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leica posted:That's odd. I used to work at a Mazda dealer not too long ago, and the only cars that we put premium in were the turbo cars. Nearly all the NBs called for premium...
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Nov 5, 2007 15:33
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grover posted:You mean take out a 15-year, $25k home equity loan and deduct the interest from my taxes? heh. Same logic applies to early payment- long term gets the minimum payment down, but if you pay it off fast, you don't accrue the massive interest cost. I had actually considered this, except the interest rates are a full pt higher, so it would cost more in the long run. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think refinanced mortgage interest can be deducted unless the money goes into home improvements.
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Nov 5, 2007 15:38
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grover posted:I just can't peg your miata guys. I made a comment a few months ago about miatas being underpowered cars and was jumped on about how wrong I was, how fast they were, etc. Now I'm hearing the exact opposite? LOL! And no, it's not a dealbreaker. It's less power than I had expected, but there's still an engine under the hood. Let me explain it in an easy to understand way. An F1 car is very fast, and a top fuel dragster is also very fast, but they are fast in completely different ways. An F1 car in a drag race is going to get embarrassed, just as a top fuel car is going to look awfully slow at Nurburgring. So which car is faster? Which one is "better"? If you're expecting to romp on the throttle and judge speed that way, the Miata will seem awfully slow. On the other hand, get it on some twisty roads, and there's little you can't keep up with. On a racetrack, I've passed cars with three times the horsepower as my bone-stock 2000 Miata. For the money, it's pretty much impossible to go faster around a track. But if you're wanting to do quarter mile racing, you're looking at the wrong car. That's just not the Miata's forte. And I hate to say it, but please, please, please don't buy an automatic Miata. Mazda doesn't make very good automatics, and the Miata is effectively ruined with one. It will actually hurt your resale value. If you want an automatic and fast 0-60 times, get something else, as you'll only be disappointed. However, if you want to learn how to drive, and go fast around a racetrack, I'm not sure there's a better car to learn on than a manual Miata. And if you do get a manual, you'll get over your "I can't drive stick very well" problem in about a week. grover posted:I noticed in the NC documentation that it require premium fuel. What's the drawback to using regular 87 octane? I imagine the computer would automatically adjust timing, etc, to compensate and prevent pinging- loss of power? Additional engine wear? I have 2006 Porsche Cayman S. Yes, there are some "unique" issues with the Boxster. Maintenence is also going to cost a little more due to the inaccessability of the engine. Most things can be reached from underneath, but if they need to access the top of the engine, you're going to be spending mega-bucks. Still, I think the Boxster is a better fit for you than the Miata. It's going to have more power and respond better to an automatic transmission. It's more of a GT car, while the Miata is closer to bare-bones sports car. If you want a sports car, it's hard to go wrong with a Miata, but it doesn't sound like that's what you want at all -- it sounds like you want a convertible you can cruise around in and "punch it" in between stop lights.
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Nov 5, 2007 16:19
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Guess that's incentive to keep jumper cables in the glove box, huh?
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grover posted:So, if it dies, you have to use this special trunk-opening stud in the fuse box to "jump open" the trunk with another car (or battery) to get to the battery. Wow, that's terrible. At least the Corvette gives you a mechanical cable override in the event you're unlucky enough to drain your battery.
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Nov 5, 2007 18:43
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IOwnCalculus posted:Wow, that's terrible. At least the Corvette gives you a mechanical cable override in the event you're unlucky enough to drain your battery. But yes, if the battery is dead, you don't have a car or battery to jump from, and no one's trapped in the trunk (there's the default interior trunk release), then no, you're not getting in there.
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Nov 5, 2007 22:25
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Did Mazda change the rims' layout with the '94 facelift or just the design ? In other words, will '95 rims fit on a 92' miata ?
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Nov 5, 2007 22:40
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grover posted:I noticed in the NC documentation that it require premium fuel. What's the drawback to using regular 87 octane? I imagine the computer would automatically adjust timing, etc, to compensate and prevent pinging- loss of power? Additional engine wear? My 2007 recommends premium fuel, but is apparently happy enough to run on regular. I'm not a cheap rear end, so I go with the recommended gas.
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Nov 5, 2007 22:46
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duep posted:Did Mazda change the rims' layout with the '94 facelift or just the design ? Yes, they will. In fact, with few exceptions, nearly any NA/NB wheel can be used on nearly any other NA/NB car, the only exceptions being very early wheels with later larger brakes.
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Nov 5, 2007 22:52
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Thought you guys might appreciate these. Gainesville Miata Club (who knew?) in the University of Florida Homecoming Parade this weekend:  IOwnCalculus posted:Yes, they will. In fact, with few exceptions, nearly any NA/NB wheel can be used on nearly any other NA/NB car, the only exceptions being very early wheels with later larger brakes. 
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Nov 5, 2007 22:54
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einTier posted:The NC takes premium? That's news to me, but appears to be true. You do realize the Boxster also takes premium, right? If you don't put premium in it, you will see reduced power, and you will be causing some damage to the engine due to pre-ignition and sub-optimal timing. The engine will adjust, but there is still going to be some pinging and knock before the sensors can detect it -- and on very hot days when you're trying to use all the power, it's going to ping like crazy anyway. One tank of gas probably isn't going to be a big deal, but a lifetime of poor quality gas? Personally, I wouldn't do it. I've been doing a lot of thinking about these cars. Honestly, the only reason I started looking at roadsters was when I realized I could afford to buy a Porsche- before that, I was looking at maybe getting an xB or a Prius. I'm still not sure I can afford to own a Porsche, but the whole search lead to the 08 Miata which is pretty much everything I expected the Boxster to be, but half the price. Heck, if a 2003 NC existed, I'd probably have bought one last week, lol... It just sucks for me that the NB is so small. So, anyhow, I don't mean to fag up the miata thread by whining about the Boxster, but I appreciate the excellent feedback, thanks guys! Here are some of my observations: 03 Boxster: * More power than Miata (about 20% more torque-to-weight & another 74hp) * lovely pop-out cupholder (owners manual says "never have a drink in the cupholder while driving" lol) * lovely stereo system * No mp3 player on 2003s; no practical way to add one aftermarket * Obscene maintenance costs * Obscene repair costs * Big blind spot while the top is up * Spare Tire * Excellent tiptronic transmission * Lots of unnecessary fancy poo poo to break * Some of the fancy poo poo is kinda nice, even if unnecessary * Frustrating design choices, like the dead battery thing. * It's a Porsche. Even if it's "just" a Boxster, it's still a Porsche and I'll be driving a Porsche like I dreamt about as a kid  * Still a $50k car, even if it's only $25k used * Already 5 years old - lower dependability. 08 Miata: * Not as much power as the Boxster * Under warranty * Cheap maintanance- no repair costs expected * Lots of cupholders * Simpler mechanically (manual top, manual gas cap, manual hood, etc) * Brand new- dependable as a daily driver * Poor automatic transmission * Decent sound system, even on base models * mp3 player available as an option My commute is 20 miles each way- mix of highway and city, and always in traffic. Will be nice to drive with the top down on nice days, but, sadly, I'm not going to be able to drive either car the way it aught to be driven 95% of the time. I enjoy the handling of my camaro and ability to corner fast- either car will be able to corner faster than I'm comfortable with. But the #1 purpose of this car will be a dependable and comfortable daily driver. Seemingly superficial things like cupholders and the mp3 player are thus very important in my decision. PeterWeller posted:My 2007 recommends premium fuel, but is apparently happy enough to run on regular. I'm not a cheap rear end, so I go with the recommended gas. grover fucked around with this message at 00:10 on Nov 6, 2007 |
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Nov 5, 2007 23:49
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German engineering! 
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Nov 5, 2007 23:56
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And yes, that is the ONLY cupholder:
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Nov 6, 2007 00:05
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grover posted:twelve page dissertation comparing a miata to a porsche to a v6 camaro Why are you looking at a Miata, again? What do you want out of your car other than AI cred ++? It seems like somebody looking for an automatic transmission and the INCREDIBLE POWER OF THE CAMARO V6 with a 'vert would be more in the market for a mustang or a sebring something, not a miata. edit: People have cupholders in their miatas?
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Nov 6, 2007 00:27
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Binger Banger posted:NO SIR YOU ARE THE MORON. Do you, moron, not understand helldump?
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Nov 6, 2007 01:22
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Some interesting news for the NC owners. http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda-talk/viewtopic.php?t=883
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Nov 6, 2007 01:29
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TooLShack posted:Some interesting news for the NC owners. Looks nice, but 5 grand for 60 horse power? Jesus Christ.
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Nov 6, 2007 02:08
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grover posted:Because I happen to like the NC Miata, am excited about purchasing my next car, and am getting a lot of excellent feedback regarding my options? I'll be spending 2 hours a day in this car for the next 5+ years, so I want to buy the right car. It's got nothing to do with the fact that it's an NC; it's that you've mentioned both a Porsche and a Camaro and a Miata seems like it's going to leave you unsatisfied in some department if you're comparing it to either of those. I mean, really, these are slow cars we're talking about. They get even slower with an automatic. I won't knock on automatics, but a Miata is not the car to get if you need one. You're going to be frustrated and wondering why your car is such a pig.
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Nov 6, 2007 02:08
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leica posted:That's odd. I used to work at a Mazda dealer not too long ago, and the only cars that we put premium in were the turbo cars. And if anyone is thinking of picking up anything from Flyin' Miata soon, they are currently having a moving sale, 10-30% off some of their bulkier items: http://www.flyinmiata.com/news/sale.php
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Nov 6, 2007 02:41
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Binger Banger posted:It's got nothing to do with the fact that it's an NC; it's that you've mentioned both a Porsche and a Camaro and a Miata seems like it's going to leave you unsatisfied in some department if you're comparing it to either of those. I mean, really, these are slow cars we're talking about. They get even slower with an automatic. I won't knock on automatics, but a Miata is not the car to get if you need one. You're going to be frustrated and wondering why your car is such a pig. Of course I'm comparing this to my Camaro- I've driven it for 8 years, it's my main point of comparison. But you're neglecting the fact that my camaro is 13-years old, past its prime which was never all that fast to begin with. And the Boxster, for all its cost and bells and whistles, isn't all that much more powerful than the miata. (I'm not being sarcastic when I talk about cupholders and mp3 player, you know.) 2008 Miata: 2500lbs, 166hp, 140ft-lbs. 112ft-lbs per ton. 2008 Boxster: 3000lbs, 240hp, 199ft-lbs. 132ft-lbs per ton. (I think the 2003 is similar.) 1994 Camaro: 3500lbs, 165hp, 200ft-lbs. 114ft-lbs per ton. The Miata has a much better power-weight ratio than my old Camaro, though acceleration should be comparable. The Boxster has 18% more torque-to-weight, and 20% more power-to-weight. Which would be important if I was accelerating to pass at 120mph on the autobahn, but not so important sitting in gridlock on Rt 64 or racing from red-light to red-light. So, the Boxster having more power is a plus, but it's not THAT much more, not like a Boxster S or Carerra would be. I'm not even considering a Solstice/Sky because they're so shoddily built. Nobody cares, but I finally got off my rear end to check out the nasty squeal and terrible chassis squeak in my camaro, which I took to me signs that my car is falling about and the the engine about to give out at any moment. The chassis squeak is apparently just coming from the right front wheel whenever the shock compresses. I took the tire off and drenched oil on every joint I could find, but still squeaks. Annoying, but not fatal. And the high-pitched squeal is not a vacuum leak like I thought, but just the alternator failing, yet again. (Will be #7 since I've had the car. At least this one held out 4 years! I AM really good at changing them now, LOL.) I was actually hoping the car would die soon so I'd have a good excuse to buy an awesome new roadster, but, alas, they're not portents of imminent engine failure like I'd hoped 
grover fucked around with this message at 03:04 on Nov 6, 2007 |
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Nov 6, 2007 02:53
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grover posted:I'm not even considering a Solstice/Sky because they're so shoddily built. No. This is retarded, both of those cars (well since they are the same car) are built just fine. They are probably more comparable to the miata, though they are a little more powerful. They would probably also not make great daily drivers since they have very little cargo space. I'm also very confused as to why you are cross shopping boxsters and miatas. They aren't exactly in the same class other then that they are both roadsters. I'm sorry if this has been mentioned before or not, but why are you not considering S2000s? As far as I know you can get a used one for cheaper then a boxter.
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Nov 6, 2007 03:23
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Hell, why not a C5 Corvette? That's one car I wouldn't mind with an automatic. It would also be a great daily driver.
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Nov 6, 2007 03:34
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Valt posted:I'm sorry if this has been mentioned before or not, but why are you not considering S2000s? Solstice/Sky have a terrible reliability record for a brand new car; I'd hate to think how much time it'll spend in the shop 5 years from now. I may still stop by sometime and check them out closer, but I dunno. grover fucked around with this message at 03:46 on Nov 6, 2007 |
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Nov 6, 2007 03:40
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Binger Banger posted:edit: People have cupholders in their miatas? Mine sure as hell doesn't have one. Some people flip around the top of the ash tray to turn it into a sort of cup holder (it'll hold a 20oz soda bottle), but that's where I keep my change. TooLShack posted:Some interesting news for the NC owners. Wow, no thanks. For that money, I'll stick with Flyin' Miata's turbo kit.
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Nov 6, 2007 03:42
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Binger Banger posted:edit: People have cupholders in their miatas? My 95 has cupholders in the center console behind the shifter. It's a plastic piece that you can pop in and out. I also have an ash tray that goes in the same place. The cupholder is better though, since I use it to hold my iPod. If you put a real drink in their it gets in the way of the shifter, though.
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Nov 6, 2007 03:48
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grover posted:They're too small, I simply don't fit. Also, the blind spot with the top up is terrible, and they don't offer an automatic transmission. I'm considering a 2003-ish Z4, too, but I haven't had a chance to test drive one yet. Huh learn something new everyday. I wasn't even aware that they didn't come with an automatic. I just kind of guessed that they did, since they are after all Hondas. Is there some reason you are avoiding corvettes? I imagine that it would be pretty easy to find one in the 20 grand range that was really nice one for that kind of price. It is probably going to have more cargo room, be MUCH faster and much more up your alley then any of the other cars you have listed.
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Nov 6, 2007 03:49
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Ulf posted:And if anyone is thinking of picking up anything from Flyin' Miata soon, they are currently having a moving sale, 10-30% off some of their bulkier items: http://www.flyinmiata.com/news/sale.php Looks like I'm getting some sways this year 
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Nov 6, 2007 04:27
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mobn posted:Wow, no thanks. For that money, I'll stick with Flyin' Miata's turbo kit. What kit, I see nothing on their site.
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Nov 6, 2007 05:57
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TooLShack posted:What kit, I see nothing on their site. They offer like 4 different turbo kits and 2 supercharger kits. I'm leaning much more towards the Bell Engineering kits though, pricier but seem to be much better components. http://www.flyinmiata.com/turbos/index.php vvv Oh, didnt know it was for an NC. Schwack fucked around with this message at 06:08 on Nov 6, 2007 |
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Nov 6, 2007 06:03
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I see no kit for a NC(2006+), that was my original link was for.
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Nov 6, 2007 06:07
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Ulf posted:01+ Miatas don't strictly require it, but they'll run with a more advanced timing if premium is in there. I just got their postcard in the mail today  Shame my money situation sucks, I would love to pick up a deal on a rollbar
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Nov 6, 2007 06:15
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Phone posted:Looks like I'm getting some sways this year I've got their sways. I'd suggest you also get new end links at the same time, since you'll have the sways off anyway, and fully adjustable end links do make a bit of difference with the thicker sways. Well, that, and if your car is like mine, we had to blowtorch the bolts off of the endlinks because they were so rusty. So you'll want new ones anyway.
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Nov 6, 2007 06:39
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mobn posted:Well, that, and if your car is like mine, we had to blowtorch the bolts off of the endlinks because they were so rusty. So you'll want new ones anyway.
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Nov 6, 2007 07:13
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Aftermarket sways just make Miatas understeer. So what it the car has a bit of body roll.
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Nov 6, 2007 13:29
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leica posted:Aftermarket sways just make Miatas understeer. So what it the car has a bit of body roll. Mine's still dead neutral. The FM sways are adjustable, so you just have to make the back a bit stiffer than the front. I could make it oversteer if I wanted to (but gently caress, snow's coming, so no way).
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Nov 6, 2007 16:46
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leica posted:Aftermarket sways just make Miatas understeer. So what it the car has a bit of body roll. Stiffer sways are just silly solid axle conversion kits, unless you're trying to meet competition rules and can't change other suspension components. Why add sways to reduce the independence of your suspension? edit: to be clear, stiffening a swaybar reduces traction at that end.
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Nov 6, 2007 17:53
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vex posted:Stiffer sways are just silly solid axle conversion kits, unless you're trying to meet competition rules and can't change other suspension components. Why add sways to reduce the independence of your suspension? I know people that remove the rear bar to help the car steer better for autoX. Never had the chance to try it myself though, it could be an interesting experiment. I put a set of used Racing Beat sways that my buddy had lying around on my '91 just to see how it would feel. He warned me about them, but I had to find out the hard way. I was taking an on ramp at the usual speed I was used to, and almost went off the road because the car was pushing so bad. I took them off the next day.
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Nov 6, 2007 19:15
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I always thought you Miata guys were a little crazy, but I drove a Mazdaspeed MX-5 today and all I can say is WOW. Few cars I have ever driven that have put such a big grin on my face, and none have been so confidence inspiring when it comes to really throwing it into curves. When I go car shopping next spring I think a Miata is going to be on the top of my list.
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Nov 7, 2007 19:38
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Bear Report posted:I always thought you Miata guys were a little crazy, but I drove a Mazdaspeed MX-5 today and all I can say is WOW. Few cars I have ever driven that have put such a big grin on my face, and none have been so confidence inspiring when it comes to really throwing it into curves. When I go car shopping next spring I think a Miata is going to be on the top of my list. Another one sees the light. 
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Nov 7, 2007 19:46
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I was looking at a miata the other day that had somewhat noticable valve play. Is it common in the NA models to hear the valves do their business or should I stay away from that car ?
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Nov 7, 2007 19:53
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mobn posted:Mine's still dead neutral. The FM sways are adjustable, so you just have to make the back a bit stiffer than the front. I could make it oversteer if I wanted to (but gently caress, snow's coming, so no way).
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Nov 7, 2007 20:02
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