Hi, Need4speed, If you read through the thread you know as much as I do. I am looking for a fabric top (not vinyl) with glass window w/defogger for a '98. The local prices I found start at $975 plus GST and go up from there (not including installation, not incl rainrail.) The best prices I found for...

stooji, what are you looking for in a top?
cloth vs vinyl?
color?
what year mx5?
glass vs plastic window?
defogger?

Have a look at the website I posted to see what they have and let me know.

I posted a question for the softtop vendor on Trademe asking for a cloth softtop with defogger-glass window. Here is the reply: Yes I can supply the cloth hood (German canvas) for NB body shape. Price $1700.00 and delivery 3 weeks Importing gets more appealing, but still looking. Anyone else interes...

The customs website says 5% duty for Motor vehicle parts on this page:
http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/cha ... fault.aspx
I'm guessing that includes a replacement soft top.

Thanks for all the input on importing and customs duties. Based on comments (and customs website) it appears: cost of fabric top NZ$500 Shipping about NZ$100 Import duty 5% NZ$30 Customs/biosecurity fees NZ$40 (approximate based on prev import) Subtotal to compare to local price before GST NZ$670 Th...

Kieran, I do not see a fabric/cloth top from the trademe vendor; all appear to be vinyl. Looks more and more like importing from the US is more economical. On this page: http://www.topsonline.com/model/Convertible_Tops_And_Accessories/Mazda/1999_thru_2005_Mazda_Miata_MX5_And_MX5_Eunos.html is a 1 Pi...

tomtiki, thanks for the offer, but I want one with a glass/defogger window.
I do appreciate the offer.

Thanks, Angreal.
Will check with them ASAP.

Where is mazdabits and how do I contact them? (Nothing on google search for mazdabits new zealand.)
No cloth/fabric mx5 soft tops on Trademe search that I can find today.
Did your used/like-new top include the rain rails? Did you install yourself or who was the installer?
Thanks for the input, Kieran.

The local quotes I am getting for a new cloth top in NZ are over $1000 just for the parts. Has anyone here imported a soft top from overseas? I see customs duty is 5% for car parts, GST would be added, and there are probably about $50 in customs processing fees. Are there any problems or other expen...

Has anyone tried Tear Aid (type B for vinyl) to fix a tear in a top?
http://www.amazon.com/Tear-aid-Type-Vin ... m_sbs_sg_4

(I realize this is not a permanent solution for an old top, but it might keep me dry until I decide where to get a new one.)

I am planning to get a cloth one. I had one on my '94 (that is finally going up for sale in Atlanta. http://www.ohsorare.com/miata )

Has anyone had the experience of ordering one from the US? I'd love to hear how the shippping and customs went from personal experiences.

I have a 1998 Mazda MX5 and the vinyl convertible top is showing signs of age. It is black vinyl (oem, I think) with glass window with defogger. It has a 2 inch slit/tear that just appeared next to/behind the side window on the drivers side and inspection shows wear on the inside cloth in a similar ...

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions here. I expect to get some Star Specs with my next commission.

I can live with the 55's 3% high speedometer reading for the $70 saving per tyre, if available. It might even keep me from a citation.

Dont want to initiate a jinx, so I wont say how good I drive in the rain <grin>. Actually my flatmate in Uni impressed me with the need to understand limits in the rain, when he put his T-bird in a ditch about 2 minutes after bragging about how NYers knew how to drive in bad weather. That was defini...

Considering that Firestone wants $195 a corner for RE001's, the Star Specs are more appealing at $210. Maybe I will nurse these Dunlops along and put a set of tires in my 40' container of household goods from the US. Anybody know the duty on tyres?

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I see I may have to go back to the 185/60's, but thats not a problem if they keepp me on the road shiny side up;^) Until my business is generating enough profit I need to stay with 14's. Once it does I will have a lot better choices. Is there no market in NZ for perf...

Thanks for that suggestion, but larger wheels are not on the menu for the time being. This is a daily driver, not a track beast, and I can accept the limitations of 14" wheels in that role, given a tire designed for it. I have been happy enough with 14" on 3 NA's; how is the NB so different in the r...

I just bought a 98 1.8 with 14" wheels and I'm not impressed with the Dunlop LM600's that came with it, so looking for better performance wet and dry. My other mx5 in USA has Falken Azenis Rt615's and they are quite satisfactory (if that helps define my needs.) What is available at reasonable pricin...