While going to school in Utah I dailied an NB1 with an OEM top. I'd drop the top all the time in the 30s and even 20s occasionally, (thought it was awesome to drive around in the cold with a beanie on) and the top lasted for my entire college experience. I sold the car so I'm not sure how much longer it went after that. I did occasionally let the cabin warm up and then used the top but the effort to fold and or latch it wasn't noticeably different. I used the top at least once a day during the spring and summer months as well. You'll be fine with a glass window and defrost.

So i've been daily driving my NA for the last week now. It's about on par with the NB, except the ride isn't as good (NA is modded, NB is stock). I found that i favor the NA more, but i feel it's only because it has a ton more power than the NB and is generally more fun.

They still aren't practical for me for reasons mentioned in my previous post. Even though they both have working heat and AC, cruise control, working radio, all the jazz both cars came with.

I did DD a grand am and it was much much better than the Miatas for daily life. Never had to worry about working a clutch in traffic, money shifting, other people seeing me and running me over, cramming bags of top soil or yard mulch in it.

In summation...

Q: Is it reasonable to drive a miata with a soft top in cold climates?
A: No, the miata lacks the comfort features and practicality that can be found in luxury sedans

Haha. Yeah, that's kind of where my mind was going. I didn't ask whether anyone thought the Miata was a practical daily-driver, I already know it is. I've DDed NAs for nine years, and cannot imagine desiring something [larger / comfier / more luxurious] for my specific situation. In fact, I owned a '93 Grand Am prior to the Integra that I owned before the first NA, and I hated that car. (The Grand Am, that is. It was an extremely comfy place to sit during the 15 hour drive that I made twice a year at the time, but extremely bland and non-fun as an everyday commuter car.)

All I need to know is how well they deal with snow, and specifically with regard to the decision between a ragtop and a PRHT, presupposing that I wish to lower and raise the top when it 20°F and sunny outside.

Or, how to sidetrack a thread with irrelevant commentary. :giggle:

I know when I think of a Pontiac Grand Am, the first thing that comes to mind is luxury.

damn.... i was too late... hahaha

Been in the New England area for many years with folks that daily the Miata. As long as you don't have the plastic window you can put the top down in freezing weather. I know people who drive NBs that always have the top down regardless of how cold it is. Plastic window is a no go as you need to bend that thing around too much and you're just asking for trouble in freezing weather. I won't say that putting the top down in freezing weather is necessarily good for it long term, but people do it without immediate short term consequences.

Come on Joe. I know you can read and comprehend words in a sentence. Let me quote what i wrote and just tell me if you can't understand what i'm saying.

In summation.
Miata + winter = possible
I had no issues with snow and freezing with the soft top. Wasn't cold. The car was fine. Everything was fine and worked. Just invest in snow tires.

To be clear i don't make points without seeing pros and cons of things. The miata in the winter was not fun because idiots in big dumb trucks would never see you. It wasn't the car, or me, or weather that made things unsafe and not practical but other people. Perhaps it's a location thing.