Hardtop Group Buy

[Moresauce]

Hi Guys
have just spotted this and joined up because I can get a union jack hardtop for £100 less than normal so got to be a great deal!

View the forum here - www.british-cars.co.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=lotusbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=2001&source=T&thread=200306201132442469

PS
Picking up the Elise on Thursday, can't wait!

[W022A]

£640 inc VAT for a PAINTED hardtop for ANY elise is a total Bargain!

Has anyone seen a hard top on a Cobalt Blue? Looks totallly cool on the black elise, but worried it might look a bit naff in this colour.

Anyone know if there will be Elise hardtop suppliers at PistonFest - was hoping to pick up some bargains there.

DISCLAIMER: I never have my roof on on sunny days and I promise only to use the hard-top from December to February and remove it every weekend during this time if it is dry.

[W022A]

Forgot to metntion, anyone seen one of these hardtops in the flesh - do they look ok?

[skinner]

W022A said:

£640 inc VAT for a PAINTED hardtop for ANY elise is a total Bargain! Has anyone seen a hard top on a Cobalt Blue? Looks totallly cool on the black elise, but worried it might look a bit naff in this colour.

Yep, saw a Cobalt Blue 111s with hard top on at Wilsons in Chadwell Heath yesterday when mine was in for service. Looks v good, so good that I think I will be searching for one for November time for mine!!

[johno]

Skinner,

Why bother buying a convertable car to get a hardtop for it !!!!

I really do not understand why anybody would want to convert a convertable to a hard top. Some of the best rides with the roof off are to be had in the Autumn/Winter, better than the summer on occasions ...

Then in the summer you are stuck with having this bloody great piece of FG to store ... you muck all the fixings around taking it off/putting it on etc ...

Elise's don't leak that badly do they ?

This is an honest queston ... why would you want a hardtop ??

I am going to be difficult to convince having run a TVR as an everyday car for over 3yrs through every possible weather condition this country can throw at it without great trouble. Yes, there have been the odd leaks. But they are easily sorted. No, it doesn't steam up. I will admit that the roof on a TVR is a hard panel rather than a mohair/canvas job, but they are not that bad !

My mum runs an MX5 through the winter without requiring a hardtop as her everyday car so she can get the roof off when she can ...

Why ??

Edited to say : Skinner you're a tart and don't do enough miles to need to have the roof on ever !!

>> Edited by johno on Wednesday 25th June 12:16

[penelopepitstop]

i'm looking for an s1 at the moment - have been advised by a few to look for one with a hard top included - is this not the general opinion then?? am i being too soft??

[bogie]

yep - too soft - never seen the need myself

I would only ever use it in winter when the weather is really bad...but its too much hassle/time to fit so probably wouldnt bother even then.

I do 30K miles a year in all weathers, the car lives out in the rain on the drive. Its never leaked a drop (S2 short roof) and Id much prefer to be able to take the soft top off in a minute or so in winter when the weather is fine. Just wear hat and gloves, put the blower on and its great

Unless you live in a high crime area then I cant see the point myself

[thub]

I think the reason for buying a hardtop with the car is that this is the cheapest way to obtain one.

I'm not going to join in the 'why do I need a hardtop' argument. (Yes, I have one, and, yes, I use it) Each to his own.

[bogie]

agree - if you are getting it with the car then it maybe adds £500 ...you can always sell it later.

I now some people with new S2 Type 23/25 that came with the hardtop and theyve never taken them off ! each to their own - Im an ex biker and like the wind in the hair feeling...even in Winter the car is warmer than the bike was

[skinner]

johno said:

Skinner, Why bother buying a convertable car to get a hardtop for it !!!! I really do not....... blah blah blah..... >> Edited by johno on Wednesday 25th June 12:16

Yes, understand what you are saying Johno, however, leaving it outside the house I would feel a lot happier with it if it had a hard top on. Agree with bogie that there is no need to have a hard top 'cos the ability to just pop the top off and roll it into the boot is great, but there is no need to have a sports exhaust, mp3 player etc.

Just to repeat everyone else...each to their own!!

PS: Johno, I am not a tart and I do drive it. How much have your servicing bills been so far this year?

[W022A]

I'm with Bogie & co that hard tops defeat the point of owning a convertible and like I said, I take the top of at every opportunity I can. If I had one I would probably not use it for more than a month or two each year, BUT at this price you can't lose.

You could sell it for the same price you are paying for it, or when it comes to selling the car, it will add £££ and make it look like a more attractive buy than the one down the road (or next county!) without a hard-top.

[Felix7]

penelopepitstop said:

i'm looking for an s1 at the moment - have been advised by a few to look for one with a hard top included - is this not the general opinion then?? am i being too soft??

Not soft all - when the hard top goes on in the Winter, gives you a bit of added confidence when the car is parked in some dark dingy multi-story car park.

Having had roof slashed (not the Liz) its nice to have the option of both.