Retractable Hard Top Model Comparison?

Is anyone in the group familiar with the early model (A and B) Miatas
also familiar enough with the retractable hardtop model to provide a
comparison?

I am not thinking of changing from my '97 M Edition to a hard top
model now, but I think somewhere down the line I may consider the hard
top model, particularly in terms of long highway trips getting to a
twisty road destination.

So I am particularly interested in the "softer" side of the hardtop-
equipped model; how it is on long trips (ambient noise level, seat
comfort, ride quality), and what (if any) sacrifices you make in terms
of handling, immediacy of response, steering feel, etc, when you take
a hardtop model through the twisties.

Any feedback appreciated.

Tim

Tim M. wrote:
> Is anyone in the group familiar with the early model (A and B) Miatas
> also familiar enough with the retractable hardtop model to provide a
> comparison?
>
> I am not thinking of changing from my '97 M Edition to a hard top
> model now, but I think somewhere down the line I may consider the hard
> top model, particularly in terms of long highway trips getting to a
> twisty road destination.
>
> So I am particularly interested in the "softer" side of the hardtop-
> equipped model; how it is on long trips (ambient noise level, seat
> comfort, ride quality), and what (if any) sacrifices you make in terms
> of handling, immediacy of response, steering feel, etc, when you take
> a hardtop model through the twisties.
>
> Any feedback appreciated.
>
> Tim

I haven't owned either but I have driven both a 1993 model with a
hardtop in place and a 2008 model with the PRHT raised and the hardtops
seemed similar in what they did, though the two Miatas are not that much
alike.

Both hardtops added a lot of comfort to the car compared to the ragtop,
imo. That said, I only drove each one for a short time, and I have never
driven the NC extensively.

The hardtop will not adversely affect handling or steering response on
either car beyond a small, probably un-noticeable weight gain.

It adds around 80 pounds to the weight of the new Miata for whatever
that counts for.
This is about 30 more pounds than the 1989-2005 hartop adds, since the
soft top usually stays on the car and the PRHT-equipped NC only one top.

I really, really like the PRHT. If I had a hardtop now, I would almost
never use it, just too much trouble and not enough cold weather in Texas.
By comparison, I would put my PRHT up almost every time I parked. No
boot to deal with ever. It really is a convertible that turns into a
"real" car whenever that is more convenient. Yeah, I like it. I even
like how it looks. :-)

There were initially some concerns about the reliability of the PRHT,
but it has held up very nicely since it was introduced. I have not heard
of one going catywampus or anything yet. ;-)

Pat

On Jan 24, 11:45*am, pws > wrote:
> Tim M. wrote:
> > Is anyone in the group familiar with the early model (A and B) Miatas
> > also familiar enough with the retractable hardtop model to provide a
> > comparison?
>
> > I am not thinking of changing from my '97 M Edition to a hard top
> > model now, but I think somewhere down the line I may consider the hard
> > top model, particularly in terms of long highway trips getting to a
> > twisty road destination.
>
> > So I am particularly interested in the "softer" side of the hardtop-
> > equipped model; how it is on long trips (ambient noise level, seat
> > comfort, ride quality), and what (if any) sacrifices you make in terms
> > of handling, immediacy of response, steering feel, etc, when you take
> > a hardtop model through the twisties.
>
> > Any feedback appreciated.
>
> > Tim
>
> I haven't owned either but I have driven both a 1993 model with a
> hardtop in place and a 2008 model with the PRHT raised and the hardtops
> seemed similar in what they did, though the two Miatas are not that much
> alike.
>
> Both hardtops added a lot of comfort to the car compared to the ragtop,
> imo. That said, I only drove each one for a short time, and I have never
> driven the NC extensively.
>
> The hardtop will not adversely affect handling or steering response on
> either car beyond a small, probably un-noticeable weight gain.
>
> It adds around 80 pounds to the weight of the new Miata for whatever
> that counts for.
> This is about 30 more pounds than the 1989-2005 hartop adds, since the
> soft top usually stays on the car and the PRHT-equipped NC only one top.
>
> I really, really like the PRHT. If I had a hardtop now, I would almost
> never use it, just too much trouble and not enough cold weather in Texas.
> By comparison, I would put my PRHT up almost every time I parked. No
> boot to deal with ever. It really is a convertible that turns into a
> "real" car whenever that is more convenient. Yeah, I like it. I even
> like how it looks. :-)
>
> There were initially some concerns about the reliability of the PRHT,
> but it has held up very nicely since it was introduced. I have not heard
> of one going catywampus or anything yet. ;-)
>
> Pat- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

From the experience of others and myself, the PRHT is extremely
reliable, very convenient and reasonably quiet (probably between a HT
and a softtop). There are issues in adding after-market roll bars,
and operating the PRHT is very cold weather. The manual warns against
this, ice buildup damaging the seals. It is obviously more vandal-
proof and I think it looks great. There is a charm in being able to
put it up or down faster than the time it takes for an intersection
light to change. hth

On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:31:13 -0800 (PST), "Tim M."
> wrote:

>Is anyone in the group familiar with the early model (A and B) Miatas
>also familiar enough with the retractable hardtop model to provide a
>comparison?
>
>I am not thinking of changing from my '97 M Edition to a hard top
>model now, but I think somewhere down the line I may consider the hard
>top model, particularly in terms of long highway trips getting to a
>twisty road destination.
>
>So I am particularly interested in the "softer" side of the hardtop-
>equipped model; how it is on long trips (ambient noise level, seat
>comfort, ride quality), and what (if any) sacrifices you make in terms
>of handling, immediacy of response, steering feel, etc, when you take
>a hardtop model through the twisties.
>
>Any feedback appreciated.
>
>Tim


Tim, go here
http://forum.miata.net/vb/index.php

Do a search first, the information you seek will have been discussed
in that forum.




OzOne of the three twins

I welcome you to Crackerbox Palace.

I'll throw one other issue into the mix! I'm a bit surprised by how quickly
the NC cars have come down in price BUT, after watching prices (almost
religiously) on these NC's for quite awhile now, I have yet to see what I
consider a real 'bargain' price on a used PRHT. To me, that's a good sign as
a potential owner but I'm not so thrilled about it as a potential buyer (of
a used PRHT). Honestly though, the pain of paying a somewhat hefty price
initially is likely to be softened by the expected reduced rate of value
decline. I too, love that car. Seems everyone does! The best value I HAVE
seen on the PRHT was $5k discount off MSRP on a new one, at a Mazda dealer
out in Tucson (my car only breaks when it travels to AZ!), this was
tempting!

Chris
99BBB

> wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:31:13 -0800 (PST), "Tim M."
> > wrote:
>
>>Is anyone in the group familiar with the early model (A and B) Miatas
>>also familiar enough with the retractable hardtop model to provide a
>>comparison?
>>
>>I am not thinking of changing from my '97 M Edition to a hard top
>>model now, but I think somewhere down the line I may consider the hard
>>top model, particularly in terms of long highway trips getting to a
>>twisty road destination.
>>
>>So I am particularly interested in the "softer" side of the hardtop-
>>equipped model; how it is on long trips (ambient noise level, seat
>>comfort, ride quality), and what (if any) sacrifices you make in terms
>>of handling, immediacy of response, steering feel, etc, when you take
>>a hardtop model through the twisties.
>>
>>Any feedback appreciated.
>>
>>Tim
>
>
> Tim, go here
> http://forum.miata.net/vb/index.php
>
> Do a search first, the information you seek will have been discussed
> in that forum.
>
>
>
>
> OzOne of the three twins
>
> I welcome you to Crackerbox Palace.