I just found this forum.  Looks like a great source of info. 

I want  to retire my Toyota T100 and replace it with something smaller.  My research to date says a Sidekick or early Vitara would be a good choice.  I had ruled out convertible models because I prefer a hardtop.  While doing a Google search on something else, I came across a site advertising Astro-caps.  A quick search of this forum found a couple of mentions of them and another brand.  I found no comments on quality.  Has anyone anything good or bad to say about them?

Thanks.

First off
Welcome aboard reb
They do make 2dr Kicks as hardtops too
But being able to take the top off is a nice option

Reb,
  Welcome, I see you are from arizona you should have no problem finding a samurai down there for 2000 or less.

Hi Reb,
Welcome aboard. Wish I could help but I live in NZ
You can get a hard top that bolts onto a soft top if you like. Be real handy no matter the weather - just a thought.
If you do not require 4 seats then what about an X90 - I got one and it is awesome, but rare.

Anyway - welcome

Hey i am originallyt from AZ, (now in colorado for dental school)  I have a 2dr hard top back home, and I love it, I am having major withdraws and it has only been a week and a half.  Unscrewwing three screws I can take the back windows off the tracker which makes it pretty open, but still has the shade from the AZ sun.

welcome aboard, Reb
i'm with everyone else, get a softtop and put a hardtop on it. more choices and still looks good
they do make factory hard tops, have a '95 myself. wish i could find some sucker to trade a softtop for it .( would concider a T100 though )
have to admit that the hardtop isnt that bad just wish i could take the top off if i wanted, but it will make a perfect 1st car for my daughter
my .02
jason

I can take the back windows off the tracker which makes it pretty open, but still has the shade from the AZ sun.

What screws do you take off?  I am familiar with the early tops and the 99+ tops, but don't know much about the 95-98 tops.

Bashzuk:  I have found a couple of Samurais, but they (naturally) all have high miles.  I am looking for something that I can count on for a few years without making a full-time hobby of working on it.  Normal maintenance and some modifications are ok.  I have too many hobbies now.

Hotrod:  I have been looking for while and find hardtop models are pretty rare.  I would jump on one today if it met my needs in other respects.

Zeuszuki:  I found a X90 and would really like to have it.  However, I would have to leave my wife or my dog behind.  My first choice would probably get me a divorce.

Welcome to the Site!

     The 2dr H/Ts are rare...I agree with the rest of the gang that the soft top with a hardtop is the best compromise and much easier to find....besides you don't have to take the hard top off if you don't wan to...as far as safety/comfort/Noise I think a soft top with a hardtop installed is directly compareable to the tin top.

IMHO

Zag

Don't forget about the 4 doors!

 

My 95 tin top has a handle that cracks the rear seat windows open from the back.  There is a philips screw that needs removed from the inside.  The Front bolts are under the weather stripping, you need to open the front door and fold back the weather stripping from the outside.  I believe there are 2  bolts easily removed with a 10 or 12 mm socket.  Can't take off the back window

Don't forget about the 4 doors!

 

Right.  I had assumed that was my only option until I discovered the aftermarket tops for the convertible.  Would rather get a 2 door, but time will tell.

BTW, it looks like you have put a lot of effort into yours.  Good looking machine.

Heres a fully locked and loaded X-90 4-sale
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=187058551&dealer_id=1383360&car_year=1996&make=SUZUKI&distance=300&lang=en&max_price=&model=X90&end_year=2006&min_price=&certified=&address=97203&search_type=used&advanced=&start_year=1981&isp=y&cardist=222