miataspeed2005

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, there's a how to on YouTube

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

If you base your emotional well-being on what other people are thinking, you bought the wrong car.

If you got an M3, you'd be a ****, if you bought a Vette, you'd be in midlife crisis. Who gives a ****. Live for yourself. Enjoy a spry little roadster on a top down drive. At least the convertible top on the Miata doesn't leak too bad. My '68 GTO 'vert leaks like a screen door even with its brand new top and seals. And frankly, the Miata is more fun to drive.

And if you are worried about your bald spot, put on a ball cap. I wish I had the low-humidity of your weather in the summer to be able to comfortably drive with the top down more. Embrace your life and live it up. You sound like Hustler with all this worrying and whining.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

How tall are you? I am short at 5foot 8ish and it is hard for me to get the hardtop off myself and next to impossible for me to put it on by myself.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

5'11", but if I'd gone to the NFL combine they'd give me poor marks for my short wingspan.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

You are in NY. Do both. If you were sunny state I'd say just one or the other. I have both and love the convenience, other than the weight penalty. Hard top is a must around here 70% of the year. It's quieter, warmer and stiffens the chassis up. During the summer when we get consistent nice weather it's nice to pull the HT off but have the soft top available for unexpected bad weather and the slight increase in security when you park.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

I'm 5'8" too. I toss the top on and off no problem. It's bad technique or you have puny arms or a big gut!

Putting it on, I tilt it up on the back brackets. Then tilt it onto the back corner. Pick it up with one hand under the rear window, the other in the corner of the car window opening. With it upright like that the weight is more managable. Set the back bracket closest to you on the frankenstein bolt plate and tilt carefully down flat. Just a matter of lining the bolts up properly and shoving the top forward to latch into place.

It does take balance and some strength though. Puny awkward guys should mount a hoist to the garage ceiling.

Pen2_the_penguin

iTrader: (4)

I have the HT and ST combined... but then again I live somewhere that the weather is unpredictable in the summer, or I would sell the ST

jedduh01

iTrader: (4)

I went HT only about a year ago.
I bought a car with HT had bad ST ., Put my ST on the car, and kept the HT. Sold the other car, with replaced ST. Thinking ill get another ST soon and have both.

I go thru periods of HT on alot, or HT off alot. Two hooks in the garage roof hangs the top well.

Throughout the summer i went top off. I parked in the shade trees daily at work, and kept my eyes open for Thunderstorms. Leave no valuables in the car. Only got me once or twice with the rain ... I also work at a car dealership so i just pull my car into an empty bay when raining without my HT. Or unless its 100 out i drive my other car with better AC.

Since about Sept. Ive had the top on. By all means, ITS ALOT QUIETER, water tight, warm. visuals are better etc.

As of now i have no plans on getting another ST for the car. HT is fine . car stays in the garage rest of the time.

I would go ahead and get that HT, Its always RE Sellable... the ST is just an added protection for rain.

Dont like the HT and the hustle to take on and off... Sell HT and go ST fully

Goodluck.