My S2000's Hardtop Was Gone in 30 Seconds, Inside the Organized Crime Ring Targeting Our Convertibles

Car culture is often built on passion, camaraderie, and the thrill of driving. But in recent years, certain automotive communities, particularly those centered around lightweight, rear-wheel-drive convertibles like the Mazda Miata, Honda S2000, and BMW Z-series, have found themselves battling an ongoing crime spree… the theft of hardtops.

A recent Instagram post by tuknlugz_diecast highlights just how prevalent and swift these crimes have become, showing an S2000’s hardtop being stolen in mere seconds.

What was once an occasional nuisance has now escalated into an epidemic, with entire crime rings dedicated to profiting off stolen car parts.

“I found out this happened to a friend of mine and want to share this video as a reminder to lock up your stuff. Be on the look out for a stolen s2000 hardtop. Please share this post and reply “shared”. One random person will be picked for a giveaway and sent a free random Hotwheel.”

This is an organized racket. The Fiberglass Report, a community-sourced document compiled by Bay Area enthusiasts, outlines a disturbing pattern of thefts across California.

The report alleges the existence of a ring responsible for stealing thousands of dollars in hardtops, parts, and even entire cars, often operating with impunity due to law enforcement indifference. The culprits? A group infamously known as the "Guzman Gang," who, according to the document, have been active since at least 2015. 

Inside the Organized Hardtop Theft Ring

The allure of these stolen parts lies in their scarcity. Factory hardtops for cars like the S2000 and Miata are not only discontinued but also incredibly expensive when found in good condition.

A used Miata hardtop can command upwards of $2,500, while an S2000 hardtop can fetch $3,000 or more. Unlike an entire stolen car, a hardtop has no unique VIN, making it virtually untraceable once removed.

An Iconic Driver’s Car and Prime Theft Target

• Introduced in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 Miata was developed to capture the essence of classic British roadsters while offering modern reliability. The NA (first generation) featured pop-up headlights and a lightweight design, embodying the Japanese philosophy of "Jinba Ittai" (horse and rider as one). The NB (second generation), launched in 1998, retained the core principles but offered updated styling and performance enhancements.
• Tom Matano, one of the chief designers, emphasized the car's connection with the driver: "We wanted to build a car that was light and responsive, a car that would make the driver feel at one with the machine."
• The Miata saw impressive sales, with the NA selling over 400,000 units globally. The NB continued this success, contributing to the Miata becoming the best-selling two-seater sports car in history. The NB was succeeded by the NC generation in 2005, as Mazda aimed to keep the model fresh and in line with evolving safety and performance standards.

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp have become prime avenues for unloading these stolen goods. The Reddit account u/bayareahardtoptheft has been actively warning enthusiasts about suspicious listings and has tracked stolen hardtops being resold under different names, sometimes within hours of a theft. One prolific seller, known under aliases like "Joaquin Guzman" or "Jose BayArea," has been linked to multiple sales, often featuring “OEM” descriptions and carefully cropped images to hide any telltale scratches or markings.

How Stolen Hardtops Flood the Secondary Market

For victims, police response has been frustratingly slow, or nonexistent. The Fiberglass Report recounts numerous cases where surveillance footage, license plates, and even known addresses of suspects were handed to law enforcement, only to be met with indifference. Many enthusiasts now view these thefts as part of the “San Jose experience,” a reality that has forced the community to take matters into their own hands.

Honda S2000

• The Honda S2000, produced from 1999 to 2009, was celebrated for its high-revving 2.0-liter engine, which produced approximately 240 horsepower. This achievement marked one of the highest specific outputs for a naturally aspirated production engine at the time. 
• Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara emphasized the importance of engineering focus in the S2000's development: "We wanted a vehicle that was more focused - more Honda." This approach led to a car that prioritized driver engagement and performance. 
• Over its production run, Honda manufactured approximately 110,673 units of the S2000. The car was praised for delivering a pure sports car experience at a competitive price point, contributing to its enduring popularity among enthusiasts. 

The report, last updated in 2023, compiles a growing list of suspects, vehicles, and locations where stolen hardtops are often fenced. 

Essential Security Measures for Convertible Owners

Given the surge in thefts, owners of high-risk convertibles are now investing in deterrents. Dash cams and home security cameras, like the ones that caught the S2000 thieves, have become essential. Many owners also install quick-release steering wheels, GPS trackers, and alarm systems that detect movement around their cars.

Some enthusiasts have even suggested active deterrents like a user on Instagram who quipped that stolen hardtop should come with

“retractable razor blades on all the perimeters three seconds after being removed.”

While obviously impractical (and illegal), the sentiment reflects the community’s mounting frustration.

The Joy of Lightweight Convertibles Amid An Uncertain Future

What makes these cars worth all this trouble? The Miata, S2000, Z3, and Z4 were all engineered with one philosophy in mind—driving pleasure. They are lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, and built for the sheer joy of carving through backroads or attacking a racetrack without bankrupting their owners.

For many, the Mazda Miata remains the quintessential driver’s car. Even Christian von Koenigsegg, a man with access to hypercars of his own making, drives his personal Miata to work daily because nothing else delivers that perfect blend of simplicity, balance, and engagement. The same can be said for the Porsche Cayman, often seen as the “grown man’s Porsche.”

Porsche 718, Boxster, and the Future of Convertibles

• Porsche is encountering significant hurdles in finalizing the battery configuration for the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models. These challenges have led to potential delays, with reports suggesting that the vehicles might not be ready until after 2025. 
• Despite these obstacles, Porsche is committed to ensuring that the electric versions of the 718 models uphold the brand's renowned driving dynamics. The company plans to incorporate technology and insights from its Formula E racing endeavors to deliver superior performance, braking, and handling, ensuring that the electric 718s provide a genuine sports car experience.
• The upcoming electric 718 Boxster and Cayman are expected to be available in both hardtop and convertible variants. They will likely feature an 800-volt architecture, similar to the Taycan, enabling rapid DC fast-charging capabilities. Projected driving ranges are anticipated to exceed 200 miles, aligning with market expectations for modern electric sports cars.

However, the future of these cars remains uncertain. The next Miata may be electric, a prospect that has enthusiasts both curious and concerned. The Porsche Cayman has already been spotted testing in California as an EV, marking a shift that will fundamentally alter the driving dynamics that define these vehicles. While electrification promises instant torque and lower emissions, it also brings weight, complexity, and potentially, a loss of the analog driving feel that made these cars special in the first place.

Securing Iconic Convertibles in an Electric Era

As the car world moves toward an electric future, lightweight convertibles may become a dying breed, weighed down, literally and figuratively, by regulations and technological advancements. But for now, the hardtop theft epidemic serves as an unfortunate reminder of just how desirable these cars remain.

We look forward to testing the next generation of these machines at first-drive events, but until then, enthusiasts must remain vigilant. Whether it’s installing cameras, parking in secure locations, or simply spreading the word, protecting these cars is now as much a part of ownership as the joy of driving them.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.