Further to this:MX5PWR wrote:Hardtops will fit all cars from 1989 (NA series I) to 2004 (NB series II). i.e the year of manufacture of the hard top does not have to match the year of your car. It is only the new NC models that the previous hardtops will not fit.
Some have heated rear windows and some do not. Either is fine as it is easy to clear the rear window by just putting the blower on.
NEWBIE QUESTIONS...
- Firstly, you don't have to remove the soft top to fit a hard top. The soft top folds out of the way (yes I have been asked this).
- As MX5PWR said, all models can support a hard top. (well, except for the NC with factory folding hard top I assume)
- You might want to get a hard top cart, or hoist to store your hard top. They get scratched easily.
- I can fit one by myself, but it is not that easy, and you have the potential to damage the top or your car. You should really fit the top with two people.
- Yes, the hard top has a nice big glass window (which is breakable!). It gives great visibility and is usually more waterproof than a soft top (not that my soft top has ever leaked...)
HARD TOP FAQs...
- some tops have a lining (which is better for noise reduction) and some don't.
- some come unpainted, which is a black matt finish. Most need to be painted, so you are lucky if you can find a second hand one to match your car.
- You need at least one item, and preferably two to mount them. You need as minimum the 2 'frankenstein bolts' at the forward part of the boot section. Some cars have them already, some just have plain flush 8mm bolts in those locations which will need to be swapped. You should really also get the clamp receivers for the hard top side clamps, which mount behind the seat belt towers. I've used a top without these, but I wouldn't say it is a great idea.
- Part numbers for the products required to mount them are NA01R138XB and NA02R1310G. It may be different for an NB model however?
- Last time I looked, a new hard top from Mazda was about $3-4k. A second hand one should cost between $1000 to $2200 depending on quality. $1500 is pretty common. (don't forget to allow a few hundred for the cost of a paint job for it though if needed!)
- If you wand a rear demister, you need three things. The hard top has to have an inbuilt demister, your car has to have the socket for it behind the passenger seat belt tower (which will mean the wiring loom is installed) and you will need a demister switch which fits into a panel on the dash to the right of the steering wheel. You may need to buy a switch and then remove the blanking panel which comes in most models.
Some previous discussions that may help are here:
http://www.mx5forum.co.nz/viewtopic.php?t=119
http://www.mx5forum.co.nz/viewtopic.php?t=7819
http://www.mx5forum.co.nz/viewtopic.php?t=6644
A howto on fitting the side latches is here:
http://www.cardomain.net/ride/186671
(credit to 'Miata95M', Tequesta, Florida)
A definitive FAQ on hardtops from the US miata.net site showing most things you'll need to know...
http://www.miata.net/garage/hardtop/
(credit to Stephen Foskett)
alternative site: http://slf.gweep.net/~sfoskett/miata/hardtop/index.html
Some pictures gleened from the internet are below, showing the fitting kits which include side latches and bolts, and the frankenstein bolts.
Please add your other comments or experiences (including photos) below.