Price of new soft top and illegal number plate?

Thomas Beagle · Post by **Thomas Beagle** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:05 am

Hi,

Due to the recent heavy rain and that I now park my car ouytside, I just
rang Le Mans in Wellington. They have a good reputation for doing auto
upholstery work.

They quoted $900 + GST for a soft top with no zip, $1080 + GST for a
soft top with zip. They also offered more expensive fabrics.

That was including fitting.

Thomas.

Steph Bond wrote:
[...]

Ross Bryon · Post by **Ross Bryon** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:48 am

First, welcome. Congratulations on your superb taste in motor cars. And
hope you enjoy your new MX5 to the full in all this great top-down
weather!

I had a tan Robbins top fitted last year in Auckland by Al's Upholstery
(highly recommended) for $1150+gst ($1293.75). I did some research on
tops at the time and found that Robbins tops were slightly more
expensive that some others like EZON, but I decided the little extra
for the best was worth it.

With the NZ even stronger than when I bought my top, the price should
not have gone up since then... maybe even be a bit less.

As for the number plate... yes it illegal to not display a
standard-issue plate both front and back, though some seem to get away
with it... and the seller should have at least given you the front
plate. Depending upon which side of the bed the cop got up on if/when
he stops you for this, the fine for this can be hefty; better get the
plate!

Ross Bryon
1991 BRG V-Spec Roadster | OL MAN |
Auckland

On 16 Feb 2005, at 8:58 AM, Steph Bond wrote:

[...]

Michael & Kate Cooper · Post by **Michael & Kate Cooper** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:57 am

Re: Soft-top price. Seems a little on the high side for the top. What city
are you in?

Re: stick-on plate. I'm pretty sure these are not legal. I believe the fine
is around $200, and sometimes you can get off if you bring the car in to the
police station within 'X' number of days with the correct plate fitted. The
correct plate can be fitted above the mouth, or to the side of the mouth
(special mounting brackets available) or in the mouth (this would affect the
cooling of the engine, but some say it shouldn't actually make it overheat.)
Ours is positioned above the mouth, with bits of rubber sponge caps over the
ends of the screws, so that when it is pushed back it doesn't scratch the
paint on the car.

Did you actually get the front plate with the car?

If you do a Google search with "mx5club.org.nz" and then "number plates" or
"stick-on plate" or something similar, then it should bring up previous
discussions on this list on the same subject. (There was some discussion of
different fines and LTSA regulations if I remember correctly).

Have fun!

Kate

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:09 am

Ross failed to mention that it was he (I believe) who also identified
out of the USA a front number plate holder that flips at a certain speed
as to not reduce air flow to the radiator, give a more appealing
appearance while under way, and last but most important, is a deterrent
against being identified by speed cameras.

I have no idea if Ross (or who ever it was) pursued the matter further.
Ross???

Regards
Bill

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:47 am

BTW, Al's Upholstery installed a new Robbin's tan top (with zippered
plastic window) on my MX5 a year ago for around $1000NZ. The NZ dollar
is only a penny (1 cent) stronger now than a year ago.

Regards
Bill

Ross Bryon · Post by **Ross Bryon** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:02 pm

Yes, Bill, the swinging number plate bracket from Team Miata (
www.teammiata.com/TM305.htm )... BUT they won't ship outside USA, and I
have not yet pursued this... the mechanism doesn't seem complicated;
perhaps some enterprising soul could make a NZ version? But I'm sure,
if caught, it would run afoul of the "displaying a number plate"
regulation. Be an interesting case, though!

Ross Bryon
1991 BRG V-Spec Roadster | OL MAN |
Auckland

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:38 pm

Ross

I'm adding this email to my MX5 folder. I intend to get one of these
brackets the next time in the US, perhaps sooner. If it is "a winner",
perhaps I can organise a group purchase with delivery to a family member
in the US and then have them ship the lot here. I'll update everyone on
this at the appropriate time, which at present is a nothing less than a
?

Regards
Bill

From jifjif@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 17:11:48 2007
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=beta; d=gmail.com;
h=received:message-id

from:reply-to:to:subject:in-reply-to:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding:references;
b=VEaiIQb9ir9FF1ChISZCZNhlYyro9+qNo9uIefbPONusZCdL6wFVUjoX9drLZ4fIVIllf28ybHNPL7etUzxl7CJWtNESkc6lRVpOF/QkMYxcbz6eXMOzZ3wawKyUWq7jRcQtbYhwnOlGJ3LmEAYGxqEVmID7Q65SkgSiYBeEPzM=
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:56:43 +1300
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Price of new soft top and illegal number plate?
In-Reply-To: <006c01c513bf$c9ef4670$c94565da@PC446628134234>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
References: <8540aa8ca6a509bfc13aa641b3fce0bd@ampersand.co.nz>
<006c01c513bf$c9ef4670$c94565da@PC446628134234>
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <fC_wGC.A.-t.RdYMGB@L733>

there's DIY instructions in the miata.net garage, which involve a
"piano hinge" or something similar.

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:32 pm

What's the internet link??

Regards
Bill

From jifjif@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 17:11:47 2007
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=beta; d=gmail.com;
h=received:message-id

from:reply-to:to:subject:in-reply-to:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding:references;
b=qnoKm195j5mHs2IE6/3wMC2fJZh576ehk+XWQgtAfjAR9Dw3eR9Cx4rG/oPrzaOqGrlZ/o7hUTvUEt2USY96C8WX6ojT9vH0I0iOVlGHURkQEtc2FC3+OYjOBLpUGkYlgvg/EmiIxJuFqbCGVJZDqX+CqZCugh57EbtAIFKIF5w=
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:43:59 +1300
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Price of new soft top and illegal number plate?
In-Reply-To: <008501c513cf$c7680c10$c94565da@PC446628134234>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
References: <3636349105021517562c45e63d@mail.gmail.com>
<008501c513cf$c7680c10$c94565da@PC446628134234>
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <eaQ46.A.Au.RdYMGB@L733>

http://www.miata.net/search.html <-- "hinge plate"

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:32:36 +1300, Bill Rehm <bill@kase.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

Post by **simple** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:17 pm

the swinging number plate bracket from Team Miata ...
( http://www.teammiata.com/TM305.htm )

It's a cool idea - I've seen one working on a friend's MX5, and I
liked it a lot.

It's just a pity about the $200 fine that resulted.
(this was back in the days before we knew that merely fixing the
problem then presenting proof of repair might get you off the fine).

So, by all means proceed with a hinged installation, but be wary of
nasty fines.

Karl.

Janet & Jeff Curtin · Post by **Janet & Jeff Curtin** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:57 pm

Patrick auto trimmers in Chch sell their Robins tops on Trademe, cost us
$840 fitted on car they do a great job and are a couple of nice guys as
well.

Cheers

J&J.

From: Thomas Beagle <thomas@thomasbeagle.net>
Reply-To: MX5List<mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Price of new soft top and illegal number plate?
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 09:05:36 +1300

Hi,

Due to the recent heavy rain and that I now park my car ouytside, I just
rang Le Mans in Wellington. They have a good reputation for doing auto
upholstery work.

They quoted $900 + GST for a soft top with no zip, $1080 + GST for a soft
top with zip. They also offered more expensive fabrics.

That was including fitting.

Thomas.

Steph Bond wrote:
[...]

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:51 pm

I'm currently investigating it. Based on one response it goes horizontal
at ~ 40 kms/hr. and it was tested against a Canadian plate which
apparently is heavier than US plates.

Regards
Bill

Phil Lefevre · Post by **Phil Lefevre** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:27 pm

Hi there,
I just recently bought an MX5 that needed the roof replaced.
After much asking around and $1200 price tags I decided to
get one direct from the states. After quizzing the company
on what type to buy, (they sold EZ-On and Robbins) They told
me that they are both very similar in quailty, both using
the exact same materials. Robbins is a bit easier to fit as
it comes with per punched hole etc. I decided on the EZ-On
with zip out rear plastic window, which was quite a bit
cheaper than a Robbins (about US65) I think. I fiquired why
pay the extra for a roof that from what I understand, are
prone to the occasional slashing and aren't significantly better.
The price to buy, ship and install by Autoways in
Hamilton...NZ$697. Well worth the exercise, and I got to
choose any colour for no extra cost so I got a blue one.
Looks great on a white car, and its excellent quaulity.
BTW, time from ordering to delivery, 14 days.
Good luck, and let me know if you need anymore info

Phil
White 94 Blue Top

MN · Post by MN » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:09 pm

And they do good work, I had a replacement soft top from them last August

Mark

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:40 am

Have a look on Trademe here:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 573500.htm

I understand these people will install for an extra $100.00.
Probably the same people mentioned in another post.
They advertise often on Trademe and do have other tops available,

Grant.

Who is online