New Soft Top Cost

[titanescape]

Can someone fill me in on a price range for a new soft top, installed. I currently have the canvas style with glass window. I like that one but the OEM type is fine too. How much is this gonna run me? I have a 1996.

Thanks!

[Titus]

You can check out miatamania.com for ballpark figures on the different tops available (probably better prices if you shop around, but it will give you an idea). For installation, you have 3 options- 1) Miata Solutions- probably the cheapest but far away from you, 2) Track Dog Racing- Also experienced with Miata installs, a little closer, a little more expensive, or 3) any upholstery shop- most expensive, might be most convenient.

[jeepinbanditrider]

If you pay someone to do it and buy the top from them........I don't even want to think about what that will cost lol. The cheapest I've been able to find a top with a rain rail (you want to replace that while you are in there so get a top with one) attached has been for around 260 dollars and that is a vinyl top with a plastic rear window.I will say I HATE my glass windowed top I have now jacking with that zipper everytime I want to fold it down or put it up especially with the roll bar in the way is aggravating as all get out. When I replace it (soon) it's probably going to be one of the vinyl tops with the plastic window so I don't have to deal with the stupid zipper anymore.

[OZMDD]

I had one of the inexpensive non-zippered plastic window replacemnt tops on my NA, and I was very pleased with the quality and simplicity. I was a little jealous of people who could unzip the back for more breeze, but glad I didn't have to do it every time I raised/lowered the top.

[goofygrin]

I put a cheap eBay top with the plastic window on my 00 and it worked fine. I installed it myself though (took about 5 hours learning as I went). If you have a helper it would go much smoother.

Get the rain rail one. The one I ordered didn't have it and I had to drill rivets and then it wasn't in perfect shape so I had to do some finagling to get it to not leak (it cracked while I was reinstalling).

[jrj512]

I think Sammm also likes his cheap Fleabay top.

[titanescape]

Well I guess I'm trying to figure out if I should blow off the new soft top and just go hardtop. I can't afford both and my current rag to is getting pretty worn.

[trickyrix]

I will say I HATE my glass windowed top I have now jacking with that zipper everytime I want to fold it down or put it up especially with the roll bar in the way is aggravating as all get out.

What kind of top/roll bar do you have where you have to unzip the window? I can raise and lower my top from the seat no problemo. My glass window has a zipper but I used it once and learned my lesson - it's a real bitch to zip back up!

[trickyrix]

Well I guess I'm trying to figure out if I should blow off the new soft top and just go hardtop. I can't afford both and my current rag to is getting pretty worn.

If you like driving with the top down, I think you'll hate yourself for ditching the soft top. Remember, we're getting close to PRIME top-down weather... just sayin.

You might also look into getting a used NB top already on the frame... that's a nice, cost-effective upgrade.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Tricky I've got a Hard Dog with dual diagonal braces. Don't know the exact model becuase I bought it used with no documentation. As far as I know the top is what came on the car becuase it's what was on the car when I bought it. I've tried to fold the top down before with the window zipped and it feels like it's going to rip the window out of the top.

[titanescape]

If you like driving with the top down, I think you'll hate yourself for ditching the soft top. Remember, we're getting close to PRIME top-down weather... just sayin.

You might also look into getting a used NB top already on the frame... that's a nice, cost-effective upgrade.

There lies the big dilemma. When the weather gets nice..the top is rarely up! I like to be able to drop it anytime..any place. I'll look into the NB deal as well. I can see sunlight through my top in certain places and when we finally do get some rain..not looking forward to the leaky top!

[Rob®]

As far as I know the top is what came on the car becuase it's what was on the car when I bought it.

I am almost positive a glass rear window was not an option until the NB came out. So if you think that is a factory NA top, I would all but promise you you are incorrect. It could very well be a factory NB top/frame that was swapped on the car though.

[trickyrix]

Tricky I've got a Hard Dog with dual diagonal braces. Don't know the exact model becuase I bought it used with no documentation. As far as I know the top is what came on the car becuase it's what was on the car when I bought it. I've tried to fold the top down before with the window zipped and it feels like it's going to rip the window out of the top.

Miatas didn't come with a glass window until the NB came out, so yours has been swapped at some point. Try putting your top down without unzipping the window, but check to see if the last two top bows are coming together properly. There's one right above the roll bar, and one behind that. If they don't come together, the top will bind up and get stuck. Try squeezing them together after you release the top from the windshield header.

Addendum: Apparently there are cables inside the top frame that are supposed to do this. On my Robbins top, they must not be hooked up correctly because I have to squeeze the bows together. However, I can't say it's really bothered me in the last 4+ years.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I'll give that a shot. Thanks :)

[icepenguin66]

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy the Streamline top from Robbins!!!! Everything else they make is top quality but the Streamline is a bad design, too bad I procrastinate too much and missed the warranty period on mine.