ok miata guys

[greenish]

not paper or plastic but vinyl or cloth?

[chuck schultz]

Who cares? You can't see it when it's up, and nobody can when it's down.

[rodhx]

vinyl or cloth isn't the main question. most important is plastic or glass...and the answer to that one is glass

[slowautoxr]

You also might want to consider the manufacturer/seller. I installed a DavesHouze vinyl soft top with a glass window on one of my Miatas. The instructions were very poor. This was my 1st soft top install and it took me about a week to get it on. I researched and finally called them to get help. Once it was one though, I've been pretty happy with it.

I've now installed three used factory soft tops - including a cloth one on my other Miata. The factory tops are much much easier to install.

[greenish]

no question

about glass. I guess Pamzhouse is davez house now. was just wondering about longevity. thanks, after those answers i will not ask about color..........Hummmm, wonder if anyone has a plaid top???

[slowautoxr]

Get a new rain rail when you get your top as well. The original is riveted to the top and it will likely crack and break when you remove it. While the top is out, be sure to clean the drain holes.

In regards to top color.....
I once had a silver '99 with a tan vinyl top. The top was stained and would not come clean. I put a new tan vinyl top on my current '99. I keep it washed pretty regularly and so far shows zero issues. On the other '99 I replaced the tan vinyl with a used factory black canvas top. When I first put it on it had a whitish stain (probably some kind of salt) on one side. I was able to wash it out - I might have had to use a cleaner of some sort or maybe it was just a soft bristle brush but I can't remember.

[jimkana]

3 Window top = NO BLIND SPOTS. Its the only answer to have.

But I don't know if you can get one for the 99. Might have to settle for the FAR inferior glass windows.

[rodhx]

Don't listen to Eric, John. Only a heretic would put a plastic window top on a car that came with glass.

And the real way to eliminate blind spots in a miata involves lowering the top

[bimmertech]

The real option is composite: oh, ok .... fiberglass.