New soft top time. Which one should I get?

bonester · Postby **bonester** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:39 am

Been looking into getting a new top as I broke the plastic window and the top is a bit faded,
Options so far seem to be (price realistic)
Prestige Australia which is Haartz vinyl made by EZ tops.
Prestige UK which is Cabriotex and slightly cheaper. Manufacture of this one looks really nice.
Anyone know the difference in the vinyls? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone got other suggestions/experiences too?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:37 pm

Other options (note, i've never used any of these, nor have i actually seen them in person)

Robbins: http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/mazda.php

Ezy Fit: http://www.convertibletops.com.au/products/Mazda%20MX5

if it were me, I would personally try and keep a zippered top, but find one that can fold without needing to be unzipped.

I have the mazda OEM top on my NB, and while it's great, and has lasted me 20 years (and is still mostly watertight) I really do find that ventilation in the car is abysmal.
The NA's ability to unzip the back window allows for a really good through flow of air, compared to the NB's stale hot cabin that the fan can barely do anything.

Familia 5 · Postby **Familia 5** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:42 pm

A stock (second hand) hood is another option. There are still many later NBs kicking about with v good condition soft tops. I got mine from another forum member when he decided to part his car out (removed soft top and other bits to build a race car). I've also often seen good condition tops on cars on gumtree/ebay/etc on cars that are being wrecked

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:46 pm

^ true

usually cheaper than new, and if they sell the frame with it a LOT easier to install.

Plus, you can then on-sell the old worn top for a bit and recover some cost that way.

Familia 5 · Postby **Familia 5** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:53 pm

Yeah. Wasn't that bad at all - particularly given some of the stories I've read/heard re 'building' an aftermarket top.

The zippered window would be awesome - I've never experienced it but imagine it would allow most of the airflow of a bikini top without the security compromise. Just checked the EZY fit website - one of their options is for a zippered glass rear window that doesn't have to be down to fold....

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:18 pm

Yeah, the unzipped back windows allows a lot of air movement.

Ages back I did a melbourne to brisbane drive in summer, in an NA with the window down.

Airflow was great, it was still hot, but at least bearable even on the hot days over 30deg
My NB is quite stuffy and warm, even on days in the mid 20s with both windows down.

apsilon · Postby **apsilon** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:29 pm

Back with my first NA I didn't have air con, the only thing that made it bearable as daily commute in summer in peak hour Sydney traffic was being able to leave the top up for shade but have the side and rear windows down for airflow. Highly recommend going for a zip if you don't have AC.