New MX-5!

[.blue]

Picked up a new '5 a few days ago - it's a "titanium grey" Euphonic 1.8 and got it serviced/checked over too.

The car needs some work doing on the brakes and after some deliberation I'll be fitting Mazda brake discs and probably OEM pads too (had considered Yellowstuff from EBC but decided against). I plan to do a track day or two in it (will be my first) so may upgrade the pads if I find these aren't good enough.

Next question is whether to get the hard top. I prefer the flexibility of the soft top but am worried that using the car as a daily driver might cause the roof to deteriorate, especially in winter months, so a few questions:
- What do you use to protect the top/waterproof?
- Would you recommend buying a hard top for use in the winter purely to increase the life the soft top will give?

In the meantime, bring on the summer!

[Eighteeteewhy]

As always, pics please.

[hornetrider]

.blue said:

- What do you use to protect the top/waterproof?
- Would you recommend buying a hard top for use in the winter purely to increase the life the soft top will give?

- Autoglym do a good soft top cleaner and protector - available from Halfords. Worked well when I had a softop 5 and Boxster.

- No. A hardtop will cost 500+ (ie two new mohair roofs) and you will deny yourself the pleasure of roofdown sunny winter driving.

[Riknos]

hornetrider said:

- No. A hardtop will cost 500+ (ie two new mohair roofs) and you will deny yourself the pleasure of roofdown sunny winter driving.

Never in my 14 months of ownership have I thought "I wish I had a hardtop?" .. Well, there was one or two really horrible winter days when I had to wait for the rear window to clear, due to it being plastic. But with it being so small inside the cabin it soon heats up fast.

However, there have been PLENTY of occasions where I've seen a hard topped car out in the sun, especially on an un-expected warm and sunny autumn/winters day, where I have KNOWN the owner has kicked themselves for having the hard top on

[killingjoker]

Now mrs killingjoker is after an mx5 for herself if we find her one with a hardtop included then we're selling it...

I've found myself shouting "get that top down" at other '5's (even in light drizzle - its only a bit of water). I am guilty of being a member of the militant top down movement.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Whereas I couldn't care less. I like to have my top down whenever I can but I also leave it up at times. I might have the top down on the way to work when it's dark, cold & drizzly, have a tough day at work then drive home when it's brighter, warmer & drier with the top up just so I can be comfortable and enjoy my music without having to have full volume.

[.blue]

Cheers for the responses - my only concern is whether the hard top offer better proctection to the car - I thought it would avoid the drains unknowingly blocking up and keep rust away for longer. From a usability point of view, soft top all the way!



Here's a pic as requested! Only had one on my phone, I'll stick a few more up next time I'm home with the car.

EDIT: Wow that vignette effect looks st (blame iPhoto)... I'll stick some unmodified photos up next time so you can admire its true beauty

[vescaegg]

.blue said:

Cheers for the responses - my only concern is whether the hard top offer better proctection to the car - I thought it would avoid the drains unknowingly blocking up and keep rust away for longer.

Until that crisp, sunny, winters morning arrives and you are on a perfect road with the hard top stuck on!

[PlayersNo6]

Mine is a summer/weekend car as opposed to a daily but my thoughts anyway :

I love the look of the car with the hardtop fitted but the problem as stated is that you completely lose the flexibility of the car.

Also the hardtop is bigger and bulkier than you think when it comes to storing it.

Re soft-top care, I've got a standard vinyl roof on my MkII and I use ArmorAll protectant spray after each wash.

[gforceg]

http://www.just-carcovers.co.uk/waterproof-half-co...

I bought one of these for overnight protection and for when the car is on the drive not in daytime use.
Keeps off bird poop, tree sap, UV rays, cat hair, the lot. Also keeps heavy rain off the roof and out of your gutters. Oh, and takes the icy hit in the winter.

I have no affiliation with this company.
G

[.blue]

gforceg said:

http://www.just-carcovers.co.uk/waterproof-half-co...

I bought one of these for overnight protection and for when the car is on the drive not in daytime use.
Keeps off bird poop, tree sap, UV rays, cat hair, the lot. Also keeps heavy rain off the roof and out of your gutters. Oh, and takes the icy hit in the winter.

I have no affiliation with this company.
G

That looks like it would do the job well thanks. How long have you had yours - happy with it?

[Richyvrlimited]

hornetrider said:

- No. A hardtop will cost 500+ (ie two new mohair roofs) and you will deny yourself the pleasure of roofdown sunny winter driving.

Show me where you can purchase a Mohair roof for £250... (and don't say Jack Smiths, it's not 250 then as unless you live near to south wales you have to spend over £100 getting there and back.

Cheapest I've found is much nearer to £400 for a decent Mohair and glass screen.

[Eighteeteewhy]

gforceg said:

http://www.just-carcovers.co.uk/waterproof-half-co...

I bought one of these for overnight protection and for when the car is on the drive not in daytime use.
Keeps off bird poop, tree sap, UV rays, cat hair, the lot. Also keeps heavy rain off the roof and out of your gutters. Oh, and takes the icy hit in the winter.

I have no affiliation with this company.
G

Thanks for that, ordered.

[hornetrider]

Richyvrlimited said:

Show me where you can purchase a Mohair roof for £250... (and don't say Jack Smiths, it's not 250 then as unless you live near to south wales you have to spend over £100 getting there and back.

Cheapest I've found is much nearer to £400 for a decent Mohair and glass screen.

My location is in my profile.

[gforceg]

.blue said:

That looks like it would do the job well thanks. How long have you had yours - happy with it?

Yes. We've had it almost as long as the car (about 16 months) and it can only be a good thing. I don't pull the front strap down under the front of the car like in the picture, just hook it under the number plate plinth. It goes on and comes off in about 30 seconds.

Long term it miiight start to polish the high points on the roof but you could stick foam rubber between the roof and cover (probably only an issue if very windy).