Total cost of soft top vs HT
#41
^This.
In fact, it's been my experience that the expensive tops can actually fail sooner than the cheap ones. The first top which I put on my '92 was a nice Robbins top with a glass window. After two years, the window started to de-laminate and fall out. I made the mistake of thinking I was buying something that was built like an NB top, but no- it was just a cheap top with a piece of glass literally glued into the fabric.
On the '90, I installed the cheapest no-zip plastic window top I could find. It was still in near-perfect condition when I abandoned the car in a parking lot in Santa Clara 3 years later.
In fact, it's been my experience that the expensive tops can actually fail sooner than the cheap ones. The first top which I put on my '92 was a nice Robbins top with a glass window. After two years, the window started to de-laminate and fall out. I made the mistake of thinking I was buying something that was built like an NB top, but no- it was just a cheap top with a piece of glass literally glued into the fabric.
On the '90, I installed the cheapest no-zip plastic window top I could find. It was still in near-perfect condition when I abandoned the car in a parking lot in Santa Clara 3 years later.
That said, I'm not convinced that you necessarily get what you pay for with the pricier non-OEM tops. I took a gamble and bought the pricier OEM-style NB Robbins one. We'll have to see how it holds up if the weather ever turns nice enough to install it. If it survives its 6 year warranty without any issues I'll consider it money well spent.
#42
My hardtop was $750 in my paint color with a few paint chips.
I've got a receipt from the PO for replacing the soft top. She spent $950 for a sub-quality glass window top and a poor installation. I had to replace a bunch of the soft top parts like the rests on the floor, the rests on the top, rubber bits, the guy didn't even reinstall her rain rail, so I had to cut out my rusted through package tray....
I love the hard top, but I do miss just getting the urge to have the wind in my face and dropping the top. One day when I get a garage.
I've got a receipt from the PO for replacing the soft top. She spent $950 for a sub-quality glass window top and a poor installation. I had to replace a bunch of the soft top parts like the rests on the floor, the rests on the top, rubber bits, the guy didn't even reinstall her rain rail, so I had to cut out my rusted through package tray....
I love the hard top, but I do miss just getting the urge to have the wind in my face and dropping the top. One day when I get a garage.
#43
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Or, don't bother spending money on glass rear windows for NAs, unless you are doing a full NB conversion, frame and all. They are less durable than plastic, and also afford far poorer rearward visibility owing to their small size.
#44
mkturbo.com
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I think this is the answer. I have never seen a NA frame with a rear glass window not fall out within 2.5 yeas. On the other hand I have seen high end Robbins tops with zippered rear windows last longer then the cheap ebay tops. I use a mix of both types between my miatas. I have no problem recommending the cheap ebay tops as long as you don't want a rear zip down window.
#49
Not sure if I'm much help, but I'm one of those people with only a hardtop. I still go topless for summer evening drives and whatnot with the lady friend, i just pop it off and leave it in my driveway while I go hit some boosts.
90% of the time i'm rocking the HT though. No regrets on the softop delete, because i don't have anywhere to store my hardtop anyways other than on the car. Plus weight reduction, yo.
90% of the time i'm rocking the HT though. No regrets on the softop delete, because i don't have anywhere to store my hardtop anyways other than on the car. Plus weight reduction, yo.
#52
My glass window was installed in 2009 in a NA frame, so it's been five years. The inner liner is a little messed up from having Robbins rests installed on a non-Robbins top, and the top bow delaminated from the top when I had the hard top on for almost a year. Other than that it's in great shape.
Be careful with the aftermarket hard tops. I haven't read anything about CarbonMiata's (and I want to buy their shorty bumper and his upcoming dual light conversion) but the other ones on the market don't fit like OE, and a lot of sealing and ingenuity is required. The aftermarket tops are also a no-go at any racing facility. It's OEM hard top or no top.
Be careful with the aftermarket hard tops. I haven't read anything about CarbonMiata's (and I want to buy their shorty bumper and his upcoming dual light conversion) but the other ones on the market don't fit like OE, and a lot of sealing and ingenuity is required. The aftermarket tops are also a no-go at any racing facility. It's OEM hard top or no top.
#56
Hey peeps, I have been on the search for the right OEM ht top. I really don't care about the defroster or headliner, i just want a reasonably priced top. With that being said I have been looking at just replacing the soft top, due to lovely individuals whom slashed my back window and stab the soft top. After compiling prices, I see that for a good glass soft top i would spend $350, plus possibly $120 on new weather seals and rain rail, and about $200 to install. totaling around $720, a used HT could be had at around that price.
Is this somewhat accurate? I'm reaching out to the owners whom made the choice of making their miata a permanent coupe, or anyone who went through this same scenario.
Thanks
Frank
Is this somewhat accurate? I'm reaching out to the owners whom made the choice of making their miata a permanent coupe, or anyone who went through this same scenario.
Thanks
Frank
FYI. Consider selling a very Good to near mint (Black) Hardtop with electric defrost in glass back window - and which has a rolling HT carrier and cover which is new.. had on 92.. which garage trashed.. now own NC PRHT so don't need the removable one (from research, top fits all years,, just need hardware specific to your year and situation. Turned down $1k a couple of times as I liked having HT for the 92. Have a lot of NA parts which seem to be redundant. Don't have any idea about shipping , but it would need to be crated if you don't have transportation to Florida Territory's
#58
ps: If I'm doing something wrong on this site, let me know.. I've gathered you need to do a lot of posts over a long time before selling anything on the site.. so I've left that alone until it's okay.
#59
Mine would rattle and squeak if the latches weren't adjusted tight enough. Eventually I ran out of adjustment. I'm not sure what changed, but I just couldn't get one of the latches tight anymore, which is why I went to the bolt-on brackets. Now I own a coupe.
But, even when loose the top still killed cowl shake. Rattles and squeaks I can live with (my Subaru is worse than my Miata!) The cowl shake I couldn't cope with. I have experience with only this one Miata; maybe it's worse than others, I dunno...
I will add that after removing the soft top the rear shelf is actually useful. Stuff slides around a lot... I don't put anything that'll kill me back there.
But, even when loose the top still killed cowl shake. Rattles and squeaks I can live with (my Subaru is worse than my Miata!) The cowl shake I couldn't cope with. I have experience with only this one Miata; maybe it's worse than others, I dunno...
I will add that after removing the soft top the rear shelf is actually useful. Stuff slides around a lot... I don't put anything that'll kill me back there.
Lifted off the car by myself.. it may not weigh MORE than 50# but it's an awkward 50# or close to it.. long enough to get onto a wheeled car with a strap to keep in place when moving. Covered until needed again.
#60
Boost Pope
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I'm still extremely curious as to the motivation behind purchasing an aftermarket top (such as from the CarbonMiata link which my97miata posted) as opposed to using an OEM top.
It seems like this introduces a lot of unknown variables, and increases the cost, without providing any immediately obvious benefit.
It seems like this introduces a lot of unknown variables, and increases the cost, without providing any immediately obvious benefit.