hard tops - why ???

Ian Watson · Post by **Ian Watson** » Thu Feb 08, 2001 12:02 pm

hi,

Can anyone tell me why they use a hard top on an MX5? Yesterday in AKL (a
beautiful day) I saw 2 MX5's running about with hard tops on - it just
baffles me and I've always wanted to know why.

ian

redwon · Post by **redwon** » Thu Feb 08, 2001 12:17 pm

I have a hard top -it came with the car. I only put it on during the
winter.I guess it saves
some wear and tear on the soft-top and they make the car a little quieter
when the are on.They are not easy to put on and take off.Its a two person
job unless you have one of the special cranes you can get.

rossandmeg · Post by **rossandmeg** » Thu Feb 08, 2001 12:45 pm

They don't even need a soft top .LOL

Post by **zorruno** » Thu Feb 08, 2001 3:59 pm

1. security - some people park in dodgy areas and a hard-top is less of a
break-in risk. e.g. I know of 3 top slashings in Auckland's Sky City carpark.
2. safety - some people feel safer in a non-convertible. Having a hard roof
gives them a (mostly unjustified) sense of safeness.
3. diversity - some people bought their MX5 because it handles well, and is
just plain fun to drive, not because it was a convertible.
4. laziness - some people have their hard-top put on by someone, and never
can be bothered taking it off.
5. low-budgetness - some people have their soft-top slashed/damaged etc and
never get around to buying, or cannot afford a new one.

We have a hard top. We weren't going to get one, but got such a great deal
on it. We use it, mainly in winter, and I know people in all the categories
above. My partner often uses it when she knows she will have to park
outside at work - you can't exactly pop it in the boot until you get there!
Also it has a much larger window and a Demister (yes - I know you lucky 98+
owners have them on the soft-top window!)

I guess it saves
some wear and tear on the soft-top and they make the car a little quieter
when the are on.

I think actually my top wears a bit more when it is all folded up... It
does make the interior a lot quieter though. And a hard top does look
pretty cool, as it is lower at the back than the soft top.

They are not easy to put on and take off.Its a two person
job unless you have one of the special cranes you can get.

Taking it off is only a one person job. You just unclip it, loosen it, and
put one hand at the back between the bolts and the other hand at the front
between the clips. Lift high and clear the car, then set it down. It is
heavy, but not exceedingly so. Helps if you have lowered your car...

disclaimer - I prefer with the roof off! I don't mind the hard-top
occasionally, and I do understand why people like driving with a hard roof.

Now. Tell me why people buy automatics...

Clive Granger · Post by **Clive Granger** » Thu Feb 08, 2001 7:37 pm

An MX-5 with a hard top has a beautiful shape to it.
The hard top tightens the car up. Drive one fast over uneven roads with the
hard top off then on and you will see what I mean.
Clive

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Fri Feb 09, 2001 8:28 am

I used the hard top that came with my MX5 during the first winter after I
bought the car. I now wish I had used it over the past two winters as the
soft top has deteriorated significantly since then and the past two winters
couldn't have helped matters. I'll use it again this coming winter to
hopefully enable me to stretch the life of my soft top for another season.

Regarding your #1 & #5: Doesn't a car insurance policy cover slashings???

Regarding automatics: because some people have partners who refuse to learn
to drive stick --------that's why I'm keeping my 5-speed

))!

B

Nigel Every · Post by **Nigel Every** » Fri Feb 09, 2001 8:46 pm

Because they are Aucklanders why else!!!

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