Robbins Mazda Miata Convertible Tops from Moss Motors

Shopping for a Mazda Miata convertible top can seem overwhelming to say the least - all the manufacturers, colors, materials, with or without rain rail and on and on. We are going to go through the process one step at a time to cover all the key points to buying a Miata top.

Why are we qualified to walk you through this process? Moss Motors has been in business for over 60 years and we have seen convertible tops up close and personal since day one. We have evaluated tops from dozens of manufacturers, whether they have solicited us or we pursued them. Every year we re-evaluate our line of Mazda Miata convertible tops to be sure we are offering the best value in the market. Last year alone we ordered 8 tops from 4 different companies and installed all of them. We looked at instructions, ease of fitment, materials (top and window, inside and out), color, fit, seams and so on.

Every year, hands down, Robbins Auto Tops comes out on top for the best overall value. We have had a long relationship with Robbins because they are simply the best. Yes, there are cheaper tops on the market and if you just want to throw a top on your Miata that will look good for a year or two from 20 feet away than a Robbins Mazda Miata convertible top may not be for you. However, if you want a great looking top from a company with a fantastic history and reputation, than a Robbins top is just what you are looking for.

1. Do I want a Vinyl or Sunfast Canvas top?

There is no doubt a Sunfast Canvas top just looks, well, awesome. It is sleek and sexy and gives your Miata a rich look that you just can't get with Vinyl. Sunfast also has some longevity and usability pluses. The Sunfast top does come with a price tag but once you add up all the pluses you will see it really is a good value.

Vinyl – The vinyl material in the Robbins Miata top is manufactured by Haartz. The Haartz vinyl is 38 oz. Cabrio Grain, the same weight and pattern found on original Miata tops. The backing is 100% Polyester for strength and pliability, and bonds better to vinyl. Cotton backing used by other companies is less expensive and shrinks and becomes brittle over time.

Sunfast Canvas – Robbins' Sunfast Canvas Top for the Miata, aside from being the most sensuous material available, has a practical side as well. Sunfast canvas resists fading and shrinking better than vinyl and stretches much easier in colder temperatures. This means you don't have to be Hercules to put your top up on a cool morning.

2. Glass or Plastic Window, how do I decide?

Plastic window material has certainly evolved in the last decade with the use of polymers and other manmade materials. On the other hand, glass windows are great because what you see if what you get – smooth, clear glass allows for great visibility and it won't scratch or discolor with use.

Plastic Window – Robbins uses only Ultra-Clear 40 gauge UV coated plastic window material. Ultra-Clear will hold up longer than any other plastic window material against UV damage (yellowing, hazing and brittleness) and common scratches.

Glass Window – Glass window tops offer a clear rear view that you just can't get with plastic. Robbins' glass windows are tinted and tempered safety glass. They are marked AS-2 to show they meet NTSA and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards. A defroster glass window is a direct replacement for 99 and later Miatas. The defroster glass window is a great upgrade for 90-97 Miata owners with the hardtop option. 93-97 Miatas without the hardtop option can upgrade to a defroster window by purchasing an optional wiring harness.
Note: 93-95 models not equipped with a dedicated heater-defroster switch should operate the defroster window only with the top closed and latched, as it operates when the fan/heater switch is turned on.

3. Can you describe how the seams are put together?

If a company is going to cut corners and save time and money this is the area in which they are going to do it, and many do. Many companies glue seams and put in one row (if you are lucky two rows) of stitching, and when first installed everything looks OK. As time marches on and the glue goes through the cold and hot cycles associated with daily temperatures, it starts to breakdown and puts all the stress on the seams. Without the additional holding of the glue the stitched seams will start to come apart. On the other hand Robbins spent their time, energy and resources figuring out a better way to hold seams together rather then searching out a better glue. The answer was heatsealing the seams. Heatsealing is essentially welding the material together which is stronger than any glue will be. On top of the heatsealing Robbins then reinforces the seams with double stitching to give the "joints" extra support.

4. Do I need a rain rail?

This is by far the most asked question we get and the answer is usually yes. But it does depend on who's doing the installation and how old is the top you are replacing. The rain rail attaches to the back of the top at the bottom with pop rivets, and then the rain rail bolts to the body of the Miata and acts as the rear anchoring point for the top. The rain rail is a "U" shaped piece of ABS plastic that directs the water it collects out drain holes so water doesn't get in your interior or trunk (if you are getting water on your rear deck or in your trunk it may be due to a cracked rain rail or plugged drain holes).

If you are having your top professionally installed the price, in labor, to remove the rain rail from your existing Miata convertible top and fasten it to your new top is about the same as the extra money you would spend to buy a top with a rain rail installed. In this scenario we would suggest you buy a top with a new rain rail that way your money goes toward new parts and not just labor to reuse an old part.

If you are attempting the installation yourself, getting a top with a rain rail already installed makes the installation much easier. The drilling out of the pop rivets to remove it from your old top and getting the rain rail installed on your new top with no wrinkles can pose a challenge. However, if your top isn't that old and you are sure your rain rail is in good shape it, using that money to upgrade to a glass window or Sunfast canvas material would be a good investment.

5. What styles of tops do you offer?

Over the years we have offered tops in many different styles with many different features and frankly, it was a mess. Customers didn't understand the various options and neither did our customer service reps. Over the last few years we have been able to narrow down our offering to two designs and a short list of options that customers have been asking for. Today we offer a Streamline and a Factory Style Mazda Miata Convertible Top.

Streamline Mazda Miata Convertible Top by Robbins - Streamline tops are made to the exact pattern of the 2006+ MX-5. This design eliminates the deck seams (front to back seams above the doors) and the rear window panel standard on 90-05 Miatas. This makes for an outstanding looking top that is sleek and smooth. The top incorporates a zipperless window so putting it up and down is no longer a hassle. The added benefit of this design is there are less processes on the manufacturing side so it is a great value. Superior fit, quality and value with a 3-year warranty.

Streamline Tops are available in the following top and window materials:

Factory Style Mazda Miata Convertible Top by Robbins - Simply the best top available for your Miata! As the name implies, the Factory Style top is just that, made to the same look as the OEM top with better than OEM quality. These tops incorporate all of Robbins’ industry leading techniques and improvements. Factory style tops are available with and without a zippered rear window. The same or better than the original top in every way. 3-year warranty.

Factory Style Tops are available in the following top and window materials:

6. What other parts do you suggest for installation?

Other things to consider replacing at the same time you install your top are the top tensioning cables that run front to back just above the side windows to keep everything tight and under tension. They can get frayed and in some instances break. Seals are always a big deal especially as our Miatas get up there in age. New seals keep water and wind noise out (you are probably not aware how much air passes through these seals as compared to when it was new). The side seals consist of a front, middle and rear seal for each side.

7. Can I just replace my rear window only?

Replacing the window in your convertible top might seem like a good idea at the time but there is more to the process than meets the eye. The replacement window comes with a full replacement zipper - both halves. Your old convertible top must be removed from your Miata for the replacement zipper to be sewn to your old top. Once that is done the corresponding zipper is sewn on to the new window so they line up properly. Once done your old top, with the new window, is then reinstalled on your Miata. At the end of the process the labor for sewing in the new zipper and removing and reinstalling the old convertible top is more than the labor for installing a completely new convertible top. However, if your mind is set on replacing the window only, give us a call and we can special order it for you.

You can see all of our replacement top parts here.