Any other guys here have a Miata?

Better yet, any of you secure enough in your manhood to admit it here?  

(Rest assured, a bevy of "chick car" and "gay car" comments will no doubt flood this thread... )

But I'm willing to bet I'm not the only guy here who has (or had) a Miata, appreciates it for what it is, and has thick enough skin to post about it here.

As for mine, it is a loaded 1991 model that I bought brand new (12 miles on the odometer when I picked it up).  It is the best car I have ever owned in a lot of respects (value/cost, fun to drive, very reliable and cheap to operate/upkeep, etc.) and has great sentimental value to me (the first new car I bought & paid for,we went on our honeymoon in it, etc.) - even though I only drive it a few times a month now, I wouldn't part with it:

I bought my wife a Miata (2003) and it is simply a great car.  The thing will handle better than any car I have driven.  I enjoy driving it a great deal, especially on back roads.

Chick car?  Sure.  Chicks dig it.  What is wrong with being noticed by chicks?  

The only issues I have with the car is the windows rattle in it and the trunk space is anything but ample.  

Cheese

A fun car to drive, I'm sure.  Kind of like S2000-lite.

The only thing it's really ever missed in my eyes is a bit more power.  0-60 in the low 6-sec range would be great.

I'm not too crazy about the looks of the new one that's coming out for '06.

The older ones are nice, but the cabin is cramped, it's quite low, and there's next to no trunk space(but you really don't use a Miata to carry stuff in your trunk do you?)

Had one.

Fun car, but too small.

nope

In seven years of driving:
- '83 Ford Mustang
- '86 Olds Cutlass
- '90 Chevy Caprice
- '99 Chevy Silverado
- '94 GMC Sierra

No small cars here ('cept for the wife's Cavalier)

Quoted: A fun car to drive, I'm sure.  Kind of like S2000-lite.

Since the Miata came out first, would it be more like the S2000 is a Super-Miata?

Too small, needs more power....

I'd own one, but it would need to have some stuff done to it.....

You know, I hear it's possible to swap an LS1 into one of those...

Quoted: You know, I hear it's possible to swap an LS1 into one of those...

I haven't seen one of those, but there are quite a few out there with a 5.0 Mustang V8 shoehorned in (the "Monster Miata" conversion), a few retrofitted with a 2nd-gen RX-7 turbo rotary, and all sorts of one-of-a-kind customs (probably even including an LS1).

Heck, you can nearly double the output of the stock engine with a supercharger (Sebring makes a nice unit purpose-designed for the Miatas, and others are available as well) and a few other "tweaks" here and there.

As for me?  Mine is normally aspirated and mostly stock.  I added a SS free-flow cat and exhaust system from Jackson Racing (it breathes and sounds better - but I wouldn't even have done that if the old equipment hadn't needed replacing), added chassis braces fore & aft and a double-hoop "roll-bar" (more of a brace/stiffener than a functional roll-bar, as tall as I am ), and updated the electronics (natch ) - but the car is just fine as-is IMHO and I haven't changed it much in 14+ years.  I long-ago outgrew any desire/need to race strangers on public streets and I don't do SCCA or autocross (although the Miata does very well in those), so I've never experienced the "power deficit" everyone always refers to on this car.  Would I complain if it had come with more power from the factory?  Nope.  Do I want to mess with a well-designed and reliable car to get more power that I personally haven't seen a need for?  Nope.   YMMV, of course.

Wanted one when they came out it's just that they didn't have and still don't the optional shoe horn accessory to squeeze me in it. S2000 is tight fit for me in the shoulders , but I think I'd only look half as ridiculous in it. As for comments drive what you want. Most of the motorcycles I've owned can be considered "girls bikes" because I dont like to purchase extra cc's I don't need.

Quoted: Wanted one when they came out it's just that they didn't have and still don't the optional shoe horn accessory to squeeze me in it...

What are you talking about?!?!  I'm 6'3" and 300#...



... and I fit just fine!

Those little turds are SO damned fun to drive.  I'd love to have one for commuting, but my little pick up is way more practical.

Quoted: ... I'd love to have one for commuting, but my little pick up is way more practical.

Yep - if the Missus and I couldn't have multiple vehicles, I'm sure the Miata would have gone bye-bye long ago.  As it is, the two of us share it, a car, a truck, and an SUV. (And we even commute together 90% of the time. )

www.scca.org

Daily driving is fun, but let it run in its natural element once in a while too.

Jim

BTT one last time for any more who wish to "confess."


BTW - Since I last posted in this thread I have seen the brand new MX-5 up close & personal.  More room, more power, still affordable, and very good-looking IMHO.

Bought mine brand-new in '92. "C" pkg; Black w tan top/leather & BBS wheels. Had over 100K miles last year when it got plowed into & totaled. A great car that never stranded me once. 2 tops. 1 power window operator. 1 power antenna. 1 cig lighter. Gas/oil/filters/tires. That's all. $18,560 new, $4,400 insurance payoff. Other than the accident, I can only wish for that much luck with my next car. BTW...anytime someone mentioned "chick car", I just reminded 'em that SOME of us are secure enough to drive whatever the f#*k we feel like driving. Keep enjoying yours, HardShell. Stay safe

I've got a 1997 M-edition, british racing green, tan leather interior, tan top, 5spd, 6spoke aluminum wheels.

Great car. I had a 97 CBR600 F3 and I've seen 150+mph, so I've gotten that out of my system. I also recognize that no car can go as fast per dollar as a m/c, so the Miata mainly is fun for it's ability to stay in a curve at about double the speed of another car. 45mph never felt so fun! It's not "fast" but it's "quick".

With gas prices going the way they are, and b/c it's paid off, I have a feeling it will be around for awhile as a commuter.

But no, you can't fit shit in them.

(BTW - the parking brake needs to be down to facilitate road-head capabilities)


eta- it's no more a chick car than the MG or Triumph it's bred after.

Yep,got a 92. Made the mistake of driving it to work(I drive a daycab big truck from Erlanger Ky to Detroit),damned that Miata rides worse than the daycab.(which is why I also have a Liberty)

The Miata is a 9mm car, great for girls and pussies.

Quoted: The Miata is a 9mm car, great for girls and pussies.

Come ride with me,when we hit a 25mph curve at 75mph,you'll think differently!

I've always wanted one.  I'd like to turbo&intercool it as well.  
I've seen some V8 conversions...insane...
But I think i'd rather turbo the 1.8.  Get decent gas mileage and alot more power.  Sort of the best of both worlds.

As far as being a chick car?  Who cares!?  Most cars nowadays are designed for women anyways.
I'll take a 2-seater, 2-door, 1.8dohc, rear-wheel drive, full frame car...anyday.    

Quoted: ... I've seen some V8 conversions...insane...

The "Monster Miata" (and others) - it would ruin the balance/handling dynamic of the car (one of it's strongest selling points IMHO), but no doubt the straight-line accelleration would be a kick in the pants...