1933beer

bubba what material did you use? I hope the information helped.

jeff968

So, this isn't a case of multiple suppliers of the same tops produced by one manufacturer? These companies actually manufacture the tops themselves and use different materials and processes to make them? I have a new one in a box. I'll have to see which one it is.

1933beer

There are different types of material. I use the original type that came on the car but there is also stay fast. It is used on cars like Fords and I think Mazdas. It is cheaper but does not last as long. There is an article on one of the top sites that tells the types. I 'll see if I can find again.

1933beer

http://www.ezsofttops.com/t-fabric1.aspx.
this link gives the 3 types. It is not the one I read before that qas more detailed.

FIA-F1

I replaced my top (the one in the photo). I bought it about three years ago but installed it last year after procrastinating...you know how it is. I think it was GermanTops but I can't remember with certainty. I do recall there were two grades with the best one being the German twill which is the one I went with. At the time, I really struggled with dishing out the extra but seeing how nice the overall quality turned out, I clearly made the right choice. Installing it took a great deal of patience and time. It was not "plug n play" for sure. It's more like those high end RC model plane kits where you have to cut out the wings and fuselage from a flat piece of balsa. But now, whenever I walk up to the car, the superb materials jump out at me, especially when I see water bead up on it after a wash. All the mfgr seams and stitching were perfect, no adjustments needed because some craftsman missed the mark on a Friday afternoon. In retrospect, go top shelf, you'll know it was the right decision.

jeff968

I recall years ago people stating they were looking for a top with the correct "white" stitching only to find out the stitching on a new top is always black and just turns white with age and exposure to the sun.

veleno

Bump...

Has anyone replaced their top with one that has a glass window instead of the clear plastic? Is that even an option with any of the vendors?

porscharu

How would it fold?

1933beer

that was my thought. I have not heard of or saw one that is glass.

azbanks

I've wonder what it would take to get a top with a zip out rear window. Then the window plastic would be easy to replace without replacing the whole top.

1933beer

It is a 2 piece top anyway. When I called to find out what it cost to replace my top the guy asked if I just needed the window replaced. Zipper or no zipper they can replace I didn't go that route I had a hole from a mouse and it was still a 22 hr old top. 10 year old.top perhaps.

veleno

While I admit I haven't really looked to see if it's possible for the top to work with a glass window (I'll check next weekend since I'm curious), the thought came to mind again as I was replacing my friends S2K top which has a small glass window that seemed small enough to work. I'll do more studying...

Good idea on the zipper window. I believe some vendors for the Miata have this feature as I've seen it before.

jeff968

What can one expect to pay for the labor portion of the top install? Thx

markoS2

I do upholstery as a hobby and made my own window piece. The actual sewing part is easy, but making the pattern was very time consuming. A zipper out window would really be nice but you'd have to find an upholster willing to do a custom design and I'm sure "custom" = $$. Then if you ever did need to change the window, you'd have to go back to the same guy and have him make an exact copy of the original. If he were out of business or doesn't do that anymore, you'd have to find someone else to copy it, but now your window is old, beat up and maybe slightly stretched and it might be hard to pattern it the same as the original. It might not fit properly. I suppose you could always get two plastic pieces made to start with. Certainly not trying to be a party pooper, it's just something to ponder.

thomasmryan

The PO had a GAHH installed. Blue with white threads. Cost; top 660, labor 1417 but the dude writing the invoice could not add and bumped it a grand. Total $3367.68 with tax in October of 2003.

The install job must have sucked. B pillar broke in September 2005 resulting in another $1298.87 installing a used part.....could have been more.

Top looks great a decade later.

The dealer must have hated the PO and the PO must have hated the dealer....the $20k+ worth of service records are humorous....ie an oil change then the heater valve breaks a week later.

The top is retimed and I dampen the movement with my free hand as to not to load up the mechanism by allowing it to bounce.