Lunch with friends. Went for a 10 mile bike ride. Swept off the roof and driveway of fallen leaves and branches. Went downtown and sampled some chili at the city’s Fall Festival. Took some photos of the new top on the car. And we still did find some time to watch 3 more episodes of Mad Men.
I took several pictures today of the top in full sun and the shade to attempt to show what the color looks like. Comparing it to some photos of the car with the original it is awfully hard to see a difference. I’m thinking the color variation is more noticeable in person because you can see it and the interior at the same time in the same light.
The attached photo was run through a trial version of Dynamic Photo HDR and then tone mapped with the ultra contrast setting using only one image. In spite of everything else appearing surreal, the top looks just about right. You can not see the difference for your self by checking out the pictures in the Flickr! gallery I made.
I put the top up and down in the garage just to see how hard it was going to be and it wasn’t that bad. When I went to put it back up later in the day to take pictures it was a struggle. I had to latch the driver’s side and then go over to the passenger seat to get enough leverage to close that side. The way the top folds (and I’m guessing that’s because of the different construction) the back window doesn’t just flop down, it needs a slight helping hand to tuck it behind the windblocker. Goes up smoothly though. The fabric still needs a bit more stretching I guess.
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 4
Appreciate all the info. & pix From what I can see, I prefer the “look” of the new top in terms of color and smoothness; however I wouldn’t care for the “extra help” needed in lowering it. Will be interested in your opinions after living with it for awhile. Looks great!
– D
The top was only $620 from Moss (could have been $50 cheaper if I waited for them to special order one without the rain rail) and the cheapest I could find an OEM top online was $900 (I’m sure a local dealer would want over a grand), so even if I have to use the extra help every time I lower the top it’ll be worth it. I bet after it stretches some it’ll probably fall on it’s own (fingers crossed.)
Good deal, and if it stretches out and falls properly over time, it’ll be the perfect choice, IMO, as I really think it looks much better! Good Luck with it, and pls. keep me posted, as I’d probably go the same route.
– D
The new top looks great and the car is blindingly shiny. Is the shine from a better wax product or photograph skills?
The Emperor gets a waxing with a can of paste wax a couple times a year. In between I use Meguiars Quik Detailer which happened here, that and the low angle of the sun this time of year makes the color pop.