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Robbins Soft tops

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Old Nov 20, 2025 | 05:20 PM
  #1  
aurion_zephyr's Avatar
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From: Texas
Default Robbins Soft tops

Hi all!

First real post so I apologize if I put this in the wrong forum. I'm looking to get a new convertible top (preferably from Robbins via Moss Miata) but I wanted to know if they typically go on sale for black Friday? I'm pretty convinced on a canvas zippered glass type.

if Moss isn't the play, where would you go to get a new top+rain rail?
Old Nov 20, 2025 | 09:09 PM
  #2  
Joe Perez's Avatar
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First of all, welcome to MiataTurbo.

And you are making a good choice. I've installed new tops on each of my three Miatas over the years ('92, '90 and '04), of which the first was a Robbins cloth w/ glass window, the second was some no-name vinyl (because after the first one, I thought "wow, this is easy"), and the third was again a Robbins cloth w/ glass window, because doing the second one taught me that the first one was only easy because Robbins makes an effort to be sure that every hole and seam is in the proper place, whereas the no-name vendor did not.

The zipper is a gimmick. I had the zippered version on my '92, and I used it exactly once. It's completely unnecessary. It does not make the top worse or harder to install, just don't get worked up over thinking that you absolutely need it.

I only replaced the rain rail on the first one I did. Who knows, maybe now that these cars are all 9 years older than they were when I did my last one (and 21 years older than they were with I did the first one, and, jesus, I'm going to need a moment to process that...), the rain rails have actually started to crack. But I've never personally encountered one on which the rain rail was actually in need of replacement. Again, no harm if you decide to go that way, but the one time I did buy the Robbins top with the rain rail, it was a waste of my time and money.

Yeah, Moss is a good company to deal with. But you can also buy direct from Robbins, which is what I've done. https://robbinsautotop.com/convertib...-complete-2958

Definitely choose cloth over vinyl if you plan on keeping the car for a while. Not only do they last much longer, you can actually tell a big difference in noise level (and, thus, comfort) when you're driving at highway speeds with the top up. It's a lot of benefit for not a lot of money.
Old Nov 20, 2025 | 10:25 PM
  #3  
Fireindc's Avatar
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I love my zippered cloth robbins. Best buy I've made for my 10ae, the cloth and zipper were well worth the extra bucks for me. The zipper especially, counter to J.P. I think it's the best thing about the top. I rock it with the window zippered down, but top up, on most summer days when I wouldn't drop it full convertible but want the airflow and shade.
Old Nov 21, 2025 | 02:53 AM
  #4  
aurion_zephyr's Avatar
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From: Texas
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Originally Posted by Joe Perez
First of all, welcome to MiataTurbo.

And you are making a good choice. I've installed new tops on each of my three Miatas over the years ('92, '90 and '04), of which the first was a Robbins cloth w/ glass window, the second was some no-name vinyl (because after the first one, I thought "wow, this is easy"), and the third was again a Robbins cloth w/ glass window, because doing the second one taught me that the first one was only easy because Robbins makes an effort to be sure that every hole and seam is in the proper place, whereas the no-name vendor did not.

The zipper is a gimmick. I had the zippered version on my '92, and I used it exactly once. It's completely unnecessary. It does not make the top worse or harder to install, just don't get worked up over thinking that you absolutely need it.

I only replaced the rain rail on the first one I did. Who knows, maybe now that these cars are all 9 years older than they were when I did my last one (and 21 years older than they were with I did the first one, and, jesus, I'm going to need a moment to process that...), the rain rails have actually started to crack. But I've never personally encountered one on which the rain rail was actually in need of replacement. Again, no harm if you decide to go that way, but the one time I did buy the Robbins top with the rain rail, it was a waste of my time and money.

Yeah, Moss is a good company to deal with. But you can also buy direct from Robbins, which is what I've done. https://robbinsautotop.com/convertib...-complete-2958

Definitely choose cloth over vinyl if you plan on keeping the car for a while. Not only do they last much longer, you can actually tell a big difference in noise level (and, thus, comfort) when you're driving at highway speeds with the top up. It's a lot of benefit for not a lot of money.
thanks for the warm welcome. Sounds like you've been around the block with these tops so I appreciate your expertise!

Originally Posted by Fireindc
I love my zippered cloth robbins. Best buy I've made for my 10ae, the cloth and zipper were well worth the extra bucks for me. The zipper especially, counter to J.P. I think it's the best thing about the top. I rock it with the window zippered down, but top up, on most summer days when I wouldn't drop it full convertible but want the airflow and shade.
thanks for your perspective too!! It's good to see that no matter what I do, I can still look on the bright side lol I live in a very hot climate so airflow sounds very useful on those days when the sun's especially hot
Old Nov 21, 2025 | 03:36 AM
  #5  
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Thanks Joe, Fire, I am still agonising (aka procrastinating) over this decision.

And welcome to the newb who asked the question!!
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