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I have two roadsters. One has always been garaged, it has its original top. The other spent the first 10 years of its life mostly garaged. We bought that car in 2015 and it has spent much of the time since then parked outdoors in the shade. The glass fell out in 2017 and we replaced the top. The car with the new top has spent its life in AZ, The car with the original top spent the first half of its life in WA and the rest in AZ.
08 SSB roadster with original top in excellent condition. Window is tight, no signs of separation at seams.
Stored in heated garage during our wonderful winter months
When I need a replacement it will be a blue top.
Hope this post doesn't jinx me and my glass fall out 😁
I have two roadsters. One has always been garaged, it has its original top. The other spent the first 10 years of its life mostly garaged. We bought that car in 2015 and it has spent much of the time since then parked outdoors in the shade. The glass fell out in 2017 and we replaced the top. The car with the new top has spent its life in AZ, The car with the original top spent the first half of its life in WA and the rest in AZ.
I spoke too soon, the window is coming loose on my black roadster. At least I’m experienced!
My rear window fell out at 20 years. Repair shop told me that I should have kept the top "up" more often to keep it stretched. My habit was to keep the top down all summer (except for rain) and then put if up for the 5-6 winter months of storage. It seems the tops can shrink if they are not kept "up" and tensed, and then when forced closed the weakest stretch point is around that rear window.
PS-Both Crossfires have been garaged AND covered since I owned them (roadster new; SRT6 2008).
My 07 SE's top failed in 2019 and was replaced in 2020. The guys did it before breakfast at the Eureka meet. At the time, a BAS top delivered to Texas was $740, it has gone up since then but not bad.
If you can put it on yourself or if you can get someone to do it for a reasonable fee - there is no sense in re-gluing the window.
PERSONAL OPINION: Gluing the window is fine but for my money, its a waste of time. My top was faded and OLD. A new tops costs around what a set of tires costs. A set of tires lasts me around 20,000 miles (I drive the car like a SPORTS CAR, cause a six speed Roadster IS a sports car, I DO NOT slow down for curves). A top every 10-15 years is nothing. TIRES are costly, tops are relatively cheap. Get over it, replace the top - and THEN do the "Aunt Jemima Treatment" on it every six months (or annually if you don't drive the car much).
Re: How many OEM tops
