there's no more VIN plate on the hardtop for '02, I do know that the hardtop is still needs to be ordered by VIN, so they won't be able to order it until sometimein Feb when the VIN comes in. By then, I'll probably know. Of course, by late March, I'll be able to give the definitive answer!

JonasM