Hard Tops

Warrick Smith · Post by **Warrick Smith** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 7:07 pm

Hi Everyone

I thought it was time I made myself known to the list. Brought my 94 white
1800 MX5 NZ model just before christmas and have been having one of my best
summers driving around the Theme's coast on the Coromandel and Awhitu
Peninsula (Manukau Harbour). Nothing beats driving a true sports car after
putting up with a converted front drive shopping trolley/sports car for
years.

Now I am looking for a hardtop to give me a bit more security and I wanted
to know if anyone has some tips on what I should look for, ie common
problems and compatibility between models esp imports and NZ new. Also if
anyone has a hardtop they are looking to sell I would interested. I am
looking for for a smooth coloured hardtop not the textured black off the
early kind. Condiction has to be structurally good, same with the interior.
Not fussed on the quality of the exterior paint as white doesn't seem to
be a popular colour so I will have to get it resprayed. Not concerned about
the heated rear window either.

Anything considered but I am not rolling in money being a humble import
clerk for a shipping company in AKL (and the fact I am looking at a
respray).

Cheers, and I will catch up with you all on the list later. Give me a wave
if you see a white Mx5 around Pukekohe area
Warrick

MX5PWR · Post by **MX5PWR** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:18 pm

Hi Warrick,

Being clever designers and looking after the MX5 owners, Mazda designed the cars so it does not mater whether you have an 89 or 2004 model, the hard top will fit provided you have the attachments, ie lugs at rear. It also helps if you have the inside attachments by the seatbelt mounts as it holds the roof on tighter.

The factory original roofs are lined and have heated rear windows (not much good unless you have the wirring installed). The aftermarket roofs are generaly unlined and no heated rear window.

Expect to pay $1500- $1800 for a good hard top.
[...]

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 6:07 pm

Have a look on Trademe. Just type MX5 in the search box (search all
listings). There's one there for sale at present.

Grant.

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 7:31 pm

On Thu, 1 Apr 2004 18:07:29 +1200, you wrote:

Have a look on Trademe. Just type MX5 in the search box (search all
listings). There's one there for sale at present.

Grant.

If one needs a hard top why buy an MX 5 . The joys of a soft top should never be
diluted by having a hard top.

Colin Francis
Krenford Holdings Ltd
P.O. Box 18547
Christchurch
New Zealand
Ph (64) 3 3387-450 or (64) 0 274 321-737

www.westmorland.co.nz

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 7:47 pm

Dear Colin

I have the luxury of keeping my MX garaged at all times - not everyone is
that lucky. Like it or not, there is an element in all societies which
thinks that slashing a soft top is a fun thing to do, or which finds that
cutting their way into a car is easier and quieter than breaking windows.

I also have the luxury of a Subaru for wet days - some of the rain we have
had recently would have found any leaks going. Let the man have a soft top
if he wants one. No need to judge!

Simon

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:11 pm

WRONG. The hard top gives a MX5 a "jaguar look" and if used only in the
winter will etend the life of your soft top by about 100%

Regards
Bill

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:12 pm

Well said Simon

Regards
Bill

Jo Kyle · Post by **Jo Kyle** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:34 pm

I thought part of the beauty of having an MX5 was being able to have a hard
OR soft top - it's all about choice right...?

Warrick Smith · Post by **Warrick Smith** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 10:08 pm

You have hit the nail on the head Simon

Had my old car vandalised twice (graffitti and keying) by school kids for no
reason but to impress there mates I bet. Thats why I don't trust people
with my soft top and I don't want to worry about my car when I go out at
night. But don't worry Simon I have done my far share of driving night and
day without the roof on (in the rain last weekend for the first time) .

ps
Not so old to need the scarf yet either (the point of mercedes air scarf
device is lost on me)

Warrick

[...]

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 12:30 am

On Thu, 1 Apr 2004 19:47:20 +1200, you wrote:

Dear Colin

I have the luxury of keeping my MX garaged at all times - not everyone is
that lucky. Like it or not, there is an element in all societies which
thinks that slashing a soft top is a fun thing to do, or which finds that
cutting their way into a car is easier and quieter than breaking windows.

I also have the luxury of a Subaru for wet days - some of the rain we have
had recently would have found any leaks going. Let the man have a soft top
if he wants one. No need to judge!

Simon

Presumably in the second to last sentence you actually meant Hard top.
If you are having difficulty differentiating between the hard and soft top let
me know and I will try to help

--
Col

Col's law
* Thinly sliced cabbage *

Lou Girardin · Post by **Lou Girardin** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 7:06 am

The 'luxury of a Subaru', heretic!
Lou

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:33 am

... and me a publisher, too - shame on me for not re-reading my emails
before sending.

Isn't coleslaw the stuff Barry Humphries used to put in airline sick bags so
he could produce a spoon during long flights and eat it with apparent
enjoyment?

Simon

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:15 pm

On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 11:33:16 +1200, you wrote:

... and me a publisher, too - shame on me for not re-reading my emails
before sending.

Isn't coleslaw the stuff Barry Humphries used to put in airline sick bags so
he could produce a spoon during long flights and eat it with apparent
enjoyment?

Simon

Franchise New Zealand magazine & website
Email: simon@franchise.co.nz
Web: www.franchise.co.nz

I have no idea Simon. It's your story . Perhaps you need to do some research to
verify it .
Colin Francis
Krenford Holdings Ltd
P.O. Box 18547
Christchurch
New Zealand
Ph (64) 3 3387-450 or (64) 0 274 321-737

www.westmorland.co.nz

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:28 pm

A challenge such as that cannot be ignored. Clive James, Reliable Essays,
Picador 2001. Page 191 - though I am disappointed to find it was actually
potato salad. Surely you need bits of diced carrot for the full effect?

Simon

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:54 pm

On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 13:28:32 +1200, you wrote:

A challenge such as that cannot be ignored. Clive James, Reliable Essays, Picador 2001. Page 191 - though I am disappointed to find it was actually potato salad. Surely you need bits of diced carrot for the full effect?

Simon

Franchise New Zealand magazine & website
Email: simon@franchise.co.nz
Web: www.franchise.co.nz

You certainly are well read .

Clive James is an Aussie though isn't he. ? I'd never trust a dubious offspring
of a convict Simon.. They bowl underarm don't they ?

Anyway back to MX5s. It is a beautiful hot day here today and there are dozens
of MX5s beetling around with the hoods down.

LOL

Colin Francis
Krenford Holdings Ltd
P.O. Box 18547
Christchurch
New Zealand
Ph (64) 3 3387-450 or (64) 0 274 321-737

www.westmorland.co.nz

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:59 pm

Enjoy the "top down" weather while you can Colin, very soon it will be
time to put on a "hard top" so you can add several years of life to your
soft top --- when of course you have it up

Regards
Bill

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 3:19 pm

On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 13:59:36 +1200, you wrote:

Enjoy the "top down" weather while you can Colin, very soon it will be
time to put on a "hard top" so you can add several years of life to your
soft top --- when of course you have it up

Regards
Bill

I have a hard top on my Surf Bill.

Colin Francis
Krenford Holdings Ltd
P.O. Box 18547
Christchurch
New Zealand
Ph (64) 3 3387-450 or (64) 0 274 321-737

www.westmorland.co.nz

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