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Old 10-25-2017, 10:27 PM   #21
3LOU5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FC View Post
The NC is the bigger heavier one. That said, I love mine. The factory sport suspension and a stiffer front sway bar utterly transformed the car form the NC's I drove in '06 & '07. Those rolled a lot. Mine is very flat without being ridiculous.

To me the key to their enjoyment is:

- Avoid highways as it is geared very low and is not quiet. It will get tiring quickly.
- It's no frills, so adjust expectations.
- Drive it hard, otherwise it will feel slow and you will start noticing the shortcomings in comfort. Luckily its low gearing allows you to wind it out at totally normal speeds.
- Don't drive it daily. It will wear thin fairly quickly. But as an occasional fun car that is cheap to own, it's pretty perfect.

Now that I got my new steering wheel, I love it even more.
Thanks for that feedback.

I'm lucky in that twisty, mountain roads aren't very far from me, and this is the vehicle I'd take every time to get my kicks.
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:29 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by equ View Post
I think Lou would like a Miata.
I really think I would. It's just so different to what I'm accustomed to driving.

And then I started looking at S2000s....

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Old 10-25-2017, 10:31 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bren View Post
He has a Harley, a motorhome, and a pick'em-up truck, none of that screams Miata owner to me.
That is why I'm so intrigued with the car.

To me, being behind the wheel of a 2-seater, no-frills roadster is driving in its purest form.
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2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
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Last edited by 3LOU5; 10-25-2017 at 10:53 PM. Reason: edit
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:33 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AF View Post
This man has some VERY GOOD advice ... absolutely get what you mean .. these sports cars are good ... in d o s e s !!
Gosh, I envy guys like you: you worked your butt off, and have enough disposable income to purchase some of the hottest wheels on the planet.

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2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:37 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by equ View Post
But also chill, happy-go-lucky (in a good way or so he seems on the internet) and a 325i rwd sport. Not east coast. Miatas would be a blast out by Tahoe.
You have me pegged.

I used to be high-strung and always on-the-go, but ever since I moved out West from NJ, I've become more laid-back and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace.

I guess that's why I love it out here, and have all my toys to enjoy it with my friends and family.

There's a Miata Club that runs around here. I need to get with that group somehow....
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2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:38 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggins View Post
I would look for a 2010+ retractable hardtop NC Miata. I think 2010+ models look a little better and the retractable hardtop would be more comfortable in bad weather? I think they look cool with the top up and still can go all the way down like a normal Miata.

The 2016+ ND Miata is a better car, but they are still really expensive and their transmissions go boom.
Even their manuals ??

That's odd. I've never heard of Mazdas having crappy gearboxes.

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2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
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Old 10-26-2017, 07:47 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3LOU5 View Post
Even their manuals ??

That's odd. I've never heard of Mazdas having crappy gearboxes.

It seems to only be the manuals. It might be concentrated around the autocrossers and track people I know, but there have been at least a dozen blown transmissions of people I know and many others from "people on the internet." I think there was an update to 2017 models to supposedly fix the problem, but Mazda has been good about replacing each of the transmissions under warranty. I think all of the fast ND Miatas that I autocross against are on their 2nd or 3rd transmissions. I'm not sure about linking to other message boards, but you will see results if you google it.

I would still consider a ND Miata, but I would opt for the 2017 model and hope the transmission issues are ironed out. They are still outstanding cars.

I think anyone who has driven a Miata loves them, but I'm in the camp where I need something slightly more usable (and I like having a roof).
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Old 10-26-2017, 08:15 AM   #28
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Definitely a great car to have if you also have other useful cars, which Lou does.

Mazda went to great lengths to remove weight from the ND Miata. It seems as though this led to some fragile transmissions. As Chris noted it's been fixed, but there are still some cars out there with the pre-update transmission.

If you're set on an NC (and they're great cars), I'd definitely try to get a later one like FC mentioned. You might consider searching miata.net... guessing you could find a better deal there than at a dealer.
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Old 10-26-2017, 09:11 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3LOU5 View Post

And then I started looking at S2000s....

Don't do that
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Old 10-26-2017, 09:46 AM   #30
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Don't do that
That's going to be way out of his budget anyway.
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