by "That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
Published 08/20/2017 at 15:38
by "That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
Published 08/20/2017 at 15:38
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STARS: 3
I finally got around to taking the top off the Miata today, and I’m over here now like...why did I take a whole week to do that?
It’s so much better with the top down, and confirms my belief that people with convertibles who don’t have the top down on a day like today are joyless drones who deserve nothing but bad things from life.
The soft top (a decent vinyl Robbins) needs a good cleaning but had no rips or holes that I can find.
I might try to sell the hard top, since I can’t imagine when I’ll be putting it back on, but who knows.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
08/20/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 4
I used to be of the opinion that all MX-5's needed hardtops. Then I drove a soft top NB2 and decided I shouldn’t form opinions about a thing without experiencing that thing for myself. At this point I’m almost of the opinion that, as long as indoor storage is available, I should just ditch the top entirely.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
08/20/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 3
There are the people who keep the top up in the summer because of the heat and garage the car through the winter... And then there are the people who bring that top down every chance they get. Glad you’re on the correct side of the line!
If you were local I’d grab the hardtop from ya, but you should be able to sell it pretty easily in the coming months
"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
08/20/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 1
I keep considering getting a hardtop, but top-down motoring is just so awesome when the conditions are right.
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
08/20/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 1
Today was gorgeous, mid 80s and not crazy humid like yesterday was. Still, I’m looking forward to October convertible weather. Best time of year for driving as far as I’m concerned.
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
08/20/2017 at 17:40, STARS: 0
This is basically where I’m at. I’ve got a garage where the car is going to live once I get it cleaned out, so why would I want the hard top in there taking up all sorts of space? Plus I could buy a roll bar and other stuff with the proceeds.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
08/20/2017 at 19:13, STARS: 0
If NA/NB MX-5's didn’t rust at the mere thought of salt, I think a hard top would be great for winter, but the Mazda Rust is real.
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
08/20/2017 at 21:08, STARS: 0
Mine is pretty solid for a Rhode Island car, though I found the original window sticker and the car was sold in CA, so I’m sure that helped.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
08/20/2017 at 21:11, STARS: 0
Mine (01 SE) has been in Ohio it’s whole life. The right end of the front sway bar has no chassis left to attach to.
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
08/20/2017 at 21:31, STARS: 0
Yikes. I’m guessing you guys salt roads like we do...thats one of the reasons I sold my Land Cruiser, I knew it was going to rust and I wouldn’t keep up with it.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
08/20/2017 at 21:41, STARS: 0
What’s crazy to me is that, as a Michigander, I feel most of Ohio doesn’t use that much salt. In Michigan there’s usually salt on the ground in anticipation of snow fall, whereas in the places I’ve lived in Ohio it seems like they don’t get around to using salt until there’s already accumulation. And there’s significantly less accumulation here than there was in my hometown in SE Michigan.
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
08/22/2017 at 10:36, STARS: 1
If NA/NB MX-5's didn’t rust at the mere thought of salt, I think a hard
top would be great for winter, but the Mazda Rust is real.
Can confirm, hardtop for winter is awesome. (Also snow tires & LSD.)
Yes I know Mazda Rust is a thing (I can tell you tales about my former MS6). Nothing is immune from New England Rust— it is just a question of when. But cars are meant to be enjoyed. I’ll do what I can to prolong the inevitable, but I recognize someday I’ll be looking for a replacement car (and probably transferring over parts as needed) when mine gives in to the corrosion monster.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/22/2017 at 10:46, STARS: 0
Thats only crash structure really so its okay, you dont need that lol.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/22/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 1
The only time I ever drove my Miata with the top up in nice weather was the day I bought it. And this was because I had no idea how to put it down (stupid me, its so easy!). But I was also learning how to drive stick on the way home so less distraction was key lol. I just remember how beautiful of a day it was though and there I was driving with the AC on sweating bullets due to nerves.
Now its top down; sun, rain, sleet, snow, cold, hot, dark, whatever. The only times the top goes up is for either extended night driving in the winter (temps below freezing) or if I am in stop and go traffic in the rain. Ive done full wiper speed rain driving with the top down, its quite nice actually above 70mph. Snow driving topless is literally the best. Many ski mountain adventures that were 100x better because Miata.
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
08/22/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 1
You are some kind of crazy god damn hero and I love it. Just the kind of bad influence I need, haha.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/22/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 0
Haha thanks, if only I had in car footage of some of the snow Ive driven through. I dont usually take my car on the trek up to Vermont since I cant fit much for a ski trip. But ocassionally it made sense and was always worth it. I’m retiring the car from snow duty but it was a fun experience either way.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
08/22/2017 at 17:57, STARS: 1
I feel like the fact that the right end of the sway bar is just hanging loose is also a potential issue...
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 07:51, STARS: 0
Well it just makes the sway bar kind of useless. I cant see that actually being dangerous but its certainly not good for turning ability. Mine are certainly on the way towards that issue as well. Not much you can do to mitigate that rust either since those rails are made out of like metal paper mache. I definitely want to find a welder to replace both of mine with solid pieces of metal but that also requires pulling the motor. So as long as they hold up for a few more years until I am ready for that, I will be happy.