How do you like your hardtop?
11-13-2006, 01:30 PM
#23
I landed a hardtop for free years ago, all I had to do was paint it. I used for the few months of "winter" here in Georgia over a couple years. It was nice when it was cold out, but for those random days when it warmed up outside, I hated it because it is a pain to take off by myself.
I ended up selling it once the miata was no longer my daily driver, it was just collecting dust hanging on the wall.
If you live in an area with a true winter, you'll love it... If you are in an area with mild winters and occasional temp. spikes to the 60's in Dec./Jan./Feb. like here in Georgia, don't bother.
I ended up selling it once the miata was no longer my daily driver, it was just collecting dust hanging on the wall.
If you live in an area with a true winter, you'll love it... If you are in an area with mild winters and occasional temp. spikes to the 60's in Dec./Jan./Feb. like here in Georgia, don't bother.
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11-13-2006, 01:55 PM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 244
Total Cats: -2
I really really really really really really wanted a HT. But I also wanted a 1.8L. And I wanted something that wasn't white, black, or red. So, sigh, no HT.
But I'm not sorry in the least.
I have a HT for my 1994 BMW 325ic, and it's night and day. Chassis much stiffer, rear visibility is loads better, less noise, less rattles and creaks, etc.
The Miata, though, appears to be a much better composed chassis, so the rattles, squeaks, etc aren't present in the first place. And the glass windowed soft top is fine for visibility (yeah, there's a blind spot, but you figure that out quick enough). And the heater is excellent, so it isn't really hard to stay warm... plus, then when there's breaks in the weather, you can drop the top.
I do like the appearance of the HT, and might pick one up for track days and investment; but that wouldn't be until next summer, and only if I find one for $500-700. Screw paying wintertime prices for a HT. That $1000 would get me halfway to my turbo, or get a sweet suspension setup, or pay for a handful of track days.
But I'm not sorry in the least.
I have a HT for my 1994 BMW 325ic, and it's night and day. Chassis much stiffer, rear visibility is loads better, less noise, less rattles and creaks, etc.
The Miata, though, appears to be a much better composed chassis, so the rattles, squeaks, etc aren't present in the first place. And the glass windowed soft top is fine for visibility (yeah, there's a blind spot, but you figure that out quick enough). And the heater is excellent, so it isn't really hard to stay warm... plus, then when there's breaks in the weather, you can drop the top.
I do like the appearance of the HT, and might pick one up for track days and investment; but that wouldn't be until next summer, and only if I find one for $500-700. Screw paying wintertime prices for a HT. That $1000 would get me halfway to my turbo, or get a sweet suspension setup, or pay for a handful of track days.
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11-13-2006, 04:23 PM
#25
I have a hardtop on mine and its getting fully bolted in and down. Will never come off. Car is being setup as a track car with ability to be street driven though... I definitly didn't buy it for its top down abilities
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11-13-2006, 05:53 PM
#27
Newb
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
Total Cats: 0
picked one up yesterday
I bought a 00 miata last week and picked up a hardtop last night. The ride home was dramatically quieter. Being a (mostly) daily driver and living in MN, it's a nice extra. Although, it will be coming off for the two weeks of summer we get up here.
I ended up paying $900 for mine. Probably high... but it was local, in perfect condition, in the right color, and with the right connectors.
hmm... I vaugely remember they could be picked up for a couple hundred when I owned my 96.
I ended up paying $900 for mine. Probably high... but it was local, in perfect condition, in the right color, and with the right connectors.
hmm... I vaugely remember they could be picked up for a couple hundred when I owned my 96.
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11-13-2006, 06:05 PM
#28
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OK, first drive after getting the top. It was only 5 miles and I didn't get over 50. My initial impression is I like it a lot. There was definately less road and wind noise, though I could hear the car more. I never heard the Walbro wine while driving until now. I still had a little wind noise coming from the back of the side windows where they meet the tops c pillar that I hope spitime's striker plates take care of. The car definately felt more stable and makes me understand why people buy the FM braces. Visibility is greatly improved. And... I was able to LOCK THE DOORS.
I understand where SamNavy is coming from. I used to be an avid motorcycle rider. I would ride in heat, cold, mild rain, basically anything but a hard downpour or ice. There was a point where I didn't drive my car to work at all for 4 months. The only reason that ended was a bad knee and leg injury. So I don't mind driving with the top down when it's 30 deg outside, and I don't need the hardtop. But it's a lot nicer to have that option.
Ben
I understand where SamNavy is coming from. I used to be an avid motorcycle rider. I would ride in heat, cold, mild rain, basically anything but a hard downpour or ice. There was a point where I didn't drive my car to work at all for 4 months. The only reason that ended was a bad knee and leg injury. So I don't mind driving with the top down when it's 30 deg outside, and I don't need the hardtop. But it's a lot nicer to have that option.
Ben
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11-14-2006, 08:54 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,450
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People buy the FM braces because they stiffen the chassis of the car. You may think it does because of reduced NVH levels, but the top does not stiffen the chassis of the car.
It's made of fiberglass. If it were a structural component it would not be made of of fiberglass, and it would have a sturdier mounting scheme.
It's made of fiberglass. If it were a structural component it would not be made of of fiberglass, and it would have a sturdier mounting scheme.
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11-14-2006, 10:51 AM
#31
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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Probably the user he purchased the hardtop from. Or from whom he purchased just the striker plates.
EDIT: Here he is --> https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/member.php?u=1199
EDIT: Here he is --> https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/member.php?u=1199
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11-14-2006, 11:07 AM
#32
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People buy the FM braces because they stiffen the chassis of the car. You may think it does because of reduced NVH levels, but the top does not stiffen the chassis of the car.
It's made of fiberglass. If it were a structural component it would not be made of of fiberglass, and it would have a sturdier mounting scheme.
It's made of fiberglass. If it were a structural component it would not be made of of fiberglass, and it would have a sturdier mounting scheme.
splitime=a forum member and I'm buying oem side striker plates from him (the plates that attatch to the body behind the doors that the top's side latches lock into). He's permanately bolting his top down and won't need the latches and plates.
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11-14-2006, 08:51 PM
#39
I wouldn't weld it, but I also like easily reversible mods that include being able to take the top off. Even if it is going to be a track car, i'm not sure I would go as far as to weld it. Latches should be easy enough to come by. You can always try partsgroup.com and mazmart.com as well if you can't find them privately.
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11-14-2006, 09:19 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
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But it certainly does not "make a difference" with regard to chassis rigidity. If it did, the fiberglass would crack
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