This write-up describes the process of replacement of a soft top for a Mazda Miata. My vehicle is a 92, but I think that this might be very similar for many model years of Miata. I refer to this as “removal and installation” because removing the old top can be (at least was for me) a task requiring as much effort as installation of the new top. This is particularly true when you are not an expert at removing convertible tops, or have no previous experience replacing Miata tops. Without adequate instructions this can (and did for me) turn into a job taking 15 to 20 hours and requiring a few trips to the hardware store. Instructions from Mazda or from the people who sell you the top might claim that the job will “take you an afternoon with a few common tools”. Good luck with that! I’m writing this in hopes that someone else will not have as much difficulty as I did.
The process (background):
1. The zipper around the plastic window of your Miata jams or tears leaving you unable to unzip the window to lay flat while you drop the top
2. After many cycles of raising and lowering the top, the plastic develops that white opaque look and finally cracks
3. You use clear tape, and eventually duct tape, to prevent the weather from entering the car with varying degrees of success
4. You consider replacing the window, call the dealer, and he tells you that just the plastic window pieces costs $525 plus installation – complete tops cost much more and installation cost could make the whole job near $1500 or more – your reply of “you’ve gotta be kidding” produces only silence on the other end
5. More and more of the window cracks out and the duct tape begins to show patina that you’re becoming fond of
6. Finally you decide you can take it any longer and decide to you have to do something and look on Ebay for options and find a number of tops for sale at reasonable prices
7. You buy one with an ad that says they will supply directions and help – about $20 more for this top so that can get directions and help

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Related Tags: adequate instructions, common tools, convertible tops, duct tape, ebay, good luck, hardware store, jams, job, Mazda, patina, reply, silence, weather, window cracks, zipper