Retractable Hard Top Model Comparison?

I haven't owned either but I have driven both a 1993 model with a hardtop in place and a 2008 model with the PRHT raised and the hardtops seemed similar in what they did, though the two Miatas are not that much alike.

Both hardtops added a lot of comfort to the car compared to the ragtop, imo. That said, I only drove each one for a short time, and I have never driven the NC extensively.

The hardtop will not adversely affect handling or steering response on either car beyond a small, probably un-noticeable weight gain.

It adds around 80 pounds to the weight of the new Miata for whatever that counts for. This is about 30 more pounds than the 1989-2005 hartop adds, since the soft top usually stays on the car and the PRHT-equipped NC only one top.

I really, really like the PRHT. If I had a hardtop now, I would almost never use it, just too much trouble and not enough cold weather in Texas. By comparison, I would put my PRHT up almost every time I parked. No boot to deal with ever. It really is a convertible that turns into a "real" car whenever that is more convenient. Yeah, I like it. I even like how it looks. :-)

There were initially some concerns about the reliability of the PRHT, but it has held up very nicely since it was introduced. I have not heard of one going catywampus or anything yet. ;-)

Pat

From the experience of others and myself, the PRHT is extremely reliable, very convenient and reasonably quiet (probably between a HT and a softtop). There are issues in adding after-market roll bars, and operating the PRHT is very cold weather. The manual warns against this, ice buildup damaging the seals. It is obviously more vandal- proof and I think it looks great. There is a charm in being able to put it up or down faster than the time it takes for an intersection light to change. hth

Tim, go here

OzOne of the three twins

I welcome you to Crackerbox Palace.

I'll throw one other issue into the mix! I'm a bit surprised by how quickly the NC cars have come down in price BUT, after watching prices (almost religiously) on these NC's for quite awhile now, I have yet to see what I consider a real 'bargain' price on a used PRHT. To me, that's a good sign as a potential owner but I'm not so thrilled about it as a potential buyer (of a used PRHT). Honestly though, the pain of paying a somewhat hefty price initially is likely to be softened by the expected reduced rate of value decline. I too, love that car. Seems everyone does! The best value I HAVE seen on the PRHT was $5k discount off MSRP on a new one, at a Mazda dealer out in Tucson (my car only breaks when it travels to AZ!), this was tempting!

Chris