Miata hardtop security.

So since the hardtop on my miata is likely worth a decent amount i would like to protect it. Any preferences between bolting it down or using those security latches?

I plan on using the garagestar bolt in kit with the security head bolts. Should make it pretty hard to steal.

I'm using the stock front latches to secure the front edge of the hardtop to the A pillar. For the sides, I'm using the Jass Performance units with security bolts. I'm very happy with them. To get the hardtop on nice and tight, put a couple tubes of sand on top of the hardtop before you cinch down the bolts.

When you say "protect it"- what do you mean? Are you nervous that someone is going to steal it? Or do you want to keep it in the best shape possible?

I've honestly never heard a hard top being stolen at all. It's not as if they are easy to take- might as well pick up the whole car and run off with it.

None the less, bolting the top down would be good for your sanity, after a while. They do move if not super tight. So the thoughts from Lux above are very solid ones.

Worth investigating. My friend lost his hard top out of a locked compound at his work.

alfadriver wrote: When you say "protect it"- what do you mean? Are you nervous that someone is going to steal it? Or do you want to keep it in the best shape possible? I've honestly never heard a hard top being stolen at all. It's not as if they are easy to take- might as well pick up the whole car and run off with it. None the less, bolting the top down would be good for your sanity, after a while. They do move if not super tight. So the thoughts from Lux above are very solid ones.

I've heard several instances of them being stolen, one of which was in my local community. Once inside the car, it takes all of 30 seconds to undo all the stock latches. I can lift a hardtop by myself, it's awkward to handle, but I could certainly move it 10ft to, say, the bed of a truck...

I'd say that they are very easy to steal, alfa. Hammer to the window, unlactch the latches, back it off the car, and put it in a pickup bed or on another Miata. I bet it would take all of 3 minutes if you know what you're doing.

In reply to mtn:

I didn't say that it wasn't easy. Just that I've never heard of it before.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to mtn: I didn't say that it wasn't easy. Just that I've never heard of it before.

Happens fairly often here in the PNW apparently as there have been several Miata owners that have had theirs stolen. At least according to the local group's Facebook posts about the thefts, its seems there are a few people working the larger cities.