NEW OWNER NEEDS ADVICE

Bob K · Post by **Bob K** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:43 pm

My 1989 roadster needs a new roof. What are the advantages of a zip-out rear
window over a non-zip type? What alternatives are there to a genuine Mazda
roof?
Can the roof be fitted by a reasonably competent home handyman?
Is there a Hawkes Bay contact person for the MX5 club?
I would appreciate any advice you can give.
Bob.

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:10 pm

Hi Bob,

Welcome to the wonderful world of the MX5!

There are, in my opinion at least, two main advantages.

Firstly, the way in which the hood folds will put a big crease down across the
middle of the window if it is not unzipped and folded flat before you fold the
hood. Over a relatively short time this creates a weak point in the window,
which can then split, and even if it doesn't, it looks awful from both
directions.

Secondly, with the zipped window you can drive with the window unzipped and
laid flat, useful because an open topped car can sometimes be just too hot on
a very sunny day. You can keep the lid up and all windows down and get good
airflow, without frying your brains.

There are a number of places which make hoods for the MX5, but in fact the
genuine hood is made by a firm called Robbins, in the States, Mazda in Japan
buys them in. Robbins hoods are available from places other than Mazda, the NZ
agent is a firm called Reid & Twiname, but places like Al's Upholstery, in
Auckland, (a club sponsor) also sell them.

You could expect to pay about $900 fitted for a new one. I would suggest that
you get it fitted professionally, but I know there are people on the list who
have fitted their own, I have never done it so can't really give you advice. I
understand that hood fitting is a bit of a black art!

It is also possible to buy good second hand hoods, try www.mx5mart.co.nz Ross
Campbell is based in Hamilton and has just about anything you could ever want
for your MX5, he is a Club member and a sponsor, he can also probably give you
good advice if you want to try fitting the hood yourself.

The Hawkes Bay contact is

Richard Barnes
Phone 06 877 6894
hawkesbay@mx5.org.nz

I hope that all helps

Best Regards

Eric West

Post by **zorruno** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:32 am

Richard Barnes
Phone 06 877 6894
hawkesbay@mx5.org.nz

I assume Richard is still the contact... (I'm in Wellington, with no Top
Down mag to check)

But address above is incorrect... It is hawkesbay@mx5club.org.nz (don't
forget the club bit)

Cheers
zorruno

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:34 pm

Ooops! thanks zorruno!

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Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:57:41 +1200
From: Mike McCready <m.mccready@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: NEW OWNER NEEDS ADVICE
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Bob,
If you find that you spend a lot of the time without the roof off
you may want to consider getting a removeable hardtop. I have one on
mine and find that it is great for day to day use. Plus when you do
want to drive with the roof off you unclip it and stash it away
somewhere, then if you are caught in a shower you just use the soft
top as a backup. A hardtop goes on trademe for around $800.

Mike

On 6/30/05, Eric & Ann West <ericwest@internet.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

Chic Lynch · Post by **Chic Lynch** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:14 pm

Hi Bob,

Your other option is to import one from the States. Check www.miata.net
under the vendors section. I got mine from www.duettomotors.com.

I got a Twillfast cloth top for less than I would have paid to buy an
ordinary one locally.

I've fitted my own in the past and I managed it without any problem. You
need a rivet gun and there are a couple of pitfalls to watch out for.

It's very do-able but it's quite fiddly and takes about 4.5 hours. Last
time, I got Retro in Auckland to fit it and I'd probably do that again
just for the convenience.

If you never open the back window, you should consider getting a glass
back window.

Cheers

Chic

On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 20:43:26 +1200, rhkingston wrote:
[...]

Bob K · Post by **Bob K** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:22 pm

Hello, Eric, zorruno, Mike, Chick,

Thank you very much for your thoughtful advice. I will be able to make a much
better informed decision on the roof. I will also make contact with the HB
branch shortly.
Cath and I love the MX5. I've wanted one for a long time. We bought it a month
ago it has done 154,000Kms and had umteen owners but it runs like a Swiss
watch. I have given it a thorough service and want to do a few cosmetic jobs
on it. Apart from the pleasure of driving it, I consider it to be a "project"
or "Work in Progress". I take pleasure from the fact that it is one of the
original models, no power steering, manual windows and mirrors. Somewhat like
a 1989 MGB, if you know what I mean. No problems with a drooping boot either!

Cheers, Bob