Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stever

@bwia, had a 200 acre grass fire come up to the fire road behind my Boise house one year. A bit nerve-racking even when you have insurance. Glad to see your defensible space worked (or the wind shifted or whatever).

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

fezo said:

Well, the Camry isn't back yet but I'm betting on Monday. That's fine. The loaner is way nicer.

Speaking of Monday, I'll be back in the world of convertibles then. I bit on that Miata. Knocked off a few hundred dollars but no DMV today so I can't take possession until Monday.

Nice. The body is in terrific shape. The leather is worn but no cracks. The original owner disabled the driver's trunk latch fearing someone might cut the top to get into the trunk. If it can be reabled I'll do that because I'm not that paranoid and if not I'll live with it.

Congrats on your new car. That's the one car I think I'd prefer with a stick. I'd never fit in it though.

As to disabling the trunk latch to prevent break-ins...how would the crook know the latch was disabled until he slit the top and broke in?

Fezo.....'gratz on the Miata!

fezo

It's a mystery to me how some people think. If I can get it back operating cheaply I'll do it. Otherwise I'll leave well enough alone. Same with the sporadic power mirrors. I've already go them set where I like the and who else will be driving it?

I'd rather spend the money on an aux input or Bluetooth.

stickguy

the trunk is small. and given how rarely you will probably need to go in it, just use the key in the lock.

explorerx4

oldfarmer50 posting?

Mr_Shiftright

It can't be too hard to fix--these are pretty simple cars. The "book" says 1.2 hours labor so can't be too devilish.

stever

Our Taos friends had someone break out a window in their old Subaru, pop the trunk, and steal some camera gear. They intentionally disabled the trunk release after that so the only easy access is with a key. I'd probably leave it broken.

(Slit roof = broken window).

roadburner

fezo said:

Well, the Camry isn't back yet but I'm betting on Monday. That's fine. The loaner is way nicer.

Speaking of Monday, I'll be back in the world of convertibles then. I bit on that Miata. Knocked off a few hundred dollars but no DMV today so I can't take possession until Monday.

Nice. The body is in terrific shape. The leather is worn but no cracks. The original owner disabled the driver's trunk latch fearing someone might cut the top to get into the trunk. If it can be reabled I'll do that because I'm not that paranoid and if not I'll live with it.

Good job!!!

Mr_Shiftright

Power Trunk Release Kit for Miata (scroll down)

stickguy

I had my Miata for about 9 months. I may have opened the trunk 5 times. Mostly when I took my son to BB practice, and stuck his bag back there!

fezo

I like the second generation because the trunk is just big enough for two of us to pack for a few days bringing along my guitar.

Shifty - thanks. That could be more interesting yet. Remote door locks!

There's lots ore I should be doing with my money than this but after three years the transplant things really feel like they're kicking in and time for a "you made it!" present. I'm in no shape to ask Mike what he wants for his Mercedes so I'm a cheap date.

I'm both spoiled and grateful for my wife. She could have just questioned it and talked me down but she said "You've wanted one since they first came out. If you want it get it.

Wonder if it has a timing belt or chain? I know his mechanic by reputation and can run through maintenance. I hope that LBI thing is a magnet. Stickers are tough to remove. Magnets are great.

stickguy

a good Miata is not a big risk. if you got a good deal, enjoy it for a couple of years, and sell it for close to what you paid. Rock solid reliable too, so cheap fun.

verdugo

@abacomike I sent you a private message via Edmunds.

driver100

Fezo, congrats on the new Miata......that would make the perfect fun car to have.

Don't complain about the trunk release.......my 59 Austin Sprite didn't even have a trunk,

abacomike

@verdugo

I responded to your message via Edmunds.

graphicguy

driver100 said:

Fezo, congrats on the new Miata......that would make the perfect fun car to have.

Don't complain about the trunk release.......my 59 Austin Sprite didn't even have a trunk,

driver....now THAT's a COOL car!

Only time I ever see those is at old car shows and different TV programs that specialize in old cars.

bwia

stever said:

@bwia, had a 200 acre grass fire come up to the fire road behind my Boise house one year. A bit nerve-racking even when you have insurance. Glad to see your defensible space worked (or the wind shifted or whatever).

Yes we very lucky in that the wind shifted the fire away from the dwellings in the development. Thank goodness, there were no real significant damages except for a couple houses under construction and the community water tower.

Like California, the entire Caribbean area is under significant drought conditions and brush fires are common. Call it global warming or climate change but the region is definitely getting warmer including the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea.

houdini1

fezo said:

It's a mystery to me how some people think. If I can get it back operating cheaply I'll do it. Otherwise I'll leave well enough alone. Same with the sporadic power mirrors. I've already go them set where I like the and who else will be driving it?

I'd rather spend the money on an aux input or Bluetooth.

My only thought is that he was not concerned with damage to the top, he was worried about that big sack of money he carried in the trunk ! Fezo, maybe he forgot to take it out !!

abacomike

@fezo

I wish you many years of enjoyment in your new Miata addition to the fleet.

houdini1

bwia said:

stever said:

@bwia, had a 200 acre grass fire come up to the fire road behind my Boise house one year. A bit nerve-racking even when you have insurance. Glad to see your defensible space worked (or the wind shifted or whatever).

Yes we very lucky in that the wind shifted the fire away from the dwellings in the development. Thank goodness, there were no real significant damages except for a couple houses under construction and the community water tower.

Like California, the entire Caribbean area is under significant drought conditions and brush fires are common. Call it global warming or climate change but the region is definitely getting warmer including the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea.

Not global warming....it gets warmer every summer !

carnaught

Not global warming....it gets warmer every summer !

Remember, the proper terminology is Global Warming in the summer, Climate Change in the winter, when we're freezing our arses off .

driver100

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

Fezo, congrats on the new Miata......that would make the perfect fun car to have.

Don't complain about the trunk release.......my 59 Austin Sprite didn't even have a trunk,

driver....now THAT's a COOL car!

Only time I ever see those is at old car shows and different TV programs that specialize in old cars.

I'd love to have one today. At the time, kind of fun, but used a gallon of oil a week, not much power, and if you were beside a bus you got the exhaust right in your nose. The only place you would see them today is at an old car show....where they have been fixed up.

isellhondas

My BIL had a Sprite just like that one! Same color even. He used to dodge semis on L.A freeways and somehow survived. I remember it burned oil like crazy. It had a noisy first gear when he sold it for 300.00 but a perfect body and paint.

What a deathtrap but in those days we were fearless.

mako1a

Ahh the 60s British sports cars. I acquired a 1957 MGA in 1967 for $300. Most fun car ever. My buddy's older brother got a 61 Austin Healey with a 6 cyl engine. That was the beginning of "I have" vs "I want". Years later I had a Triumph Spitfire. Nice, but just couldn't bring back the memories of my best friend and I in the MG.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh man I love Bug Eye Sprites---this is the archtypal BASIC sports car. You can be doing 65 and it feels like a 130 mph. Windows? Bah! Who needs 'em. Best driven these days on quiet country roads.

driver100 said:

Fezo, congrats on the new Miata......that would make the perfect fun car to have.

Don't complain about the trunk release.......my 59 Austin Sprite didn't even have a trunk,

fezo

Bug Eye Sprites were great. Really the Miata is the MG I always was gonna buy but never did. Bonus - it should actually run reasonably predictably. One check off the bucket list.

The traffic is better today. I should as the guy with the Miata if he'd mind me driving it on his registration for a couple of days. It's a perfect day for it...

I looked in the trunk and no bags of money but it was originally a Florida car so I can't rule that out, Maybe I should have it checked out by drug sniffing dogs.

Mako - is that handsome young dude you? We used to all look at least reasonably good.

When I was growing up my dad was the king of the $150 car because he was broke. I'll bet he spent more money putting oil in those things that he could have made a payment on a decent car.

Several years back we had a very close call on a big forest fire. They told us to be ready to evacuate twice but they managed to get control before we actually did. The fire started when a National Guard plane dropped a flare during a drought. Was supposed to land in a specified, set area but instead landed in the woods. They later paid a couple of hundred bucks a head to anyone who evacuated whether they were ordered to or not. We stayed put. With a fire like that how do you call out the National Guard when they're the guys that started it?

A year or two later I was in Philadelphia for a Jeopardy audition for people who had passed the online parts. Run into a woman from the next town who had evacuated with her husband though they didn't spend much or anything for their temporary shelter. They used the money for a nice night on the town. Sure enough she showed up on the show one night. "Hey! I know that lady!" Won the first day, lost the second. I could live with that.

abacomike

mako1a said:

Ahh the 60s British sports cars. I acquired a 1957 MGA in 1967 for $300. Most fun car ever. My buddy's older brother got a 61 Austin Healey with a 6 cyl engine. That was the beginning of "I have" vs "I want". Years later I had a Triumph Spitfire. Nice, but just couldn't bring back the memories of my best friend and I in the MG.

I agree.  I had a 1974 Triumph TR6 in Royal Blue and red striped tires.  It was a stupendous roadster with a 4-speed manual.  Loved that car.  Not much horsepower, but it sounded like it had 300 horsepower with that deep-throated sound from the muffler as you would wind out.

Had to sell it in 8 months because of rust development on the "inside" floors.  I went to work one day but because it was a nice day, I put the tonneau cover over the interior.  Then came a wicked thunderstorm which literally flooded the car.  I had to pull the carpeting up to get to the drain plugs off so I could get the water out.  It started rusting like an old girder on a bridge.  So, instead of waiting for the car to rust all over, I traded it in for a 1974 MGB-GT in that orange color.  Really enjoyed that, but I really miss that TR6.

Mr_Shiftright

Yes the TR6 and similar cars had a characteristic you don't much see in more modern sports cars like the Miata---torque, and plenty of it. They ran out of breath at 5000 rpm but you could lug 'em around all day long. 4-speeds was plenty.

fezo

My nest question will end up being dealing with a worn but not cracked leather. There's a guy who specializes in such things a bit away who claims to be reasonable but reasonable is a relative term for a $4,800 car.

I'll take all suggestions including (probably especially) just keeping it from further wear issues.

Mr_Shiftright

Leather can be dyed and can look mighty good if done by an expert.

stever

You need some driving pants. Get some chamois cycling shorts, turn 'em inside out, soak 'em in Lexol and wear them shammy side out when you go cruising. That'll protect the leather and accentuate the patina. Get a Le Tour jersey to wear up top so people won't think you're weird.

mako1a

Yes, Fezo that was me in 1967 I was turning 17 in July. Last summer to just goof off before going to Penn State. Too bad all the hair on top blew off and an extra 60 pounds of fat got stuck to my ribs, but hey...you're only young once and I enjoyed every minute of it.

roadburner

fezo said:

My nest question will end up being dealing with a worn but not cracked leather. There's a guy who specializes in such things a bit away who claims to be reasonable but reasonable is a relative term for a $4,800 car.

I'll take all suggestions including (probably especially) just keeping it from further wear issues.

A lot of BMW Club folk swear by this stuff.

fezo

Thanks, gents.

Now I know mako is six months older than me and at one point was way better looking than me.

Mr_Shiftright

I've seen re-dyes on big buck cars and if done right, it looks great---I can still tell a dye job but I have to loose and feel closely.

abacomike

I sure have a sense of loss now that Dad has been gone 4 days already.  The house is quiet and very lonely.  Went shopping for food and a few odds and ends alone for the first time.

My brother offered to have me come up to his house in northern Florida in August which I might accept.  He has a nice boat moored there and we could go out fishing or just cruise for awhile - big enough to sleep 6-8 adults.  It will be nice getting together.

He will be coming down as soon as I receive the death certificates for him to execute the will.  Really want to get that process over with.

I have to hire an attorney to process a quit claim deed for the condo.  It is in Dad's and my name, but I need an original death certificate before I can get that going.  Since my brother is a CPA, he is familiar with the process necessary for state and federal filings.  His estate is not large so it should be simple.

He will have to file an income tax form 1040 for Dad but that should be simple.

When things finally settle down, I am going to join one of those senior singles .coms as my social life has been at a standstill for the past 10 years due to taking care of Dad.

Thanks all for allowing me to let off a little stress steam and being off topic.

@bwia

I am thankful that brush fire missed you.  It's been very dry here this June for it being rainy season.  But we are starting to feel the effects of afternoon thunder storms just about every day with showers on the breeze in the mornings.  We have several brush fires burning right now in western Broward County all started by lightning.

There are more lightning strikes in the State of Florida than in any of the other 49 States.  I guess we have to hold the record for something.

stickguy

well, I don't like leather in a convertible anyway. So I vote for seat covers. Something like the wetsuit material maybe? Or synthetic? Here are a couple of options:

http://www.mossmiata.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=93846

http://www.mossmiata.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=124066 Can even get lumbar inflate or heaters on these!

http://www.mossmiata.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=78082

driver100

abacomike said:

I sure have a sense of loss now that Dad has been gone 4 days already.  The house is quiet and very lonely. .

Your life is going to be very different for awhile so don't try and do too much too soon. That is a major change that will take awhile to adjust to. It takes time to rebuild your life again. You will have to find some new activities and interests to fill out your week. Someone once said to me "It would be so nice to just be able to take a magic pill and your life returns to normal". Unfortunately, there is a process, and there isn't a short cut. Hang in there.

We have several brush fires burning right now in western Broward County all started by lightning.

There are more lightning strikes in the State of Florida than in any of the other 49 States.  I guess we have to hold the record for something

Now you tell me !

driver100

stever said:

You need some driving pants. Get some chamois cycling shorts, turn 'em inside out, soak 'em in Lexol and wear them shammy side out when you go cruising. That'll protect the leather and accentuate the patina. Get a Le Tour jersey to wear up top so people won't think you're weird.

"Get a Le Tour jersey to wear up top so people won't think you're weird"

Like that's going to help!

stickguy

it's an adjustment any time you lose a parent, but can imagine it is a real jolt when they lived with you.

if nothing else, take your time. Getting away for some sort of vacation to decompress sounds like a great idea. No reason to hurry with taking care of "stuff". It will still be there in a few weeks.

abacomike

stickguy said:

it's an adjustment any time you lose a parent, but can imagine it is a real jolt when they lived with you. if nothing else, take your time. Getting away for some sort of vacation to decompress sounds like a great idea. No reason to hurry with taking care of "stuff". It will still be there in a few weeks.

You and driver100 are correct.  I have lots of things that need tending to, but I am not going to rush it.  I don't even know if I want to continue living in south Florida.  I will take things nice and easy and everything will eventually get taken care of.

stickguy

as long as you take care of the important financial/legal stuff right away, nothing else can't wait.

you have talked about moving out of that area. So spend some time visiting the other places and see what feels right.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh man I love Bug Eye Sprites---this is the archtypal BASIC sports car. You can be doing 65 and it feels like a 130 mph. Windows? Bah! Who needs 'em. Best driven these days on quiet country roads.

driver100 said:

Fezo, congrats on the new Miata......that would make the perfect fun car to have.

Don't complain about the trunk release.......my 59 Austin Sprite didn't even have a trunk,

I forgot about those windows....I forget how it had side windows...plastic built into the roof maybe? I do remember unfolding the top and running around trying to fasten it on during a rain storm.

This page has a nice drive in a Sprite if I can copy it:

https://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9ELXM4Tuwtc

https://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9ELXM4Tuwtc#t=55

That's when cars didn't have great suspensions, or sound deadening materials, or synchronized gear shift, or great shocks, or good steering....but, that is when...........
cars were cars!

houdini1

And those bias ply left, right, darting tires !!

stever

driver100 said:

"Get a Le Tour jersey to wear up top so people won't think you're weird"

Like that's going to help!

The Race has begun, even though it's not as much fun without Lance in the game.

fezo

Stick - nice idea but they only seem to deal with first generation Miatas - up to 97. Mine's a 99. I like the idea, though.

Mike - Take your time. My dad passed in 2008 and I still get surprises from some thing that was tucked away somewhere. Not a lot of money but things pop up.

When you're ready there are several sites to be looking for folks. A friend of mine put an ad on ourtime.com which is a senior site by the match.com people expecting nothing and ended up in a relationship she's very happy with.

North Florida has some nice places if it's your cup of tea. I love the panhandle but it's nothing like Florida. It even has hills.

driver100

fezo said:

North Florida has some nice places if it's your cup of tea. I love the panhandle but it's nothing like Florida. It even has hills.

I think he has to stay near his MB Dealership.

If he gets a hankering for a new car he'll never get a better price!

abacomike

fezo said:

Stick - nice idea but they only seem to deal with first generation Miatas - up to 97. Mine's a 99. I like the idea, though. Mike - Take your time. My dad passed in 2008 and I still get surprises from some thing that was tucked away somewhere. Not a lot of money but things pop up. When you're ready there are several sites to be looking for folks. A friend of mine put an ad on ourtime.com which is a senior site by the match.com people expecting nothing and ended up in a relationship she's very happy with. North Florida has some nice places if it's your cup of tea. I love the panhandle but it's nothing like Florida. It even has hills.

I have always wanted to live in the Naples-Ft. Myers area up through Venice or south of Sarasota.  The west coast is a much tamer area to live as long as you stay away from large populated areas.  I prefer central to south central Gulf Coast because of the warmer winters.  Up near Jacksonville and due west of there into the panhandle is a bit too chilly for me in winter.  The difference in temperature in winter is 10 degrees F which is significant.

This is not the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale of the 1960's or 1970's.  It used to be a Shangrala on those days when I was in my teens and 20's.  The water was ocean  pristine and the beaches (especially South Beach and Ft. Lauderdale Beach) were well kept and gorgeous.  Now, you take your life in your hands in just about any area in Miami-Dade or Broward Counties with a few exceptions.  

Even the Gold Coast and Treasure Coast (Palm Beach County and Indian River County) are more to my liking along with the Gulf Coast.  Eventually, I need to get out of Southeast Florida.

fezo

Oh, you could do way worse than what you are thinking. I could deal with pretty much any of them.

Mr_Shiftright

Good lord, what have they done to that poor Sprite? It's all tarted up like a '55 T-Bird. Geez, Mr. Restorer, pay some attention to history...

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh man I love Bug Eye Sprites---this is the archtypal BASIC sports car. You can be doing 65 and it feels like a 130 mph. Windows? Bah! Who needs 'em. Best driven these days on quiet country roads.

driver100 said:

Fezo, congrats on the new Miata......that would make the perfect fun car to have.

Don't complain about the trunk release.......my 59 Austin Sprite didn't even have a trunk,

I forgot about those windows....I forget how it had side windows...plastic built into the roof maybe? I do remember unfolding the top and running around trying to fasten it on during a rain storm.

This page has a nice drive in a Sprite if I can copy it:

https://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9ELXM4Tuwtc

https://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9ELXM4Tuwtc#t=55

That's when cars didn't have great suspensions, or sound deadening materials, or synchronized gear shift, or great shocks, or good steering....but, that is when...........
cars were cars!