A place to get a new soft top

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06-28-2009, 12:32 AM
arthurmonger

A place to get a new soft top

Hey, guys. I am in need of a soft top for my NA. I have been looking around and the prices for soft tops bounce around like Michael Jacksons checks (rest in peace, Mike!) Since I am willing to bet some one here has had some experience in buying a quality top, maybe you can help an uneducated fool like myself. I would prefer to spend less than $300 and have a glass rear window and rain rails in tan. Is this a dream? I have heard that it is not, but with all of my internet adventures, none such top appears to exist. Who ever knows where the best deal for such a top gets lunch on me! Thanks in advance, guys!
06-28-2009, 03:55 AM
channelmaniac

When I bought mine for the 92 B&T years ago it was from Cabrioworld.com off their eBay auctions.

It was a nice top for the cash.

You might check around for a used NB top in tan if you can find it.

RJ
06-28-2009, 07:32 AM
Rogue

Robbins Streamline are actually really nice tops and nicely priced if you can deal without a zip window.
I just installed 2 of these and have another enroute.
http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=73569
06-28-2009, 09:52 AM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

Robbins Streamline are actually really nice tops and nicely priced if you can deal without a zip window.
I just installed 2 of these and have another enroute.
http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=73569

Any pics of a Streamline on an NA? How much does it change the look of the car?
06-28-2009, 10:29 AM
Majik

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

Any pics of a Streamline on an NA? How much does it change the look of the car?

Probably the link he posted has a picture.
06-28-2009, 11:16 AM
juxt3r

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

Any pics of a Streamline on an NA? How much does it change the look of the car?

To the average passer-by, there's no real difference. To the owner, you lose a couple of exterior seams for a cleaner look.

http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/Mx5M.../2904-2905.jpg
06-28-2009, 11:29 AM
jrj512

Correct me if I am wrong, but the reason for unzipping the plastic window is so the plastic will not fold when the top is down and thus create a fold spot and scratches in the window. Obviously the glass window does not fold, so did they just incorporate the glass design into the plastic window so the plastic window no longer folds when the top is down? That is what I assume. I have been eyeing these for a while.
06-28-2009, 11:30 AM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majik

Probably the link he posted has a picture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by juxt3r

To the average passer-by, there's no real difference. To the owner, you lose a couple of exterior seams for a cleaner look.

Thanks guys. I guess the overall profile would have to remain the same since the frame wasn't changed.
06-28-2009, 05:40 PM
the_don

I had rogue install a streamline... it pwns
06-28-2009, 06:27 PM
jrj512

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_don

I had rogue install a streamline... it pwns

Can you tell me if the rear window folds flat or does it fold in half?
06-28-2009, 06:33 PM
POS Racing

Good Stuff - http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/mazda.php
06-28-2009, 07:50 PM
Rogue

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrj512

Can you tell me if the rear window folds flat or does it fold in half?

Flat, just like a NB.
07-09-2009, 09:40 PM
icepenguin66

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

Robbins Streamline are actually really nice tops and nicely priced if you can deal without a zip window.
I just installed 2 of these and have another enroute.
http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=73569

I strongly suggest not purchasing the Streamline top!!! I had mine professionally installed with new tension cables and new OEM weather stripping right at about one year ago. The top has been slowly pulling back away from around where the glass window is. I also just noticed today that the inner liner is ripping where the support bar just behind your head is, so that I can now see light through a threadbare think layer of canvas! I can assure you the wear has nothing to do with quality of the install. I cannot believe the poor quality of a product from Robbins! Hopefully when I call them, they will warrenty it out and exchange it for an OEM style.::Rant::::Censor::
07-11-2009, 06:52 PM
jelliott25

Any additional considerations with this top vs the standard Robbins top in relation to roll bars?
07-13-2009, 07:37 PM
the_don

I love my robbins top buy one and have rogue install it... and sit back and enjoy
07-26-2009, 12:57 PM
Dudley Dawson

I just had a steamline top with a glass rear window installed on my NA, and I really like the way it looks. But I can't get the darn thing to go down. It gets about half-way there and hangs up on the rear window. It's not too tight to latch, so I don't know why it seems too tight to put down. Has anyone else encountered this problem?
07-26-2009, 01:04 PM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudley Dawson

can't get the darn thing to go down. It gets about half-way there and hangs up on the rear window.

I was wondering about those with glass. Have you tried pushing out on the bottom of the window from the inside? That may help it collapse and lay flat.
07-26-2009, 01:33 PM
jeepinbanditrider

My dad picked up a top for my mom's Miata that only ran him 150 bucks. It seals well has a good plastic window in back to me looks just like the original top that was on there.
07-26-2009, 02:17 PM
Dudley Dawson

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

I was wondering about those with glass. Have you tried pushing out on the bottom of the window from the inside? That may help it collapse and lay flat.

Yeah, I've tried all kinds of ways to manipulate the window and nothing seems to work. I'm going to quit messing with it for now, 'cause I don't want to damage anything.

Still, I seem to remember when I test-drove a new NB years ago that the top could just be put down without any unzipping or special considerations. I know that the bows have to be modified to use this top, but I'm sure that the installer knows his stuff and did it right. I'm going to wait until I can talk to him before trying anything else. Maybe it needs to stretch a bit more.

It's just bugs me having a new part and not knowing how to use it properly.
07-26-2009, 08:00 PM
Magma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudley Dawson

I just had a steamline top with a glass rear window installed on my NA, and I really like the way it looks. But I can't get the darn thing to go down. It gets about half-way there and hangs up on the rear window. It's not too tight to latch, so I don't know why it seems too tight to put down. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

I just installed an OEM 99 top on a 92 and had the same problem. What I with BR's help have found out is the rear most support bow was not pulling forward when the top was going down. If you pull that bow to the front of the car, it will fold smooth as silk. For some reason my NB top has no prob with this, but some of the other members here have to do the same thing.
07-26-2009, 08:12 PM
miata_racer

R speed now has tops CHEAP. They claim to be jut as good or better than the Robbins tops. I've now had 3 robins tops and I can say they are just ok. So I'll be getting an R Speed when the time comes. My crappy Robins economy top lasted all of 3-4 years before it fell apart. I have a Robins OEM equal top on my car now that took about 8 years to fall apart, but the price is too much for when is started to fall apart (4 years ago)
07-26-2009, 09:09 PM
Majik

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magma

I just installed an OEM 99 top on a 92 and had the same problem. What I with BR's help have found out is the rear most support bow was not pulling forward when the top was going down. If you pull that bow to the front of the car, it will fold smooth as silk. For some reason my NB top has no prob with this, but some of the other members here have to do the same thing.

The early 99s had this issue. On my car I have to push that bar forward when I open the top.
07-27-2009, 01:51 AM
Dudley Dawson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magma

I just installed an OEM 99 top on a 92 and had the same problem. What I with BR's help have found out is the rear most support bow was not pulling forward when the top was going down. If you pull that bow to the front of the car, it will fold smooth as silk. For some reason my NB top has no prob with this, but some of the other members here have to do the same thing.

That seems to be the same problem I'm having. I tried pushing the third bow up to meet the second one, but it's catching on something and doesn't quite make it there. It pinches the top material between the two bows.

So far, my impression is that this is a poorly designed top. I hope a little fiddling with the bows or support straps will remedy this, but I don't trust myself to do the fiddling.
07-27-2009, 11:30 AM
trickyrix

Are the support straps wrapped around the rear bow and hanging it up?
07-27-2009, 02:07 PM
Dudley Dawson

They're not wrapped around the third bow, just riveted to it.

Here's a link to my thread on CR.net about it, with pics: http://www.clubroadster.net/vb_forum...ad.php?t=21795

On the bright side, the top fits really well when it's up, and doesn't leak at all.

From what I'm hearing, I'm starting to think it's an issue with the design of the top frame. So now I'm wondering if it's possible to modify my NA frame to operate like a late-NB frame.
07-27-2009, 02:58 PM
trickyrix

That's really weird. It looks like the top fabric is getting bunched up between the last two bows and not allowing the window to flop down. You don't have any pics of the inside of the top when it's halfway down, do you?

I know my rear bow will catch on the seam that runs over the top of the top and keep the top from going down. It also catches coming back up and needs help to pop back into place under said seam.
07-27-2009, 03:25 PM
Dudley Dawson

Yeah, that's exactly what's happening. I just can't figure out why. I wonder if the spring assemblies from the NB top can be retrofitted, and if they'd help.

I've got an inside pic on my computer at home. I'll post it later on tonight.

I have to say though, with the rain we're getting I'm thankful that the top is stuck up instead of down. :D
08-13-2009, 02:23 PM
crystalwhite93

Sunfast Canvas top

I am interested in getting a new tan canvas top to replace my factory 1993 vinyl black top. I'm looking at the Moss website, and part #239-041 for $650. Any advice on this product choice and or a place to get it installed is welcome.
I do want tan, and canvas, and I think I want the defroster, as I enjoy that in my hard top.
Freeman Mazda ruined my plastic window by running the car through a car wash years ago, so has offered to do the labor for $500 instead of $700.:drive:
08-13-2009, 02:33 PM
POS Racing

Call Stevan at Miata Solutions he does a lot of tops and he is good people!

http://www.miatasolutions.com/
08-13-2009, 02:55 PM
crystalwhite93

Oh my gosh that place is in Egypt! Texas Motor Speedway?! Thank you, but I just don't think I can justify driving to the end of the earth!
08-13-2009, 03:10 PM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalwhite93

Oh my gosh that place is in Egypt! Texas Motor Speedway?! Thank you, but I just don't think I can justify driving to the end of the earth!

It's actually West Egypt. ::Arm::

PS
Start a new thread...it's fun.

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