Why cant I like my buddy's Miata? - Page 2

JWest · 08:09 AM

Kurt's just razzing us - don't take him seriously. He does after all own the original "chick" car - the MGB!

I just "caught" Kurt telling someone ont he 911 board that they should buy a 914!

DR. Z · 09-11-2002, 07:49 AM

Hey Kurt: <
I own a 'real' Porsche- 993C4s, as well as a 914/6. Guess which one sits in the garage unused? That's right, the 914/6 is way more fun, connected to a true Porsche driving experience and gets a run with the boys whenever I can spare the time.
I think you'd best take your sophomoric attempt at humor elsewhere. Sorry, nobody here is amused, especially on a day when most Americans are grateful for what we do have to enjoy.

Z

Rot 911 · 09-11-2002, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DR. Z

I think you'd best take your sophomoric attempt at humor elsewhere.
Z

Damn don't take it so personally. It was a joke, hence the waving smiley. I can see you are a new member Dr. Z. Do a search on this board and you will see a few postings from me regarding my intial search for a 914. And like Adams said, how can anyone that owns a MGB seriously knock anyone else's car?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Jeez, and here I thought that 914 owners were the Porsche folks who actually had a sense of humor!! Isn't this the BBS where one of the faster people, "olephart" JP III, calls his car NARP??

Let's all calm down...

--DD

scottmandue · 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave at Pelican Parts
Jeez, and here I thought that 914 owners were the Porsche folks who actually had a sense of humor!!

Let's all calm down...

--DD

Ten Four!

I just started looking around here last week and my initial impression was "gee this seems like the friendliest BBS I have visited yet". Not that I'm saying you folks are a bunch of grumps but lets lighten up a little.
Us 924/944 take allot of ribbing dontchano (there just pissy because the 951 can kick there a$$)
J/K!!!!!

FWIW I'm a all American mutt so I'm pretty thick skinned, but my oriental friends don't appreciate the term "jap".

Rot 911 · 09-11-2002, 09:34 AM

My posting from just a month ago: "Kids, kids! We all know the only REAL Porsche is a 911 But I too am starting to succumb to the lure of the 914. I think I like you guys. I'm going to have to hang out here more often! "

__________________
Kurt V
'86 Carrera Coupe
'72 MGB
'58 Austin Healey Sprite

guards73/2.0 · guards73/2.0's Garage

I actually wasn't wanting to rip the guy for a NARP joke, but I'm
continually amazed at the number of people who knee-jerk dismiss 914's as not "real" Porsches and know very little about these cars, e.g. musclecar guys, etc. They just hear about the VW engine case or window cranks or something and the fact that VW marketed them in Europe ( not very successfully) and think NARP. I think the Boxter has helped us to gain some respect from those unfortunate non-midengined cars. A production Porsche with a mid engine!....WOW! Imagine that...just like the RACE cars!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I was getting razzed last night by a woman about my Porsche. I know it didn't matter what kind of Porsche.

I told her: "I'm not making up for any short comings. It's the guys with the 20 foot tall pickups that are!"

The guy across from me with the 20 foot pickup wasn't amused!

James

Speedo959 · 09-11-2002, 04:35 PM

DANG! I had it backwards. I always thought it was NARVW. Oh well I guess I could live with it being a Porsche.

(this means I am joking)

DR. Z · 09-11-2002, 04:54 PM

Kurt,
I wont take it personally, thanks for explaining the context. Jeez, maybe owning one of these things (only 4 weeks) makes for hypersensitivity?
Hope you find the one you want. It's well worth it.
Regards,
Z

WOODPIE · 09-11-2002, 06:28 PM

I liked the Miata when they first came out, and still do. I wish more people would love small fuel-efficient two seat transportation, as opposed to three-ton, six-to-ten passenger rug-rat buses that have flourished on the roads. What the Miata lacks, IMHO, is a styling flair that would suggest aggresiveness, muscle, you know...testosterone. The 914 has some poses that suggest aggressive; less so regarding the muscle look, which is why flairs are so wildly, if not sought after, at least drooled over.

I'm with rfoulds regarding the familiarity thing. When Miatas were new, I gawked. Now I don't bother turning my head. There are no lines on the car that evoke emotional response, unless boredom is an emotional response. But I still like the car simply because it's a sports car.

On the other hand, I saw a new 911 the other day, or whatever the factory calls them (993 is it now? sorry, out in the country am I and don't see too many new things or keep up with Porsche's latest #). Anyway, this thing was big and black, and my immediate emotional response was "jellybean". What's up with that? Looks like the car has been all but de-nutted.

Ed

rich · rich's Garage

I haven't ever been inspired by the car. If it was a real Lotus Elan and not a vanilla attempt at copying the little twin cam pocket rocket, I may have felt different. Maybe if Mazda would have manufactured it in England it would have done something for me. I always had the feeling that part of the Miata crowd had no clue. A good few of them really know nothing about cars. That's fine I thought, These people need some type of identity. Remember, this was just a feeling. I don't know what ever gave me that impression.
My wife and I were in her 1959 MGA the other night sitting at a stop sign. A guy, probably late 30's, dressed kinda business casual, pulled up in his new Miata. He whipped in quickly on our right in the turn lane. He grins and say's "Hi! Is that a sprite?" As he turned the corner he went zoom zoom out the dual exhaust. nuf said....

scg · 09-11-2002, 08:05 PM

Yeah, the styling is ho-hum. Now, if it looked like a 3/4 scale E-type.....

guards73/2.0 · guards73/2.0's Garage

Why I don't like it:

1) You can actually lose it in a Mall parking lot...there'll be several
in your year/color.
2) It's Japanese. I just don't like the way they build stuff. Ugly, high-tech/cheesy styling, ugly interiors with big sweeping curves that have no function.
3) Women and "girly-men" drive them.
4) It's a sports car for people who have no interest in or respect for the history/development of the sports car.
5)ZERO MOJO. There's absolutley nothing cool about a Miata.

Ron Meier · 09-11-2002, 10:21 PM

I rented one from Hertz and drove it for two days - No thanks

It really doesn't matter if you think a 14 is a Porsche or not - it is a VERY unique design, for it's time and even now - No Substitute.

Now, pull your pinkies down and put away the fine wine and old cheese. It amazes me that for 40 years Porsche has tried to make the 11 handle like a 14. Real cars have the engine in the middle. So, suck up Mazda, Toyota, Fiat and the "real " Porsche.

Anyway.............,

oil slick · 09-11-2002, 10:37 PM

The 14 always had fancy for tracks of the most joshed turns. I mean when it really comes down to it the 914 is merely 3 numbers away from 911. And considering what 911 means today and the subject of how we handled 911 and the way a 911 handles. Let the guy have his own opinion about Mustangs and try to pursuade a sense of humor in these tough times.

Gary
73 914 2.0
73 914 2.0 Limo

Rot 911 · 09-12-2002, 05:50 AM

Of course if you want a real track car, get a Sprite!

JWest · 09-12-2002, 06:04 AM

How many laps down are you from the 914 in that pic?

Ron Meier · 09-12-2002, 08:02 AM

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

You need an original bonnet if you want ot call it a Sprite MK1.

The "frogeye" was also one of those pieces of mierda from Britian or otherwise known as "Donald Healy's Hip Bath". The rusted slightly more than a 914.

Yeh, I owned 3 of them.

James Bond · 09-12-2002, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rich
I always had the feeling that part of the Miata crowd had no clue. A good few of them really know nothing about cars.

I'll agree with you on that! I met this guy in California once, and he owned a Miata for a dedicated track car. I immediately lost all respect for him after the first few words that came out of his mouth. It just so happened we were standing in front of his house talking about cars, and a 911sc drove past. Immediately my attention shifted to the 911, because I am a diehard Porsche fanatic. He said "Oh....you like Porsches? I'm sorry!". He had the nerve to stand there and talk to me like he knew more about Porsche than I did! I mentioned I am rebuilding a 914 and he said, "Oh yeah, the VW, it's not a Porsche plus they look ugly".

To add insult to injury, his last comment was that 911's are the worst handling sports cars in the world. I tried to explain to him that some of them require lots of skill, and have a whole lot more potential than most other sports cars in the world. Afterall, just because the driver (the moron I was talking to in this case) doesn't know how to fully utilize the car does not mean it's a bad car. Sorry guys, just had to blow off some steam. I love Porsche to much to let such BS just slide.

About the miata, I can see it's "appeal". Although, I have no experience with them, and have never driven in one. I guess I won't really know what to think of them until I do. Though, I think it has a similar concept to the 914 in that it is a small, cheap sports car. Visually, I too think they leave a lot to be desired. Besides, it's Mazda, which I don't really like anyways. When it comes to Japanese cars, I'm a Nissan guy. Toyota is good too but, Nissan is my favorite as far as Japanese cars go. However, I'm not too fond of Nissan's new car designs.