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Martin
06-14-2012, 10:49 AM
It’s time for a new soft top for my Italia. Currently it has a black vinyl 3-window but the passenger side corner window is gone. I’m having a hard time choosing the style I want. Gomiata.com lists 3-windows in vinyl and cloth. I’ve also contacted miatatopsource.com about getting a red top, which they can make only in cloth but it’s not a 3-window. I haven’t heard back from gomiata.com if red is available from them.

I really like the 3-window because my side mirrors are just not functional and the blind spots scare me. But, really the only time I drive with the top up is chilly mornings. I also put the top up any time it’s parked outside for long periods, like at work, to protect my red interior from sun damage. I want cloth because it looks so nice, but being Dutch, I want to get the cheapest top I can find. It’s really a sunny day fun car, not a daily driver.

Here are some pics for reference:

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/MartVerd/Italia/fd423901.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/MartVerd/Italia/IMG_2797.jpg


Here’s a sample of the red top that I can get thru miatatopsource.com:

http://sportmotoring.net/wp-content/gallery/miata_tops/top4.jpg


Any advice?

Roadster
06-19-2012, 11:57 AM
I like the red cloth top alot, it just exudes class and style and matches the overall scheme of things nicely.
With a red top tho, I'd ditch the black pillars as there would be too much color combo going on.

My 2 cents..

I<3flippyheadlights
06-19-2012, 02:15 PM
I like the black tri-windowed style. Red screams, look at me! I like the subtle look with the red interior.

WASABI
06-19-2012, 05:01 PM
I like the black tri-windowed style. Red screams, look at me! I like the subtle look with the red interior.

I agree. The 3-window is pretty sweet too.

iRoadster
06-19-2012, 05:38 PM
Kinda hard to be subtle with the Italia kit. I say go with the red.

iamdallas
06-19-2012, 06:20 PM
Black 3 window from Robbins!

I can't recommend gomiata's customer service, though. I'd be surprised if you heard back from them at all.

kung fu jesus
06-19-2012, 06:41 PM
Martin, Talk to Stevan about where to get the tops.

Martin
06-20-2012, 09:00 AM
Thanks for all the replies, guys. My inherent cheapness won out and I ordered a Robbins for $169 shipped. It's an XT (black vinyl, no zip plastic window) but that leaves me some money for the new tires that I desperately need.

Red cloth would have looked awesome, though :(

WASABI
06-20-2012, 10:30 AM
Your car is beautiful and can make any top look good.

I<3flippyheadlights
06-20-2012, 10:34 AM
I completely agree with wasabi, awesome car no matter what.

Demon I Am
06-20-2012, 10:52 AM
The black cloth version would look great, IMHO. When I had a soft top, I bought some of those small blind-spot stick-on mirrors, and they were quite helpful.

Martin
06-21-2012, 04:26 PM
Your car is beautiful and can make any top look good.


I completely agree with wasabi, awesome car no matter what.

Thanks for the kind words :)

I will be sure to post some pics after the install.

Martin
06-25-2012, 08:16 AM
Not quite there yet:

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/MartVerd/Italia/IMG_3365.jpg

kung fu jesus
06-25-2012, 08:53 AM
Looks good, Martin!

Maybe pull those tin covers and paint them to put the corrosion at bay? Just a suggestion, but I sprayed the botom of mine with a rubberized undercoating and there was a noticeable decrease in cabin noise.

Martin
06-25-2012, 08:58 AM
Thanks for the tip - I will do that

kung fu jesus
06-25-2012, 09:07 AM
The smell of the undercoating lingers, but probably because I use my hardtop.

Agent☣Orange
06-25-2012, 09:09 AM
I'd dynamat that whole area before putting everything back together.

Martin
06-25-2012, 09:11 AM
I'm kinda disappointed I didn't get this finished yesterday. It was amazing how many times one of my three boys NEEDED my attention. Oh, well they will grow up and be asking for the keys before I know it. Yikes!

Martin
06-25-2012, 09:20 AM
Dynamat is a good idea too. With my Enthusa turbo duals (and no turbo) the car is really loud. Add some sound deading and maybe I could hear the stereo. :slayer: