Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Dark blue original design zip out glass rear window top
After the economy no zip Robbins top that was on my '94 Laguna finally ripped, it was time to invest in a new top. After putting in a pair of 10AE seats, I decided to go with a dark blue top to complete the look I was after.
After some searching through various websites and searching the forum I decided to go with the AA Best top. I really have a passion against Robbins, so that company was out. I had a CabrioWorld top on another car which I really liked, but after hearing good things about AA Best I decided to give them a try. My bad.
It took 2 weeks for the top to arrive, which was just what I was told. Once it was here, I went to work on the install. The top itself is a copy of the original top, except for the glass windo in place of the vinyl. This one has no straps that need to installed on the frame for the glass.
First thing I noticed was that there were no instructions. No big deal for myself, as I've installed enough tops that they are not needed. But for a first or second timer, they would have been nice to have. I also noticed that the window section was not connected to the rest of the top. I found this odd, but isn't a big deal.
Instalation went fairly smooth, but as I was riveting and screwing down the window trim peices, I started to notice that the pre-drilled holes didn't line up. I pushed and pulled on the material to make everything align and put no further thought into it. Big mistake.
Once the top was on the frame, the frame went into the car, and the interior was reassembled. I had the usual trouble of closing the top for the first time, then the car was pulled out of the garage. That's when the trouble really started.
First off, there are white scuff marks on the top near the drivers side door that didn't want to scrub off. I didn't want to use anything to strong on the new top, so the marks are still there. Eventually, I'll get some strong cleaner and may get the marks off. Then I noticed a small spot on the top where it looks like the blue dye didn't take, it's faint and the spot is not to large but if you catch the top at the right angle, the original white comes through. Then I found a small hole in the top, where it looks like something tore the vinyl. It's very small and it does not appear to go all the way through, as it does not leak and the material on the inside of the top is still smooth.
Now back to the holes not lining up correctly. The top along the sides of the windows were cut about an eighth of an inch to wide. This means that the top around the window was flared out instead of sitting flush with the frame. Think of an Egyptian headpiece, as it flares out from the face. I had to take the weather stripping pieces off the frame, realign the materiel and then cut some new holes. Then once I had re-riveted the top and put the trim pieces back on, it looks better. It's not perfect, but good enough.
Another side effect of the miss-aligned holes are ripples on the side of the top behind the side windows. To eliminate the ripples, I need to pull the frame off the car and stretch the top tighter at the base of the frame in the front. This is a side effect of the material not being cut properly and having to much material. I'll eventually get around to fixing this, but it is a factory defect in construction of the top.
I contacted AA Best about the problems, and they in turn contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer claims that the top was made correctly and that it is installer error. Even after pictures of the problems were sent in, they still deny the problem. As far as the scuffs and hole, they claim that since it has already been installed on the car before being noticed, it's not covered under warranty. But the manufacturer did give me the option of sending in the top so they can inspect it, and then they can determine if it's covered under warranty. No thanks, as I don't have the original top to go back onto the car, and no garage to keep the car out of the weather.
The top material is fairly thin, I don't think it'll hold up for more than a few years. Definitely not to the end of the 5 year warranty period (but then again I have warranty issues which they won't stand behind). The rear glass is nice, about as big as a OEM NB glass, or at least as big as the CabrioWorld tops rear glass. Since the rear window section is not attached to the rest of the top, I had some difficulty pulling all of the material tight when the top went back into the car. An extra set of hands finally got everything nice and tight.
AA Best seemed to be interested in the problems that I had, but only pointed to the manufacturer and then washed their hands of the problem. The manufacturer was suppose to contact me about the problems, but after a month of waiting, I'm not expecting a call.
My recommendation is avoid this top, spend a little extra and get the CabrioWorld. I kick myself for not going with them again. I've recommended them to friends and everyone has been satisfied. Stupid me for not listening to my own recommendation. When this one goes, a dark blue CabrioWorld top will be going on in it's place.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Black cloth replacement top with drip guard over doors, zip down vinyl window and new attached rain rail.
Karl, the owner of AA Best, was great to deal with. Product was delivered as ordered and in a timely fashion. Price was very competetive at right around $500. I am an instructor at the local community college tech center, we used the instal of this top as a class project. A local trim shop owner came in to assist and was very helpful. Total instal time was less than 3 hrs and the results are very satisfactory. Nice and tight with no leaks what so ever.
I would buy this top again without reservation. The top fits well, and the drip guard is a nice option that will keep the water from dripping on you when getting in or out of the car in the rain. It is however not a noticable addition and does not in any way detract from the clean lines of the top.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
New Cloth top with zipped glass window
This top is great
I was looking for a new top. I found AABest on line. Thay had the top that i was looking for at a very good price.I found this top to bevery well made. The color Driftwood on my 96M Miata looks just great.I will buy from them again.
Applicable to: '99-'05 1.8 liter
AA Best stay fast top w/zippred glass and defrost
i bought this top to replace my oem top that went south on me. i bought from aa best for the reson of most bang for the buck. reviews of robins tops i felt are inadequate to say the lest..cut, glue,..ah..no. The top from AA Best fit perfect, especially the front bow frame area and the rain rail area, vary nice. my top still..still looks new even after two years and no problems.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
AA Best Stayfast Cloth w/zippered and defrosted glass
Had the top professionally installed by Stitches on Gasoline Alley in Indy ($300) July, 2004. Fit was perfect and experienced no leaking whasoever. The top maintained it's water repellency for nearly two years before I cleaned and conditioned the top in May 2006 (Ragg Topp products for cloth). The car was sold in June, 2006; I ran into the new owner in Feb 2007. The top still looks new with a tight and leak-free fit. I fully expect the top to last at least as long as the car. I would highly recommend this top, not just for the quality, extremely competitive pricing and the new 7 year warranty, but for the great customer service from Karl at AA Best.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Glass "zip-down" rear repl. panel.
Replaced my foggy & cracked plastic rear window panel with a new glass insert panel from AAA Best Co. Quality of materials was good, but fit & design was very poor. The rear holes for the rain-rail were punched about 2" farther up on the apron than they belonged, so after installation the top was about 2" short of reaching the front latches to close the top. I had to set 3 Breeko Blocks on the front of the top, & let it sit in the mid-summer sun for 2 days for the top to stretch enough to reach the latches and force them closed. I finally got the top closed, (with much fear the zipper would bust apart any moment), but it caused a big bulge & wrinkle to rise up on the sides. I called AAA Best, & they said I must have put the window in wrong. That's B.S. It will only fit one way, & it was obvious the holes were punched too far up towards the glass. I don't recommend their products & their support/warranty is non-existing. Spend the extra $ and buy a better brand.
AAA Best...should be AAA Worst.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
After reading of some favorable comments on miataforum concerning A.A. Best Co.'s tops and favorable prices, in mid-2003, I treated my 94 Laguna to a dark blue one piece no-zip (NB style) glass window with defroster. In September 2003, I received my replacement to this top, namely a two-piece (NA style) zip glass window with defroster, with the option to unzip or not unzip when lowering. Both were very favorably priced in comparison with other after-market soft-tops.
My first top, the dark blue one piece (NB style) no-zip glass window with defroster leaked badly along the lower sewn section of the window. Pics were emailed to Karl at A.A. Best Co., who promptly responded. On September 2003, a two-piece (NA style) zip glass window with defroster arrived. I was sent a bottle of sealant to coat the inner threads of the window. I also applied tent sealant on the exterior threads. Fit of top was similar as before. When unzipped, the glass window gets hung up on the bow staps. This top leaked too, along the lower part of the window. It is now June 2004 and I have to put a car cover over my Miata when it rains. The website claims a 5 year warranty, so I have emailed Karl again but after 2 leaky tops, I do not have much confidence in his tops. Unless the heat sealing has changed substantially since Sept. 2003, I cannot recommend the A.A. Best Co. tops.
The dark blue tops Iwas shipped look great installed, are packaged professionally with rivets, straps, instructions, etc. Workmanship appear good but in the 2 tops I have had, there is a serious issue on the tops leaking where the lower portion where the window is sewn to the top. Up to this point, Karl at A. A. Best Co. has shown exemplary customer service in making good on my first leaking top, upon installing a second leaking top, my confidence in his product is shaky. I am not sure if I want to go through another install of one of their tops to find the next one will leak as well. I do not expect OEM quality at 1/2 or 13 of OEM price, but I do expect a soft-top that will not leak. Since communication with A. A. Best Co. is on-going, I will add to my review. However, at this time, I would not recommend these tops until I am assured that the leaking issue has been adequately addressed, and not by supplying the buyer with a bottle of sealant to s! eal one own's top.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
2 Beautiful red stayfast top, that fits like garbage. Do not buy from Acme Best Co!!!
They at first sent me a top that was made incorrectly. After playing with phone calls and emails for over a mounth they finally decided to send me a new top. When i got the second top, I noticed that not all the holes were prepunched. As i began installing my top everything was goin well until I was installing the front bow section. The passenger side was great however the driver's side pocket was made way way to big. Once this part was installed and the top closed the front seem would come out over 2 inches,but producing a hole you can slide a finger through. I called them up and they proceeded to sing me a song about how their tops should be installed backwards, starting with the rain rail( nyone who has installed a top, this being my fourth, knows that the dumbest thing of an idea). Basically they were lying and yet again I was left with a horrible fitting top at a cost to me of 500 dollars...a
Do not buy a top from these guys. They mention that they have the best warranty period. But the warranty is garbage, unless it is installed by them. Great news if you live in california, sorry for people like me in NJ.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
AA BEST STAYFAST TOP
MY first impression of this product is very good the top is made of good materials I oped for the glass window AND WOW!!!! I had it installed professionally the top fits perfectly
this is a great top it fits tight as a drum I reccommend this top
Difficult to remove without leaving
damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Replacement convertible top. Black vinyl with a zippered glass window and defroster.
I ordered the top from A.A. Best Co's online store. It arrived on the date promised, well packaged. The top did not come with complete instructions, but the A.A. Best Co warns of that on their website, stating that their products are intended for purchse by experienced professional installers (this was my first time ever doing this). Anyway I used instructions that I located via Google. The installation took me 6 hours (not including the two hours it took me to remove the old top). The website says it will take 8, so I guess I did okay. I am mechanically inclined, and have done many automotive projects, but this was the hardest #$%^%$ thing I've ever done. There was nothing about the product in particualr that made it any harder or easier to install than any other top, htey are all hard to install. The product fits well, and looks good.
Lowering the glass window before lowering the top is tough, so is zippering the heavy glass window back up. I would not hesitate to buy from AA Best, but might try the one-piece glass window top (no zipper) instead.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
CLOTH TOP W/ GLASS WINDOW
Excellent so far- great quality and a better price than Robbins
Install done by pro ($250:Cloverleaf upholstery in Hollywood, FL). Quality excellent-chose unique burgindy color for my blk Miata-looks cool-glass window has zipper but its not necessary to unzip to put top down. Perfect, tight fit, top quality cloth-so far so good
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
German cloth custom top with glass rear window.
Did the installation myself. First time doing a rag top. Followed instructions that came with the top and as found in my shop manual. Simple and straightforward installation.
After 14 years Michelle was in need of a new rag top, so for my birthday my wife purchased this top kit thru eBay (the closing price was about $500 less than what I've seen listed in catalogs for a comparable German cloth top). AABest was friendly and easy to deal with, and I received the kit in the time frame they specified. I was very impressed with the overall design of the product: simple and straightforward and well fitting design. Never having done a top before I was impressed with how easy it was to install! I especially like the feature of a glass window that does not have to be unzipped and tended to everytime I put the top down! I've had lots of comments from folks about how nice the top looks...I must say it looks a lot better than the vinyl top ever did, even when new.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
I ordered a one piece convertible top with plastic rear window for my 92 mazda miata
I have to say I am dissapointed with this product. I have had multpile problems and it has already had to go back to the installer twice already and might need to go back a third time! The top does not come with enough rivets for the actual top, only enough for the straps. The top does not seem to fit right and the supplied straps are useless. They do not help the window go down at all. The top is made of high grade material but there are many design flaws
The people at AABEST have been very friendly in trying to help me with the top but this does not overlook the fact that this top was not well thought out, especilly to be mass produced and work every time.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Black Stayfast Cloth Top with a glass back window.
The top came within ten days of ordering without a scratch. I chickened out of installing it and had it professionally installed- well worth the $300 for installation.
Top fits extremly well and looks great. No problems with it at all. Installer said it was the first time he had installed that model of top but it was of great quality and at $414 total for the top it was a deal. It makes the car look like brand new again. Even my wife says it was worth it and she hates my miata!
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Base model vinyl top w/plastic rear window
Install done by professional shop, problem with fit.
Excellent service from AA Best/Acme Headlining Co., they not only replaced defective top but also covered cost of second install. Very pleased with product and service!
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Soft top with non heated glass window.
For 300 bucks this is a lot of top. OEM quality but with a glass window and better zipper, time consuming installation but no problems or difficulties.
I recommend the product.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Replacement top w/glass window (A.A. Best Co.)
My first replacement top for my '97 black. I was a little wary of the top given the tremendously low price for it (around $369) and the glass top. I was surprised, though, as the top is a good quality for the price. It is a thousand times more attractive than my faded top and it is weird actually being able to "see" out the back window! On the other hand, the heavier glass does make it a tad more difficult in raising the glass to zip it up with one person. That is the only drawback, though, as I am very pleased with my new top.
Very happy with the new top look and price ($369!!).
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
| Back to Product Reviews | 22 November, 2008 |