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Haven't been around this forum for a while... Tending to my mid-life crisis(?) "toy".

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Haven't been around this forum for a while... Tending to my mid-life crisis(?) "toy".

Old 05-30-19, 02:10 AM
  #26  
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Close-fitting car and a bike, it can be done:

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Old 05-30-19, 02:17 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by RiddleOfSteel
NDs are fantastic, and Soul Red is the best color.
Originally Posted by 2cam16
Forgot to post my former NA. Daily driver on weekdays, playtoy on weekends. How I miss that car.
Originally Posted by jamesdak
I foolishly sold my NC several years ago and have regretted it ever since.
Originally Posted by Bandera
My 2005 NB has seen regular service on our winding F&M roads with an occasional LD road trip over the years, an excellent driver's car.
A new ND hardtop is a good choice.
What do the various "NA", "NB" "NC" & "ND" stand for?
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Old 05-30-19, 04:06 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by ColonelSanders
What do the various "NA", "NB" "NC" & "ND" stand for?
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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Old 05-30-19, 07:04 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Chombi1
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?

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).
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Old 05-30-19, 07:58 AM
  #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.
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Old 05-30-19, 09:12 AM
  #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?
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Old 05-30-19, 09:26 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by non-fixie
Nice! Excellent choice. The Japanese have understood Colin Chapman better than most other manufacturers.
Err, looks to me like it was clearly inspired by the third generation Corvette body.
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Old 05-30-19, 09:28 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Classtime
I (...)fantasize about having a collection of Japanese sports cars.
The early Miata, Celica GT, Datsun 2000, early Subaru WRX,... what else?
Acura NSX.
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Old 05-30-19, 10:05 AM
  #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.
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Old 05-30-19, 10:06 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
Acura NSX.
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.
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Old 05-30-19, 03:02 PM
  #36  
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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.
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Old 05-30-19, 03:05 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by 3speedslow
Not a car person at all. But if it makes you happy, good for you!
I always think a great little sports car is the next best thing to a light steel road bike, like a Masi!
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Old 05-30-19, 03:20 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Steve Whitlatch
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.
One of the great things beyond the sheer joy of driving a well balanced modern roadster w/ working AC here is the low total cost of ownership of the MX-5 series.
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
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Old 05-30-19, 04:41 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by Steve Whitlatch
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.
Had a 3 before this Miata. Pretty much the best car I ever owned. Looked fantastic and bandled great with good power from the 2.5 litre normally aspirated engine. Traded it in for this Miata when the lease on it
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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Old 05-30-19, 05:24 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by Classtime
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?
You have to add to that some hard to find and did not sell much here in the US sleepers like the 323 GTX and the Celica All-Trac Turbo.
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Old 05-30-19, 06:41 PM
  #41  
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What are those bumper guard things?

Originally Posted by Chombi1
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Old 05-30-19, 06:49 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by 2cam16
You have to add to that some hard to find and did not sell much here in the US sleepers like the 323 GTX and the Celica All-Trac Turbo.
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.
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Old 05-30-19, 07:47 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by chainstay
What are those bumper guard things?
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.....
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Old 05-30-19, 07:53 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by Chombi1
Those are stick-on scuff guards. You can buy em at places like O'Reilly Auto Parts Stores.
Cool. Thanks!
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Old 05-30-19, 09:30 PM
  #45  
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Interesting thread idea, "post your mid-life crisis toy". Or maybe this is it?
Beautiful car by the way.
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Old 05-30-19, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by RiddleOfSteel
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.
Lol, let's just say all I've owned are Japanese cars since the 80's. Raced some of them on weekends too.All my cars get modded by yours truly.
I don't want to hijack this thread anymore than I already have.
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Old 05-30-19, 11:39 PM
  #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?

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Old 05-31-19, 12:35 AM
  #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.
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Old 05-31-19, 01:21 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
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?

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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Old 05-31-19, 01:25 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
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.
The most recent model (This one) actually got smaller (And lighter) than the last two versions. It's supposed to be close to the same length as the first version. You might try the "NC" version that came before this one as I think it was the biggest Miata, so far, so maybe better chance you might fit in it.
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