Whats a hardtop like?
Discussion
Thinking about getting me a hardtop for the less inclement months i.e. most of the time! I'm thinking about getting a carbon fibre one from eliseparts as it's cheaper than the Lotus one, lighter and it looks the danglies.
What are hardtops like to live with though? I've heard that they can be noisy, is this right? Do you hear more road noise or less? Do they squeak? Do they leak? One of the main reasons to get one is because my S2 111S leaks in heavy rain, I'd want any hardtop not to leak at all.
Any info would be appreciated
Cheers
A
What are hardtops like to live with though? I've heard that they can be noisy, is this right? Do you hear more road noise or less? Do they squeak? Do they leak? One of the main reasons to get one is because my S2 111S leaks in heavy rain, I'd want any hardtop not to leak at all.
Any info would be appreciated
Cheers
A
Ive got one on my S1 and it doesnt leak at all. Unless u blast the windows with a power washer. As for noise it is quite a bit louder than the softtop. All the rattles and bumps seem to get amplified but i still couldnt live without it. Plus as you said it looks the dogs danglers, Car looks much better with it on compared to the softtop
porteouz said:
Ive got one on my S1 and it doesnt leak at all. Unless u blast the windows with a power washer. As for noise it is quite a bit louder than the softtop. All the rattles and bumps seem to get amplified but i still couldnt live without it. Plus as you said it looks the dogs danglers, Car looks much better with it on compared to the softtop
Does your hardtop have any headlining inside? I'm thinking about getting one thts lined. Do you think that would make it a bit quieter?The can make the exhaust boomier but they get rid of wind noise so motorways are quieter overall. And yes, they do squeak like mad.
The biggest problem with rain is that they don't have any guttering (the soft top has a seam that works until it's soaked), so open the door and all the water runs onto the sills...
The biggest problem with rain is that they don't have any guttering (the soft top has a seam that works until it's soaked), so open the door and all the water runs onto the sills...
Andy T said:
Thinking about getting me a hardtop for the less inclement months i.e. most of the time! I'm thinking about getting a carbon fibre one from eliseparts as it's cheaper than the Lotus one, lighter and it looks the danglies.
What are hardtops like to live with though? I've heard that they can be noisy, is this right? Do you hear more road noise or less? Do they squeak? Do they leak? One of the main reasons to get one is because my S2 111S leaks in heavy rain, I'd want any hardtop not to leak at all.
Any info would be appreciated
Cheers
A
I have a near brand new soft top for sale if you want to buy it.What are hardtops like to live with though? I've heard that they can be noisy, is this right? Do you hear more road noise or less? Do they squeak? Do they leak? One of the main reasons to get one is because my S2 111S leaks in heavy rain, I'd want any hardtop not to leak at all.
Any info would be appreciated
Cheers
A
hueandcry71 said:
Andy T said:
Thinking about getting me a hardtop for the less inclement months i.e. most of the time! I'm thinking about getting a carbon fibre one from eliseparts as it's cheaper than the Lotus one, lighter and it looks the danglies.
What are hardtops like to live with though? I've heard that they can be noisy, is this right? Do you hear more road noise or less? Do they squeak? Do they leak? One of the main reasons to get one is because my S2 111S leaks in heavy rain, I'd want any hardtop not to leak at all.
Any info would be appreciated
Cheers
A
I have a near brand new soft top for sale if you want to buy it.What are hardtops like to live with though? I've heard that they can be noisy, is this right? Do you hear more road noise or less? Do they squeak? Do they leak? One of the main reasons to get one is because my S2 111S leaks in heavy rain, I'd want any hardtop not to leak at all.
Any info would be appreciated
Cheers
A
A
Not sure about S2, but I had a B&C unlined carbon fibre hardtop for my old S1 Elise and along with their silly cone filter induction system, it was just about undrivable more than 10 miles without earplugs. Yes, that bad.
I have a hardtop on my VXT, which has a flock / fleece type lining, and not only does it stiffen up the structure (no scuttle shake) but it also reduces noise considerably at medium-high speeds. Passenger conversation and music (standard 2-speaker stereo, no rude-boy ICE installs on my cars) is comfortable up to 80 mph, and you can have a loud conversation up to 120 - above that it starts turning into concentration-time. Aero is improved so fuel consumption is better on long high-speed runs.
If the S2 hardtop is like the VX hardtop then it's a damn worthy addition. I don't like soft top cars and bought the car for handling and fun rather than the pose value of having the roof off - the additional benefits are security, less chance of annoyingly expensive vandalism, and depending on the style of the roof, can make the car look a better shape.
I'd advise against unlined carbon roofs though, you are going to get resonance city, especially with a loud airbox or zorst.
I have a hardtop on my VXT, which has a flock / fleece type lining, and not only does it stiffen up the structure (no scuttle shake) but it also reduces noise considerably at medium-high speeds. Passenger conversation and music (standard 2-speaker stereo, no rude-boy ICE installs on my cars) is comfortable up to 80 mph, and you can have a loud conversation up to 120 - above that it starts turning into concentration-time. Aero is improved so fuel consumption is better on long high-speed runs.
If the S2 hardtop is like the VX hardtop then it's a damn worthy addition. I don't like soft top cars and bought the car for handling and fun rather than the pose value of having the roof off - the additional benefits are security, less chance of annoyingly expensive vandalism, and depending on the style of the roof, can make the car look a better shape.
I'd advise against unlined carbon roofs though, you are going to get resonance city, especially with a loud airbox or zorst.
If mine hadn't dome with a hradtop I don't think I'd have bothered buying one. The car is noisier with it on. It won't make the body tighter at all. It's expensive.
My S1 soft-top doesn't leak at all, tight as a drum if you look after it. The hardtop does look great though.
You pays your money and all that. They pretty much keep their value though.....
My S1 soft-top doesn't leak at all, tight as a drum if you look after it. The hardtop does look great though.
You pays your money and all that. They pretty much keep their value though.....
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