Many of you here might take for granted that a member drives his car and enjoys it. Truth be told, I don't/can't yet. I've owned it like 15 months now and it has only been started twice. Seems to keep getting pushed aside for bigger projects (or easier ones).

Well I went to a mazda dealer yesterday and actually got handed the keys to a green mica '01 w/ 78k mi.

First impressions -

I "thought" I would fit into one just fine seeing as I've sat in my w/ the top up countless times. Come to find out, sitting in one and comfortably driving one are two different things. I couldn't get comfortable w/o the top down. No biggie, that's why it's not a daily, just a toy.

Power band. Knock-knock, anyone there? Where in the hell is the power?! Had enough torque to get squirrely in first and when powering into 2nd, but above 3500 rpm there was no pull, just noise. I won't bitch about it too much since my project, and everyone else's here, is turbo. I can easily see why.

Steering was on key, as was the suspension. Felt like I was piloting a fighter jet (with no power) on rails. Car was all stock but felt tighter than some SCCA prepared F-Body's I've driven that were "on rails."

After the drive I came home and spent 4 hours working on the Miata. I'm inspired now, I think that was some good motivation.

Side notes - was not as fast as a seemingly stock '01 Impreza RS (nah, I would never abuse a lot car... ), oversteer was SO easy to compensate for. I guess that'll happen when total weight is like 2300lbs.

Anyway, I haven't been active in a while but now feel like I'm back on track.

 

So you took the '01 for a test drive?

Motorvation is always good....hoping to get a few things done today if this hangover ever goes away.

 

umm dude stop posting and fix your car

 

Yeah, most dealers around here don't just hand the keys, or if they do, they're riding shotgun. The salesman wanted in but I told him my friend owns one and I wanted him to ride w/ me.

Here's the kicked.... $12,999 for the '01 w/ 78k. Speedo didn't work, missing antenna, strong steering vibration at 30-40mph, and interior vents were double sided taped in place. lol Oh well, I wasn't interested in buying it.

EDIT: I'm getting there. Just bought a house that needed lots of work. Still fixing stuff around here. The miata will be out in the spring.

 

I can't imagine anyone buying or deciding to build a miata without driving one first. They were way to for me to consider until I got some time in a girlfriend's car and realized how much fun the car is. Glad you enjoyed the drive, now get that car running.

 

That is why all of us here are so psychotic with all of this turbocharging business. The Miata is a great car, except IMO (and most others) the lack of power in stock trim. Doubling or tripling the power output turns it into something really special.

Now get to work

Oh yeah, $13K for a '01 is just stupid, even if it was pristine with no broken parts. I pity the fool that pays that much for it.

 

that is about 5k to much even with out those probs glad you came to your senses

 

I wasn't considering buying this '01, just wanted wheel time.

I bought my car because I always wanted a turbo project, it could've been any turbo car. I just thought I was getting the best deal on the Miata so I grabbed it.

Installed EMB on my laptop and helped a friend begin tuning his Supra, so I'm getting my feet wet w/ that now too. My miata came w/ P&P EMB that isn't installed yet.

 

You have no idea what it's like selling a miata in BC. 1990 miata's still sell for $7900.

 

Got squirrely in 1st? Christ that thing must make more power than my bolt-on LS. :(

On the comment of miata prices in Canada I do agree it's asinine, I've been trying to convince a friend who lives in Edmonton to pick up a NA and you can nearly buy a new car in the US for the average price of a decent NA.

 

Last July I walked into the Lotus/Ferrari dealer and they threw me the keys to an Elise S and said see you in an hour! It was fun but let off at 100, that 0-100 comes in about 12 seconds and is a rough ride to say the least. But I guess it helps that a fellow Miata guy was the former service manager there for 7 years and told me which salesman to ask for. They had an R8 there as well that I sat in and let me paw all over it, we won't even get into sitting in all of the Ferraris.

 

Well then I need to rent a car transporter and head to BC with a load of Miatas.

 

A lot of people make money that way here. There are lucrative businesses on the island here where that's all they do - drive down to the states, buy a bunch of cars (Honda S2000's, Audi TT's, Miata's, etc), and then sell them up here for huge profit. Several retired people do the driving for them - they get a trip out of it.

 

lucky bastard... ive hear the elise s are an extremely rough ride.

I just got my miata not to long ago.. not as quick stock but i feel like its as much or more fun to drive than my buddys s2k. I feel like no matter what car i ever own ill always own a miata haha. lets face it theyre cheap.. handle like a go kart and fun as hell.