Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Mazda tan top with glass window and frame from a 2000 Miata wrack.
Recovered from a wracking yard in Montreal for $300 Canadian. It was sitting in the dirt outside the yard, what a sorry sight. There are few cracks in the rain rail but generally in excellent shape under all those dirt.
After hours of washing and cleaning, the top went on my 92 Miata without a hitch. I taped up the few small cracks in the rain rail and rewire the rear window defogger to work with my connector. It also works well with the M2 windblocker. I noticed some wear on the inside, it is from the top material got pinched in between the 2 stoppers while in the down position. The TSB recommended to replace the side set plates to rectify the situation. But I did not want to spend the money nor wait for the part, so I came up with a better solution. I attached a 2" wide elastic strap with one end to the 2nd stud from the end and the other end to the spring next to the frame stop. The elastic strap stretches as the top is being raised but remain in tension during the top down motion and keeps the side material from getting into the harms way. No more reach back to unzip the plastic window before dropping the top, now the top goes up or down within 3 seconds in one mot! ion.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
This is the stock Mazda softtop/frame combo from the 99+ cars. It has a glass rear window with a defroster, and a revised frame that allows the top to be lowered without having to unzip the window.
This is one of the best mods that I have ever done. I had never done any work with the top before, so I was a complete novice. The installation was very easy, but time consuming. It took me about 4 hours from start to finish. That includes removal of my 93 soft top/frame and installation of the new one.
The glass window is great. It is very clear and doesn't reduce the rearward view at all. The best part is that the top can be raised or lowered in about 3 seconds. Literally. The top/frame combos aren't very expensive (about $600-800), but you want to be sure to get a late 99 or 2000+ top because the early 99s were defective and had to be replaced under warranty from Mazda.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
| Back to Product Reviews | 15 August, 2001 |