about to take the plunge!
#1
about to take the plunge!
hey guys ive been lurking here for a while researching and trying to decide what my next car would be. ive decided on a NB and will be test driving two this weekend, id like some help deciding which to purchas.
my first choice is a 1999 with 100k 5 speed manual emarld green w/ tan top/interior oem lip/sills/mud gaurds price $3500
2nd choice is a 2002 with 110k auto white w/ black top/interior $4500
im debating between the upgraded visuals of the 2001 and the vvt engine or the five speed and extra features of the 1999 aswell its lower miles. if the 2001 was manual it would be no contest, but im thinking with the cheaper price and the 5 speed the 1999 will be the one i choose.
also im not gonna track the car or do any upgrades other then basic bolt ons for a long while but hopefully future upgrades include 6spd tranny and turbo/supercharger. so what do you guys think would be my best bet?
my first choice is a 1999 with 100k 5 speed manual emarld green w/ tan top/interior oem lip/sills/mud gaurds price $3500
2nd choice is a 2002 with 110k auto white w/ black top/interior $4500
im debating between the upgraded visuals of the 2001 and the vvt engine or the five speed and extra features of the 1999 aswell its lower miles. if the 2001 was manual it would be no contest, but im thinking with the cheaper price and the 5 speed the 1999 will be the one i choose.
also im not gonna track the car or do any upgrades other then basic bolt ons for a long while but hopefully future upgrades include 6spd tranny and turbo/supercharger. so what do you guys think would be my best bet?
#3
You don't mention whether you are a man or woman. If man, then I would suggest the '99 due to manual transmission. If you have a vagina, then by all means buy the automatic.
$3500 for a stock '99 w/appearance package and 100k is a good price if the car is in good shape. I would not let the difference in the heads sway you in any way while naturally aspirated. There are arguments both ways when considering what is the "best" head for boosted applications, either superior stock flow of the '99-00 vs. the VVT (which you have to control) of the '01+ cars.
FWIW, there are quite a few guys who have cracked the code on bolt-on 150+whp '99 engines... it's pretty easy. Does the '99 car have a Torsen?
$3500 for a stock '99 w/appearance package and 100k is a good price if the car is in good shape. I would not let the difference in the heads sway you in any way while naturally aspirated. There are arguments both ways when considering what is the "best" head for boosted applications, either superior stock flow of the '99-00 vs. the VVT (which you have to control) of the '01+ cars.
FWIW, there are quite a few guys who have cracked the code on bolt-on 150+whp '99 engines... it's pretty easy. Does the '99 car have a Torsen?
#5
A woman named greg? Interesting. Well I don't know why you would buy an automatic...
But if you plan to buy a 6-speed then I guess it doesn't matter which one you start with. Consider that it might take a bit more work to convert from auto to a 6spd than 5spd to 6spd due to the clutch pedal. but its not really too difficult
Welcome to the forum and all that!
But if you plan to buy a 6-speed then I guess it doesn't matter which one you start with. Consider that it might take a bit more work to convert from auto to a 6spd than 5spd to 6spd due to the clutch pedal. but its not really too difficult
Welcome to the forum and all that!
#6
Lol. While I don't have a vajayjay, an auto is very convinent for my girl who will undoubtedly want to drive my car(and I'd prefer she didn't blow the clutch).
Now if the 99 has a torsen I will choose it for sure. But how do I know(assuming its all original)? The info in miata.net wasn't very clear, do I look for a certain number on the tag in the door jamb?
Any other features i should look for that would sway your opinion? Or its an auto pretty much a no go on this site?
Now if the 99 has a torsen I will choose it for sure. But how do I know(assuming its all original)? The info in miata.net wasn't very clear, do I look for a certain number on the tag in the door jamb?
Any other features i should look for that would sway your opinion? Or its an auto pretty much a no go on this site?
#7
Base and Touring = no LSD on 99's. Nardi wheel means you don't have a "base" car.
If the passenger door sticker says "Hard S" you have the Sport package and have the LSD. Not many Sport cars were sold.
So assuming you don't have the Sport package car the step up from base is Touring. I suspect that was the most common version of the car with the black cloth interior.
Next would be do you have factory installed cruise, the power antenna, and the windblocker. If yes, then you have the Popular Equipment Package. In that case you do have the LSD if you have a manual transmission. No auto with the LSD.
If you have leather and manual you also have the LSD as all leather cars had the Popular Equipment Package as part of the leather package.
If the passenger door sticker says "Hard S" you have the Sport package and have the LSD. Not many Sport cars were sold.
So assuming you don't have the Sport package car the step up from base is Touring. I suspect that was the most common version of the car with the black cloth interior.
Next would be do you have factory installed cruise, the power antenna, and the windblocker. If yes, then you have the Popular Equipment Package. In that case you do have the LSD if you have a manual transmission. No auto with the LSD.
If you have leather and manual you also have the LSD as all leather cars had the Popular Equipment Package as part of the leather package.
#8
Driving a manual transmission is a "life skill" that parents should teach their kids before junior high. I have friends who are no **** FIGHTER PILOTS in the US Navy who land on aircraft carriers who can't drive a stick... guess what they all drive? That's right, BMW 3-series with fagotron paddle-shifters.
#12
my girl is a terrible drive in an auto i can just imagine how much worse she would be driving a stick. im sure she can learn but she isnt willing nor will i push it cus i really want this car all for myself. lol.
@atank im looking at two diffrent cars a 2002 auto and 1999 manual and leather so it sound like it might be lsd.
im already leaning towards the 1999 but unless it has a crap engine im not buying it. i might not buy either if i dont like the way they drive. we shall see. and thanks for the comments guys.
@atank im looking at two diffrent cars a 2002 auto and 1999 manual and leather so it sound like it might be lsd.
im already leaning towards the 1999 but unless it has a crap engine im not buying it. i might not buy either if i dont like the way they drive. we shall see. and thanks for the comments guys.
#13
My wife can't drive a stick either. This is a feature. I watched dumbfounded yesterday while she backed my Poncho G8 GT (which SHOULD have a manual) into an object. No amount of waving, shouting, jumping up and down on my part could stop her.
Sigh.
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