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By all means, do whatever it takes to bring a smile to your wife's face. You both deserve it.
You see, I moved out of the state and then got my car, and I really really need to do this soon. It may involve a 2000 mile road trip just for that.
-Z
Take care.
Joe W.
And if you want to check out pictures of rolled Miatas (Miatae?) and why you want a roll bar, check this out.
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ebitzm/miata/shiv/
http://ftp.wi.net/~fizzx/safety/
Not to sound like a commercial, but if you want more details, check out www.miataforum.com and www.miata.net
And who cares about resale value anyway, when you are having so much fun. Go out and drive.
*putting on absbesto suit*
http://www.networkone.net/~mark/
"most people" don't buy a Miata -- or anything else -- to compete. There are over 300,000 Miatas. Only a very few of them will ever see the inside of a track, even autoX. Let alone a race track! (What a shame:)
Any modification made to a car that suggests it has been driven hard will dramatically lower its resale value. A roll bar is expensive, and the first thing most people/dealers will think at trade-in time, I believe, is that the car has had the heck kicked out of it and demand a substantial discount from book value. (If you want me to, I could check at the local dealer?)
Take care.
Joe W.
Anyway, for the most part, if you want to trade in a car, you are better off selling it on your own anyway. And if you are selling a Miata with a roll bar, I'd imagine you can probably get more money out of it when you sell it to someone who know what they want in a Miata.
Just my opinion.
Thanks
As I recall, it was standard on the M packages and optional for the rest.
The dealer was blowing smoke. Surprise, Surprise!
Take care.
Joe W.
Also, I'm descent with the wrench and I'm sure I'll want to add some sort of Forced air induction to the Miata (if thats my final decision). Anyone have any opinions? I've read about the Jackson Racing/Sebring supercharger and it has sparked my interest.
I've got my eye on a Limited Edition but I still can't make up my mind.... Its the only one at my local dealer. Also considering the Miata LS with sport suspension package. On the list of Z3's, I'm mainly refering to the 2.3 roadsters.
Thanks for any replies.
Took my wife to the Mazda dealer today and finally got her to testdrive one. She really likes it... I hadn't driven an M2 and it seems like the engine is quite a bit gutsier than before. Either that or since my current car isn't all that fast my standards have lowered.
We are currently looking for a base Miata (didn't think much of the leather or the price tag) with the appearance and sport packages, if we decide to get one.
-Colin
I have 2 friends that have Z3s and both just love them. To each his own!
Flip
More to the point: before you add any forced induction to anything, I'd drive it for a few months and get used to it to see if you really want the additions -- may seem like a silly statement at face value but a) each of these cars are pretty much designed to optimize performance and reliability b) forced induction will void your warranty c) what are you going to use it for?
That said: if you're still interested be sure to also check out the turbo packages offered for the Miata at Dealer Alternative (reach them through www.miata.net)
I'd be interested to hear what you decide, either way!
Take care.
Joe W.
With the above in mind I opted for the Special Addition Miata. Not only is it a real value but is, I believe, one of the finest looking rides available in today's market!
Good luck on your decision and............drive safe!
I assume by Nova you mean Northern Virginia, and if your dealer told you no miatas were available with abs this likely isn't correct. My wife and I just purchased a 2000 LS with abs at Brown's in Fairfax. As of 4/23 at 2400, there is one listed on the website for the Brown's dealership at Alexandria. I would recommend you check the website and call Steve Dockery at the Fairfax store and see if he can get you one to test drive as their prices were lower, about $200 over what Edmunds listed as invoice. This does include a $1000 rebate. I suspect this may not be the best deal, but we were impressed enough to drive 2 hours from Western MD to make the purchase. I don't want to sound like an advertisement, but this was about the most painless car purchase we have made to date.
I suspect the confusion may have resulted from the problem that apparently few base models are available with ABS. Good Luck
Thanks for everyones input and cya on the road.
My wife and I should take delivery on a new base miata Wednesday. I was surprised at how much she enjoyed driving this car during the test drives-- I have to drag her to an autocross and she's never driven at one. But I am glad to see her old Mustang off and they gave us a surprisingly good trade in for it.
It's black and the only option is the sport package. Now that's a driver's car. Cheap too. We couldn't justify $27k for a Miata. I wanted to consider used but the wife unit doesn't like used cars and loves the M2 body style...
-Colin
Our dealer had just one 2000, which we test drove. Buying it was out of the question since it was an Evolution Orange LS. My apologies to owners who I'm about to offend, but that color is just plain wrong.
-Colin
It is true, and since the Miata is a weekend car for us, we don't need all the bells and whistles. Another thing that really sold me is the glass rear window. Come on the, Z3, Boxster, and the S2000 all have plastic rear windows. That was almost enough to sell me. No, the Miata is not the fastest car on the road, but almost without exception someone is always faster than you. It came down to enjoyment, and I realized I would enjoy myself a great deal in a Miata, maybe more so in a Z3 with the bigger engine, but there is always a place to go for a future roadster, after all, this one is my first. All I know is every time I look at my Miata, I get a big grin, not too mention the fun of running through the gearbox.
(I hope this didn't offend any BMW fans or Miataphiles, just my opinions.)
-loving my dark green '00 Miata
I am considering holding out until I can find the ultimate one for me - dark blue - tan leather. Without the added ground effects. I don't mind the larger wheels/tires, but I do not like the body kits stuff that comes on the "hotter" Miatas. It detracts from the classiness of the shape. That is another problem inventory wise - a lot of the Miatas are coming in the more performance looking form, and I would rather not have that. I think the Miata is SOOOO attractive, especially when compared to the MR2 Spyder. The Miata will look great for decades to come..like an old James Bond movie car. But the added spoilers and body work takes away from the simple lines.....if you see the dark blue/tan top leather with/out the sporty body stuff, that will be me!!
Thanks again. I have a feeling I will be waiting awhile....
My wife would have preferred ABS for autocross and driving schools, but we'll make do.
-Colin
I'm so glad other people feel the way I do about the glass add-ons. Miata Magazine once did a series of columns by Tom Matano, the design engineer who headed up the Miata project team. Their goal, he claimed (in my words & from memory) was to design a shape where all of the lines flowed naturally (and reduce drag effectively) into one another. They also wanted to pay homage to the great roadster shapes of the past, but the "organic" unity of the lines and curves of the car was the primary intent. They succeeded in that. Sometimes I guess I can grudgingly admit that I see what people mean when they say it looks "cute" but there are other times when the lines, like those of some Jaguars, are just plain beautiful.
I don't know if it's true for the M2 or not, but on the M1 there was no surface where you could get a drop of water to stay without running off!
the car is cheap, flexible in its design, and is so simple in its form and execution that it tolerates people messing with it better than most performance cars will. It's an odd contradiction. On the one hand, it is a nearly perfect example of a simple, efficient design; on the other hand, it invites owners to mess with it.
Both the M1 and M2 have a big aftermarket contingent of suppliers who allow you to individualize your Miata (a good thing), but too often owners do it with the notion that they will be "improving" the car (a silly thing). So they add performance stuff that makes the car perform differently, but not necessarily -- and not often -- better. (We probably all have a story of a guy with a supercharger who gets beaten by a stock at the AutoX.) And they add ground effects and spoilers and all kinds of c--p so their car ends up looking like a fine quarterhorse in a clown suit. M1 or M2, the design is always fresh, always clean, never brags or shows off.
With no intent to disrespect anyone, the extra bulges and add-ons are one of the things I've never liked about the Z-3. Underneath, it's a great car -- like the Miata -- but who needs the attitude? What's with those things on the front fenders? Why doesn't the back go with the front? What's with the bulges everywhere? How could the company that designed the 3 and 5 series, and the Z-8, let something like that out to play with the Miata, and the Boxster, and the S2000, and -- when you finally get to see one -- even the MR2 (much better in reality than in pix).
Take care.
Joe W.
I was smitten by the Z3 when it first appeared. It's more of a retro design than the miata. The miata to me has always been unique. Mazda may lack in some areas but they have some of the world's best designers.
Yeah, I know this post is off the usual (rebate/floormat/BMW Z3) topic list.
Thanks,
charlie
I like aggressive looking cars, I love the Z3, but only when the performance can match the look., The 4cyl Z3, or the V6 Mustang are two examples of looks that outdo the car.
Remember how Jaguar won Lemans in 1953? It was by no means the most powerful car on the track, but under each wheel was a disc brake caliper, a nicely balanced chassis and a decent suspension.
I think the reason why some people do not appreciate the Miata for what it is, is that some people drive them as if they were a Mustang...they want low end grunt and they won't punch the engine to kick the rear end out or stab the brakes to put the car on a different line in the middle of a tight fast turn (the Mustang probably wouldn't respond well to the maneuver anyway unless it was a Cobra with IRS). Some folks really did buy the wrong car for them and are thus disappointed. As you say, trying to make a Miata into a Mustang makes one wonder why they didn't buy the Mustang in the first place and make themselves happier for probably less money.
A few things set this one apart though. It is the base Miate with the black top. Has the appearance package, AC, Fog Lamps, and the windblocker. What really makes the difference though is that it also has 16" Miglia chrome 5-spoke wheels, and aftermarket black leather seats with a custom script "Miata" embroidery with thread that matches the body color.
I've had it about a month, (1200 miles), just came back from a day trip to the Oregon Coast and the only thing I wish it had is cruise control.
I was a little worried about the stock sound system, but it kicks just fine as long as you are using the cd player.
Love MY MIATA! Would reccomend it to anyone. My final cost was $21,060.
Portland, OR.
- Change your oil before the winter. Dirty oil sitting around in your engine is full of acidic (and otherwise bad) byproducts. Since you are driving it sparingly, you want clean oil to last you through the winter. Consider synthetics which tend to break down less faster and provide faster lubrication upon startup.
- You may want a battery maintainer which gives your battery a trickle charge. The Miata battery is requires a bit more TLC and letting it sit drain continually while it sitting around may cause problems down the road. Go to the Miata.net/marketplace (here's one I found http://www.TeamMiata.com/TM422.htm)
- The Michelin Pilot tires are very slick on COLD roads. I learned that the hard way. Either drive very carefully or invest in some different tires. Unfortunately in this size, you are likely only going to find high performance tires which get too hard in the cold. I'd consider some all seasons M&S rated mounted on 14 inch steel rims.
- Putting some gas additives such as gas line antifreeze is a good idea.
Take care.
Joe W.
That's an awesome price dgraves! We gave about $19k for a base Miata with sport package ($22.5k retail). Then again PL & CC means it's probably a base with no sport package (they're exclusive)... or a REALLY discounted LS.
People are still snatching up 10AE's for <20k all over the country too. There weren't any around my area though, and my wife is happy with what she got.
-Colin
greg
I'm in South Orange County, California.
dealer as we speak to see what I can find. I agree with looking for a new one, but this seemed like a good deal, well taken care of, all the options I wanted etc, but for under 1k more for a nerw one makes sense.
-Colin
I'm a long-time fan of Miata's, but haven't owned one yet and I need advice. I'm looking at a '93 Miata in really sweet shape and with 45,000 miles on it - anything quirky I should know about this model year? Also, it's only fault is ... it's an automatic (I know I know! But it's in great shape!). How do the automatics perform compared to the sticks? Any thoughts on how much of a difference I'll notice?
The forgoing assumes that you like the Miata because it is a great sports car that's a lot of fun to drive. If you just want a cute, reliable car that you can put the top down on then maybe it won't matter.
Wait for a manual, you'll be a happier person.
As for performance, over 1 second in the 0-60 is lost in an automatic, running somewhere in the very high 9's. You'll notice the lack as soon as you jump in a standard one.
-Colin