It has been noted frequently that the straps do really make a big difference, although some people have argued that they do not. It seems likely that the latter view is at least in part due to improper application of the straps.
Many people mistakenly fasten the straps to the wrong place: to two brackets of the soft top which look like they have been made for it. Actually, you have to fasten them to two almost hidden brackets below these two: this will considerably increase the tension of the straps. Brian Bousman shows the proper way to fasten the straps.
Some people have reported that later model years have relocated and/or longer straps, and have found that shortening these or twisting them or even winding them twice around the brackets worked better.
Some people have reported that the boot cover can detach from the lip on the car that holds its rear end. But others have pointed out that following the instructions in the owners manual precisely should eliminate this. Still others note that working the boot cover at its foremost ends as far as possible to the front of the car will put enough tension on it to prevent it from detaching from the lip. As Lanny Chambers notes, "The boot will probably be puckered in the inner corners; that's the way they are. If it doesn't flap wildly at highway speeds, you've done it right."
Thus it appears that proper use of the boot cover will prevent excessive noise, ugly bulging, and detachment of the edges. Using the boot cover is important not only because it makes the car look better, but it also improves the aerodynamics (gas milage and performance at high speeds). Further, without the boot cover, the exposed inside of the soft top will degrade due to UV sun light. This makes for an ugly soft top. The top will also have to be replaced earlier; an expensive proposition.
Regrettably, near the end of the 1995 model year, Mazda began to deliver Miatas with boot covers without straps. It does not seem to have been a supplier problem: mention of the straps was later removed from the owners manual. Mazda was trying to save money. It has been estimated (by me) that leaving out the straps may have saved as much as $0.75 (U.S.) on the $300.00 boot cover (or on the $20,000.00 car, if you want.)
The effect of leaving out the straps is that above about 70 mph, the boot starts producing a loud continuous "... flop - flop - flop ..." noise. The precise speed depends on wind direction, turbulence, temperature, etcetera. Even more annoying, above about 40 mph, the boot cover will make an occasional single loud flopping noise that is very distracting: it invariably makes you look over your shoulder what happened. Not very safe.
Below are some data about this problem. I got most by searching through the Miata mailing list (mml) and usenet newsgroup (rammm).
The VIN numbers I managed to obtain were a fairly high 1995, (12***), and three early 1996 numbers (01960, 03***, and 03***). On the other hand, Bill Hampton (wrh43@concentric.net: JM1NA3531T0704***) and Akira2787 (akira2787@webtv.net, JM1NA3531T0714***) are both later 1996 cars and have straps. There are lots of other mentions of 1995, 1996 and 1997 cars that do have straps.
Another source that mentioned this fix is TECH.SPEC.DAN@worldnet.att.net (Dan Rothweiler). He does not seem to answer his E-mail there, though.
The service bulletin seems to be to recent to have reached most sources. I checked miata.net, NHTSA, (the last TSB I saw there was June 1996), and AllData (the last I saw was March 1996).
It may be a good idea to write down the information on the TSB when you talk to your dealer. maxtomlin@aol.com (Max) wrote on rammm: "I also have a 96 with the same problem...I took it back to the dealer and said 'when I drive over 45, this boot flaps' and he told me not to drive over 45...a big help...so i don't bother to use it...I think there are some good aftermarket ones you can buy." (rammm).
mbooth@cts.com (Mark Booth) writes: "Some folks have been successful in getting the boot replaced by the dealer for one with the straps. Others have had no luck...the dealer refuses to replace it saying that all boots come that way now." (mml).
But daniel@zoom.com (Dan) was in luck. He had a tan interior and the dealer had swiped his tan boot cover and replaced it by a strapless black one. The dealer had to get him a new one. (mml.)
Another example from ssharp@indirect.com (Sam Sharp): "Did we ever get a true answer from Mazda concerning the Boot Straps (or lack thereof) on the '95's? I searched the archives, and never could find the final answer. A new member of our club has a '95 R that came with no straps on the boot. I sent him back to the dealer for a fix, and they told him that "Mazda wasn't putting them on anymore." Then they told him to go someplace and have them added to his boot and they would "make it right for him." Seems pretty strange to me. Either they are supposed to be there or they aren't. Does anybody know for sure? Are you out there, Tommy?" (mml).
Check your owners manual. If it says to fasten the straps, you should be in pretty good shape, because you have a defective boot according to your owners manual. (Forgot whom I got this from, someone on mml). But my owners manual no longer mentions straps.
pturin@sunspot.ssl.berkeley.edu (Paul Turin) gives a suggestion: "My on my 96 and a friends 95 (both bought in Dec), neither boot has straps, and they are not shown in my 96 manual. On a trip from SF to Vandenburg AFB last weekend, we both had problems with the boot coming loose @ freeway speeds. tensioning the boot by pulling any slack around to the doors helps. Someone suggested earlier on the net (sorry, can't give credit, can't remember who) that sewing a bungee cord along the bottom edge of the boxy portion of the boot (on the hidden side, of course) and hooking the hooks to the top frame works nicely. I think I'll try this. Paul Turin." (mml).
Another suggestion from lanny@derived.com (Lanny Chambers): If you got one without the straps that snap around the top frame (what was Mazda thinking?!), look at one with straps and take yours to an upholstery shop to have similar straps added. They work. (rammm).
My own solution was to attach a curtain rod stiffener to my boot.
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