Still the best car I've driven!

[GTaudiophile]

I am back in Atlanta for a few days, visiting my father between business trips. The Fall weather is phenomenal and so was my opportunity last night to take the ol' Miata out for a spin. It is a 1992 "A" model with 60K miles on the ODO.

I have driven lots of sporty cars, to include BMWs and Porsches, but none of them put a smile on my face like the Miata does. It's just so simple! The car is just a mechanical extension of your body. You can feel the tingle of the gears in your wrist as you change them. You can feel the cogs moving as you depress the clutch. It's just pure, unadulterated car. It is what it is and does it well.

Last night: top down, 50 degrees or so, moonlit night, clear, cruising along in 4th gear between 45 and 60mph...the crisp air...the wind in my face...back into 3rd, revving up to 5500 rpm, hitting 70mph...the sound of the little engine...back into 4th...then 5th to settle down to 55mph...it just doesn't get any better.

Long live the Miata!

 

[CRXican]

Yep, hard to beat. Especially once you add boost.

 

[PricklyPete]

Agreed...Miata is awesome...although I've never driven the original NA. An ex girlfriend of mine had one many, many years ago and I didn't fit in as a passenger AT ALL. I drove a NC not too long ago and it was a lot of fun....and I actually fit...even if it was a bit cramped.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Needs 4 more cylinders
http://www.bishopsales.com/monstermiata/index.html

 

[alfa147x]

I'm loving the weather... Took damn long enough to cool down!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Go drive a Lotus Elise. It's like a mini-Miata with less weight and more hp.

 

[PricklyPete]

Go drive a Lotus Elise. It's like a mini-Miata with less weight and more hp.

I have not driven an Elise...so I can't really comment other than to say that the fact you can get a Miata for so cheap, maintain it for so cheap, and fit in it better than an Elise (6'5") makes the Miata a little more desirable to me. One day I'd love to have one as a third car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have not driven an Elise...so I can't really comment other than to say that the fact you can get a Miata for so cheap, maintain it for so cheap, and fit in it better than an Elise (6'5") makes the Miata a little more desirable to me. One day I'd love to have one as a third car.

Well, I never said there weren't compromises.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

Nice choice of tire. :thumbsup: I've got the same on my car.

 

[NAC]

I agree 100%

There is no car I miss more than the 1989 Miata I had for a few years. I will replace it one day... but probably not until my kids are grown.

Long live the Miata!

 

[MJinZ]

Needs 4 more cylinders
http://www.bishopsales.com/monstermiata/index.html

Needs 8 more cylinders.

 

[punjabiplaya]

There's a guy with a whole book of LS swaps. '80s 911, miata, s2000, sting ray. Good job on GM on keeping the pushrods so that crazy people can have fun!

 

[PricklyPete]

Well, I never said there weren't compromises.

I can appreciate a good compromise. :thumbsup:

I really do want to try an Elise out. A guy in our apartment here in St. Louis just bought a bright yellow one. Looks like a ton of fun.

 

[PricklyPete]

There's a guy with a whole book of LS swaps. '80s 911, miata, s2000, sting ray. Good job on GM on keeping the pushrods so that crazy people can have fun!

Chevy small block :wub:

 

[StageLeft]

That's why I want one and already got permission from Mrs. Now just I need it from myself to blow the money on a toy.

 

[PricklyPete]

That's why I want one and already got permission from Mrs. Now just I need it from myself to blow the money on a toy.

Maybe you can turn your MPV into a Knightrider'esque trailer where you can park your miata on the move. That would be badass and seriously ZOOM ZOOM.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I test-drove a 2009 a while ago. So much fun. I can't think of anything that's better than the price + fun than a Miata. Just think of the new one: 2200 lbs + new Sky engines + 6spd manual = epic fun. Now to move somewhere with some nice roads...

 

[ayabe]

Maybe you can turn your MPV into a Knightrider'esque trailer where you can park your miata on the move. That would be badass and seriously ZOOM ZOOM.

Just get one of these:

 

[PricklyPete]

Just get one of these:

Impressive...but can you mount/dismount at speed? That's the real requirement to be badass.

 

[StageLeft]

Could be years before the sky engine hits the miata, people on miata.net are doubtful of 2012 model year.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I am back in Atlanta for a few days, visiting my father between business trips. The Fall weather is phenomenal and so was my opportunity last night to take the ol' Miata out for a spin. It is a 1992 "A" model with 60K miles on the ODO.

I have driven lots of sporty cars, to include BMWs and Porsches, but none of them put a smile on my face like the Miata does. It's just so simple! The car is just a mechanical extension of your body. You can feel the tingle of the gears in your wrist as you change them. You can feel the cogs moving as you depress the clutch. It's just pure, unadulterated car. It is what it is and does it well.

Last night: top down, 50 degrees or so, moonlit night, clear, cruising along in 4th gear between 45 and 60mph...the crisp air...the wind in my face...back into 3rd, revving up to 5500 rpm, hitting 70mph...the sound of the little engine...back into 4th...then 5th to settle down to 55mph...it just doesn't get any better.

Long live the Miata!

i believe that's what these are for:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/fenixgoon/100_1085.JPG

 

[thepd7]

and as a bonus, you won't be bothered by any silly women hitting on you

 

[ElFenix]

before i clicked i knew it was going to be your miata

 

[5150Joker]

I've got a 1991 MR2 Turbo that's also a small car and extremely fun to drive, even to this day! The reliability of that car speaks volumes about Toyota's quality though. I've abused the shit out of it and it still keeps on going. Right now it burns a bit of oil on start so I'm guessing I have a seal leak. It's got 164k miles on it and the following is all I've had to do maintenance wise since my parents bought it for me when I was still a sophomore in high school (1993):

1. New tires
2. Regular oil changes
3. Timing belt
4. A/C motor died..made a nasty noise while the car was running.
5. Paint has started chipping off and will cost $400ish via maico to get it repainted.

Those issues really aren't much considering the age of the car. I've let it sit for 2 years at a time and after an oil change, it started up perfectly.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have to agree. Not really a beauty shot. I was just taking a pic after installing adjustable coil overs.