Ice inside the windshield

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Hard tops essentially kill 1/2 of the miata's allure for me: open top cruising.

Judging by the fact that I don't think I've ever seen Ray driving with the top up (including in the rain), I'm guessing he agrees with me.

[Jesda]

The wind is there for dogs and humans to enjoy at speed.

And to generate electricity I guess.

[numbnuts240]

Judging by the fact that I don't think I've ever seen Ray driving with the top up (including in the rain), I'm guessing he agrees with me.

mid winter drive from providence to central ct with the tops off the t/a, sunglasses on, scarf around neck, blasting "big willy style". yeah, that's ray for ya.

[frapjap]

Get a hardtop Ray. Pretty much the best money you'll ever spend on a Miata.

Another thing to consider: How about the rubber seal at the top of the windshield's frame (where the soft top meets it)?

http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/product ... 1B%29.html

The best money spent on a miata will be when I buy a stand alone for that turbo kit in my spare bedroom. Besides, hardtops limit the excellent view that top down driving affords.
Thanks for the link to the seal, mine is in pretty good shape- no cracks, tears, etc.

So far keeping the windows cracked is helping. I can say that the floor pans and back luggage deck are dry and that there isn't any frozen water in the drain tubes. Its supposed to be 43 degrees or so today so I'll finally get the opportunity to check for moisture in the trunk. I'll buy an extra can of damp rid just in case.

Judging by the fact that I don't think I've ever seen Ray driving with the top up (including in the rain), I'm guessing he agrees with me.

mid winter drive from providence to central ct with the tops off the t/a, sunglasses on, scarf around neck, blasting "big willy style". yeah, that's ray for ya.

I'm waiting for the trifecta to form when Heavy tells folks how I roll into Danby.

[OriginalWheelman]

This happens a lot with cars with small cabins in the winter. You need to get existing moisture out of the car or it will keep happening. You are kinda doing that leaving the windows open. What you should do, is let the car idle, crank the heat, crack the window slightly, and let it bake till the interior is bone dry. After that, you need to make a conscious effort to keep moisture out of the car. Make sure you kick the snow off your shoes, and try to avoid dragging ice and slush in.

I had one car that was so rusty, the rear wheel wells had become perforated, allowing road moisture to soak into he hatch, but as most Miatas never see snow, I don't think this is your problem.

[frapjap]

Well, I found a culprit. More specifically, TWO culprits.
The first was a wet rag in the trunk with what smells like antifreeze on it.
The second was MUCH bigger.

The sound deadening material that sits on the back package shelf is saturated. Not soaked, saturated!
I pulled that b**** out and now its spinning around in the dryer (don't worry, I'm supervising it since I have NO idea what this stuff is made of and it might catch on fire).

This probably happened because I do drive the car around in the rain with the top down. The freeze/thaw cycles of winter just made the moisture much more apparent. This also goes to say that my top definitely does not leak what-so-ever since it was able to keep this moisture IN the car.

The reason the problem wasn't found before is because the carpet on the back deck is actually separated from the deadening material by a hardcore rubber mat- keeping the top carpet layer dry. Once pulled back layer by layer, the problem was obvious.

[skydragoness]

This probably happened because I do drive the car around in the rain with the top down. The freeze/thaw cycles of winter just made the moisture much more apparent. This also goes to say that my top definitely does not leak what-so-ever since it was able to keep this moisture IN the car.

You never mentioned that in the first post...did you? :P

I forgot your're tall so a hardtop wouldn't be great for your view of the road, however they get rid of the soft-tops' rear blind spots for me. They really transform the car's handling and cuts down on the noise of the cowl/interior/etc. I'm glad I have one this winter because the heat works better and I don't get that inside windshield condensation (not to the degree yours was). I can't really use the soft top again until I get the rubber seals where they meet the windows replaced, they leaked too much water last summer. I was like Richard Hammond wrapped up in a towel on my trip to VA.

[Jesda]

Ignore what devil-woman says about hard tops.

[skydragoness]

Ignore what devil-woman says about hard tops.

You're just mad they don't make any for your Saab. (sob)