34 replies to this topic

[Tail slide]

Hi all Bought an NA last weekend, after years of only TVR's. Just fitted Nitrons/Eibachs yesterday & set geometry so enjoying the wonderful handling & feedback today, and hoping not to spend more for time being BUT... ....although softop seems waterproof, heading into winter I wondered what various advantages people have found of a hardtop?

[LazyDonkey]

There is only one. It looks cool as fcuk. People will talk about it being more secure, better waterproofing, keeping the heat in etc etc etc But to be honest it just looks cooler. On the downside its a pain to store in the summer, you can't enjoy the sun if it makes a winter appearance, the water comes pishing off the roof and in through your open window and if your car is as loud as mine (ITG and piper) then it makes a loud car even louder. It looks cool though. Had one and used it for the first 2 winters and then sold it when i left the softtop on for a bit last Dec and the GF commented "god it's much quieter isn't it" They do look cool though

[Ouchie]

Apparently the hardtop looks cool. ** peers out window *** Yep, looks cool.

[Toady]

I disagree with all the above, apart from the looks bit, though dont have a loud car. Fitted a hardtop last week and I find the car so much nicer! It IS warmer once the heater gets warm as is better insulated now, and also its much quieter at 60-80mph! to the point I can actually still hear the stereo, or hold a conversation with someone without having to shout.

[boghouse]

How difficult are they really to fit properly??

[LazyDonkey]

I disagree with all the above, apart from the looks bit, though dont have a loud car. Fitted a hardtop last week and I find the car so much nicer! It IS warmer once the heater gets warm as is better insulated now, and also its much quieter at 60-80mph! to the point I can actually still hear the stereo, or hold a conversation with someone without having to shout.

so even though your car is quiet you feel you can disagree with my statement ? Also they dont have a gutter on the roof so any water on the roof will come in if you've left you window open so as to not steam the windscreen !

boghouse - once you get the knack it's 10 mins tops/

Edited by LazyDonkey, 23 November 2008 - 10:27 PM.

[Sutol]

Its really good to have the roof off in the summer but it gets unbearably hot if the suns beating down. Underway the car is still warm in the cabin even with the windows wound down. With the HT on, the car seems a lot cooler not only in looks but also for the occupants. Its also a little more aerodynamic (over the ST) albeit a little heavier.

[DEKKER]

Its really good to have the roof off in the summer but it gets unbearably hot if the suns beating down. Underway the car is still warm in the cabin even with the windows wound down. With the HT on, the car seems a lot cooler not only in looks but also for the occupants. Its also a little more aerodynamic (over the ST) albeit a little heavier.

aerodynamic?
according to the windtunnel tests quoted in other threads it causes lift at high speed


but this is more than offset by how cool it looks

Edited by DEKKER, 23 November 2008 - 10:50 PM.

[LazyDonkey]

but this is more than offset by how cool it looks

it does look cool

[savvy]

don't care what you lot think, i think they look quite cool

[Sutol]

Its really good to have the roof off in the summer but it gets unbearably hot if the suns beating down. Underway the car is still warm in the cabin even with the windows wound down. With the HT on, the car seems a lot cooler not only in looks but also for the occupants. Its also a little more aerodynamic (over the ST) albeit a little heavier.

aerodynamic?
according to the windtunnel tests quoted in other threads it causes lift at high speed


but this is more than offset by how cool it looks

never get to high speeds but a smooth surface has got to be slippier than a bit of rag or an open top. Yeah i suppose with the air allowed to flow quicker over the roof it would provide a lower pressure, what sort of speeds does this result in lift?

[Toady]

How difficult are they really to fit properly??

10-15mins is what it took me, seems to have fit nicely. I've not yet had any probs with leaking either.

[Tail slide]

Thanks for all replies & opinions guys. There were certainly a few things I hadn't thought of! I'll probably get one for looks & some of the practical advantages, but shouldn't be too much of a hardship living with a soft-top for a few months then. May be a toss-up between that and an exhaust/remap though! Paul

[techieboy]

No doubt the car looks better with the hardtop on but I'm fecked if I can do a trackday with it on. Just not enough room to manoeuvre with a crash helmet on and the hardtop fitted.

[JG]

.

Agree with Lazy, there need be no other reason other than it looks



Although back on these wheels now

[LazyDonkey]

No doubt the car looks better with the hardtop on but I'm fecked if I can do a trackday with it on. Just not enough room to manoeuvre with a crash helmet on and the hardtop fitted.

I can barely fit in with the soft-top on an a crash helmet.


heeeeeeeeeeeed

[Duncan VXR]

Advantages for me are Looks :D:D:D lol Quieter, especially on motorway (car is not quiet Miltex, no cats and modded airbox and stage 4 Security Helps with demisting in the morning Helps keep some heat in Loose some of the view out of the front window (at the top) 6'3" is my problem Disavantages for me are No chance of doing a track day as I dont fit with the helmet on lol Quieter - tunnels are just not the same Don't get to whip the top off if the suns out Water dripping into window as mentioned Find in the heat of summer the hard top not great with letterbox windows, although stops sunburn. Storage is a pain

[casino]

keeps the cold out specially if its lined.

[VXJON]

No doubt the car looks better with the hardtop on but I'm fecked if I can do a trackday with it on. Just not enough room to manoeuvre with a crash helmet on and the hardtop fitted.

I can barely fit in with the soft-top on an a crash helmet.


heeeeeeeeeeeed

heeeed




Hardtop looks cool

[Guy182]

hardtops look loads better than roof off IMO.

also on the motorway theres a mega reduction in the wind noise fom a softop.