Rags rule
The top is easy to raise and lower, I actually had a football tear mine, very high kick landed just right got a .5" tear. $200 for a new top, as far as frame stiffining...THE FRAMES ARE STIFFER FROM THE FACTORY TO ACCOMIDATE FOR NO ROOF!!!! When my top is down it stays down till I go in for the night...never had any problems. Plus I get way more attn from the ladies than my buddy in a newer GT.