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Hard top opinions?



 
 
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  #11  
Old May 3rd 10, 11:38 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
pws[_1_]
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Posts: 1,424
Default Hard top opinions?

Grant Edwards wrote:
> On 2010-05-03, Don Q <Don> wrote:
>> On 2010-05-02 19:12:11 -0400, Grant Edwards > said:
>>
>>> Never lock a Miata.

>> Seriously? Do you have a secondary protection like lo-jack?

>
> It came with an alarm, but I never arm it. Miatas have used had
> chipped keys for 6-8 years now.
>
>> Otherwise isn't this an invitation for joy riders in the
>> neighborhood?

>
> From what I've read the theft rate for Miatas is very low. And nobody
> steals car stereos anymore...
>
>> I realize a door lock won't stop a pro thief, but...

>
> If an ignition lock that requires an RFID chip in the key isn't going
> to stop a joy rider, a Miata door lock sure isn't going to slow them
> down.
>
> Anybody with a coat hanger can open a locked Miata in 15 seconds.
>
> Anybody with a brick can open a locked Miata in 5 seconds.
>
> I accidentally locked my keys in the car once (the stupd "alarm"
> system sometimes decides to arm/lock all on it's own -- which is
> damned annoying). The guy from the locksmith company used a
> fiberglass rod instead of a coat hanger, but he had the car open in a
> few seconds.
>
> If somebody wants to rifle around in my glovebox and then steal $3-4
> worth of change from the cupholder, I'd just as soon they didn't smash
> a window to do it.
>
> If I have to leave something I don't want stolen in the car, I lock it
> in the trunk.
>
>>> I never regretted mine for a second, and I kept it when I moved from
>>> an NA to an NB.

>> I did not realize the two models used interchangeable tops.

>
> It depends on the exact year/serial-number of the NB, but to move a
> hardtop from an NA to an NB you generally have to change out the
> "hook" parts on the front latches, and the rear window defogger
> requires an adapter cable. Details can be found at:
>
> http://miata.fosketts.net/index.php?...a_Hard_Top_FAQ
>
>> Good to know! (But the third gen looks too different, so I am
>> assuming you can't keep it for another move.)

>
> Dunno.
>
> I think my next Miata will probably be another NB.


Just so Don doesn't think this is an odd thing, I second this advice,
even on an older Miata without the chip protection.

A couple of other things to consider.....

The hardtop itself becomes an item of interest to some thieves. One
reported hardtop theft happened in a snowstorm and left the car full of
snow.

Leaving the car unlocked is still no guarantee against a stupid thief. I
also remember reading about someone who left their Miata unlocked and
still had the top slashed above the lock. It's just a matter of
adjusting the odds a bit.

I have had two Miatas over 10 years and have never locked either one and
have never had a sign of anyone being in the car that wasn't supposed to
be, knock on wood.

Pat
Ads
  #12  
Old May 3rd 10, 11:39 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
pws[_1_]
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Posts: 1,424
Default Hard top opinions?

John McGaw wrote:
> On 5/2/2010 9:49 PM, Don Q wrote:
>> On 2010-05-02 16:51:48 -0400, John McGaw > said:
>>
>>> When I bought my '91 I paid the extra for the hard top. When I traded
>>> it in on a new MX-5 in 2006 I figure that it had probably been on the
>>> car for 30 days total.

>>
>> Interesting!
>>
>> Is it because the soft top is adequate for your needs, or is it because
>> you are top down 90% of the time?
>>
>> (I used to know an Alfa guy who pretended he didn't know there was a top
>> under the tonneau. LOL)
>>
>>

>
> The soft top was more than sufficient. And because I garaged the car
> almost all the time it was never exposed to the intense sunlight which
> seems to be the main factor which kills tops in the long run. I gave it
> no special care rather than washing. After fifteen years the top looked
> as though it would be good for at least five more. As for keeping the
> top down, the best I ever managed was about thirty days straight (I
> lived in Alaska at the time so this is a rather amazing run).


John, do you have the link for your Miata trip around the United States?

Thanks,

Pat
  #13  
Old May 4th 10, 03:45 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
Grant Edwards[_3_]
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Posts: 68
Default Hard top opinions?

On 2010-05-03, pws > wrote:

[regarding my advice to never lock a Miata]

> Just so Don doesn't think this is an odd thing, I second this advice,
> even on an older Miata without the chip protection.
>
> A couple of other things to consider.....
>
> The hardtop itself becomes an item of interest to some thieves. One
> reported hardtop theft happened in a snowstorm and left the car full
> of snow.


Ouch! To be betrayed by another Miata owner (who else is going to
know to steel a hardtop?) just adds insult to injury.

> Leaving the car unlocked is still no guarantee against a stupid
> thief. I also remember reading about someone who left their Miata
> unlocked and still had the top slashed above the lock. It's just a
> matter of adjusting the odds a bit.


I had a top slashed as well. The car was unlocked, sitting in a
driveway in a nice suburban neighborhood in Lawrence Kansas. They
never even bothered to open a door -- it was just vandalism.

> I have had two Miatas over 10 years and have never locked either one
> and have never had a sign of anyone being in the car that wasn't
> supposed to be, knock on wood.


I did have somebody in my (unlocked) 96M once. The alarm must have
gone off, becuase they did about $200 of damage ripping the alarm
switch off the steering column (which of course doesn't turn off the
alarm). I think they took some of the change out of the ash-tray.

One other time, I'm pretty sure somebody walked off with a wallet of
CDs that was in my 96m. But, they probably just leaned in and grabbed
it. After that I switched to keeping, uh, let's say "backup" copies of
CDs in the car with the originals at home.

--
Grant
  #14  
Old May 4th 10, 01:26 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
pws[_1_]
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Posts: 1,424
Default Hard top opinions?

Grant Edwards wrote:

> Ouch! To be betrayed by another Miata owner (who else is going to
> know to steel a hardtop?) just adds insult to injury.


I would guess that some thieves understand the value of them, hardtops
in general, not just for the Miata.
There was one hardtop stolen from a Miata here in Austin not that long
ago, which makes at least two that I have heard of.

A used Miata hardtop fetch anywhere from $500.00 to as much as $1000.00
around here, which is a lot better haul than grabbing the stereo.

> I had a top slashed as well. The car was unlocked, sitting in a
> driveway in a nice suburban neighborhood in Lawrence Kansas. They
> never even bothered to open a door -- it was just vandalism.


With my normal luck, I am surprised that this has never happened to me.
Shooting is way too good a punishment for thieves and vandals.

> I did have somebody in my (unlocked) 96M once. The alarm must have
> gone off, becuase they did about $200 of damage ripping the alarm
> switch off the steering column (which of course doesn't turn off the
> alarm). I think they took some of the change out of the ash-tray.


Sounds like a brain trust went at it that time. ;-)

> One other time, I'm pretty sure somebody walked off with a wallet of
> CDs that was in my 96m. But, they probably just leaned in and grabbed
> it. After that I switched to keeping, uh, let's say "backup" copies of
> CDs in the car with the originals at home.


I have been doing that for a while, so now my main concern if they are
taken is that someone out there will know exactly how bad my taste in
music really is.

Pat

  #15  
Old May 4th 10, 06:26 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
Bruno, Copenhagen - Denmark
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Posts: 24
Default Hard top opinions?

Don Q wrote:
> Is there a consensus about the hard top?
>

No consensus from what I can read in the other posts.


> On the one hand one can cite better weather protection in winter and
> better defense against vandalism and theft if one has to park
> outdoors/overnight.
>

As for weather protection my experience is that it must be pretty
extreme else the soft top does fine.

As for vandalism someone could take a knife to it but breaking in that
way is more work than one should think (there is a youtube surveillance
video somewhere).

About two weeks after I bought my MX-5 someone keyed the whole right
side and also burned the top with a cigaret. The cigaret left a small
mark but did not melt through so the top is pretty tough.




> On the other hand there is the issue of storage during the summer
> months, and the additional purchase cost.
>

Oh, yes. My 1999 MX-5, which I bought some December 29th some 3.4 years
ago, came with a hard top. I had it on the first winter but since then
it's been taking up space in the cellar (I bought a special bag for it
that hangs on the wall).


> How many of you have the hard top, how many have regrets?
>

I do.

While it is nice and the car looks great with it I see no need for it. I
live in Denmark so the winter can be very wet and some years also pretty
cold but even in the middle of winter I can find days where the top goes
down. As long as you are gentle and it is not covered in ice putting the
top down can be done at any temperature and driving in the cold top down
is great with a little warm clothes plus the heater in the car is powerful.

It is partly by chance I discovered that the soft top works well in the
winter. My car is parked outside so as my second winter came up I missed
the chance of mounting the hard top while the car was completely dry and
I did not want to drive all winter with a folded soft top so I stuck
with the soft top.

To sum it up. The soft top works well in the winter so there is really
no need for the hard top.

Greetings
Bruno

PS. I saw the Elise/SLK/MX-5 thread. I think the MX-5 is the right
choice but you should also check out the Honda S2000.
  #16  
Old May 4th 10, 06:36 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
Frank Berger
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Posts: 286
Default Hard top opinions?

Bruno, Copenhagen - Denmark wrote:
> Don Q wrote:
>> Is there a consensus about the hard top?
>>

> No consensus from what I can read in the other posts.
>
>
>> On the one hand one can cite better weather protection in winter and
>> better defense against vandalism and theft if one has to park
>> outdoors/overnight.
>>

> As for weather protection my experience is that it must be pretty
> extreme else the soft top does fine.
>
> As for vandalism someone could take a knife to it but breaking in that
> way is more work than one should think (there is a youtube
> surveillance video somewhere).
>
> About two weeks after I bought my MX-5 someone keyed the whole right
> side and also burned the top with a cigaret. The cigaret left a small
> mark but did not melt through so the top is pretty tough.



In a previous life, I bought a Dodge Caravan. While busy negotiating the
price and arguing over this or that, I failed to notice it had wire wheel
covers. I wouldn't have wanted them. Anyway, the right two were stolen one
day and replaced. Some time later, the left two were stolen and replaced.
I was adviced to get wheel cover locks, which I did. The next time someone
tried to steal one and couldn't get it off, they destroyed it on the car and
keyed the whole side of the car.


  #17  
Old May 4th 10, 07:40 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
Don Q[_2_]
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Posts: 32
Default Hard top opinions?

On 2010-05-04 13:26:57 -0400, "Bruno, Copenhagen - Denmark"
> said:

> To sum it up. The soft top works well in the winter so there is really
> no need for the hard top.


Thanks for the info.

At this point it looks like we will go for a used series II, so I guess
if it doesn't come with hard top we won't worry too much about it.


> PS. I saw the Elise/SLK/MX-5 thread. I think the MX-5 is the right
> choice but you should also check out the Honda S2000.


Good point. Somehow I never remember that car. Not too many around
these parts is probably why.

cheers

Don




  #18  
Old May 4th 10, 08:04 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
T.J. Higgins
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Posts: 123
Default Hard top opinions?

In article >, wrote:
>On 2010-05-04 13:26:57 -0400, "Bruno, Copenhagen - Denmark"
> said:
>
>> To sum it up. The soft top works well in the winter so there is really
>> no need for the hard top.

>
>Thanks for the info.
>
>At this point it looks like we will go for a used series II, so I guess
>if it doesn't come with hard top we won't worry too much about it.


My '99 is my daily driver. Winters are pretty mild here in
North Alabama; in 7 years of ownership I've had zero weather-
related problems with the soft top. In the spring and fall
if there is the threat of strong storms and hail, I drive my
old pickup truck. I did have to replace the top in 2009,
which I blame on the long hot summers here. The car is
garaged at night, but sits out in the blazing sun all day.

--
TJH

tjhiggin.at.hiwaay.dot.net
  #19  
Old May 4th 10, 08:35 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
John McGaw
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Posts: 147
Default Hard top opinions?

On 5/3/2010 6:39 PM, pws wrote:
> John McGaw wrote:
>> On 5/2/2010 9:49 PM, Don Q wrote:
>>> On 2010-05-02 16:51:48 -0400, John McGaw > said:
>>>
>>>> When I bought my '91 I paid the extra for the hard top. When I traded
>>>> it in on a new MX-5 in 2006 I figure that it had probably been on the
>>>> car for 30 days total.
>>>
>>> Interesting!
>>>
>>> Is it because the soft top is adequate for your needs, or is it because
>>> you are top down 90% of the time?
>>>
>>> (I used to know an Alfa guy who pretended he didn't know there was a top
>>> under the tonneau. LOL)
>>>
>>>

>>
>> The soft top was more than sufficient. And because I garaged the car
>> almost all the time it was never exposed to the intense sunlight which
>> seems to be the main factor which kills tops in the long run. I gave
>> it no special care rather than washing. After fifteen years the top
>> looked as though it would be good for at least five more. As for
>> keeping the top down, the best I ever managed was about thirty days
>> straight (I lived in Alaska at the time so this is a rather amazing run).

>
> John, do you have the link for your Miata trip around the United States?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pat


http://johnmcgaw.com/trip_intro.html
http://johnmcgaw.com/trip_redux.html


  #20  
Old May 4th 10, 11:49 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
pws[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,424
Default Hard top opinions?

Don Q wrote:
> On 2010-05-04 13:26:57 -0400, "Bruno, Copenhagen - Denmark"
> > said:
>
>> To sum it up. The soft top works well in the winter so there is really
>> no need for the hard top.

>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> At this point it looks like we will go for a used series II, so I guess
> if it doesn't come with hard top we won't worry too much about it.
>
>
>> PS. I saw the Elise/SLK/MX-5 thread. I think the MX-5 is the right
>> choice but you should also check out the Honda S2000.

>
> Good point. Somehow I never remember that car. Not too many around these
> parts is probably why.
>
> cheers
>
> Don


Don,

I would recommend checking out this page. It can make a world of
difference in the handling, especially with this car.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Pat


 




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