Soft top vs. hard top
 

The only thing keeping me from buying a new 370z is my reservations regarding potential problems with having a soft top versus a hard top. Reliability, security and limited resale appeal of a soft top. Most of the newer convertibles are hard tops. What's your opinion - should I wait for the Z to offer a hard top option, seek another convertible with a hard top or just accept the risks and buy the softtop 370z?

Get the rag top.

Didn't know a hard top was going to be offered as an option.

My own feedback is this:
My Roadster has been on the road since April and I have NO signs of any problem at all. No rip, no crease, nothing. ...... (yet)

I don't know if it will eventually hit all of us, but it does seem like it only has hit a few of us, even though one of us is enough. That has to be like having your heart torn out to experience that.

My guess is that it's an assembly glitch that affected some, not all, of the tops. Otherwise it would seem that all of us would have a rip by now.

Buy the Roadster, don't buy the Roadster, the ultimate choice is up to you, but so far, my experience has been nothing but positive.

what a question for the 1st post.

Welcome to the Forum! :hello:

Like Hi-Step'n370Z said, buy what you like. Both are good in their own way.

soft tops will need to replaced in 10 yr hard tops will last longeR?

Nike....just do it
 

The roadster is a very enjoyable option...buy it , as we can not live our lives around what if !!!! My dad argued that some one could cut the soft top and was not safe but hell they can smash a side window...if you are marked there is not much u can do..personally i feel even the bad guys have a certain amount of respect for the soft top.Honestly i feel the 370 Z is the best looking roadster by far....go for it.I have had mine for1 month and it is great... freedom I had a BMW 325 back in 94 had it for 11 years and the top was still fair and today the fabric is better :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:

I had an S2000 for 4 years and I never had any problems with my soft top. The current owner daily drives it and leaves it outside and the soft top is still fine. I don't think reliability is an issue. You take care of the top and it will last you a long time.

Security with the soft top is the only issue in my opinion. Soft tops are easier to break into. I read numerous horror stories on the S2000 forums. But much of the blame has to be on the owner. If you leave a $300 Ipod sitting in the seat then it's probably going to get stolen out of any car. It's just easier for the thief and cost more to get repaired with a soft top.

Good luck!

As far I know the roadster only has a soft top.

I would of bought the roadster if it wasn't for that ugly POS piece of cloth as roof.

I personally don't like the soft top anyway.

I went on the track with a roadster and I noticed ALOT of windnoise coming from the top.

me and my parents were happy that we got the normal Z

By your post it looks like you live in a part of the country where a roadster

would be fun to have. I had one here in Texas and there is really only about 3 or 4 months you can drive with the top down. If you try between may-sept.
in this heat you will roast,no fun at all

Nissan will never offer the Z in a hard top convertible.

I've generally not been a fan of the looks or maintenance of a rag top. I do think that nissan got it mostly right on the 370...it certainly looks better than the 350 did as a drop top.

Realistically though, I don't think there will ever be a HTC version of the Z. If you wanna drop your top, you either gotta make that sacrifice or pick a different car...

We love our rag top! Really a matter of personal choice. Would really have bummed me out not to be able to cruise home tonight without the top down. One of the reasons we own a sports car. The only reason I wouldn't have the roadster is if I was going to track it but it's not my fast car anyway. That's what the TT is for. Good news is, there isn't a wrong choice... except not to get a Z. :tup:

The SDrive Z4 is probably the only real hard top alternative, but it's gonna cost ya.

:iagree:

What year S? Most of the S2K's tore holes in their own tops, just due to use...

Mine was a 2006. I think saying most had issues is a stretch. There were a number of people's that tore but most did not. I met a bunch of S2k owners and none replaced their top because of a tear. Those that replaced it either had 00-01s with the plastic window or they they had it slashed.

Great point. I've alway been very reluctant to put a nice stereo in my vehicles because I was worried about someone stealing the stereo. Finally, about a year ago, I decided that I was really missing out on some cool new stuff because of my silly concerns. I bought a nice Kenwood double din with all the options and haven't had any problems.

As far as the tops go, as someone else mentioned, the material is so much better these days. I use to have a softtop Wrangler and was sure interested in the softtop option on the Z. I love the open-ness (that's the motorcyclists in me). I ultimatly went with the coupe option due to price and noise. Security and top quality were not even concerns for me.

WGW

I've had Wranglers and a 3rd-gen Miata previous to the Z.

It's tough for me because I love having a convertible too, especially living by the beach in FL. I just couldn't bring myself to deal with another soft top this time around. Even with the better materials these days, they do still deteriorate. I even had to have the top on my garaged Miata replaced under warranty at 4 years/34k miles because it was rubbing on the inside and wore through.

I love riding with the top down, but I think the next convertible I buy will have to be a power hard top.

Another option is what my father had with his Miata: a removable hardtop for winter months, and then use the soft top in summer months. That worked like gangbusters. When he sold it after 7 years, the soft top was pristine!

It was a Mazda part, but aftermarket hard tops can be had for several verts. Dunno about the 370 tho

I gotta say, just purchased a new 2010 370z touring convertible w/Nav. It is sweet. The convertible is a little more but man it was really worth it. If you haven't purchased yet you should be able to get it for 7-8K off. (winters coming ). My retail was about 48,900. Purchased it yesterday for 40K OTD. The ride is quiet and fun with the spring and summer top down :-) All the best.

Soft Top OVerpriced:shakes head: