Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

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1600Dave
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Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby 1600Dave » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:01 am

So, I'm in the market for a new soft top for my NB8B. Any recommendations as to what type ? Can you still get genuine ones ? Decent aftermarket ones ?

Also, suggestions as to where to buy ? I'm in Newcastle, NSW but willing to travel to Sydney.

I'm interested in quality rather than price (within reason) as it will be an insurance job.

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aka_juffa
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby aka_juffa » Tue Aug 30, 2016 12:38 pm

G'day,

Given that it will be an insurance job......

I'd suggest MX5Mainia (Fourm sponsor) to buy from, and to fit.


As shown on their website original Mazda soft top is $1750 and aftermarket mohair is $1250. Having had mohair on a previous 5 I would recommend getting one. Looks so much more classier than the original vinyl ones.

Another option is a local auto trimmer. Not able to suggest one in your area though.

J
Motor Neurone Disease chose me, I choose Voluntary Assisted Dying.

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1600Dave
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby 1600Dave » Tue Aug 30, 2016 2:46 pm

Thanks

It ended up going to a mechanic for repair :shock: . I made the post above while waiting for the police to come for finger printing, after I was allowed to touch the car it turned out to have a lot of wiring harness damage where the would-be thieves tried to get around the immobiliser by cutting random wires and couldn't be started. The particular mechanic is an accredited repairer for my insurance company so it was easier to send it there, the alternative was I would have to tow it around various places to get quotes for the wiring and for the softtop if I wanted to use a non-accredited repairer.

I did get a quote from MX5Mania and forwarded that onto the repairer, also specifically asked that I wanted a cloth top rather than vinyl. I assume the mechanic workshop will just sub-contract the work out - there is an auto electrician a few businesses down the road and a motor trimmer a few blocks away.

So long as I get it back running and not leaking, I guess I will be happy. It was in need of a new soft top anyway, the old one was starting to split around the seams above the door windows and leaked a little.

Which reminds me, I should ring to see how its going, it was towed away last Tuesday.

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smy0003
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby smy0003 » Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:18 pm

Fecking low lives. Glad they didn't get away with the car or burn it to the ground.

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Mr Morlock
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby Mr Morlock » Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:37 pm

If it were my car I would replace with the OEM top and in vinyl. I bet the OEM one is a better top and durable for probably 15 years barring thieves.

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1600Dave
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby 1600Dave » Tue Aug 30, 2016 7:29 pm

That was my first thought but apparently they are no longer available from Mazda.

I'm very glad they didn't get away with the car or torch it, I've become attached to it in the year or so I've had it for my daily drive.

Rang the repairer today, they are still waiting for approval from Shannons after sending a quote last Wednesday afternoon. I rang Shannons, and apparently their assessors are currently very busy and might get around to looking at the quote on Thursday :roll:

Was hoping to get it back by the weekend, I'm entered in the MX5 club motorkhana. Looks like the backup car (my Datsun 1600) might get a run instead.

thehillsarecalling
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby thehillsarecalling » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:47 pm

Not available from Mazda? Really?

I was quoted $2k for a vinyl top from Mazda about a year ago. Surely they haven't discontinued them since then?
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1600Dave
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Re: Recommended replacement soft top for NB8B ?

Postby 1600Dave » Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:36 pm

That was according to MX5Mania.

Not sure if that is all soft tops, or just those specifically for NB8B.


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