Author Topic: I miss my convertible  (Read 6216 times)

uspsfanalan

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I miss my convertible
« on: July 07, 2013, 02:17:06 PM »
I might get a face punch for this one but here goes... I used to have a 2003 Mazda Miata that I really liked. I'm 5'6" so it was a great fit for me and I drove it as my year round daily commuter car. When I got married, I sold it to help pay off some debt that I married into. It's been 3 years since I sold it and at first I was really glad to have it gone. It was nice to not worry about getting dinged in the parking lot and all of that. Currently, I drive a dumpy 2002 Chevy Malibu that sucks gas and is zero fun to drive. Now that's it's been a few years my wife and I miss driving the miata. My question to my fellow MMM readers, is there a car that you would recommend that might be able to scratch that itch in a more economical way?

I've looked into renting something similar from time to time but the downside is that most car rental companies don't have convertibles. If they do, it's usually something like a Camaro which is way more car than I would want, and it would be automatic so it wouldn't be a lot of fun to drive anyway. I've considered trying to build a max car some day. But presently lack the tools, time or skill to do it.

http://www.kineticvehicles.com/MAX.html

hybrid

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2013, 05:00:08 PM »
Yes, it's called a Mazda Miata.  They are freaking awesome and always have been.  So go get yourself a 2000ish model with low mileage off of Craigslist (which should be pretty darned reasonable) and have some fun man!

The only face punch you get from me is dumping your awesome seven year old car for an eight year old car that stayed afloat only because of rental fleets.

prodarwin

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2013, 05:32:48 PM »
Miatas are a terrible commuter car.  They don't get great gas mileage, don't hold much (stuff, or people), have terrible visibility and aren't very safe.

But damn, they are fun to drive.  This is my current Miata (1994 prepped for STR):



What's the itch you need to scratch?  Convertible?  Fun to drive?

uspsfanalan

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2013, 05:51:33 PM »
Yep, the itch is a convertible that is fun to drive and reliable. I've considered a mid 2000s Nissan 350Z but my co-worker told me that if I did it he was going to pull my MMM Jr. card. The miata had a bit more body roll than I liked, but I suppose I could get some after market parts to help with that. Mine was 100% stock, with an exception of a trailer hitch for my bike carrier.

I've also considered a mini - 35 mpgs and semi sporty. I had a chance to drive a friend's automatic but it didn't do anything for me. I blame the automatic. It would be a lot more fun in stick.

prodarwin

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2013, 06:06:25 PM »
Hmm, well if convertible is an important part of the itch, I've got nothing for you.  Get another Miata.  Or an S2000.... they are a better car in every way, just less mustachian.

Curing body roll on a miata is a piece of cake.

FWIW, my 94 SW2 was 99% as fun as the Miata to drive on the street (different story on the track), and 500% as practical.  Also, it cost me 1/2 as much (built for around $2K).  Still kicking myself for selling it.


dragoncar

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2013, 10:22:23 PM »
I'd love the get a convertible but I think May be getting too old

hybrid

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2013, 06:45:24 AM »
Miatas are a terrible commuter car.  They don't get great gas mileage, don't hold much (stuff, or people), have terrible visibility and aren't very safe.

But damn, they are fun to drive.

Isn't that the heart of the matter?  The OP misses having a fun convertible, and while a fun convertible may not qualify to most as Mustachian he can still get a convertible in a fairly Mustachian way (significantly older model in good shape).  The points mentioned in the quote above are all valid if the OP wants a commuter car.  He doesn't.  So I still say get the used Miata.   

Arbor33

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2013, 07:46:07 AM »
A 2003 Miata gets 26mpg highway according to fueleconomy.gov (yes, I know it's not always accurate but it's a baseline). There aren't many people on this site that are going to condone you buying/keeping a 2 passenger vehicle with such a low mpg.

While it's still not going to scratch your itch completely, a Civic Del Sol will get ~10mpg more and still allow the wind to blow through your hair.

Then you can push the envelope a bit and convert it to electric (as you could do with any car really): delsolectric.wordpress.com

prodarwin

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2013, 08:00:23 AM »
Miatas are a terrible commuter car.  They don't get great gas mileage, don't hold much (stuff, or people), have terrible visibility and aren't very safe.

But damn, they are fun to drive.

Isn't that the heart of the matter?  The OP misses having a fun convertible, and while a fun convertible may not qualify to most as Mustachian he can still get a convertible in a fairly Mustachian way (significantly older model in good shape).  The points mentioned in the quote above are all valid if the OP wants a commuter car.  He doesn't.  So I still say get the used Miata.

I feel like a fun convertible may be ok if it doubled as a daily driver - as the OP used to do, but that poses its own set of problems (see above).  But as a secondary car just to periodically feel the wind through your hair?  Not going to get an O.K. from this crowd.

If I were more mustachian, I'd sell mine.

jrs

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2013, 11:03:07 AM »
My first (used) car was a 1997 Mazda Miata. 
I love, love, love that car!  Miss it so much!  used to drive the winding mountain roads near Valles Caldera National Preserve at least once a week.

Anyhow, I gave it to my younger brother.  So... keeping it in the family.

Spork

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Re: I miss my convertible
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2013, 01:09:53 PM »
I seriously thought about a Miata.  They're like British cars that run.