Best place to buy a roof (softtop)

[NRS]

Well, after someone made a hole in my roof while helping themself to a few things in the car I'll be getting a new roof. Will be through the insurance, but they've asked me to help find one. Reason is that here in Norway a new one will cost around £2000! That's not including the fitting costs which would be at over £100 an hour for labour. The person asked me to have a look in the UK since I have experience of MX-5s.

I was thinking mohair, as it will be easier to put up and down when cold. I know you can soften the vinyl ones with time (heaters on), but my regular journey to work is a bit short to warm up properly. Also it doesn't help when you have the roof down and it gets cold, so is harder to close again afterwards. Anybody good any good experiences of a certain type?

As an aside, the centre console (broken when accessing boot lever) will cost over £600!!! Absolutely crazy prices!

Car this morning - it's already -9C out there! Great fun to drive in these conditions (it's my only car so used daily, needs to be able to handle it)!

Edited by NRS on Tuesday 22 October 11:11

[Shaw Tarse]

I've got no personal experience, but three fitters/suppliers here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[NRS]

Thanks - had never noticed that wiki! I know Jack Smiths is a fitting only, but will not need that since it will be done in Norway. I can check out the other two.

[MonkeyDust]

I can't help think getting a second hand console shipped from the uk will be cheaper. You could get one of the fancy Zoom or Namake (spelling?) consoles for that. Or the longer Il motorsports one for less than half.

[NRS]

Jupp, I was going to look into the console from the UK. Only problem is it would be a RHD opening one, but my car is LHD. Cost is price, plus around 25% VAT and shipping. As you said, should still be cheaper getting it that way. Car is a Mk 2, so bit less choice. Will go for Mk2.5 probably. Don't know of many aftermarket Mk.2 versions.

Edited by NRS on Tuesday 22 October 14:36

[pewe]

IIRC Jack Smith will do mail order.
Great value, nicely cut and sewn (from some-one who spent a lot of time working in the rag trade).
If you're after Vinyl look at Moss Europe as they are currently offering a basic hood for not a lot of money.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.

[NRS]

Money I don't think is a problem - even a £700 mohair roof with 25% tax and delivery to Norway should be well under £2000! Think I'll try for the Robbins mohair equivalent with the heated glass window. GoMiata have a deal and will delivery internationally too. Seems to have OK reviews from the ones I have read. Also nice to not have the deak seams although it's not a huge issue.

http://www.gomiata.com/robsunclotto.html

In regards to the centre consoles there seems to be the Makamae ones, but they're still expensive (around £400), and they don't have the storage compartment/ cup holders. Apart from that there doesn't seem to be any others out there for the Mk 2 cars.

[cwinterb]

What's broken on your centre console? IL Motorsport do lids only, complete with hinges.

http://ilmotorsport.com/shop/article_list.php5?dep...

[Sbloxxy]

Try these guys for a good hood. I've been using them for 7 years+ now and their hoods are excellent quality and most importantly, always fit properly. Highly recommended.


http://www.mazdahoodshop.co.uk/Car_Trimming.html

[nipod]

Suffolk Mazda have a lot of decent secondhand consoles available, worth an email.