Hard Top advise

[anniniwa]

Hi there,

Anyone know where I can get a cheaper black hardtop, pricey enough on MX5parts, maybe secondhand? Need it for security this winter me thinks?

Thanks
Ann

[leamyj]

A second-hand hardtop is probably the most sought after modification, good luck with your search

[Stig]

Hi Ann,

They change hand 2nd hand for about £200 for a rough one, to over £300 for a good 2nd hand one.
The better ones come with headlining and a heated rear window.
I never see them for sale here and i'd like one down the road myself.
People who have them say they stiffen up the car well and transform the car!

[anniniwa]

Thanks guys! Have been searching the web and I would only be able to afford a second hand one for sure. Should I be looking for the same colour as my car (of course that's the obvious) or should I look at all and consider a respray. Is it hard to tell how old a hard top is etc? if anyone hears of one in black give me a shout please. Many thanks again.

Ann

[Steve]

Hi Ann,

I had a look at ads for MX5's for sale and then rang them if there was a hardtop on in the picture
I've bought and sold a few hardtops over the years for 500e.
Yes, they stiffen up the car, keep it slightly warmer/drier/quieter and insulated inside.
If you can, try and get one with a rear window defroster!

Steve

[CashelMX5]

Ann,

You've probably a better chance of picking one up in England. I've seen them, from time to time, on E-bay and on the MX5 UK site.

Tom.

[anniniwa]

Thanks guys but wouldn't it be difficult to buy in the UK without seeing it? Do all hard tops fit all MX5's, guessing they do, and should I be buying a matching car colour? I could prob get it re-sprayed which I guess would give me some choice in buying one.

Good idea Steve, I'll check out MX 5's for sale now and see, what kind of money should I be offering?

Cheers Tom!

Ann

[mx5ideways]

i think there interchangable between the mk1 and mk2 models but im not sure,i had one a few years ago but sold for it 550 and i painted it and delivered it and all for that,i was going mad afterwords cause there so hard to come by,i just got another black one a week ago for 450 though so im happy out,i couldnt sell it though im afraid,if you get a good one for cheaper than 4 or 500 you will be doing really well,its great for the winter and quietens the car so much

[anniniwa]

I'm in touch with a guy in the UK now who is gonna post me some pics tonight and if all going well I'll make an offer...only problem is I have to drive over and collect but can get in visit to my family as well! I don't have any hard top clips internally nor frankenstien bolts any ideas?

[aquarian5]

Ann,

PM sent re Hardtop mounting kit........


John.

[anniniwa]

Got myself a hardtop at the weekend picked it up fairly reasonably, no heated windscreen and badly needs a re-spray but how bad will keep me busy for a while.

Happy out though!

[mx5ash]

Good work, Got one myself a few weeks whilst in the uk. Cheap as chips over there. Just no real way of getting em over here cheaply.

[anniniwa]

I wouldn't have got one only it was so local and reasonable, went through the whole cost of travelling to UK etc to pick one up and jeez it can end up quite costly then. I didn't see one any cheaper than £350 stg really in the UK, sure you can get them but you are looking at 4-500 really and you might have cost of re-spray, however you do have alot more choice! Really think someone on the forum should think about buying them in bulk, they are so rare to find in Ireland unless you buy the car and get the matching hard top.

Might post a pic of it tomorrow so there's a before and after!

[mx5ash]

I was going over for a wedding anyway so all is good. Mine needs a respray but was sub 200 yoyo's so worth it. There are cheap ones there if your quick to shout for em.

[anniniwa]

Well that was a very good buy, heated windscreen?? Do you already have the rear deck bolts and inside latches? and have you got a quote for re-spray? I paid €250 for mine including inside brackets no heated windscreen but still better than not having one at all seeing as I'll be using it all winter.

A