Miata owners: Classic Cars forum: Classic Motorsports Magazine

Forums » Classic Cars » Miata owners

Jan. 8, 2009 5:23 p.m. bikesnrovers New Reader

I have a friend who is not a mechanic and wants me to do some work on her Miata (a '92 I believe). Most of it will be straight forward stuff but she wants me to fix the "zipper on the rear window."

My question for you owners is this a common problem that is fixable? Or is it time for a new top? Any help you can provide will be appreciated!

Thanks!

Tad
Jan. 8, 2009 6:13 p.m. cybermind None

It is a common problem with NA (1st gen.) Miatas and it is fixable. However, this will probably require the removal of the top from the car to do a proper job. This will also involve the sewing in of a new zipper. Considering the manual labour involved with removing the top, I would just change it completely. The good news is that quality Miata tops are available on Ebay for a couple of hundred dollars. You can go with a zipperless window or even a glass window on the new top which would completely eliminate the zipper and thus any future problems.

Mario
Jan. 9, 2009 9:11 a.m. bikesnrovers New Reader

Mario, Thanks! I will pass on the info. I am looking forward to working on the car, since a test drive will be required!

Tad
Jan. 9, 2009 9:15 a.m. rconlon Reader

Tad: Assess the top carefully and do either a cheap repair or complete replacement. It would be poor ecomony to sew or replace an old window and have the old top split somewhere else. I read that some shops can sew a seam or a zipperless window without removing the top.
You might look for a used top at a wrecker. I did none of the above but bought a new top for mine. It took the better part of one day for the installation. I could do one in half a day now. I went for no zipper since I have A/C and would not use the top-up-open-window funtion. Economy tops last about 6 years if parked outside as mine is.

Cheers Ron
Jan. 24, 2009 5:33 p.m. Shinsen774 Reader

Go ahead and get a top with the rain rail already attached. Much easier to install and the current rail may be leaking anyway.
Jan. 28, 2009 4:59 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Miata tops also like to detach from their top bow, which allows the thing to vibrate at speed. In other words, like everyone else said, a new top is a good solution.