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What is the best inexpensite soft top out there?

Old 05-09-2010, 01:31 AM
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Default What is the best inexpensite soft top out there?

Someone cut my window last nite all the way across. Time to replace I guess...

I know there are tons of different tops out there from cheap $200 ones to $1000+.

I need some input as to what the best bang for you buck is out there. I don't need the greatest one since it's only for sunny summer use but I don't want a pile of ****.

I think I want to go with a top that has the window and top connected (non-zipper) and something canvas like the S2000 top.

So? Input? Pictures?
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Old 05-09-2010, 01:41 AM
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I bought my cloth non zipper top from a company on Ebay. All I can remember from them is the main picture was of parates. It was around 400 shipped IIRC
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Old 05-09-2010, 01:50 AM
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I bought three from Davehouze on ebay but they aren't selling them anymore. They sold Key tops cheaper than anyone. Go to Key's website and email them to find out who sells Key tops. They are a good top for the money. They have an ecomony no-zip plastic window top. IIRC, it was right around $200 shipped.
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Old 05-09-2010, 02:03 AM
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http://stores.ebay.com/daveshouze

That is who I bought mine from also
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Old 05-09-2010, 02:08 AM
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I got the vinyl economy NA top from R Speed. It's okay, nothing fantastic, but it fit okay and seems reasonably well made. For the price, I'll be satisfied if I get 4 or 5 years out of it.
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Old 05-09-2010, 02:57 AM
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The best top for the price is a used one.
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Old 05-09-2010, 03:15 AM
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You should have checked out my top when you were here. It was ~300 bucks on ebay. Has neat rain channels above the windows like the NC tops. Rear window is part of the whole top rather than separate. Its actually a really nice top, just different than the OEM design.

Not real fun to replace but having done it once I can definitely give you some pointers on what to do and what not to do. I swore I would never do one again however once I saw how easily the top frame is removed from the car i'd do it again with the frame on a bench. I replaced mine with the frame in the car.
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Old 05-09-2010, 05:30 AM
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Miata...Q5fAccessories

Cheap, it fits, it works, it looks sturdy, and it feels sturdy. It was a pain in the *** to install on the frame though.
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Old 05-09-2010, 05:44 AM
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What I got. Includes the rain rail for $400 shipped.. I think this place sucks though, they sent me a $30 car cover then gave me the run around for a few weeks.

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=73522
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Old 05-09-2010, 04:48 PM
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I got a daveshouze vinyl top, just installed it on friday and it looks great and fits great.
It was a little under 200 I want to say
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Old 05-09-2010, 05:45 PM
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My daveshouze/Kee top is on its 3rd year and still doing great
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Old 05-09-2010, 10:29 PM
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i had a shitty time with daveshouze (kee), but that was a glass no-zip window. After that self destructed in a few months, i bought a "prestige auto trim" one. It is higher quality and has been on my car for over a year ( i thiink) and it shows no signs of trouble so far.

http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/usa/...miata_home.htm
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Old 05-09-2010, 11:18 PM
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Those prestige ones look pretty nice. And there is a lot of information on the site ... not "one line" explanations of thier top.

What fabric/vinyl did you get?
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Old 05-09-2010, 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by chpmnsws6
http://stores.ebay.com/daveshouze

That is who I bought mine from also
Hmm, the last time that I talked to them they weren't going to do it anymore. Glad they are. I haven't decided if I am even putting a soft top in the V8 car. It needs one but I may just leave the HT on full time.
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Old 05-10-2010, 01:46 AM
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Originally Posted by alik
The best top for the price is a used one.
This. I have a tan NB glass window top in the classifieds for $250+ship.
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Old 05-10-2010, 01:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Stein
Hmm, the last time that I talked to them they weren't going to do it anymore. Glad they are. I haven't decided if I am even putting a soft top in the V8 car. It needs one but I may just leave the HT on full time.
Your building a car too nice not to have one. It's a street car........ It needs a soft top. The AFR headed ford under the hood more then makes up for the weight directly over the back tires
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Old 05-10-2010, 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Savington
This. I have a tan NB glass window top in the classifieds for $250+ship.
I would get this in a heartbeat if the glass would fit with this Kirk bar :(
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Old 05-10-2010, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by falcon
Those prestige ones look pretty nice. And there is a lot of information on the site ... not "one line" explanations of thier top.

What fabric/vinyl did you get?
I got the vinyl with zip-out window. I like it a lot, so far no problems.

-Tomaj
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Old 05-10-2010, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by ctxspy
i had a shitty time with daveshouze (kee), but that was a glass no-zip window. After that self destructed in a few months, i bought a "prestige auto trim" one. It is higher quality and has been on my car for over a year ( i thiink) and it shows no signs of trouble so far.

http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/usa/...miata_home.htm
I have a glass no zip window as well and mine is in great shape still.

What exactly happened with yours? So I know what to look out for and possibly prevent in the future?
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Old 05-10-2010, 11:12 AM
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the bottom-right corner of the glass ripped out of the vinyl. I on day 1 that it was tight when the top was down, as the design forced the glass all the way back towards the rear of the car, and the vinyl was under tension at all times. After a couple months it gave up around the stitching and a 3 to 4 inch tear developed.

Daveshouze put the onus on Kee, and Kee had 0 interest in making me happy. They blamed me for the problem, said that if i had simply positioned the rear bow 1/4" futher back, the problem never would've happened

Maybe they changed the design in the meantime, or maybe it was a one-off problem w/my top. My biggest gripe was with their lack of service / interest in customer satisfaction.
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