Yeah, the Miata is pretty cool. I ended up ruling it out from my purchase because of how little visibility there was when the roof was up, mostly. That and cost.
Yeah, the Miata is pretty cool. I ended up ruling it out from my purchase because of how little visibility there was when the roof was up, mostly. That and cost.
Yeah, the visability with the soft top up is crap. I got the hard top to address this problem. Still you need to be aware that your over the shoulder visability is not stellar (up from non-existent with the soft top).
The STI has some understeer problems and the suspension could be better for the daily driver. See EVO the X. A high performance car and an excellent daily driver that is just fun to drive. Too bad it starts around 34k, but you can find it for 31k.
I have a MazdaSpeed3 Gen1, which is also a ton of fun on the road. SquadronRoe is yours a Gen2? If I keep mine in 6th gear at 65mph i get around 35mpg. Which is how i usually drive.
I have a MazdaSpeed3 Gen1, which is also a ton of fun on the road. SquadronRoe is yours a Gen2? If I keep mine in 6th gear at 65mph i get around 35mpg. Which is how i usually drive.
Yeah, it's a Gen2. I'm usually in 6th gear around 65+ too, but the computer reports average MPG around 25 regularly.
Out of that list you almost have to go with the Subie. The Mazdaspeed 3 is also nice though. I would really widen your search because with most of those cars your really going to regret getting rid of the Miata (MX-5.) It seems like your not looking for something very big but something you can fit something bigger than pop can. I know your pain. Try fitting a bunch of tech equipment inside of a MR2 SW20. How old of a car would you be willing to go with? Honestly I have had better luck with cars from the early 90's compared to newer cars. Cars are designed for the most part to be more disposable than they were before thanks to everything having much lower tolerances before. I had to drive my old MR2 (now track car) with a 5S-FE after a crash over 15 miles without coolant and that motor is still in running shape.
I love my miata, but with a bad back and neck folding myself into the thing is taking it's toll on me. I don't fit in the thing in a comfortable position, I'm always hunched over. Combine that with 7 hour road trips and it just really isn't the greatest car for me. I'm in no rush to get rid, but eventually I will get rid of it.
As for widening the search, please post suggestions.
EDIT: Basically the mistake I made with the miata was I went off half cocked and just bought the thing. I really didn't think it through to its logical conclusion, I just wanted it.
I love my miata, but with a bad back and neck folding myself into the thing is taking it's toll on me. I don't fit in the thing in a comfortable position, I'm always hunched over. Combine that with 7 hour road trips and it just really isn't the greatest car for me. I'm in no rush to get rid, but eventually I will get rid of it.
As for widening the search, please post suggestions.
EDIT: Basically the mistake I made with the miata was I went off half cocked and just bought the thing. I really didn't think it through to its logical conclusion, I just wanted it.
George, how tall are you? My buddy is around 6'3" and has his heart set on a Miata, and I'm worried he's going to do the same thing. Granted, I'm 6'3" and drive an M Coupe easily with a fair amount of regularity, but I neither own that car nor use it as a day-driver.
I really didn't think it through to its logical conclusion, I just wanted it.
This is generally the best way to buy awesome cars.
My dad bought a Maserati that way. They were liquidating all the standard trans Coupes in the US because no one wanted a standard and the model was being phased out. The car also had a Ferrari engine and transmission, and that pretty much sealed the deal. The clutch broke around 25k miles, he needed to replace about five tires before that happened, and the electrical system was constantly in need of repair. I've taken to calling the car "a hole in the ground to throw money into." He got rid of it for a BMW 5 series.
I don't think he has any regrets about owning the Maserati, nor about trading it. It's a gearhead thing.
George, how tall are you? My buddy is around 6'3" and has his heart set on a Miata, and I'm worried he's going to do the same thing. Granted, I'm 6'3" and drive an M Coupe easily with a fair amount of regularity, but I neither own that car nor use it as a day-driver.
If he doesn't mind folding himself a bit he could fit. It's really about torso length with a Gen 3 like mine. I have a long torso for someone who's 6' and have trouble fitting in all kinds of things comfortably. It's fine for a spirited drive, you when you're too busy to notice the crick in your neck, but I can't fit in the miata with a racing helmet on my head, the top has to be down. I'm avoiding anything with a sunroof because it compromises the head room too much.
This is generally the best way to buy awesome cars.
True, and it's been great, but the sports car need it fills doesn't get to be used much anyway.
I have had an 07 GTI for two and a half years now, and I adore it. It was only $17k, and worth every penny. The engine is bloody fantastic, and both the exhaust and intake/turbo sound really nice when you're on it but quiet as can be when returning late at night. I've left it totally stock (otherwise you never stop modding) and love the handling as-is. None of that push-in understeer mucking about that mars so many FWD cars. On top of handling tight roads well (the tighter the road, the more I like it) it's still smooth, fairly quiet and has plenty of power for those long roads away from police. It has cruise control and a good stereo, and the interior is nice (it feels classy) so it was fun to drive cross-country not "I can withstand it until the next good road." It also has a wonderful (roomy!) back seat that's legitimately comfortable for actually-adult-sized adults, and with the seats down you can throw all kinds of crap in the back. (Or your wife can put the dog in the car without letting it claw up the leather). 22-25 mpg in the city, 28-30 on country roads (gentle throttle, whooping on it you get 18-22), 32+ on the highway.
So you know where I'm coming from, my first car was a modified 1988 Jetta GLi (springs, bushings, swaybar, shift kit, clutch, flywheel, cams, intake, full exhaust, wheels) and I've also spent a fair bit of time driving a 2nd gen RX-7 and a turbo-body 964. Even though the '99.5 Jetta my wife had was never sporty, I still had to slap a swaybar on it because I couldn't stand the mushiness. I tried autocross once, have been to the track on the motorcycle, and play a lot of driving sims/games.
So I've just been doing some math. The reason I've always said I owned a MX-5 rather than an RX-8 is fuel economy cause the Wankel engine is stupid in this regard. But it would only cost $60 more a month in fuel to have an RX-8. So why don't I get one of those?
Yes, that's just what I need, a car that's 15 years old at best.
Nevermind one that requires constant, never-ending, almost weekly maintenance. And, due to high demand, is surprisingly expensive.
Oh sorry, I should have said 15 year old rotary engined car. :P
Old cars are great value if you have the time and space to work on them. Unfortunately at this point in my life I have neither. I'd prefer to spend money on a car that just starts everyday without any trouble.
Old cars are great value if you have the time and space to work on them. Unfortunately at this point in my life I have neither. I'd prefer to spend money on a car that just starts everyday without any trouble.
Well, yes, but by that logic, nobody should own an old Jag, because as the seriousness of the maintenance increases, the amount of time you need to spend just fixing that problem rapidly approaches infinity. Seriously, as much as I like my mate's Mark 5, It's a gorgeous old beast, but seriously, fuck that fucking car to work on. Want to change the spark-plugs? You'd better hope you've got a free weekend and a few mates, because shit is gonna get ugly.
Old cars are great value if you have the time and space to work on them. Unfortunately at this point in my life I have neither. I'd prefer to spend money on a car that just starts everyday without any trouble.
Well, yes, but by that logic, nobody should own an old Jag, because as the seriousness of the maintenance increases, the amount of time you need to spend just fixing that problem rapidly approaches infinity. Seriously, as much as I like my mate's Mark 5, It's a gorgeous old beast, but seriously, fuck that fucking car to work on. Want to change the spark-plugs? You'd better hope you've got a free weekend and a few mates, because shit is gonna get ugly.
I think old Jags are sexy, but I've yet to own one. I've head the V12 is a horror to work on, but I'd love to have one of their straight 6s one day. That is if I go clinically insane...
I think old Jags are sexy, but I've yet to own one. I've head the V12 is a horror to work on, but I'd love to have one of their straight 6s one day. That is if I go clinically insane...
Oh, they're great engines. Just a fucking bear to work on. I'm not kidding about it taking most of a weekend to change the plugs.
Comments
I have a MazdaSpeed3 Gen1, which is also a ton of fun on the road. SquadronRoe is yours a Gen2? If I keep mine in 6th gear at 65mph i get around 35mpg. Which is how i usually drive.
As for widening the search, please post suggestions.
EDIT: Basically the mistake I made with the miata was I went off half cocked and just bought the thing. I really didn't think it through to its logical conclusion, I just wanted it.
I don't think he has any regrets about owning the Maserati, nor about trading it. It's a gearhead thing.
So you know where I'm coming from, my first car was a modified 1988 Jetta GLi (springs, bushings, swaybar, shift kit, clutch, flywheel, cams, intake, full exhaust, wheels) and I've also spent a fair bit of time driving a 2nd gen RX-7 and a turbo-body 964. Even though the '99.5 Jetta my wife had was never sporty, I still had to slap a swaybar on it because I couldn't stand the mushiness. I tried autocross once, have been to the track on the motorcycle, and play a lot of driving sims/games.
Actually no, there are plenty of used ones.
Old cars are great value if you have the time and space to work on them. Unfortunately at this point in my life I have neither. I'd prefer to spend money on a car that just starts everyday without any trouble.