The Miata as Therapist

"mx5nutP729" (mx5nutp729) 10/10/2014 at 08:03 • Filed to: None

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A few weeks ago, my wife was on business travel, so I had all the time in the world to do whatever struck my fancy. Well, maybe not all the time in the world, but you get my drift. I didn't need to make the bed, wash clothes right away, or anything else like that; at least until the day before she was supposed to come back home. The weather for two particular weeks was absolutely perfect, with 75-degree temperatures, no humidity and not a single cloud in the sky. I was recovering from back surgery at the time and couldn't do much of anything in terms of physical activity. With my wife being out of town at the same time, I unexpectedly found myself kind of down in the dumps. Even thought there was a lot that I could not physically do, I had reached the point where I could get back into my Miata and work the clutch petal with almost no pain. So, on one of those evenings with nothing to do, with phenomenal weather and a Miata that I could finally drive in comfort after 9 months of excruciating pain, I figured that I would go out for a spin in order to pass some time.

I live in a suburb of northern Virginia, near the historic town of Clifton. Around Clifton and nearby Fairfax Station, there are a number of really nice roads that wind through some very well-to-do areas and make for some excellent, quick little drives. If you know the roads well enough, you can string them together in different directions and different orders to make some very entertaining loops.

Before I left the house, I took my time with the ritual of unzipping the back window, lowering the top and securing the vinyl top boot over the whole assembly. I started the car and blipped the throttle a couple times to listen to the exhaust note and feel the car "wiggle" ever so slightly, as though it was ready to go out and play. Before I knew it, I was winding through these special back roads, seemingly flying from corner to corner. As the car warmed up and I settled in, it seemed like my downshifts were getting smoother, I was anticipating corners better, and the weather seemed to be getting even better as the sun went down and a slight breeze started to blow.

It really felt like I was in some sort of a trance. My inputs seemed to be getting better. I could feel what the car was doing and how the road surface was being communicated back to me through the suspension and the steering wheel. Everything that was going so right between me and the car was fantastic, but then there was the weather and that other sensory experience that seemed to take the whole drive to another level. I could feel the breeze with the top down, smell the grass, trees, the random person barbequing in their backyard as the Miata and I danced from corner to corner.

Eventually, it started to get too dark, so I decided to head back home. When I pulled back into the garage and turned off the car, I just sat there for a minute or so and didn't really want to get out. I never got to any crazy speeds or did anything silly, but the overall experience that evening had me feeling completely refreshed and had my mood lifted. On that afternoon and into the evening, my Miata became my therapist and seemed to understand exactly what I needed and where I wanted to go.

Clearly, I am nuts about my Miata and there are many others on this site that also share my enthusiasm. As much as I think the world would be a better place if everyone loved Miatas as much as I do, I realize that there are other cars out there. What car have you owned or what car do you currently own, in which you have had a similar driving experience that had you in a fantastic mood and eagerly looking forward to the next opportunity to hop in and go again?

mazda616 > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 08:29

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What a cool story. And that is one of the cleanest NAs I have ever seen. Kudos!

My car is also like that. It's not a Miata, but it has been called the "four-door Miata" by Jalopnik. (Lol) I love going and winding down some good back country roads on cool evenings. I feel so disconnected from the world and yet so connected to the car and the road. It's an awesome experience. I love driving old back roads I used to travel on my bike when I was a kid. I reminisce about the past, smile at the good memories, and just breathe. It's great to get away without actually having to get away.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 08:32

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Jezebel headline: Misogynist Celebrates His Carbon Emitter as 'The Rapist'

mx5nutP729 > mazda616 10/10/2014 at 08:35

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Wow, you have a really nice car! I actually had one of those when they first came out in 2004 and kind of regret getting rid of it.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 08:38

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Lovely story. Thank you.

JGrabowMSt > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 09:24

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My SL600. It may be automatic, but it always feels so right.

Its fun to go fast, but more fun to go slowly. The car has been around for a few relationships, it was what I had when my DD hit a deer. I would say my bike is more my therapist than any car, but the SL is the one. Especially in the fall because the R129 just looks the part in fall.

The Magnum hasnt reached that point yet.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 09:26

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I wish I felt the same way when I drive my Volvo :(

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 10/10/2014 at 09:27

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[edited]

mx5nutP729 > JGrabowMSt 10/10/2014 at 10:02

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I have always loved R129s and would really like to own one someday. It seems like clean, low-mileage examples are hard to find these days. I remember going to the Mercedes dealer with my grandfather when they were looking to replace their aging 300D and I was smitten with the R129 as soon as I saw it in the showroom.

It is interesting how relationships and experiences play into your story of a car.

mx5nutP729 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 10/10/2014 at 10:03

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What kind of Volvo do you have and what attracted you to it?

JGrabowMSt > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 10:20

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Oh, well, the R129 cars are easy to find low mileage examples, damn near probably 90% of them are low mileage, and squeaky clean because most owners are terrified of driving them, primarily because repair costs.

The problem is that current owners believe they're worth far more than they are right now. The market for them is not very kind to current owners. For anyone looking to buy, now is the time, provided you can find a seller that hasn't lost their mind about what the cars true value is.

I met a guy who has a 1992/1993 320SL. He's trying to get $18k for it. There aren't too many ways to tell someone they're insane. My 1997 SL600 Sport didn't even cost me that much, and it's one of the rarer R129 cars. No I6 powered roadster is honestly worth $18k when I picked up a V12 monster for less than that.

If you wanted to get an R129, my personal suggestion is a later generation SL500. 1997+ cars have a number of updates compared to the earlier cars, and that V8 is a fantastic plant for these cars. More than enough go power while not inflicting a mortal wound on the wallet, should repairs be necessary. At this point in time, the most annoying part will be the bushings for the body. The car will creak a lot on uneven roads. Mostly just aggravating to listen to.

That said, there's a short list of cars to always consider, should you be able to find one.

1) SL60. 6.0L V8. If you find it, buy it.

2) 600SL (non sport). These are probably harder to find than the Sport models, and is the earlier pre-1997 car. The differentiation in the naming is part of why it's something to go after. Just make sure it isn't plastered with AMG badges.

3) SL73 AMG. You probably wont find one, but should you find one, let me know. There are approximately 80 of them, and they're Europe only. The only pictures I've ever seen of them show them as black. Not sure if anyone ordered one in any other color.

DeLM > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 10:21

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I happy you are feeling better, back injuries are the worst of the lot. I loved your post! I live in the last suburb north of Chicago, a mile north is Wisconsin and if you know where to look you can link the farm roads together. There are some gems if you know where to look. When I get a little down cause things aren't going as planned (not that I can complain any as long as I have my Miata) I hop in her have a go.... same result every time! Meet Little Miss Black Sunshine. :)

mx5nutP729 > DeLM 10/10/2014 at 10:40

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Looks like a 93 LE, nice! Are those Konig Helium wheels? What suspension mods have you done? My 23 year-old shocks are getting tired and I am researching my options. I am currently leaning towards 949 Racing's new Tecna coilovers that are coming out soon.

mazda616 > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 10:41

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Thank you. It has been extremely good to me in the five years I have owned it. I bought it in August of 2009 with 12,200 miles and it currently has just over 68,000. Someday, when it is time, I will be replacing it with either another Mazda3 or possibly a 6. People always talk about how bad Mazdas are with rust but mine doesn't have any issues, and we do get our fair share of winter weather. But, I digress. How many miles does your Miata have? It looks almost new in these pics.

DeLM > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 11:07

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Thanks! It is and they are.(#174) The suspension setup is Koni adjustable rebound and compression shocks and Racing Beat springs and front strut tower brace. I really like the setup, I have them set to the soft side for these messed up roads here. nicer ride than my dad's stock vibe but somehow stays flatter... nicest thing it a quick adjust knob for the fronts and the back, so hitting up a track day and adjusting them takes about ten minutes. They came on the car when I bought it. I do like what you're looking at though, I am a setup nerd, seeing exactly how much you can get out of it by little adjustments. I'd say go for em; as long as you are needing new ones anyways. No better excuse.

mx5nutP729 > mazda616 10/10/2014 at 11:13

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I hit 55k last weekend. It has fairly low miles, but there are a lot of Miatas out there that are much lower. At my mileage it is low-ish, but not so low that I worry about putting miles on the car. I was lucky enough the buy the car from the original owner who garaged the car and I am also able to keep it garaged, which is probably the major factor in its condition. That, and the fact that I have a touch of OCD when it comes to cleaning cars.

mx5nutP729 > DeLM 10/10/2014 at 11:16

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I think pre-orders for the Tecnas are supposed to start shipping later this month, so I'll probably wait a little while to see what the "early adopters" have to say.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 11:21

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I have a 1993 960 station wagon. It's the last of the RWD ones and it has a silky smooth 3L I6. I love how practical it is, I can fit so much in the boot, the build quality is absolutely phenomenal, and I feel like it has a real personality, a distinctly Swedish one. Something I haven't felt from my family's fleet which is all beige American and Japanese. It's just not rewarding to drive though. It's wallowy and it's a slush box so I can't row my own gears. I've only had it for around 2 months though, and I really want to go to AutoX with it! I guess I was just expecting more. Before buying it I had never even been in a RWD passenger car, let alone driven one, so I expected it to be more fun to drive. Although it was kind of an appliance, driving my dads Mazda 6 sportwagon really put a smile on my face. I do love my Volvo, and given enough time I'll love driving it more too!

mx5nutP729 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 10/10/2014 at 11:44

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While I have never really been a Volvo guy myself, I do remember riding in a 960 that was owned by a family friend and thinking the same as you about the build quality. Give it some time, and I am sure you will warm up to it a bit more!

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 11:52

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Yeah it's incredible! My dad just bought a brand new Ford Edge limited and it feels like a cheap toy compared to my Volvo. No creaks, and high quality materials everywhere! And don't get me started on the seats... I was reallllly considering a Miata though! I've always been a Volvo guy and when my car came up from a family friend I couldn't pass it up!

Roadster Man > mx5nutP729 10/10/2014 at 16:20

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Very cool little article. I am never getting rid of my Miata. Mine is my therapist, too! It's small enough to store easily and I've beat it up enough to keep anyone else from wanting to buy it. Some day it might become a track-only car, but it'll never leave me.

DeLM > mx5nutP729 10/11/2014 at 11:28

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I was going to freshen up the car over the winter, i don't really like the black rims. I was thinking bronze but the calipers are red. think it would look funny, or ok because the interior is red? just curious.

mx5nutP729 > Roadster Man 10/12/2014 at 09:29

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Forgot to get back to you, sorry! I really like your car! Is that satin finish paint or a wrap? It almost loos like the OEM Laguna Blue color. I also like the dished look of your wheels. Even though my car is bone stock right now except for Racing Beat sways, I love the modified cars and I feel like the bug is about to bite me!

mx5nutP729 > DeLM 10/12/2014 at 09:33

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Actually, I think bronze wheels on your car would look really nice. Are you thining about Heliums again, or something different like 6ULs? There is a guy on Miata.net with a black car and bronze Heliums and it looks great. If I come across any of them, I'll try to remember to post a link here for you to check out.

DeLM > mx5nutP729 10/12/2014 at 09:47

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The former owner painted these, so I was going to strip them down and repaint them when I do the rest of the car. I really like the way the dark bronze look. big winter ahead..

Roadster Man > mx5nutP729 10/12/2014 at 13:37

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Come to the dark side! Swaybars are actually the next thing I'm going to install on my Miata.

Thank you for the compliments! The wheels are super dirty, but they're Rota Grid Concave 15x9 et15. I'm surprised you've owned it for so long without doing more modifications. The day I bought my car I started making my list... I'm still only getting started, but so far mine has Flyin' Miata springs and KYB shocks, a Hard Dog roll bar, Autokonexion flares, and an EnthuzaCar exhaust which 2.5" so I'll use it when I turbo the car as well. I threw on an ebay replica R-lip too. For the inside I have a Dankei hub so I can use a 6-bolt steering wheel (momo, etc..) too.

The color is actually plasti-dip, it's one of the pearl colors dipyourcar.com offers called "Nebula Blue Pearl." This is the third time I've dipped my car and this color turned out the best by far.

McMike > mx5nutP729 10/22/2014 at 10:29

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I missed this one too!

Someone just replied to my request for your authorship, and reminded me that you wanted to post something, so I clicked on your posts to see it I had missed anything... And I did :(

I need to pay more attention.

mx5nutP729 > McMike 10/23/2014 at 08:18

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No biggie! Heads up though, I'll probably post a little something in the next few minutes. ;)