Bought a Miata

scottmandue · 02-05-2013, 07:24 AM

Just to say thanks to all of you who helped me in my car search...

As if the Miata doesn't have enough of a stigma... because my wife will be driving the car sometimes AND it will be my commuter car on Lost Angeles famous rush hour freeways... wait for it... it has an automatic transmission!

It is 1996 and came it a hard top, it passed smog and looks good but still need to do all the maintenance (check fluids, belts, hoses, crawl over it with a fine tooth comb) already ordered a few OEM interior pieces that are a little worn.

Been wasting time surfing the Internet and looking for upgrade parts... and chatting with the good folks over on Miata.net.

I am having a bit of difficulty getting over the irony that a bunch of gear heads on a Porsche/BMW from talked me into a Miata!

Thanks again guys!

Now just have to pick out the perfect rainbow sicker

Aragorn · 02-05-2013, 07:37 AM

Congrats... The hard top is a sought after item. Go to GRM with your miata questions. The answer is always miata over there. Good place for info and upgrades. They also had an article on restoration on a budget. Might find some parts there as well. Enjoy...

onewhippedpuppy · 02-05-2013, 07:49 AM

Congrats! When are you converting to a manual?

mikester · 02-05-2013, 08:07 AM

If I recall correctly, the autos only came in pink right?

Even my 72 year old Mother-in-law has a manual Miata.

So...there is that...

Don Ro · 02-05-2013, 08:17 AM

What is it about the Miata that folks like?
Are they your basic fun car?...handling, easy keeper, etc?

Aragorn · 02-05-2013, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Ro

What is it about the Miata that folks like?
Are they your basic fun car?...handling, easy keeper, etc?

It's a fun car in the old british motoring style. They handle well. They last forever when cared for. They are cheap and easy to fix. They have a stigma of being a "hairdressers car" but that is unwarranted. Lots of guys drive them in autocross and spec racing classes.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

Is it that blue one that was in Redondo that Eric linked?

scottmandue · 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

It's a fun car in the old British motoring style. They handle well. They last forever when cared for. They are cheap and easy to fix. They have a stigma of being a "hairdressers car" but that is unwarranted. Lots of guys drive them in autocross and spec racing classes.

Not just yeah but heck yeah!

There may be a Boxster or 996 in my future but it just isn't in the budget for a few years. I'm turning 56 this week and life is too short to drive boring cars. Wife was lobbying for a Prius...not a bad car but way over our budget of $5000... she finally gave in to the Miata (the AT helped).

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikester

If I recall correctly, the autos only came in pink right?

Even my 72 year old Mother-in-law has a manual Miata.

So...there is that...

But seriously, I think someone said (Eric?) only %10 of the Miata's were built with autos... I also think they are not available on the new cars... So I like to think I have a rare collectible model

The car rides like a sports car, low to the ground and you can feel every bump in the road. When my wife first saw it she said "it is kinda cute, maybe I should drive it and you continue taking the Hyundai to work."
Then she drove it... "um... I don't see me driving this car a lot."

On a funny note, wife knows nothing of car guy culture and the ribbing Miata guys have to endure.

To attempt to be supportive of her motorhead hubby she suggest we get a personalized license plates (I'm thinking more along the lines of 16" wheels)... anyway... she is a fan of the Gieco pig (weeeeee weeeee)...

So she suggests...

"WEWEFUN"

scottmandue · 02-05-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Is it that blue one that was in Redondo that Eric linked?

Yes, I believe so, the car has low miles (90K) but the paint and trim are a little rough (it sat outside for a long time).

Important thing is it runs strong, I can change out the trim (already ordered a leather steering wheel for $60, new bushings for the shifter $10).

And the hard top, no kidding a $1000 part...

mikester · 02-05-2013, 09:01 AM

I had a 2000 miata that I wish I had never sold. It was simply perfect but I was ribbed nonstop.

I remember a few of the guys were standing outside of work once while I was driving up in it. They were having a smoke as was the new receptionist. She heard them mumbling something about me being gay and she said 'him? Oh, he's not gay.'

FOR THE WIN!

It was awesome - buddies were unable to deny my superiority to them at that point in life. Unfortunately the ribbing continued...

There is a '94 in my driveway at the moment but it is my mother in laws. The older models are just too small inside for me to be comfortable in.

scottmandue · 02-05-2013, 09:35 AM

Not too worried about the ribbing... I park in a parking structure and walk into the building... besides that I work at a science museum... not exactly the bastion of macho manly men...

And most of my friends are musicians... all they will see is a sports car.

Not that I even care... at the end of the day a car (any car) is just a tool for me... I bought what works for me... If I cared I would have bought a Mustang

YMMV

McLovin · 02-05-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

anyway... she is a fan of the Gieco pig (weeeeee weeeee)...

So she suggests...

"WEWEFUN"

Good for her, and good for you too, if you start doing some gigolo-ing on the side. So a win-win!

jamesnmlaw · 09:42 AM

Was in Barnes & Noble this past Saturday (obligatory w/wife). In the car section was a book for tuning Miatas similar to the Porsche book for tuning. Looked pretty interesting.

The local PCA (Roadrunner Region) has a DE where Corvettes are invited to test straight line speed v. turns. Porsche and Corvettes usually have similar times. However, Miatas consistently run a little better at every DE but aren't classed w/Porsches (Porsche only rule).

The older Miatas, like yours, are light and well sorted, good torque, good power to weight. Add a $1,000 of aftermarket and you've got a fun commuter ride and a nice w/e DE car. I've talked to Mazda DE drivers and some'll say the auto is almost preferred.

SCCA has a Miata class, I think.

ZOO · 02-05-2013, 09:40 AM

Congratulations on your purchase. I understand the rationale behind he "auto" decision, but I do think you are missing an important aspect of Miata ownership. A manual Miata transmission is a thing of joy (at least the five speeds . . .).

VincentVega · 02-05-2013, 09:56 AM

Nice pickup, good luck with the auto.

If I fit in one I'd own one, lots of car for the $$.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-05-2013, 10:04 AM

Scott, I posted this in your last Miata thread but it had already died. Worth reading if you haven't already. 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata Long Term Road Test - Introduction

Edmunds.com bought a 100k+ 1997 Miata as a long term tester and has modified it into a dual purpose driver and autocross car. With coilovers, +1 wheel/tire setup, and a roll cage it pulled 1.03 g on a skidpad, the second highest result of all cars that Edmunds has tested for the last four years. It was second to a Corvette ZR1, not bad company. Despite the suspension most of the reviewers report that it is stiff but not rough on the street, with several comments that it rode better than their long-term 1985 Carrera turbo-look. There's lots of good posts about the car, it made me want to find a solid Miata and start modding.

scottmandue · 02-05-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Congrats! When are you converting to a SBC?

My edit

I need to spend a year getting the car sorted and cleaned up in general before even thinking of any mods.

However 16x7 Konig's are at the top of the list...
Followed by Flying Miata shock/coilover's...

Not sure if it even needs bigger brakes... but there are kits out there...

Speaking of cleaning the car up, the pain is pretty sad, a little buffing and touch up is all it needs... and one of dad's rentals is a paint shop so I get the Jefe discount.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-05-2013, 11:03 AM

Nah, all you need is a turbo kit.

scottmandue · 02-05-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Congrats... The hard top is a sought after item. Go to GRM with your miata questions. The answer is always miata over there. Good place for info and upgrades. They also had an article on restoration on a budget. Might find some parts there as well. Enjoy...

GRM= Grass Roots Motorsports?

scottmandue · 02-05-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Nice pickup, good luck with the auto.

If I fit in one I'd own one, lots of car for the $$.

Even at 5'10 and 200 lbs (20 lbs over weight) it is kinda tight for me. I'm used to pulling my left knee up while cruising the interstate, not happening on this car! (Incentive to lose some blubber?

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nah, all you need is a turbo kit.

Turbo's are for... uh... that supercharger kit looks interesting...