DANGIT: Drove a Miata.

Discussion in 'Other Vehicles' started by DixonL2, Jun 19, 2014.

  1. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

    May 4, 2009
    414
    274
    0
    Supply Chain Implementation Guy
    A bit north of the 'burgh, PA
    Ratings:
    +274 / 0 / -0
    LOVE my R53. Will likely never part with it.

    BUT... in a fit of family generosity, instead of selfishly updating my road bike, a Kestrel Talon in harlot-red, with naked carbon-fiber fishnet seatstays and a smattering of Ultegra/DA and Mavic, I went ahead and purchased an inexpensive pre-loved Miata. Roughly the same money as a nice road bike.

    If you're considering a Miata, don't. MAN are these things addicting.
    (Nearly as bad as my R53!)



    (ignore the dirt left over from last weekend's autocross!)
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Spa2k

    Spa2k Well-Known Member

    May 9, 2013
    1,955
    975
    113
    Iowa
    Ratings:
    +975 / 0 / -0
    I've owned three Miatas - '90, '93 and '99 - and you're right: They are addictive, and minimum maintenance equals maximum fun. Plus, the aftermarket is really strong.

    I should have kept the 10th Anniversary Miata, but a Honda S2000 was calling my name. I can't wait to see what the new Miata looks like next February when it's unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show.
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    The Miata is a nice little fun to drive car. I would buy a good used one.
     
  4. whaap

    whaap New Member

    Jan 10, 2014
    515
    313
    0
    retired
    Tucson, Arizona
    Ratings:
    +313 / 0 / -0
    The Miata is the only car I've ever owned more than one of in my life. I had a '99 and an '02. Loved them both. In fairness to my MINI, I love it more. If I'm still driving it will probably be the second car I will own more than one.
     
  5. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    The Miata is lot easier to get up those Pittsburgh hills too!
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    Love my Miata. It is a fine compliment to my R53. :D

    [​IMG]
     
  7. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

    May 15, 2012
    6,023
    5,310
    113
    11 years in the ARMY, 2 years of being a multitale
    North Denver CO.
    Ratings:
    +5,322 / 0 / -0
    I would love to have an old NA Miata, but around here you just cant find a good one without paying way over what any early 90's car is worth.

    Had a shop in town at one time, that was swapping the entire drivetrain from the FD3S RX-7 into the NA chassis... Want FAST, thats one way to do it! :D
     
  8. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

    Jun 24, 2009
    5,146
    1,302
    113
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Ratings:
    +1,302 / 0 / -0
    Loves my Masdaspeed MX-5!! uploadfromtaptalk1403218227907.jpg
     
  9. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,559
    4,419
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,003 / 1 / -0
    I'll speak from the other side.....underpowered, uncomfortable, loud, too small inside and at 5'10" tall I'm looking the windshield header right in the eye....I do not get the love for these cars. I've tried to buy three of them...a 94, 04 Turbo and a '06. I had each of them for a weekend and of the bunch the '06 was the only one I fit in. That one had good power but the engine sounded terrible, just a loud moan.....the only time I enjoyed it was with the top down so I couldn't hear the engine and it rode like a rock....which is strange cause most people complain about the new ones being too softly suspended.

    Anyways, I took the '06 back and bought my '03 JCW, a much better car and driving experience to me, even if it wasn't a convertible.
     
  10. Spa2k

    Spa2k Well-Known Member

    May 9, 2013
    1,955
    975
    113
    Iowa
    Ratings:
    +975 / 0 / -0
    Wow - did the previous owners leave a telephone book on the seat? :D I'm 5'10" and never experienced anything like that… :confused:
     
  11. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

    May 15, 2012
    6,023
    5,310
    113
    11 years in the ARMY, 2 years of being a multitale
    North Denver CO.
    Ratings:
    +5,322 / 0 / -0
    5'11 Here, driven every generation of them to some extent and no problems. Granted I am built like a noodle, but height wise were good.
    The engine noise... Um... Early design of a Japanese DOHC... Not really known for a ear pleasing sound.

    The NA was raw to drive. Like my first CRX it was just fun to toss around, but the Miata could go sideways and not plow.

    Didn't really care for the NB too much, it just wasn't there visually for me.

    However, throw some good stiffer coilovers on an NC, and it gives you the same feeling as the NA, plus can look pretty sweet if done right.
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    Different strokes as they say. Love mine. :D
     
  13. Z06_Pilot

    Z06_Pilot Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jun 12, 2013
    331
    263
    63
    Network Design Engineer
    Columbus, OH
    Ratings:
    +263 / 0 / -0
    HA, a few times at the track, I have tried to get into a Miata's passenger seat to go around with the owner for a few laps. I can get one leg almost in (6'5"), and that's it.

    I think my eyes would be above the windscreen top line if I could get all the way in!

    Love my R56 for this reason. They realized that very tall people might like to drive a fun car.....good thing I have long arms though.....with me basically sitting in the back seat, the shifter is just about a full arm reach

    The Miata has been heralded for years as a fantastic handling car in the twisties...unfortunately, I wouldn't know :biggrin5:
     
  14. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Sep 30, 2011
    5,083
    1,762
    113
    Male
    Sales and Marketing manager
    Hilliard, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +1,763 / 0 / -0
    I loved my CRX that's why I got my R53 it's the closest thing I could find like it.
     
  15. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,952
    1,500
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,720 / 0 / -0
    I almost bought a Miata when they first came out, but I found a super deal on a very low miles MGB and bought that instead. I still have the "B", not sure if I would still have a Miata had I bought one.
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    After years of LBC ownership specifically MG's I'm happy to say the Miata provides all the smiles of an LBC for me. There are only two things the LBC does better, parks at the Brit car show & provides roadside tech sessions. My Miata is my lazy man's sports car. :biggrin5:

    I still like LBC's very much, just don't want to own one at this point in my life.
     
  17. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
    4,033
    2,236
    113
    Male
    Retired
    Piqua, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +2,788 / 10 / -0
    But, you're not 5'10"!:devil:
     
  18. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,952
    1,500
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,720 / 0 / -0
    Does LBC mean Little British Car?
     
  19. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    1,404
    688
    113
    Pilot
    Southern NH
    Ratings:
    +688 / 0 / -0
    Ditto!!
    Had my mini parked next to my '88....the mini looked HUGE next to the crx....
     
  20. minirab

    minirab Well-Known Member

    May 6, 2009
    3,243
    777
    113
    Hagerstown, Md.
    Ratings:
    +851 / 0 / -0
    I remember parking my R53 next to a MGB at a car show, my car looked like

    a Suburban next to the MG. Would hate to see it parked next to an Elan that

    I owned way back when.
     

Share This Page