replacement softtop roof questions

[SuperMazdaKart]

finally scored myself a new job & got first payment today. will be wanting a new roof for the 89 for christmas so which model roof should i get?

i want a roof that

can be put down & up with ease from the drivers seat, i can't put my current plastic one up while sitting, not strong enough in the left arm

no zipper, don't unzip the plastic one & never drive with the rear window open anyway (non zipped glass roof folds easier/lasts longer?)

a demister will be handy.

so this will also mean a new frame to go with it yes? i think it's the 89-97 have the plastic windows & 98+ had glass? when did the demister come in & then the non zippered glass? i believe theres also some with springs to assist lifting up the roof while sitted?

[Bevan]

Congrats on finding a job
Yeah, the 98 onwards had the glass roof. You can, however, fit the glass window to operate with the NA frame. A lot of people in America fit the Robbins soft top. This is the best article that I could find:
Fitting a Robbins Top to NA Frame

Here are a couple on ebay for $800 including postage:
Clicky and
Clicky

[Juffa]

I have put a Robbins Cloth soft top with glass window on my NA. It came with a kit to allow the roof to fold correctly with the glass window. It is possible to get one with a demister at additional cost. I didn't go for than option as I just turn on the air cond if she starts to fog up.

The NB frame does have a spring arrangement on one of the rear bars, but I don't that is there to make it easier to raise the roof...more to support the extra weight of the glass window, while ensuring it folds correctly. Speaking of extra weight, as the glass window is heavier than the plastic it does take extra effort to raise the roof. I find that I have to lean back between the seats and rasie the roof with both hands. Might look difficult, but is easy after a bit of practice.

J

[Roderic]

Hey man,

You cant go past a Robbins top, and if you want that BMW/Euro Luxury feel make sure you get the Sunfast material. Its worth it and only a little extra. I got one for my dad's MX5 with glass window and nozipper, worked out about $900-$950AUD delivered. You can get the cheaper "economy Robbins" ones which are still zipperless and have glass for around $600-650AUD. I got it from www.miatamania.com and delivery was awesome around 10 days.

Regards
Roderic.

[SuperMazdaKart]

thanks for the advice, guess i might go with a new plastic window to keep with as much lightweightedness. judging from the original top of my car the plastic window hasn't degraded to a point where it annoys me much at all despite living a life of folded non zipping. plastic polish works well for the clarity & used regularly.

the top itself is worser having been put through a few patch jobs. only other thing that bothers me with my current roof is that usually if i try to put it down while sitting it'll crease onto itself at one point so means i have to get up & out of the car to smoothen out the fold something that might not happen with a non zip plastic window?

the prestigeauto stuff looks good on ebay shipped from overseas but is the seller in australia or not? looks like they may have at least an aust bank account for bank deposit express

[Bevan]

Wouldn;t worry about the weight of it. You can't put the current one up whilst sitting down to putting in a glass top won't change anything. I think the convenience of not unzipping or having to clean the plastic ever again far outweighs having to stand up to put the top up, which is what you need to do at the moments anyways.

[Mr_Q]

Having replaced my plastic windowed roof for a glass windowed one earlier in the year I'd have to say that the best benefit is not having to zip/unzip the window every time. It's so much quicker and easier and well worth changing.

The only disadvantage I've found is that the glass window is not quite as large as the plastic one which makes the distance you can see out the back shorter. This obviously depends on your height, seating position and willingness to wriggle around for a better view. It might be an idea to try one out first.

When I bought my new roof through MX5 Mania I was told that the demister equipped windows only came on the zipped glass window style. This may not be true of all roof makes, and as Juffa said, it's easier to run the a/c for a couple of minutes anyway (assuming you've got a/c, of course.

[SuperMazdaKart]

hrmms, i'm sure i've seen mazda state that theres a roof that can be put up while sitting.


found it,



also an NA with plastic window


they make it look so simple with one hand.. maybe my frame just needs a good lubricating???

might have to see if i can catch up with ChrisP again sometime during the Xmas break, MX5 Titaniums have different seats though so might be lower or higher then mine?

don't spose the glass window can be tinted??

[AJ]

you can do it.........well, i can do it anyway, with the NC as well

[chrislevingston]

There is a bit of an art to it, but it gets pretty easy with practice.

The trick (I find) is to get your arm as close to the centre of the car as possible.

So, I get the roof part-way up with my left arm over my shoulder, and finish off with my right arm.

HTH - Chris

[AJ]

that's how i do it chris

[Andrew]

that's how i do it chris

me too, except i change arms when the left arm hits the roll bar

[Craig]

I wonder if you could attach a small rope pull for the shorter drivers, that tucks away when the roof is in the up position so as to not block the drivers vision?

[AJ]

or just hang the fluffy dice off it

[Andrew]

or just hang the fluffy dice off it