98 soft top replacement or repair

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:45 am

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 place on the passenger side.
I also notice a little light showing through the cloth at the edge of the rear window.
Any suggestions on making repairs to small tears in soft top?
Any recommendations on where to get a top replaced on a '98 and what price to expect?
Thanks in advance.

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:33 pm

Mine is starting to do the same- Wearing through where the frame rubs on raising and lowering the roof.

Although I haven't fixed it yet, something like a piece of material (perhaps rubberised material as provided in blowup mattress repair kits?) glued with upholstery glue should do the trick I think

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 5:12 pm

soft tops only have a life of ten years or so, so if its the original and its cracking then its time to cut your losses and buy a new one. OK so its not cheap but its only once every 10 years...think of as $2 a week to have that air in your hair!
where are you located?

chloeinalbany · Post by **chloeinalbany** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:56 pm

If you are somewhere near to south/east Auckland try Trotskies - he is listed on MX5 club website. He repaired my top and replaced the rear plastic window. Very happy with what he did.

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 10:08 am

If you do buy a new one though one piece of advise

DON'T GET A VINYL SOFTOP!

Get a fabric one and have no worries my old vinyl one rotted through

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:03 pm

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.

harlansmart · Post by **harlansmart** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:07 pm

I'm about to buy a new softop and am interested in hearing more opinions on what to get, why and where to go to buy?

Kieran wrote: DON'T GET A VINYL SOFTOP!

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:23 pm

The vinyl ones will rot ive had no problems with my 2nd hand fabric one from mazbits if i remeber correctly it was $600? in near new condition

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:44 am

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.)

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:24 am

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 expenses with bringing them in ?

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:30 am

Why don't you buy a softtop from NZ?

There on Trademe or call mazdabits and get a 2nd hand one thats what i got $600 like new

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:46 pm

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.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:09 pm

Look up nisbits. Thery're down in Takanini

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:37 pm

Thanks, Angreal.
Will check with them ASAP.

13r · Post by **13r** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:04 pm

Or, just try MAZBITS

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:10 pm

I bought mine from this guy....no rain rails & fitted myself but you do need patience!

Listing #: 516617982 from TradeMe

tomtikki · Post by **tomtikki** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:24 pm

Ive got 2 from Dandycars.co.uk, (1 on my car & 1 im fitting to a mates) both times got through without getting pinged by the GST police! From memory they just post em rather than using a shipping company but I always got them in just over a week!
I delt with Bill who was really helpful both times.
I think it came to $550nz inc postage...
Thats for a plastic zip window'd roof, with rain rails.
The best thing about them is you can get a 1hr installation DVD for like $15, It made the DIY install stress free!
I'd reccomened getting new tentioner wires while your at it.

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:26 pm

13r wrote:Or, just try MAZBITS

Sorry Mazbits not mazdabits

No rain rails came with it but it is a nice fabric one with a heated glass window and I installed it myself not hard just time consuming

I think someone at the last meet said the guy that sells the good ones on trademe is out of stock at the moment

If you have a hard top ill trade you my softtop for it + Cash and I'll even install it for you

tomtikki · Post by **tomtikki** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:36 pm

Ok just spoke to my mate who I have roof for and he (still) doesn't have the $ for it, PM me if your interested.
It's a black one with zip out window.

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:25 am

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

tomtikki · Post by **tomtikki** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:48 am

No worries.
Fair enough too, I would have got one with glass window but my roll bar gets in the way!

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:59 am

He's back in stock with the glass heated window softtops not a bad price either

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 314140.htm

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:54 am

Is there a difference between NA and NB tops in terms of how it all fits?

Toolbox · Post by **Toolbox** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:03 pm

There is no differents between tops, but you have to install conversion straps to a NA model to fit a one piece glass window top. I have installed 4 glass window tops to NA models now.

iamjohngalt · Post by **iamjohngalt** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:11 pm

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/Convert ... Eunos.html
is a 1 Piece Look Top with No Zipper Heater Defogger Glass Window - 6 year warranty for US$409 (NZ$500). Add about NZ$100 to ship and NZ$50 customs fees.
(Identical top is available thru a NZ source for NZ$975 plus GST incl shipping.)

98 soft top replacement or repair

98 soft top replacement or repair

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