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Comments
need more info.
ace
http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000823.html
That is the best and most informative web site in the Miata world. There is a forum for price discussion there too. I'd go for the new one, I have a 1997 M Model in that exact color combo and it looks really sharp. Good luck!
The worst part has to be driving at tire level of the 18-wheelers, and having to wake up maniacal women driving SUV's who don't seem to see small cars. Is that a physiological thing? Do they drive like that intentionally? Is it a power thing to push around a smaller car? Or do they simply NOT see a smaller car. I could count on my hands and feet the number of times I had a near fatal experience because some insane woman in an SUV didn't see me or got a case of the truck-tuffs. I don't get it.
In any case, you guys did warn me about highway driving. But I'll tell you, after I got down to northern VA, taking the back country roads on the Miata was a dream. The winding roads were simply made for this car.
I figured that I'd just share the thought. It was a great weekend to take the top down...
Eddie
Still, a lot of folks just don't see you, so drive defensively and assume that you are invisible.
-juice
What about a brighter bulb for the center stop light? Would that catch people's attention?
Just a thought. It gets scary when I can see a huge SUV barrelling down behind me, pulling up to within inches of my rear.
Eddie
For the tailgaters, if you're in the left lane of the highway then get the heck out of it! If not then what I do is let off the gas and let the car slowly lose speed untill the fustrated driver behind me gets fustrated and changes lanes. If I'm in the mood to be a real [non-permissible content removed] I'll stomp in it after he changes lanes - the miata may not be fast but it's quicker then most SUV's. Of course I don't recommend this second move since we all know about road rage.
Better to let them pass than to play bad cop.
Besides, slow down a bit and smell the roses. I avoid highways any way.
-juice
But I'll tell you, once I hit the back country roads of northern VA, it was amazing. That was land made for the Miata. Here in NYC, there really aren't too many cruising roads, but the long stretches of hilly backroads in northern VA were a dream to drive.
I may take a little roadtrip up to Danbury, CT this weekend. Maybe the country roads of CT would suit the Miata's tastes as well.
A buddy of mine at work has his sights on a Miata. He was asking me how I felt about using the car as a commuter car. He drives in to work in bumper to bumper traffic 2 hours each way. I told him not to expect luxury, but that it's probably no different from his old Nissan Sentra as a commuter car. What do you guys think?
Eddie
2002 MPV 3.0l V6
2003 new 626 sedan
2003 626 wagon
2003 RX8 4door
2003 RX8 coupe
2004 Protoge sedan
2004 Protoge hatchback
2004 Miata
Future possibilities: 626 hatch, MX Sport Tourer.
The Protoge will share the Focus platform, and the next Miata will be on the RX platform, but keeps a piston engine. I hope they can keep weight down.
-juice
Since most modern cars are built to isolate you from everything, you have to accept the Miata, I think, as a compromise in the OTHER direction, of a real "sports" nature....like sports in general, they aren't meant to be comfortable, it's supposed to be risky and fun and difficult at times, you trying to master the machine and testing your limits.
What one person might consider "tiresome" in a sports car, I find really great...that's what it's all about IMO.
I have a '93, and it's pretty loud and cramped. With the top down, having only the driver's window down helps a lot, since it reduces wind buffeting. I don't have the wind baffle, but I've heard those help.
Add a good hat and proper string-backed driving gloves, and you're good to go. I still avoid highways when possible, though.
Also, note that the '99 model I drove was definitely more comfy than my '93. Probably more insulation in some places, but it felt both quicker and quieter.
And speaking of comfort, I finally put spacers under the front of my driver's seat track, to give me more thigh support. I used two washers, which yielded about a 3/16" lift. Three would not fit since the bolt was not long enough.
I even went to Home Depot with the bolt, but could not find a longer bolt with the same thread pattern (which is very narrow). So this meant that 3/16" was the max I could go, though I feel like I could use about double that amount. Anyone recommend a place where I can find a bolt with the right threading?
Here are close-up photos and tips, if you're considering doing this yourself. I'd say anyone over 5'10" could possibly benefit from this very simple mod (disclaimer: do this at your own risk):
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1400062&a=12600139&f=0
-juice
first off. how in the heck did you get the seat's anchor bolts free from the body???? i tried using every trick in the book when i was installing my rollbar. nothing would budge the bolts.
second... do you feel like the seat wants to "rock" or wobble because of the spacers? i like the idea of a "slightly" higher seat in order to get some thigh support.
third... now i'm no structural engineer or metal fatigue expert, but i'm thinking that there may be some forces at work that may not be too good for those bolts. are they getting much purchase into the threads in the body? just curious.
ace
Seriously - I used the long-shaft torque wrench. Mine was too tight for the ratchet.
The seat is very sturdy and does not move at all. I'm happy with them, but I'm in the middle of a search for longer bolts.
As for your 3rd question - exactly the reason for longer bolts. I checked and there is room for them to go all the way through, so I'm definintely getting longer bolts. I may try a 5/16" lift, but that might create the wobble you mention.
-juice
to see my Miata. Do you like it???
-juice
http://www.miata.net/images/brgmiata.jpg
http://www.miata.net/gallery/images/marina.jpg
Good catch.
-juice
Anyone who complains about how the Miata feels or works doesn't deserve one. I came to the "B" from a motorcycle, and after riding 550+ miles in a day on a Honda 160, the MGB, with its radio and actual seat was a real step up. Besides which, the "B" had really tight steering and a shifter that the Miata will never equal.
Point being, it's all relative, and if what you're seeking is performance around corners, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better than the Miata for the price. If you're excited about paying 50 - 100% more, or (worse yet) impressing others who probably drive automatic-transmission-mobiles that are better classified as appliances, then you're on your own and you help me cement the stereotypes I've developed so far.
I'm here to announce the new Mazda Miata Owners club now available on Edmunds.com Owner's Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Coupes, Convertibles & Sportscars .
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
A lot of snow capability is really in the hands of the driver, at least in shallow snow....if you are a skillful snow driver, or know where to get some instruction, then you should be fine. Nice light clutch, sometimes you may even have to start in second gear (on the flats). Good tires, no jerky movements, plenty of common sense about going over plow lines (you don't have much ground clearance), allowing enough stopping time AND....knowing when to stay home!
Miata's not a great snow car, but I have successfully pushed around plenty of sportscars in dreadful snow conditions. You just have to be patient and careful, it's not an Audi Quattro you've got there.
I recommend getting price of tires, cheap steel wheels & wheel covers from Tire Rack on the internet. I did this, then went to Discount Tire on Stadium (or Washtenaw); they matched the price.
I suggest AWD and good ground clearance.
I own and love a '93 Miata, but I drive my Subaru Foreser even if it's just raining.
-juice
-juice
Then again, I remember driving across a flooded underpath many years ago in my old 1990 Toyota Celica and had no problem. Both the 3000GT and Celica are lower than the Miata.
This is my first season with the Miata, and I'm loving it. The weather's incredible and even the motorcycle is feeling abit unappreciated.
I'll worry about winter when winter comes, but the Miata is my primary car so I'm gonna have to deal with it.
Eddie
Good luck
Chuck
remember that montego blue is IMPOSSIBLE to match, except at the very best of body shops.
on that particular model, check the wheels carefully. the chrome tends to pit pretty badly, especially one that has been driven on a daily basis.
ace
Thank you.
Options are personal, if it were me, #1) 6 speed manual tranny #2) hardtop, beyond that, it depends on you?
There is no "watch and avoid list", these are bulletproof cars. Good luck, keep us informed.