Haven't been around this forum for a while... Tending to my mid-life crisis(?) "toy".
#26
Shifting is fun!
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Close-fitting car and a bike, it can be done:
#27
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#28
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They are the four different generations of Miata MX-5s. NA first gen, NB second gen.....etc.... ND is the newest gen, introduced in 2016.
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#29
So it goes.
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I actually owned a 1955 MGA convertible, given to me by my Dad when I was in highschool (before I was old enough to drive.) I did not really get to drive it, but as we had to sell it before I can drive it, to finance my college. At least I got to do restoration work on it with my Dad before we sold it. Since that time I always dreamed of finally getting my own little sportscar. Took all this time before it happened because life/obligations/responsibilities had always been the priority over everything, never mind all those challenging years of just trying to survive through a few recessions, but cannot be more happy that it finally did....
When I saw this newest Miata RF (Retractable Fastback), it kinda reminded me, shape and size-wise of the Opel GT from the 70's. A car that I always admired because of its timeless good looks.
See the similarities?
When I saw this newest Miata RF (Retractable Fastback), it kinda reminded me, shape and size-wise of the Opel GT from the 70's. A car that I always admired because of its timeless good looks.
See the similarities?
Confesssion time - I owned an Opel GT in my 20's before I got the Spit. Blue with airbrushed sides, wish I had some pics but few were taken and none survived - it was stunning. Sadly, it was my least favorite car ever for a lot of reasons, some due to it's age and condition and some due to design issues. I was hooked by the looks but slapped by the reality (sort of like a few bikes I've had).
#30
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I've been a fan of Miatas since ripping around in a friends dads NA special edition at 16 - we really shouldn't have survived that phase! My father had a NB special edition, and I think I still like that car the best out of his fancy cars - his 987 Boxter S was a "better" car but I always enjoyed the Miata more.
I think they really nailed it, looks wise, with this generation. Not wimpy, but not awkwardly "tough" like the NC. Still a Miata, but one that means business. The hardtop is stunning as well.
I think they really nailed it, looks wise, with this generation. Not wimpy, but not awkwardly "tough" like the NC. Still a Miata, but one that means business. The hardtop is stunning as well.
#31
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One of the best.
My daughter will be selling her NC this summer and I would try harder to talk my wife into buying it (Low Low milage) if it was a manual.
Lately, I have grown fond of mid-level Japanese road bikes and fantasize about having a collection of Japanese sports cars.
The early Miata, Celica GT, Datsun 2000, early Subaru WRX,... what else?
My daughter will be selling her NC this summer and I would try harder to talk my wife into buying it (Low Low milage) if it was a manual.
Lately, I have grown fond of mid-level Japanese road bikes and fantasize about having a collection of Japanese sports cars.
The early Miata, Celica GT, Datsun 2000, early Subaru WRX,... what else?
#32
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#33
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Acura NSX.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#34
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@The Golden Boy AMEN. Love those things, and have been fortunate to drive a few, if only around town "responsibly." Better than nothing.
@ColonelSanders Chombi is correct. At least it isn't the RX-7, which starts as "FB" before going to FC and then FD--the most beautiful generation, and one of the most beautiful Japanese cars ever created, IMO. If it wasn't for a ultra-dense engine bay full turbos (heat) and rotors (with apex seals that hate the heat, and thus fail) killing the reliability in them, they'd be even better. As it has gone though, putting the ever powerful yet light and compact Corvette LS motor in them vastly improves reliability without a weight penalty.
@ColonelSanders Chombi is correct. At least it isn't the RX-7, which starts as "FB" before going to FC and then FD--the most beautiful generation, and one of the most beautiful Japanese cars ever created, IMO. If it wasn't for a ultra-dense engine bay full turbos (heat) and rotors (with apex seals that hate the heat, and thus fail) killing the reliability in them, they'd be even better. As it has gone though, putting the ever powerful yet light and compact Corvette LS motor in them vastly improves reliability without a weight penalty.
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Regrets not getting one of the first series. Much advancements since though feel it was one heck of a driver's car and not isolated as in today's over e-traction controlled jobbies. Out of the box they were setup with a tendency of being more neutral vs safety conscience understeer. What a blast- could make any one look good and exit a corner fast.
Also experienced driving time on the track with the very first batch (no serial number) cars in the US. Better yet was really experiencing what these chassis were capable of while in the hands of Parker Johnstone and being a passenger. Those cars later used for US cert's and destroyed.
Also experienced driving time on the track with the very first batch (no serial number) cars in the US. Better yet was really experiencing what these chassis were capable of while in the hands of Parker Johnstone and being a passenger. Those cars later used for US cert's and destroyed.
#36
Senior Member
SWEET! I bought my daughter a Mazda 3. Her car is so much fun to drive. Quick with real nice handling. Really really fun. I can only imagine how much fun your car is to drive.
#37
Senior Member
#38
~>~
Initial cost is affordable, insurance for me relatively low, maintenance intervals are long and reasonably priced even at dealerships, tire sets last well even when Z-rated, fuel consumption isn't bad, and the well developed aftermarket can supply everything from a full SCCA sanctioned race class conversion to a vast array of bits 'n bobs. Dead reliable, long lasting and sheer fun, small wonder this is the most produced series of sports cars in the world.
-Bandera
#39
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expired last month.
It will be an excellent car for your daughter. I will miss mine dearly.... Below is my last pic of the car when I dropped it off at the dealership.... :^((
Did not lease the Miata this time. Bought it as I plan to keep it for a long time.....unless a much better one comes up in the future.
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One of the best.
My daughter will be selling her NC this summer and I would try harder to talk my wife into buying it (Low Low milage) if it was a manual.
Lately, I have grown fond of mid-level Japanese road bikes and fantasize about having a collection of Japanese sports cars.
The early Miata, Celica GT, Datsun 2000, early Subaru WRX,... what else?
My daughter will be selling her NC this summer and I would try harder to talk my wife into buying it (Low Low milage) if it was a manual.
Lately, I have grown fond of mid-level Japanese road bikes and fantasize about having a collection of Japanese sports cars.
The early Miata, Celica GT, Datsun 2000, early Subaru WRX,... what else?
#42
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Starion? R32 and now R33 skylines are able to be imported as well since they're older than 25 years. They go for a pretty penny, even the slower ones.
#43
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Those are stick-on scuff guards. You can buy em at places like O'Reilly Auto Parts Stores. Parking in the SF area is really tight and you need to put on some protection if you want to preserve your car's bumpers. Even the valet service drivers here are pretty bad with our cars. Scuffing our bumpers and curbing our wheels when they park your cars for you.
I had been really lucky in the four years I had the car. Never got bumped by other parkers.... Couldn't say the same for cars previous to it I've had.....
I had been really lucky in the four years I had the car. Never got bumped by other parkers.... Couldn't say the same for cars previous to it I've had.....
#44
Peace
#45
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Interesting thread idea, "post your mid-life crisis toy". Or maybe this is it?
Beautiful car by the way.
Beautiful car by the way.
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72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
#46
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Ok, now we're talking to someone who knows. I like your style--those cars are turn-of-the-90s cool, in all their humble glory. I'd search often for a first gen Protege AWD (1990 and 1991 only) because then you could put the BP-T from Japan into it, or modify it like so. I had a very eager yet very slow '98 Protege for ten years. It's still going, 200k+ later. Top notch econo car.
Starion? R32 and now R33 skylines are able to be imported as well since they're older than 25 years. They go for a pretty penny, even the slower ones.
Starion? R32 and now R33 skylines are able to be imported as well since they're older than 25 years. They go for a pretty penny, even the slower ones.
I don't want to hijack this thread anymore than I already have.
#47
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Don't they have a marina or country club in your town where you can take some decent pics of your car? Or is it all parking lots?
#48
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Wish y'all could have taken a spin in my '71 Datsun 510 with the Brock suspension mods. Underpowered by today's standard, but good fun. To a kid who'd learned to drive in oversized, soft and mushy Chryslers and Oldsmobiles, driving that at somewhere near the limit was a bit of a revelation. My fondest memory of of that little rig was the moment I'm burning up a gravely corner on a local logging road above town and thinking to myself, "Oh! That's what the car magazines mean by four-wheel-drift!"
My MGB-GT was almost as good, but heavier and with a solid rear axel instead of IRS, not as competent. It got scarier at lower speeds, and of course the brakes were a joke. And the eventual cause of it's demise.
Alas, like Dan, I just don't fit in an early Miata. I feel I should try a more recent model, but I can't see myself buying anything other than an AWD wagon anytime soon. I guess I'm just not that into cars anymore.
My MGB-GT was almost as good, but heavier and with a solid rear axel instead of IRS, not as competent. It got scarier at lower speeds, and of course the brakes were a joke. And the eventual cause of it's demise.
Alas, like Dan, I just don't fit in an early Miata. I feel I should try a more recent model, but I can't see myself buying anything other than an AWD wagon anytime soon. I guess I'm just not that into cars anymore.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#49
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Only had the car for 3 weeks now. Haven't had a chance to take her on a nice drive on the coast or up the mountains yet. Soon enough..... Summer's just beginning....
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#50
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Wish y'all could have taken a spin in my '71 Datsun 510 with the Brock suspension mods. Underpowered by today's standard, but good fun. To a kid who'd learned to drive in oversized, soft and mushy Chryslers and Oldsmobiles, driving that at somewhere near the limit was a bit of a revelation. My fondest memory of of that little rig was the moment I'm burning up a gravely corner on a local logging road above town and thinking to myself, "Oh! That's what the car magazines mean by four-wheel-drift!"
My MGB-GT was almost as good, but heavier and with a solid rear axel instead of IRS, not as competent. It got scarier at lower speeds, and of course the brakes were a joke. And the eventual cause of it's demise.
Alas, like Dan, I just don't fit in an early Miata. I feel I should try a more recent model, but I can't see myself buying anything other than an AWD wagon anytime soon. I guess I'm just not that into cars anymore.
My MGB-GT was almost as good, but heavier and with a solid rear axel instead of IRS, not as competent. It got scarier at lower speeds, and of course the brakes were a joke. And the eventual cause of it's demise.
Alas, like Dan, I just don't fit in an early Miata. I feel I should try a more recent model, but I can't see myself buying anything other than an AWD wagon anytime soon. I guess I'm just not that into cars anymore.
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84 Gitane Tour de France.
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72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)