After nearly 4 weeks and 3 dozen top transitions the new roof has stretched enough that latching it is as easy as it used to be with the old roof. There is still a extra push required on the back window to get it to fold down. I’ve done it enough so it has become second nature and barely noticeable in the top down process, but I worry about the stress on the material surrounding the glass. Maybe it will loosen up more in another month or so.
Started up, still up.
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 36
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 36
Thanks for the update, Brian. Glad to hear the latching’s gotten easier and hope the window drops on its own without consequence given a bit more time. The more I study it, the more I’m convinced I prefer the look over the OEM. The darker tan just enhances the Garnet Red even more, IMO.
I like the darker color as well, which makes me want to see what an OEM cloth top from 99-2002 looks like. It still takes a pretty good shove to get the window to drop, so I don’t think it will ever loosen up enough to drop on its own. We’ll see.
I don’t believe a “cloth” top was available from the factory from ’99-2002 (our ’03’s were the first). AFAIK, the closest thing would be the “tan” ’01 SE top which looked like some sort of hybrid vinyl/cloth version unique to that year and model – perhaps the best of both!?
P.S. Whatever happened to your “Life of Brian Merchandise”? I don’t see the link in the Sidebar anymore (though I can still access it on my own); just curious.
I would have sworn that the cloth tops started in 01, but a check of Miata.net reveals that you are correct, it wasn’t until 03.
Back by popular demand, the Life of Brian Shop. 🙂 (I must have dropped it accidentally during my last redesign.)
Ahhh, now things are as they were – pls. excuse my OCD-type nature, LOL. 😉 Still enjoying my “Got Curves” shirt, BTW.