I'm looking for a hard top

There are always some for sale on the

classifieds. You can also put a wanted to buy ad up there. You shouldn't have any trouble finding one in Southern California. You may have to travel a bit, but shipping them is so expensive that this is probably a better option, just be sure to mount your hardtop hardware before you go pick it up if it is not included with the hardtop. Otherwise, be ready to install the hardware there before you leave. It is not a hard or long process.

There are a lot of people who own them, rarely or never use them, and end up selling them.

You might also try Craigslist for your area, again with a WTB. Expect to pay $800.00 to $1000.00 depending on condition and color unless you get lucky or buy a damaged one to fix. I did see a pristine black one with defroster and headliner on Craigslist for $350.00 one time, the owner did not know what they had.

Needless to say, it sold very quickly, and not to me.... :-(

Pat

Oh yeah,

if you are considering a new hardtop, Mazda charges something like $1600.00 the last time I checked, and that is unpainted. Add about $300.00 to $500.00 for a good paint job and you are starting to approach the blue book values of our cars. (I also have a 1991 model).

I would definitely look for a used one. One more thing, look for Mazda OEM if possible. There is an aftermarket top called the snugtop, (I think), that is generally considered inferior to the factory one.

Pat

Pat (or others for that matter)

can you point me to an article or how to on installing the hard ware for a hard top. I have the hard top but my 2001 model car doesn't have the hardware. Had hoped to install the parts myself if its not too hard as my local dealer has quoted $900!!

regards

Don,

I don't know where you are, but if you go to miata.net, look at the marketplace site (over on the left side of the main page) one of the Mazda Dealer sites has a good price on the "side latch recievers" about $ 50 US and the "Frankinstine Bolts" that go in the fwd. screw holes in the chrome plates on the rear sections behind your top. The hard top should work on the FWD. latches you have on your 2001. You will need to remove the rear side trim pnls. by the door post to cut out the place for the side latches, but on the inside of the pnl's, the place to cut out is marked in a "molding line". When you get the pnl's. off you will see what I mean.

Easy job to do !!! I just did it to my 2003 LS to put my '91 hard top on.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Don,

I looked the parts up:

Rosenthal Mazda, Arlington. VA. USA

"Hard Top Latch Kit" '90 - '05 P/N MIAE 1001 $44.95 US

"Frankenstin Bolts" '90 - '05 P/N MIAE 1002 $13.95 US (EACH) You will need (2) if these!

I don't know what or how you order them from "Down Under" :-) , but I'm sure you can work that out. Good luck.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Guys

thanks

Regards

Don

Don,

Not sure who your local dealer is that sounds a bit much. Regular price for the latches is around Aus$200 and about Aus$50 for the Frankenstein bolts. You can usually find them second hand for around $50-$75 - try your local MX5 club, online forums or MX5 specialist. :)

It's dead simple to install - they all pretty much just bolt on.

In the US you first have to cut away some plastic moldings to create a place for the side latches. In Aussie models to they really just bolt on with no cutting?

Just the same. I did say "pretty much" just bolt on. :) :)

It's not a difficult job in any case.

No, it's pretty easy. The side-latches cover up the cut edges of the plastic, so you don't have to do a particularly neat or clean job of cutting. Some people have talked about taking the plastic moldings out to do the cutting. Apparently there are markings molded into the back side showing where to cut.

I decided to just fire up the dremel tool and hack a hole roughly where the bolts needed to go through and then enlarge/move the hole until the latches fit.

After you have accumulated things and installed but not tightened the side latch plates - - - There is a single screw on each of the chrome boxes at the rear of the hard top. These allow you to move the chrome top aside to access adjustable stops inside. The idea is to have a small amount of force against the stops when the top is latched to the windshield frame with the front latches. Next, adjust the side latches and plates so that the latch operates smoothly, and pulls the hard top down slightly. This helps to prevent leaks and squeaks. Some of the early Miatas and hard tops had heated rear windows. this gets into a wiring, switch and interlock issue that may or may not exist on your Miata. It's possible that the hard top has a rear window heater and your Miata does not have the wiring, etc. to make it operational.

Chuck

thanks, good hint. Lots of folk have said to no worry about the side latches. Do you have a view on this.

regards

Getting the side latches installed and adjusted properly seems to help "stiffen" things a bit. This may also reduce possible squeaking when the rubber gaskets shift. I don't know anything about collision damage with and without the latches.