Talk me down guys

"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
09/14/2014 at 23:10 • Filed to: None

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

I own a NA Miata and am looking for a winter car and this is what I end up looking at.

DISCUSSION (22)

Cherry_man1 > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:11

Could have a V8

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:27

Does the trunk have a built in heater for your hands?

mcseanerson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/14/2014 at 23:30

I don't believe so.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:33

I'd pass then.

The Transporter > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:37

Talk me down guys

* clicks link*

1973 MG Midget - $3200

This ought to be easy.

1973 RWA Midget completely restored over the last year.

A fast little Midget being that the head is ported and it has a racing header and oversized valves

* HARD MODE ACTIVATED *

Shit...umm...this is the best I can do:

Manuél Ferrari > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:41

I think you should buy it

mcseanerson > The Transporter
09/14/2014 at 23:45

That is probably the biggest deterrence. I'm a big dude but I figure I've already squeezed into CRXs and Miatas, how hard can it be?

redblockpowered > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:45

Step 1: Acquire Midget

Step 2: Hook Midget engine to Mini transmission and put in trunk of Miata.

Step 3: Turn Miata engine 90 degrees and attach to Protégé transmission to drive front wheels.

Reliable AWD commuter car. Please document this process.

The Transporter > mcseanerson
09/14/2014 at 23:51

Let me put it to you this way: I test drove an Midget once and after a quick trip around the block I was yearning for the spacious cabin of the Miata.

mcseanerson > The Transporter
09/14/2014 at 23:59

I know what you mean. I was daily driving my CRX and saw the local Honda dealer had a Fiat 500 on the used lot so I figured I'd check it out. Drove my CRX up right next to it and listened to some other people who just got out of it talk about how cramped it is and I got inside and said to myself "Man this is roomy!"

TheStraightSixKid > mcseanerson
09/15/2014 at 00:00

Dose it even have a heater?

Textured Soy Protein > mcseanerson
09/15/2014 at 00:02

Just get an old Jeep and call it a day.

mcseanerson > Textured Soy Protein
09/15/2014 at 00:07

I already have an old Jeep but it's the wife's car. For winter highway driving I'm not fond of it actually. Slippery roads + poor aerodynamics + strong winter winds = sketchy highway driving in a Jeep.

mcseanerson > Cherry_man1
09/15/2014 at 00:24

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/327-corvette-p…

desertdog5051 > mcseanerson
09/15/2014 at 02:33

Get the fuck outta here. You would drive that MG in the winter? Why? RWD is obviously not a concern for you. I know it does not snow a lot in Columbus. Drive the fricking Maita POS, yeah, that is how it should be spelled. There are a jillion of those out there. Leave the good cars for the people who appreciate them. Rant over.

mcseanerson > desertdog5051
09/15/2014 at 09:03

I wasn't saying to purchase as a winter car. Just another car to own.

Textured Soy Protein > mcseanerson
09/15/2014 at 12:39

Interesting. Shortly after picking up my WJ Grand Cherokee last winter, I went on a trip to Chicago and got caught in a snowstorm the whole drive back home to Madison (~150 miles all interstate). It took a couple hours longer than usual to make the trip but the Jeep was very confidence inspiring.

mcseanerson > Textured Soy Protein
09/15/2014 at 12:44

Mine's a WJ as well and I did not like it. Maybe I'm spoiled by the lower center of gravity of a Volvo 740 wagon.

desertdog5051 > mcseanerson
09/15/2014 at 12:51

Gotcha. Sorry for rant.

mcseanerson > desertdog5051
09/15/2014 at 12:51

I get it. Kinda like when I see a stanced Miata.

Textured Soy Protein > mcseanerson
09/15/2014 at 15:11

Before I got the WJ, I had a Mazdaspeed 6 with assorted suspension & brake upgrades, and Blizzaks in the winter. The WJ isn't nearly as easy to drive fast in snow—it's a much more deliberate driving style which took some getting used to.

The main advantage the WJ has is a real transfer case compared to the MS6's computerized send-power-as-needed variety. In deep snow the WJ is much better at getting all 4 wheels churning together.

So if you want something more car-like, make sure it has a real center limited-slip diff or transfer case. For example, this Audi S4 can just plow through a giant pile of snow because it's got a Torsen center diff that keeps all four wheels churning.

I'd avoid anything that uses open differentials and/or relies on ABS/traction control to move the torque around. Cheap things that come to mind are:

Audis that are '88 or newer and not the A3 or TT
BMW E30 325iX (or any newer awd BMW if you want to pay more)
Honda Civic Wagon RT4WD
Mercedes W124 E-class 4Matic
Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX/Eagle Talon TSi
Subarus - pretty much any of them although some of the older base models with 4-speed autos h ave a more fwd-biased system
Toyota Corolla/Celica/Camry All-Trac
VWPassat 4Motion (but not the older Passat Syncro)

mcseanerson > Textured Soy Protein
09/15/2014 at 15:16

Honestly we don't really get these unstoppable winters that everyone further north does. We mostly get light snow that's only really dicey on the highway.