UPDATE -Chaser Aero Carbon Fiber Hardtop - NB
This is a product review for the carbon fiber hardtop group buy that took place here.
Cost of top: $1300 shipped
Included: spec style a-pillar plates, some sort of side fasteners, weather seals, Lexan rear window, bag of screws
I paid for this top in August of 2009. I received the top March 29, 2010. There was a delay in manufacturing due to part sourcing issues. My top was delivered by request without the side seals - to be provided at a later date. The box showed up in good condition. A quick inspection of the material condition checked out. the top arrived unscathed.
Upon closer inspection, the build quality is poor. The weather stripping around the rear window was shoddy, and already peeling. Two of the rivets holding the window on were botched and poorly fixed with nasty filler that left unsightly blemishes on the passenger side. Once out of the garage and into the light, the top had lots of scuffs and markings from manufacturing that had been left on the top. 20 minutes with a buffing compound got most of them out. The inside of the top is consistent with the exterior. Many blemishes and scuffs large enough to notice at a glance.
Once buffed, the carbon fiber finish was nice and even and quite lustrous.
Build quality for my top is not favorable
The fit and seal of the top to my particular car is very poor. The windshield joint is the only part that has an acceptable seal. My car is equipped with a Hard Dog Hardcore bar. The hardtop has a relief where the bar is to pass through, but it is not even close to the correct spot. the bar interferes with the rear most fastener location where one would attach quick-release top latches. This kit only includes a small piece of metal that uses two fasteners. Not enough to locate the top properly. I was left with massive gaps around the deck seal and unsafe conditions for use in motion. The only way to get it to fit correctly would be to remove material from the hardtop liner. Something that would render quick-release latches unusable. the rear most tabs used for fastening the top to the stainless steel stanchions on the deck are useless. they have not been drilled for provisions of rear fasteners.
The fit for a car that was supposed to work out without issues is bad. I cannot drive with this top, and do not have it on my car as I took it off after test fitting.
Fit and mounting hardware for my top is insufficient
I am very disappointed with this transaction having paid and waited 7 months for a poor quality top. I would have much rather paid to get an OEM top. Now I must either see what my options are with Chaser. If I end up keeping it due to significant cost reduction, I will need to grind and cut away the inner shell to get it to seal. If you have a car similar to mine and are expecting this top, beware fitment issues with the bar. And I sincerely hope your top was assembled with more care and skill than mine was.
Please note that this in no way reflects poorly on Russ (ChaserAero) He has been very good to deal with thus far and has been honest, and kept me up to speed for the duration of my wait. He does not build the tops, nor does he ship them.
I have seen pictures of a top that was assembled well. I don't know what happened here, but it is tragic. Why a top would be released for shipping in this condition is beyond me.
I will be contacting Chaser Aero and will update this review if the correspondence goes favorably. As of this post, I feel unjust.
Check back later to see how this issue is resolved. Until then, happy motoring!
May 10, 2010.
Things are not going well. Chaser will not comply with my request for a refund. No compensation has been offered for my top, which requires a rebuild. I PAID for Chaser to assemble it. Now my 1300 top is going to cost closer to 1900 because it still does not have side seals, and is no better than a shell at this point. A shell that does not even fit my car. This is not over. I am taking this higher.
Chaser - don't **** with me. Chime in if you got my back folks.
This is a product review for the carbon fiber hardtop group buy that took place here.
Cost of top: $1300 shipped
Included: spec style a-pillar plates, some sort of side fasteners, weather seals, Lexan rear window, bag of screws
I paid for this top in August of 2009. I received the top March 29, 2010. There was a delay in manufacturing due to part sourcing issues. My top was delivered by request without the side seals - to be provided at a later date. The box showed up in good condition. A quick inspection of the material condition checked out. the top arrived unscathed.
Upon closer inspection, the build quality is poor. The weather stripping around the rear window was shoddy, and already peeling. Two of the rivets holding the window on were botched and poorly fixed with nasty filler that left unsightly blemishes on the passenger side. Once out of the garage and into the light, the top had lots of scuffs and markings from manufacturing that had been left on the top. 20 minutes with a buffing compound got most of them out. The inside of the top is consistent with the exterior. Many blemishes and scuffs large enough to notice at a glance.
Once buffed, the carbon fiber finish was nice and even and quite lustrous.
Build quality for my top is not favorable
The fit and seal of the top to my particular car is very poor. The windshield joint is the only part that has an acceptable seal. My car is equipped with a Hard Dog Hardcore bar. The hardtop has a relief where the bar is to pass through, but it is not even close to the correct spot. the bar interferes with the rear most fastener location where one would attach quick-release top latches. This kit only includes a small piece of metal that uses two fasteners. Not enough to locate the top properly. I was left with massive gaps around the deck seal and unsafe conditions for use in motion. The only way to get it to fit correctly would be to remove material from the hardtop liner. Something that would render quick-release latches unusable. the rear most tabs used for fastening the top to the stainless steel stanchions on the deck are useless. they have not been drilled for provisions of rear fasteners.
The fit for a car that was supposed to work out without issues is bad. I cannot drive with this top, and do not have it on my car as I took it off after test fitting.
Fit and mounting hardware for my top is insufficient
I am very disappointed with this transaction having paid and waited 7 months for a poor quality top. I would have much rather paid to get an OEM top. Now I must either see what my options are with Chaser. If I end up keeping it due to significant cost reduction, I will need to grind and cut away the inner shell to get it to seal. If you have a car similar to mine and are expecting this top, beware fitment issues with the bar. And I sincerely hope your top was assembled with more care and skill than mine was.
Please note that this in no way reflects poorly on Russ (ChaserAero) He has been very good to deal with thus far and has been honest, and kept me up to speed for the duration of my wait. He does not build the tops, nor does he ship them.
I have seen pictures of a top that was assembled well. I don't know what happened here, but it is tragic. Why a top would be released for shipping in this condition is beyond me.
I will be contacting Chaser Aero and will update this review if the correspondence goes favorably. As of this post, I feel unjust.
Check back later to see how this issue is resolved. Until then, happy motoring!
May 10, 2010.
Things are not going well. Chaser will not comply with my request for a refund. No compensation has been offered for my top, which requires a rebuild. I PAID for Chaser to assemble it. Now my 1300 top is going to cost closer to 1900 because it still does not have side seals, and is no better than a shell at this point. A shell that does not even fit my car. This is not over. I am taking this higher.
Chaser - don't **** with me. Chime in if you got my back folks.