The Time Has Come: Miata Was My Answer

"revrseat70" (revrseat70)
10/10/2013 at 16:29 • Filed to: Newcarlopnik

I received a ton of help from all of you a couple months ago, in a previous post: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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I really appreciate the quick responses that were genuine, and extremely friendly. It really brought me out of the shadows on this site, and gave my wife and I a lot more confidence in some cars, and broader horizons when searching. However, as I have mentioned before, I am currently attending Seminary. After two months of my education have passed, it has become increasing apparent that driving and wrenching are going to be a hobby that I don't have as much access to as I used to. I found that driving is going to be so recreational that spending new car money on something fun to drive can't quite be justified for the amount of time I will have to enjoy it. So, after some thought, I decided (despite our strong interest in the BRZ) we should cut the car budget at-least in half. At this price range, I knew the kind of cars I would be interested in, and I knew the kind of response i would get from this place, so I went out on my own.

After several weeks of searching, It came down to two cars: A 2004* Mazdaspeed Miata for sale near me, and the Miata I'm picking up this evening. After looking over the Mazdaspeed I noticed there were a lot of signs of heavy modification, and despite the low miles, knew this car had a story the seller was keeping to itself. Plus it was that nail-polish, pinkish-orange color they sold it in. I was much more interested in silver, and my wife gagged when she saw it. So we moved on.

Anyway, once I saw this example, I knew it was the one. It looked immaculate online, but it didn't compare to in-person. Many of you probably frequent the Mazda forums and know the car as well or better than I do. Anyway, after two big thumbs up from my wife on the test drive, we are finally picking up this Eunos Roadster: aka "Rooster" tonight.

Disregard these rims. It has the Watanabe's now

Thank you all so much for your help. I cannot wait to drive this car home tonight!

DISCUSSION (44)

TheOnelectronic > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 16:31

Ooh damn, that is gorgeous, and I don't even like miatas!

Congrats on the new ride! May it bring you lots of fun!

daender > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 16:34

Does it come with the hardtop?

I'm seriously jealous, that's the same look I want my NB to achieve one day.

revrseat70 > TheOnelectronic
10/10/2013 at 16:34

Thank you! I'm in the same boat as you in a lot of ways. I have never given them a second look. I think narrow-mindedness was to blame. However, once the previous owner gave me a ride in it, and I got a chance at it, it reminded me of the one my babysitter had as a kid, first off. Then I really started focusing on the sensations of this car, and the previous owner has done a fantastic job with it. It just feels like a proper british roadster. It has some work done in preparation for FI which has resulted in some great NA power. I plan to keep it that way for a while. A roll bar is the only thing I'm even thinking about right now. Thank you though!

ddavidn > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 16:35

WOW. That is beautiful! Congrats!

revrseat70 > daender
10/10/2013 at 16:35

Yes it does! That's why I was sure to include that pic

Sparf > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 16:57

Other than what the owner did to the taillights, that's a great-looking car! I especially like that "EUNOS" stripe, any idea where they got that?

I think I prefer the other wheels to the Watanabes though, which is very strange coming from me since I love Watanabes. I think it's because of the chrome edge on them which I really dislike to be honest.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 16:59

Very nice!

Do we have a fellow Texan jalop?

Nothing > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 17:03

Congrats! I've seen this one spread across various forums. Sweet ride.

WolfmanJimCBW > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 17:07

I've had mine for about 2 years and absolutely love it. I've turned it into my project car as well and I can't imagine anything else being as enthralling for as cheap of a ride.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 17:22

Sweet. Enjoy, and all the best with your studies at "the sem".

I'm a pastor's kid, and my dad, when young and single (and working in Texas) had a 356B Super 90. He actually bought it used in Germany while he was studying there, and had it shipped over.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 17:57

Ahhhh hardtop NA Y U NO BIGGER!? you know for tall people. Ahhhhh.

Milky > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 18:04

Beautiful car, sir.

Kinja'd!!!

Buick Mackane > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 19:53

Hmmm, so you chose a Miata over all the other cars out there? By the way, my daughter has a Barbie doll with the same exact Barbie Miata car as yours!

Buick Mackane > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 20:17

Kinja'd!!!

Buick Mackane > Buick Mackane
10/10/2013 at 20:19

Kinja'd!!!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > revrseat70
10/10/2013 at 20:28

Very nice ride! that thing is gorgeous.

Also a good choice of skipping the BRZ/FR-s. Miata is cheaper, has more aftermarket and is more fun.

revrseat70 > Sparf
10/11/2013 at 06:56

Yea, there will always be people that dislike one man's personal taste over another. I'm actually really fond of the overall nastolgic japanese roadster theme going on. I think there is someone on the Miata forums that makes stripes like that. The previous owner was the first I think. I can honestly only think of a couple things I want to add to the car, but cant really think of anything I want to change. It was really just a great coincidence where everything fell into place. Its so cohesive, once you see it in person especially, that it looks like a near factory car from 30+ years ago. My last car had chrome lips, so I actually really like it.

revrseat70 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
10/11/2013 at 06:57

Absolutely! My wife and I have only been here for a few months, but already love it!

revrseat70 > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
10/11/2013 at 06:59

My 6'1" friend got in the passenger seat last night... he... fit... just. hahaha more headroom than I expected but his knees were in his throat.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > revrseat70
10/11/2013 at 09:21

Yea I am sure I could wiggle in. But like...after that it'll just be weird.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > revrseat70
10/11/2013 at 09:31

Welcome! Whereabouts?

revrseat70 > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
10/11/2013 at 11:08

Yeah, big guys in little cars is pretty much only ok for irony... like Matt Farah driving an Exige. That's a great video. Luckily, at 5'8", this thing was pretty much built like a glove for me.

revrseat70 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
10/11/2013 at 11:10

Ft. Worth side. I'm planning on attending CnC next month, if I don't get busy.

RotaryLover > revrseat70
10/14/2013 at 19:43

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!! YOU BOUGHT THIS MIATA????? For years I was drooling on his build up Miata...How much are you willing to sell it to me? hahahaha

Nintondo-San > revrseat70
10/14/2013 at 20:55

I have been obsessed with this EXACT car for a very long time. I even have a replica of it on Forza! Very cool to see the fellow it finally sold to is on oppo. Congrats!

I'm in the market for a white 1.8 NA myself and I hope to do a cheapo track rat replica of this. :-0

revrseat70 > RotaryLover
10/14/2013 at 21:19

Indeed. The Rooster is in my hen house now. Everything is always for sale if someone wants it bad enough... hahaha

revrseat70 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/14/2013 at 21:21

I was a military kid. Mine had a 240z he could only keep for two and a half weeks after he graduated West Point, before he had to move to Germany.

revrseat70 > Nintondo-San
10/14/2013 at 21:29

No way... If I'm honest, I made this car in Forza before I bought it. It turns out the mods put it at a perfectly maxed out C class car. Pretty cool. The track version would be pretty awesome though.. If I keep it after Seminary, It'll probably end up being a second car/track car. I don't know...

Nintondo-San > revrseat70
10/14/2013 at 22:00

Definitely keep us updated on the progress, even if you don't do anything, supply us with photos. ;-)

It is very evident this car was owned by a visual perfectionist. Best wheels, best color, the superior 1.6 dash, the better looking EUNOS badging, the fender mounted turn signals, the OEM style MOMO steering wheel, '95 M Edition seats in red.

Once again congrats on the best NA around.

When I say "track rat" for mine that may be a bit of an embellishment as it would be a DD. I'd probably just do a good suspension, champagne Chaparrals, a rollbar, and the red stripes (and a couple other track "stuff" lol).

Any pictures from the pickup?

word-is-bond > revrseat70
10/14/2013 at 23:29

Are you planning on keeping those taillights? Care to share a link to the PO's build thread, if there is one?

quattrofl > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 08:45

Gorgeous!! I'm full of envy! Keep her like she deserves it!;)

Ted Ladue > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 10:03

Good job! Looks like a pantsload of fun!

Douche McGee > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 10:22

I'm going a similar way - I want a BRZ, but for a lot less I can get an NC for much less, keeping my monthly savings mostly intact.

I've owned 3 Miatas (one NA and two NBs) so I'm interested in seeing how the NC stacks up

PhiLOL (slowcarSLOW-MPGlol) > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 13:40

Hey look, a Miata soft-top that you can see out of! Nice nab. I wish my '95 had those side rear windows.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 13:44

Two and half week? That's rough...

I think most gearheads' dads had a car that they wish they'd been able to keep.

revrseat70 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/15/2013 at 15:49

Several in this case. My Dad's first two cars were GTO's.... The early 2000's were hard for him hahaha

revrseat70 > Nintondo-San
10/15/2013 at 15:55

Kinja'd!!!

I only have one from the pick-up because it was at night.

revrseat70 > PhiLOL (slowcarSLOW-MPGlol)
10/15/2013 at 16:01

I've yet to use it yet. So far, I've only used the hard top or non, but I still find the visibility superb.

PhiLOL (slowcarSLOW-MPGlol) > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 16:02

Yes, the visibility with the top down is quite nice indeed.

revrseat70 > word-is-bond
10/15/2013 at 16:04

I love the tail lights. They single-handedly separate those who know and those that don't. I don't think he'd mind: http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/89-ro…

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 16:17

Oh, man... My dad had a long string of crappy cars while I was growing up.

Only highlights were a couple of old Jettas that were light and fun and two Acura Legends (Honda was at the top of their game in the late 80s and early 90s).

He's got an older Lexus now that he's very happy with, but I'm holding out hope that his next car is something more fun with a manual transmission. He doesn't seem to care about cars like he once did, but I know he'd really enjoy having a fun car again.

revrseat70 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/15/2013 at 17:20

My Dad still cares. Probably more than he should at his age. In his upper 60's he still rides a 1300cc crotch rocket and DD's an 06 GTO.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > revrseat70
10/15/2013 at 17:51

I want to be the guy in his 70s motoring around in a Caterham and aviator goggles.

revrseat70 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/15/2013 at 18:09

Hahaha well I keep saying this car is as close to a classic roadster you could possibly have without it breaking down every other drive. Riding around with the top down, you look around from the drivers seat and have no reason to imagine you're in anything as modern as it is.