Q About Mazda MX-5 - Aftermarket Hardtops Available?

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 06:11 AM

So the way I understand it is the new Miatas ( OK, 2006 + ) are either a folding hard top or a folding soft top, but am I correct in understanding there is no hard top to put over a folded soft top? (..a-la Boxster and past Miatas..) Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks!

71T Targa · 09-23-2009, 06:30 AM

I can't answer about the NC (3rd gen) Miata, but you might try miata.net

Edit: If I were getting an NC, I'd get the PRHT and be done with it.

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 06:46 AM

Thanks. Yeah, if I can find one in budget. (Shopping used...seem to be one in twenty!) Of course, we likely won't buy until Spring, so maybe I can save for it.

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 08:18 AM

So evidently they do make a hardtop for the NC. (I'm learning all this lingo now..) Here are a couple of helpful links:

http://miata.fosketts.net/index.php?title=Miata_Hard_Top_FAQ

Miata Parts & Accessories Miata MX-5 Hard Top & Accessories

Cheers!

Sarc · 09-23-2009, 09:50 AM

Who needs a hardtop

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarc

Who needs a hardtop

Um...I do...

Sweet car by the way!

71T Targa · 09-23-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

So evidently they do make a hardtop for the NC. (I'm learning all this lingo now..) Here are a couple of helpful links:

http://miata.fosketts.net/index.php?title=Miata_Hard_Top_FAQ

Miata Parts & Accessories Miata MX-5 Hard Top & Accessories

Cheers!

Very cool, but I would think that the $3200 price tag would offset the cost of the PRHT. (Blackbook difference on an '07 is 2k FWIT)

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

Very cool, but I would think that the $3200 price tag would offset the cost of the PRHT. (Blackbook difference on an '07 is 2k FWIT)

Yeah I wonder if they're available used (like Boxsters) to help offset that. For sure, if we decide we like the MX-5, we'll look for the best example car we can find. Hopefully that will be a PRHT. But I wouldn't pass up a car because it isn't.

Hell, we haven't even driven one yet...just doing some "just sold my 911 and need something else" research.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Why not look at boxsters or something. There are lots of good Porsches that can be had for NC money.

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Why not look at boxsters or something...

...um, yeah...can I confess something to you guys?

I've owned (3) Boxsters and loved them all. But (2) of the (3) had new motors put in. (1) at my expense. (1) under warranty (although, to be fair, the motor was working fine...the dealership replaced it when they couldn't get it "fit right" after a throw-out bearing / clutch change). So my confession....I fear the Boxster blown motor. More than likely I'd get one that would be fine for a long time. I even have seen a couple come up with recently replaced motors. But in the back of my mind I would be planning for an extra $12k somewhere down the road. I hate making that confession, because I really love Boxsters. But I have to be honest with myself, and we can't afford to take risks with our money right now.

I know things can happen to any cars, but everything I've read about the MX-5 is how reliable they are. Not to mention, if I can stretch the budget a little, I can probably find a car still under warranty. But that's not as important as real world reliability, which I feel confident the MX-5 would have me covered.

Ultimately the plan is to find a "fun" car that can be used every day. Reliably. And then only have (2) cars instead of (3).

And of course we have to sell Julie's Audi first.

But now I'm rambling...

Sarc · 09-23-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

Hopefully that will be a PRHT. But I wouldn't pass up a car because it isn't.

There's a mazdaspeed exactly like this around the corner from me for sale. It's caught my eye more than once and is starting to keep me up at night.

ZOO · 09-23-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

...um, yeah...can I confess something to you guys?

I've owned (3) Boxsters and loved them all. But (2) of the (3) had new motors put in. (1) at my expense. (1) under warranty (although, to be fair, the motor was working fine...the dealership replaced it when they couldn't get it "fit right" after a throw-out bearing / clutch change). So my confession....I fear the Boxster blown motor. More than likely I'd get one that would be fine for a long time. I even have seen a couple come up with recently replaced motors. But in the back of my mind I would be planning for an extra $12k somewhere down the road. I hate making that confession, because I really love Boxsters. But I have to be honest with myself, and we can't afford to take risks with our money right now.

I know things can happen to any cars, but everything I've read about the MX-5 is how reliable they are. Not to mention, if I can stretch the budget a little, I can probably find a car still under warranty. But that's not as important as real world reliability, which I feel confident the MX-5 would have me covered.

Ultimately the plan is to find a "fun" car that can be used every day. Reliably. And then only have (2) cars instead of (3).

And of course we have to sell Julie's Audi first.

But now I'm rambling...

I get this -- I am currently replacing the LT1 in my C4 Corvette, and I must admit I am now a bit wary of it. It's not really worth that much to begin with, and I'm in for some good coin.

On the other hand, my Miata is still going strong -- 270000 kms, and at least 1500 track kms this summer (plus 60 to 80 autox runs), plus 5000k of driving. Great cars.

I drove a PRHT -- very, very nice.

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOOMiata

On the other hand, my Miata is still going strong -- 270000 kms, and at least 1500 track kms this summer (plus 60 to 80 autox runs), plus 5000k of driving. Great cars.

Sweet!

Doug&Julie · 09-23-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarc

There's a mazdaspeed exactly like this around the corner from me for sale. It's caught my eye more than once and is starting to keep me up at night.

I wish I fit in the early Miatas...but I'm just not comfortable. I tried to fit into a co-worker's once and I just couldn't find a good driving position. I had to splay my legs apart too much and didn't like working the pedels that way. No way I could do a heel-n-toe downshift!

ZOO · 09-24-2009, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarc

There's a mazdaspeed exactly like this around the corner from me for sale. It's caught my eye more than once and is starting to keep me up at night.

Buy it, and then visit Flyin' Miata and see what they can do to really energize that car.

masraum · 09-24-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

I wish I fit in the early Miatas...but I'm just not comfortable. I tried to fit into a co-worker's once and I just couldn't find a good driving position. I had to splay my legs apart too much and didn't like working the pedels that way. No way I could do a heel-n-toe downshift!

How big are you and was it an NA(pop-up headlights) or NB (exposed headlights)?

Doug&Julie · 09-24-2009, 03:33 AM

So just to update last night Julie and I test drove an NC Miata with the automatic. It was only a short drive, but I'd have to say it was pretty fun. Call it blasphemy, but I love the flappy paddle gearbox, for sure that's the way I'd go. (..too much stop and go in my real world..) It was too wet to give it any real juice, but I could still feel how well balanced it was and could quickly settle in to a good driving pace. The newer car is still quite cozy, but I could manage. Not sure about the realities of getting in and out, however. (..I know, silly, but there it is..) Julie was not very comfortable in the passenger seat. (..nor was I when I was over there..) Bottom line is its no Boxster, but definitely a possibility for a fun car. I think I'd have to rule it out as a regular driver, however. Barely...but yeah...still too small.

Cheers!

Doug&Julie · 09-24-2009, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

How big are you and was it an NA(pop-up headlights) or NB (exposed headlights)?

NA. I'm only a little under 6' (but about 225lbs). It wasn't that I couldn't fit in it, I just couldn't find a good driving position. I banged my knees into everything and my size 11 feet just weren't comfortable.

Is there a size difference between NA and NB?

masraum · 09-24-2009, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

Is there a size difference between NA and NB?

Hahah, yes there is. The NB has less foot room. I drive an NA daily ('97), and my wife has an NB ('99) that I drive when we're together. Her car definitely has a tighter footwell than mine.

Quote:

NA. I'm only a little under 6' (but about 225lbs). It wasn't that I couldn't fit in it, I just couldn't find a good driving position. I banged my knees into everything and my size 11 feet just weren't comfortable.

I'm 6'2" and 210 (35-36" inseam). I like my fit in my '97. I don't even have the seat all of the way back. The passenger's side doesn't seem to fit me as well though oddly enough. I did a "foamectomy" on the driver's side seat so I seat deeper into the seat bottom and back to get my head a little lower and give me more lateral support. But everyone has a different comfortable driving position. I will admit that other than the slightly better steering wheel-to-shifter ergonomics of the miata, I preferred the cabin of my old 911.

Doug&Julie · 09-24-2009, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

The NB has less foot room.

...

I will admit that other than the slightly better steering wheel-to-shifter ergonomics of the miata, I preferred the cabin of my old 911.

That's interesting about the foot room. Good thing I didn't try to fit into an NB!

Agree with your last statement. And for me the Boxster was even better. I think they're about the perfect size for me. I think that's why I came to the conclusion I did about the NC...I could drive it (and enjoy it) occasionally, but I need something just a little bit bigger to live with.

..he he...foamectomy...