Tell me About... Soft Tops

[stilletto_rebel]

Ok, I'm planning on acquiring myself an NA, but I don't like the plastic rear screens in the soft tops. How much would it cost to have a glass screen soft top made for my NA? Or are these readily available?

I'm currently in the UK and am considering having a mohair one made up and shipping it across with me.

[RawSouth]

Well it can depend on how lucky you are.

You can fit a roof from an NB (with the glass rear window) to your NA, and these generally range from $600-$1000 aud for a second hand factory item. New from mazda they are closer to $1500.

However you can try calling (or emailing) some Japanese Car auto wreckers, and see what they have to offer. Only a few months ago I picked up a great condition NB roof for $360 from a wrecker.

[stilletto_rebel]

Well it can depend on how lucky you are.

You can fit a roof from an NB (with the glass rear window) to your NA, and these generally range from $600-$1000 aud for a second hand factory item. New from mazda they are closer to $1500.

However you can try calling (or emailing) some Japanese Car auto wreckers, and see what they have to offer. Only a few months ago I picked up a great condition NB roof for $360 from a wrecker.

Excellent information, thanks R.S.!

[Old Dude]

A lot of the guys here are buying softops form there, because they are a better price. Maybe its worth bringing one out with the glass window with you? you could always sell it here if you didn't need it.
Cheers
Dale

[stilletto_rebel]

Yes, I've been thinking about that. I'm going to trawl the local junkyards for some glass screens.

Does the forum know anyone who makes soft tops?

[Mr Morlock]

If one was buying a car in Au the soft top that is fitted to it may be in first class condition. Many soft tops in AU actually get little use esp if cars are garaged and used for pleasure and not work travel.

[broady]

If one was buying a car in Au the soft top that is fitted to it may be in first class condition. Many soft tops in AU actually get little use esp if cars are garaged and used for pleasure and not work travel.

yeah, mine is still good (96) but some of the early NA6s are getting on a bit.

regardless, I'd love a glass windowed soft top, if you can get one here at a decent rate then I say go for it!

[wun911]

Ive had a bad expereince with http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/

Roof was shipped from the UK at a great expence.

Very hard to deal with, when you have problems its like they speak another language.

Warranty is void as soon as you open the box.

Caveat emptor

[broady]

Warranty is void as soon as you open the box.

That sh*t doesn't float in Australia - surely UK can't be that bad?

[93_Clubman]

Conversely I had a good experience with Prestige Auto Trim - good quality soft-top shipped from UK very economically.

Seeing as you're there at the moment might worth a look - you could ship it yourself, or bring with you depending on excess baggage size constraint & cost.

Maybe likewise MX5Parts.co.uk ...

[Mr Morlock]

WUN underlines what can go wrong if you have a problem with quality when you have no domestic consumer protection. If a local agent sold the Prestige top it would be a different ball game.

[CheyneX5]

Hey mate,

When i still owned my NA6, i replaced the roof with one with a heated glass window from a 2001 NB8B, it had a bit of sun fade on the inside but i managed to get the Roof, frame, rain rail and installation for $600. This was done at the Mx5 factory in Ringwood Vic.

[93_Clubman]

WUN underlines what can go wrong if you have a problem with quality when you have no domestic consumer protection. If a local agent sold the Prestige top it would be a different ball game.

Which is irrelevant in this case, as SR is looking to buy in the UK as a current UK resident.

[stilletto_rebel]

WUN underlines what can go wrong if you have a problem with quality when you have no domestic consumer protection. If a local agent sold the Prestige top it would be a different ball game.

Which is irrelevant in this case, as SR is looking to buy in the UK as a current UK resident.

I'm considering this from all angles. I've been emailing breakers in the UK for an NB hood but they all want silly money (£150 being the cheapest I've been quoted so far, and that was (and I quote) "knackered"). Using the frame and screen and having a mohair made up will cost c.£300, and then I'll need to ship it with the rest of my possessions, increasing my shipping costs.

Alternatively, I'm going to see if I can source a glass screen cheaply and ship it over. I'll then source an NB frame and look around for a trimmer to make me a hood.

I'm also thinking of going the route RawSouth took and just keep an eye on the Japanese breakers and try for a bargain. Time is on my side and I'm not in a rush.

[Fatty]

seeing as you haven't actually acquired a car yet, there is a chance that you might be able to find an NA with a glass window top already fitted. it seems to be a reasonably popular mod so you never know, you might get lucky !?