Best Miata Soft Top Replacement

Mazda Miata is a lightweight convertible sports car loved by many people since its debut in the late 80s. The car is known to provide excellent balance and reliability that make it suitable for people of any age to drive it comfortably. On top of that, the car’s price, as well as maintenance, is relatively cheap.

Since it is a convertible car, you have the freedom of keeping the roof open to enjoy the wind or keeping it closed to protect from heat. A soft top is what makes it possible, and interestingly, it also comes at an affordable price!

If you own one of these cars and looking for a replacement soft top, you’re in the right place! Here we have listed our top picks to help you find the best Miata soft top replacement.

Keep reading to get a deep insight!

Things To Consider Before Buying Miata Soft Top Replacement

Material

When you’re shopping for the best Miata soft top replacement, the first and foremost thing to consider is its material. The durability of a soft top depends on the material it is made of, so it is recommended you choose wisely.

Soft top substitutes for Mazda Miata are typically made of Cabrio vinyl or Stayfast canvas. Cabrio vinyl is a material whose top layer is made of PVC and the bottom layer is made of cotton. It is known to resist damage caused by weather elements while giving an authentic feel.

Stayfast canvas features an acrylic square weave facing, a rubber inner layer, and a cotton backing. It is tougher to clean than its Cabrio Vinyl counterparts. Although it doesn’t offer protection as good as Cabrio vinyl, it is still good material.

Installation Process

You would always want to choose a soft top replacement that requires hassle-free installation, wouldn’t you? If that’s the case, make sure to pick a soft top that comes with clear instructions.

However, if you feel that a professional will do a better job in the installation process, you can always hire someone.

Window

Another crucial factor to consider is the material of the window in the soft top. It is either made of plastic or glass. Although plastic windows are inexpensive, they discolor easily, making the Mazda Miata look unappealing.

On the other hand, glass windows tend to last longer than plastic and remain transparent.

Whichever window you pick, make sure it is DOT approved. If you find the windows of any soft top replacement to be approved by the federal institution, you will know that they can withstand harsh conditions.

Color

The color of your soft top also matters because it will enhance the overall beauty of your Mazda Miata. Soft top replacements are available in black or tan, so make sure to get one that works in harmony with the color of your car.

Fitment

Soft top replacements are manufactured for different models of Mazda Miata. Most soft tops are for the 1990-2005 models, but you’ll also find some for the later years.

If you’re unsure of the model you have, you will need to take a look at the car owner’s manual.

Top 6 Miata Soft Top Replacement Reviews

1. Sierra Auto Tops Convertible Top Replacement 

If you’re looking for a Miata replacement top for your 2006-2015 car model, this one is just for you!

This soft top by Sierra Auto is constructed of Stayfast canvas with heat-sealed seams for the utmost durability. The stitching is done using bonded polyester thread, which is known to provide protection against harmful UV rays and also mildew. It comes as the same color as the canvas, so the stitching won’t be noticeable from afar.

As for the fabric, it gives a silky feel and a nice black outlook. There is a glass window attached to the soft top, which is approved by DOT. A great thing about the window is that it is bonded to the fabric in such a way that it will last about five years. Besides, there’s also a rain guard to protect the interior of your car from rain, hail, or snow.

Installing this soft top shouldn’t be a hassle because it features pre-punched holes with plastic retainers. The holes are cut precisely using automated equipment, so you will have no trouble installing the top to mounting points.

Highlighted Features

2. AutoBerry Mazda Miata Convertible Top

If your Miata is of an older model, you shouldn’t worry at all, because AutoBerry brings you a convertible top for older models!

This soft top is specially designed for Miata cars released from 1989 to 2005. AutoBerry fully guarantees that it will fit on those models, so there won’t be regrets.

The material of the soft top is Cabrio vinyl, and it will give you the original feel, which makes it the best Miata soft top replacement. If you don’t mind getting a plastic window, this soft top has it. The transparent plastic window is 40 gauge and DOT-approved for the utmost durability. It is sealed to the fabric using heat, so there’s no chance for the window to get dislocated.

Like the previous soft top, this one also features neatly-cut holes that allow easy installation. If you don’t have time for installation, you can let AutoBerry know and they will find you an expert to get the job done.

Although the color of this particular soft top is black, you will also find another one in tan. So, depending on the color of your Miata, you can choose a soft top color that will look great on it!

Highlighted Features

3. Sierra Auto Tops Convertible Top Replacement 

Here’s another soft top by Sierra Auto that you can choose for your older Mazda Miata model.

Sierra Auto designed this soft top for Miata models released between 1990 and 2005. When you want to replace the original top, you will always want to have the original feel, which is evident in this particular soft top.

It is constructed of premium quality Cabrio vinyl with granular texture, which was originally used in the manufacturing of NA Miata soft top.

The fabric is cut using automated equipment so that it fits perfectly on your Miata. It is durable as well, because it is stitched using high-quality polyester threads.

As this soft top’s color is black, the thread used is also black so that you won’t get disappointed with noticeable stiches. There’s another color option to choose if you think it suits well on your Miata!

What’s good about this soft top is that the plastic window it features is of OEM quality, which means you’ll be able to watch from the inside clearly. It is firmly bonded to the fabric using heat. Not to mention, it is approved by DOT, so you can expect durability regardless of the harsh conditions.

Highlighted Features

4. AutoBerry Mazda Miata Convertible Top

Just like the previous soft top by Sierra Auto, this one by AutoBerry is another great option for Miata convertibles from 1990 to 2005.

When you install this soft top on your Miata, you will feel as if it’s a factory top. The reason is that it is made of Cabrio vinyl with granulated texture, which was used as default in the manufacturing of Mazda Miata soft tops. The soft top has the exact pattern to that of the original top because it is cut using computer-aided equipment.

To ensure the fabric doesn’t rip easily, it is stitched using high-quality polyester threads. This type of thread resists UV rays as well as mildew, so you can rest assured your soft top will remain undamaged. You will be able to install it easily on your Miata because there are pre-punched holes and also plastic retainers.

As for the window, it is made of glass and is DOT-approved. It is heat-sealed to the fabric so that it always remains there and doesn’t dislocate. A great thing about the window is that it is equipped with defroster wiring to let you view it clearly.

Although the top doesn’t feature a rain rail, you can either purchase one or use the rain rail you already have. This particular soft top comes in the usual black color, but you also have the option of choosing a tan color for your Miata.

Highlighted Features

5. Sierra Auto Tops Convertible Top Replacement 

For your Mazda Miata convertible, you might also want to take a look at this soft top replacement by Sierra Auto.

This soft top is specially designed for Miata models from 1990 to 2005. Like most soft tops on this list, it is also made of Cabrio vinyl to give you the original feel. Not only that, the material boasts resistance towards weather elements. In order to make it even more durable, the fabric is stitched using high-quality polyester threads.

When installing this soft top on your Mazda Miata, you won’t find the process too difficult. That’s because the fabric is precisely cut to fit on 1990 to 2005 models, and it features pre-punched holes with plastic retainers. So whichever model you have from the aforementioned range, you can rest assured it will fit perfectly!

The window of this soft top is made of tempered glass and is DOT-approved. Just like the previous soft top, this one also features defroster wiring that you can connect to the electrical system and keep clear-sighted. The window is heat-sealed to the fabric, so you don’t have to worry about it flying away as you drive!

What’s great about this soft top is that it comes in three colors- black, tan, and light tan. So, you have three different options to choose from to make your Miata look attractive.

Highlighted Features

6. Sierra Auto Tops Convertible Top Replacement

Sierra Auto brings you another great convertible top for Mazda Miata models from 1990 to 2005.

The material of this soft top is Cabrio vinyl and is manufactured by the leading automotive supplier, Haartz. That means you won’t feel much difference when touching the fabric compared to the original soft top. It looks just like the original as well!

The fabric is double-stitched using high-quality polyester threads to prevent the chances of the soft top ripping. You won’t notice the seams unless you take a closer look because the threads are of the same color as the soft top.

Installation becomes hassle-free when you own this soft top because the fabric is precisely cut to fit on your car, and also it has pre-punched holes and plastic retainers for securing it onto place.

The glass window ensures durability since it is DOT-approved, and it is equipped with defroster wiring for easy viewing in the snow. It is also bonded to the fabric using heat, so you can rest assured it won’t move out of its place as you’re enjoying the long drive.

If you’ve liked this particular soft top but wished it were available in other colors, there’s no problem! Besides black, you will also find it in tan and light tan.

Highlighted Features

How To Clean Miata Soft Top For Long Lasting Performance?

When you’ve got your hands on a good Miata top replacement, you’ll need to clean it regularly to increase its longevity. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Take a soft brush and use it to remove any loose dirt from the surface. Make sure to scrub it gently.
2. Take a bucket and pour some good neutral detergent. Add water to it and then mix to form a solution.
3. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and then use it to wipe away the dirt from the soft top.
4. Rinse the dirt and solution with clean water. You can either use a hose or a clean cloth. Be careful not to let the water come into contact with any seams or joints because it will end up inside your car.
5. Wipe the soft top dry using a clean, dry cloth. Do not let it air dry because spots can form on the surface. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Long Does Miata Soft Top Last?

It all depends on how well you take care of your Miata soft top. Most soft tops are made to last about 5 to 7 years, but if you clean and maintain yours regularly, it can last as long as 10 years!

2. How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Miata Soft Top?

Replacing a Miata soft top can cost around $1000 on average. If there’s a lot of damage to the components that support the soft top, it can cost an extra $500 for repairing them.

3. Can You Paint A Miata Soft Top?

Over time, the color of a Miata soft top will fade, but you can always paint it with good vinyl paint to make it look new. Make sure to clean the soft top thoroughly before applying paint.

4. Does Mazda Make A Hardtop Convertible?

Yes, they do. There are plenty of hardtop convertibles that are on the pricy side. A good example is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF hardtop convertible. s

5. How Hard Is It To Replace The Miata Soft Top?

Replacing Miata soft-top isn’t rocket science. Unless you have replaced a soft top before, it will take a while for you to figure out how to replace it. But, if you hire a professional, it can take about 8 hours to complete the replacement process.

6. Is Using Soft Tops Okay In Winter?

There won’t be a problem if you use soft tops in the winter. However, it is better to choose the one with glass windows, because plastic is highly prone to breaking at colder temperatures. Make sure the soft top you have doesn’t have any holes or tears. Otherwise, snow can enter inside the car and cause a mess.

Final Word

There’s no doubt about the fact that Miata is a versatile car that offers comfort, beauty, and plenty of functionalities. Not to mention, you have the option of replacing the soft top for your convenience or aesthetics.

If you had been looking for a soft top, you probably have seen numerous of them, but are skeptical about deciding on one.

Finding the best Miata soft top replacement out of the various options can be challenging, which is why we have done enough research and whittled the list down to six of them. Whichever soft top you pick; we hope you will never be disappointed!

Comparison Chart