[MSCW list] 1st Gen Miata Top Replacement

[Bob Esser]

I bought a Sierra Auto Tops & Seats top from Amazon. It cost $350 with the
rain rail installed (strongly urge you to get the rain rail installed/built
in). I installed it myself. I followed instructions from Moss and looked at
several web sites before starting. I was able to do the install over about
6 hours total. It isn't all that hard, just many steps. It is worth doing
yourself because shops seem to charge a lot of $$ for the labor. There are
other tops that cost less and others that cost more.

Some considerations: plastic window vs. glass (if you have a roll bar, this
becomes a significant consideration); Zip out rear window - your car
probably comes with zippers so you can lower the window without lowering
the top - my inexpensive replacement top doesn't have this. Color - if you
are picky about color (and have a tan top) try to get a color swatch before
ordering the top - I ordered tan for my '99, but, beige would have probably
been a better color fit.

Wheel Worx seems to be a place that is often recommended for restoring
wheels.

Bob

Bob Esser


On Wed, Jun 7, 2017 at 6:36 AM, Jack McCombs via MSCW <mscw at lists.mscw1.com>
wrote:

> <<<<<  www.MSCW.com  Mazda Sportscar Club of Washington (DC), Inc.  >>>>>
> **********************************
> First of all, I'm replying to the site/lists rather than only to John B.
> on this, as this may be of some interest to others.
>
> RE: Replacement top:  My wife and I have two 1st gen Miatas, and I have
> had both tops replaced with later 2nd gen OEM tops with the glass rear
> window.  These 2nd gen tops are an exact fit for the 1st gen tops/cars; no
> modification is necessary.  This way you have a glass rear window (no
> plastic deterioration), and it's a trivial task to wire up a circuit to
> utilize the integral electric window defroster in the glass rear window.
> The only drawback is of course the increased cost of the glass window top.
> I don't recall what a new 2nd gen top costs, but around $1500 would not
> surprise me.  (Dismay me, yes, but not surprise me.)  Shop around on this.
>
> If you're handy you can install it yourself.  (Disclaimer:  No, I've never
> installed a top myself.  I want to be able to blame the leaks on someone
> else.)  As for shops, I'd check with PBC just south of Dulles Airport, if
> they're at all convenient to you.
>
> I have no particular thoughts RE: Your wheels, but there are
> shops/businesses around that handle the restoration of wheels.  Maybe
> someone else has some specific recommendations.
>
> --Jack & Anne McCombs, '90 Mariner Blue & '92 Sunburst Yellow Miatae--
>
> PS:  How did you get 27 years out of that original top????
>
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2017 15:58:53 -0400
> > From: John Baione <jbaione748 at gmail.com>
> > To: mscw at lists.mscw1.com
> > Subject: [MSCW list] New Top and Wheels Recommendation
> > Message-ID:
> >    <CAHZCXHpUB14wENf10Wt88ua0b2h94hg_GX2W7HV8PXrsTfqxew at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> >
> > I'm looking for recommendations regarding the following:
> >
> > - I need to replace the original soft top on my '90 Miata B.  What type
> of
> > top (brand, etc.) should I consider and a recommended installer?
> > Approximate cost?
> > - The original wheels are pitted with brake dust, etc.  Can they be
> > cleaned, restored, or do they need to be replaced?  Recommendations on
> > which alternative to consider?  Service providers?
> >
> > Thank you
> > John
>
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