I bought a Miata because...

"Scary__goongala!" (corymagee) 02/13/2015 at 16:26 • Filed to: None

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Now before you roll your eyes and continue to scroll down the page, just listen, LISTEN. This isn't a Miata gang or die post. The NA Miata was actually last on my list of potential cars to buy. In order that list was BMW 325is, SW20 MR2, Nissan Z31 Z, NA Miata.

I wanted a relatively simple, lightweight, RWD, manual, coupe, with available LSD. The E30 was my dream first car since before I had my license. But after searching for a fair amount of time I came to a conclusion I was afraid I'd arrive at. There were no well priced 325is cars left. Every owner asks for more than what they are worth because they know someone will pay their price. I was not going to settle for an I or ES car because it would be lacking options I required. And I didn't want to bother with upgrading one just to make it to the same spec as IS cars.

Next is the MR2. I loved the idea of having a car with the very uncommon mid-ship layout. Besides I could only afford the non-turbo models, I wanted one of the naturally aspirated cars. I honestly didn't want a car that was fast in a straight line. I like driving to close to the limit when applicable, so having a car with more umph then I am ready to handle yet was not something I wanted. Ultimately I didn't but one because having leaking TTops while away at school would be a problem(but I do like TTops). Additionally the mid-ship layout made me worry for the times I would have to bring the car to a mechanic and I was still just beginning to learn how to work on cars by myself.

What I liked most about the Z31 cars was that nobody else had one. It was something different but still capable. Again I could have had TTops to enjoy/worry about. It was probably the most practical since I'm sure it had the most cargo space(which isn't saying much with list I understand). What turned me away was the difficulty finding a car in good shape optioned with the rear LSD. They have turbo or non turbo V6 motors. I didn't trust a higher mileage 80's turbo V6. And the V6 engine is my least favorite of engine configurations.

So at the end of my list is the car I would buy and be more happy with it than I ever thought I would be. I might have overpaid just a tad for my car, but it came with all the options/characteristics I required plus a set of winter tires. I really had no interest in convertibles but it has completely changed my mind. Yes the car is slow in a straight line, but that is what I wanted. Its not the most manly of cars but I couldn't care less, other people can concern themselves with that. It does require smart packing when I travel to and from school with stuff. I wish it was less common of a car but oh well. In the end I bought the car because it satisfied my needs and not because of the internet love it garners.

Brian Silvestro > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 16:30

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I thought the 280zx had a straight six

roflcopter > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 16:32

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Not to be that guy... but the 280 had an *inline* six, not a V6. And inline sixes are the shit.

MIATAAAA > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 16:35

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When I was young, this was my dad's car. LOVE IT.

MIATAAAA > Brian Silvestro 02/13/2015 at 16:36

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Yeah. I think they were all I6s.

Scary__goongala! > roflcopter 02/13/2015 at 16:41

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Fixing it now, been awhile so I couldn't remember the right Z car. Meant to say the Z31 cars

mcseanerson > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 16:42

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You sound exactly like I did when I bought my Miata. I desperately wanted an E30 318is and could not find any E30 I really wanted in my price range. I found plenty of Miatas though including a really nice one for $2k that had been someone's daily/track car for 4 straight years so I knew the maintenance had to be good.

I had zero interest in a convertible and in some ways still do but the one thing that completely changed my mind was the first time I turned to check my blind spot.

Also after I started autocrossing I really realized how much faster Miatas were than anything anywhere near there price range much less cars that cost many times more than a used Miata. And tire prices. Everything is so good about Miatas.

I will be buying a toy car next year hopefully and my wife really doesn't want me to get another Miata but I'm struggling to think of something that will be anywhere near as good at anywhere near that price.

Scary__goongala! > Brian Silvestro 02/13/2015 at 16:44

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fixed my mistake. Meant Z31

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 16:51

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Welcome to the NA club. I had a similar list I was poring over 4 years ago, except I can't stand Z31s. I also never knew how much value-add there was in a convertible until I had one. Did you get a removable hardtop, by any chance? It's way better than the soft top in weather and it's a simple way to add chassis rigidity.

Scary__goongala! > mcseanerson 02/13/2015 at 16:51

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The extra road vision is something I noticed immediately. Driving my parent's Civic at school right now makes me feel like I can't see anything. Driving with the top down on a perfect summer night is glorious. Everything is cheap for them when you do need parts and working on one is a piece of cake. I changed a timing belt for the first time on mine all by myself.

mcseanerson > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 16:54

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I was driving mine home on rt50 from purchasing it and right before I got to Athens there were no trees, or lights, or clouds and I had the top down and it was beautiful. I never realized how many stars there were while driving.

Scary__goongala! > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 02/13/2015 at 16:56

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No I haven't bought one. My car doesn't need to be driven all year so it didn't seem like something I would need. Plus hardtops with my car's color are noticeably more costly than other colors. I plan on adding a few less expensive things to increase the rigidity before this summer's AutoX season.

Scary__goongala! > mcseanerson 02/13/2015 at 16:58

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I had to drive mine conservatively with the top up after purchase because I had 3 tires in the cabin with me haha.

dogisbadob > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 17:03

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nice bumper

Trunk Impaired 318 > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 17:13

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Going along with the whole not being that guy thing, the MR2 is an SW20 :)

Scary__goongala! > Trunk Impaired 318 02/13/2015 at 17:14

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I can't get anything right, I didn't just want to call it a 2nd Gen

Trunk Impaired 318 > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 17:17

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Haha I knew where you were going with it and so does everyone else! Part of being on here for me is to learn stuff I never would have known!

Scary__goongala! > Trunk Impaired 318 02/13/2015 at 17:19

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Cheers to that:)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 17:22

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You bought one because you are a motherfucking boss.

Scary__goongala! > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 02/13/2015 at 17:30

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Local Miata Bro > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 17:35

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1994 M Edition FTW

Scary__goongala! > Local Miata Bro 02/13/2015 at 17:43

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Sweeeeeeeet. I love having the M edition with all the extra little things. Yours doesn't have the wing like mine. I always go back and forth with myself weather or not I like it :/

Local Miata Bro > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 17:54

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I personally think it needs a ducktail lip spoiler but that's just me.

Scary__goongala! > Local Miata Bro 02/13/2015 at 17:57

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I do prefer the ducktail. Do you need a whole different trunk lid for those or do they bolt on? I have though about removing my wing, but not what I'd do afterwards haha

Local Miata Bro > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 18:15

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They make both but I would probably buy a carbon fiber trunklid with an integrated spoiler like this one http://www.carbonmiata.com/index.php?rout…

Scary__goongala! > Local Miata Bro 02/13/2015 at 18:18

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carbonmiata makes me tight in the pants

Local Miata Bro > Scary__goongala! 02/13/2015 at 18:48

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I'm glad I'm broke....

Scary__goongala! > Local Miata Bro 02/13/2015 at 18:50

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seriously. Otherwise I'd be buying a shorty center console, CF headlight intakes, gauges, etc

44444444444 > roflcopter 02/14/2015 at 07:01

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One too many cylinders... Inline 5s are the shit.

DrScientist > Scary__goongala! 02/14/2015 at 11:20

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Every owner asks for more than what they are worth because they know someone will pay their price.

doesn't this mean that the cars ARE worth that asking price?

Scary__goongala! > DrScientist 02/14/2015 at 12:27

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25yr old cars with 200k miles and several small problems are not worth the money people want for them. Espically when people are trying to sell the slower, and less sporty models.

DrScientist > Scary__goongala! 02/14/2015 at 13:19

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dont mean to nit pick. but that is exactly what the definitions of "worth" and "value" are.

those cars may not be "worth" that sum to you, but they are to the owner, and as you already said, they are to some (rare) buyers. therefore, that is exactly what they are "worth."

nonetheless, i think you made a good choice with the miata.

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > Scary__goongala! 02/14/2015 at 14:08

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you dont need to defend yourself here.

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 02/14/2015 at 14:09

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Good stuff

Taylor Hedgie > Scary__goongala! 02/15/2015 at 02:29

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Eeeey, my first car was a Z31. I miss her. :C

Funktheduck > Scary__goongala! 02/15/2015 at 08:58

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I have a 1989 325is that I plan on never letting go unless something drastic in my life happens because finding one in good shape is getting hard or it's getting expensive.

Bonus is my dad bought it from the original owner. That puts me as the 3rd owner. I think it's pretty cool.

Scary__goongala! > Funktheduck 02/15/2015 at 11:08

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I never plan on getting rid of my car either. Id like to do an engine swap years down the road. Plus i dont think it will be too long before good used NAs are hard to find.

Funktheduck > Scary__goongala! 02/15/2015 at 12:49

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Yup. Such is the way of the relatively cheap rwd car