Should I buy a hardtop?
Discussion
Theres an immaculate one near me, right colour, right age for £500. I was thinking of selling the 5 but with the prices I was offered, I am thinking of hanging onto it. It is a bit small, and in the winter, the soft-top rarely comes out (boring slog to work & back) so was thinking of having the coupe option in the winter and the convertible in the summer.
What you reckon? Waste of money or worth every penny?
Will it make the cabin quieter?
What you reckon? Waste of money or worth every penny?
Will it make the cabin quieter?
I got a slightly manky one thrown in with my car when I bought it. I wasnt specifically looking for one with a Hardtop, but I'm glad I did.
It is MUCH quieter and warmer inside with the hardtop on. It seemed much more refined on the motorway. Also the visibility is much better.
I'd even go as far as possibly looking at removing the soft top from mine, which will give masses more storage space. Depends how much of an arse it is to refit for Summer.
The Hardtop also keeps the hood dry when parked over winter. The car I've bought has had the Hardtop fitted for 9 years, and as such, the hood, which as far as I can tell, is an original, is in very good nick.
I didnt buy the car specifically for its 'convertibleness', its just an extra option.
£500 seems a bit steep though.. It wouldn't be hard to get it painted so don't narrow yourself down to the correct colour.
It is MUCH quieter and warmer inside with the hardtop on. It seemed much more refined on the motorway. Also the visibility is much better.
I'd even go as far as possibly looking at removing the soft top from mine, which will give masses more storage space. Depends how much of an arse it is to refit for Summer.
The Hardtop also keeps the hood dry when parked over winter. The car I've bought has had the Hardtop fitted for 9 years, and as such, the hood, which as far as I can tell, is an original, is in very good nick.
I didnt buy the car specifically for its 'convertibleness', its just an extra option.
£500 seems a bit steep though.. It wouldn't be hard to get it painted so don't narrow yourself down to the correct colour.
Edited by snotrag on Saturday 20th December 01:01
snotrag said:
I got a slightly manky one thrown in with my car when I bought it. I wasnt specifically looking for one with a Hardtop, but I'm glad I did.
It is MUCH quieter and warmer inside with the hardtop on. It seemed much more refined on the motorway. Also the visibility is much better.
I'd even go as far as possibly looking at removing the soft top from mine, which will give masses more storage space. Depends how much of an arse it is to refit for Summer.
The Hardtop also keeps the hood dry when parked over winter. The car I've bought has had the Hardtop fitted for 9 years, and as such, the hood, which as far as I can tell, is an original, is in very good nick.
I didnt buy the car specifically for its 'convertibleness', its just an extra option.
£500 seems a bit steep though.. It wouldn't be hard to get it painted so don't narrow yourself down to the correct colour.
+1 agreeIt is MUCH quieter and warmer inside with the hardtop on. It seemed much more refined on the motorway. Also the visibility is much better.
I'd even go as far as possibly looking at removing the soft top from mine, which will give masses more storage space. Depends how much of an arse it is to refit for Summer.
The Hardtop also keeps the hood dry when parked over winter. The car I've bought has had the Hardtop fitted for 9 years, and as such, the hood, which as far as I can tell, is an original, is in very good nick.
I didnt buy the car specifically for its 'convertibleness', its just an extra option.
£500 seems a bit steep though.. It wouldn't be hard to get it painted so don't narrow yourself down to the correct colour.
Edited by snotrag on Saturday 20th December 01:01
I've removed my soft top (to save weight) and have no desire of ever putting it back on the car. The hard top has these advantages;
- Better refinement
- Better structural rigidity
- More difficult for thieves to gain access
- Much warmer and cosy
- Less noise
The only downside is you can't just drop the hood, it has to be planned. My car isn't a daily driver so that does make a difference I guess.
I will bore anyone foolish enough to listen to me about how brilliant a car the MX-5 is. I am a very big fan of the car.
However, I have to admit, as soon as mid-November arrives, the hardtop on my car goes. It really does make the winter commutes more bearable for me. I would go as far as saying fitting a hardtop turns the car into a good looking two-seater coupe, still with the sweet ride and handling of the convertible.
In my case, I know that if I did not have a hardtop, I would drive the car a lot less in winter, and that is a far greater crime than not being able to put the hood down on a sunny winters day.
However, I have to admit, as soon as mid-November arrives, the hardtop on my car goes. It really does make the winter commutes more bearable for me. I would go as far as saying fitting a hardtop turns the car into a good looking two-seater coupe, still with the sweet ride and handling of the convertible.
In my case, I know that if I did not have a hardtop, I would drive the car a lot less in winter, and that is a far greater crime than not being able to put the hood down on a sunny winters day.
I have had the hardtop on mine for over a year with no intention of removing it. In fact, I can't remove it, as the garage is full of furniture belonging to my sister-in-law, but that's a different story. This has probably been said before, but I bought the MX5 dispite the fact it is a roadster, not because it is a roadster. Having said that, topless driving is a giggle but with the summer we (haven't) had I really saw no point in taking off the hardtop.
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