Am I The Fattest Guy to Drive a Miata?

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 08/08/2017 at 18:28 • Filed to: miata is always the answer

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No, I don’t think I am, but I’m certainly close. Anyway, I just drove this ‘93 and I guess I found religion because oh my god it was awesome.

Pros: It’s a ‘93 Miata with a hard top for under $2k. It’s got some tasteful modifications, like a Borla exhaust and a strut bar. I also strongly suspect it has an aftermarket shifter, because that thing is on point. No rust, no rot. Pop up headlights work.

Cons: It has 190k, but the thing is tight as a drum. Needs tires and brakes, but that’s fun. I need to do some light modification to the interior so I fit better...namely I have to remove the arm rest from the driver’s door so I’ve got knee space and maybe a smaller diameter steering wheel, but not necessary.

Anyway, if my Land Cruiser transaction goes down correctly I’ll likely pick it up Saturday. Now to find a daily driver. Suggestions welcome.

Future next gen S2000 owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 18:40

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Drive a S2000 and you will become enlightened.

lone_liberal > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 18:41

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I’m a tall-ish fat guy and while I’ll never really be comfortable in a Miata they are worlds better at accommodating me than an S2000.

Honeybunchesofgoats > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 18:42

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I’ll be honest: I wanted to hate Miatas just because, but damn if haven’t always found them to be some of the most enjoyable driving experiences I’ve ever had.

I’ve only ever borrowed them, but I’m pretty confident I could have one as a daily commuter. But I’m 5'8" and 155 pounds, so your mileage may vary.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 18:43

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I cannot fit in a Miata, I’m 6'4" and weigh 190. Otherwise I’d have one in my garage at this moment. 36" inseam does not help.

CaptDale - is secretly British > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 18:45

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Hhhnnnggggg, awesome!

Scary__goongala! > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 18:57

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Thats a great deal. A hardtop in good shape alone is worth at least $500. Clean NAs are getting hard to find. I’m glad I bought mine when I did.

nermal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/08/2017 at 18:58

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Same.

Pros: It’s a convertible! Unlimited headroom!

Cons: You’ll quickly become decapitated in a horrific crash because the giant bar at the top of the windshield is directly in your line of vision.

You’re gonna have to settle for a bro truck instead.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > lone_liberal 08/08/2017 at 19:00

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I’m average height but I’m fat as shit, 5'10" and a little over 300lbs. I think I can do a little work on it, but mostly it’s going to be motivation to work on myself, haha.

Chuckles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 19:06

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I’m 5'7" and a little over 300, and I have a black 94 Miata. It works. BTW around here that hard top alone would sell for like 800 bucks.

Aremmes > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 19:09

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Welcome to the Miata Drivers Who’d Fit Better In A Truck club. I daily a 2000 SE and make full use of the horizontal space of the driver’s seat. I have not found a need to make any changes to the interior to fit me better, though, and have grown used to the tight space. 

benjrblant > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 19:15

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This is an acceptable replacement for an 80! Trying to talk the other half into this or an old MR2, if not a Toyota beater truck.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 19:19

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Yes. Get it. I vaguely fit in a miata. But only just.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 19:31

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I would look ridiculous in a Miata.

someassemblyrequired > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 19:32

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Welcome to the NA club. I bought mine as a salvage titled beater in 2005 because it was cheap, my DD was only semi-reliable and I didn’t have much to spend. I still have it 12 years later, and I’ve taken it to 24 states. They are great cars.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > benjrblant 08/08/2017 at 19:53

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When I was keeping the 80 I was looking at AW11s, I’m told they’re roomier than Miatas but this thing just spoke directly to my soul. Somehow it stood up to the hype.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Chuckles 08/08/2017 at 19:56

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Dang. That’s right about half what I’m paying for the car, haha.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > someassemblyrequired 08/08/2017 at 20:09

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I’m legitimately impressed. It’s lived up to the hype.

someassemblyrequired > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 20:11

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Only bad part is buying a new fun car means getting rid of the Miata.... Or building more garage space.

benjrblant > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 20:17

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Confession: I used to make fun of Miatas until I drove one. Holy shit it’s so fun.

JGrabowMSt > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 20:24

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I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I looked at one myself this weekend. T minus two weeks for short project turning into the new DD. Admittedly, this one will make everyone drool, so I’ll hold off on the details until I get it into the driveway.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JGrabowMSt 08/08/2017 at 20:25

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I’m already looking forward to hearing about it.

JGrabowMSt > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 20:28

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I’m certainly jealous you’re looking at one with the hard top, but I can always source one later (may need to if I decide to DD it over the winter).

From what I do know about them, and considering their cost, don’t think twice, but the moment you get it home, or if you can take a look sooner, look at the front crossmember under the car, they do rot away. As long as it doesn’t develop a rod knock from low/no oil, I doubt it will ever die. Don’t forget they have non-interference motors, so even if the timing belt broke, it’s nothing that will break the bank to fix.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JGrabowMSt 08/08/2017 at 21:10

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I noticed some rust on the front subframe, but I’m in New England so by our standards it isn’t bad, haha. All the floors and pinch welds are excellent, but I’ll get it up on ramps for a longer look under it when I get it here.

I was just looking at hard tops on Craigslist, everybody around here wants $1200 for them, yikes. Maybe I should just sell that to pay for the car.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > benjrblant 08/08/2017 at 21:14

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Same. I noticed the car kinda drifting to the side when I was going straight, and I learned its because I had gotten lazy. My Land Cruiser has some on-center dead zone...the Miata does not, haha. You turn, it goes where you say, and thats basically it.

JGrabowMSt > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 21:14

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Ha, I was looking on ebay, saw a few I could easily consider when it gets colder. If you don’t daily it, that’s certainly a great way to make it cost next to nothing, because there will always be a hardtop available somewhere. The one I was looking at doesn’t come with one, but it does have the glass rear window, which is a huge plus for visibility.

The paint is a little mismatched, but I’m not concerned because I have other plans for that. I just need a cheap daily to save me from myself in terms of the state of affairs with my gas budget. I will absolutely post a few videos and pictures once the title is in hand.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > someassemblyrequired 08/08/2017 at 21:14

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More garage space is always the answer.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/08/2017 at 21:15

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Thats a long inseam. I guess you can be tall if you’re more torso than legs...I’m 5'10" with a 30" inseam and I’m still kinda bowlegged in it, but thats because I’m also very fat.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Honeybunchesofgoats 08/08/2017 at 21:16

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I think I’m going to be okay doing a little light modification. Apparently its a popular change to take some foam out of the seat to make more leg/headroom. I’ve got a relatively short inseam, the fatness is my main issue. Also I’ve got wide feet, I may have to get some nice driving shoes for this thing.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/08/2017 at 21:17

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I feel like I look like a bear riding a unicycle, but I don’t even care a little.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Future next gen S2000 owner 08/08/2017 at 21:17

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I’d wager you’re right...like a Miata turned up to 13.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 08/08/2017 at 21:18

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I “fit” in that I can close the door and work all the controls. I’m going to have to change the arm rest to a cloth door pull, maybe remove some seat foam, remove a kick panel, and drive with different shoes on.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Aremmes 08/08/2017 at 21:19

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I wasn’t uncomfortable with the leg room, my main issue with it was my left knee hitting both the arm rest and the steering wheel. If I take out the arm rest I won’t hit the wheel and it’ll be a lot easier with the clutch, which is 90% of the issues I had. Even then I learned to work around it on my short drive.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CaptDale - is secretly British 08/08/2017 at 21:20

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I dig it. I’m actually impressed with how quick it feels...maybe its because I’m 6 inches off the ground but it felt like it gets out of its own way.

Honeybunchesofgoats > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 21:27

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I’m 5'8" with a 32" inseam. Trust me, it sucks to be short with long legs.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 21:29

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You think you look funny, I’ve got two inches and twenty pounds on you. If my legs even fit under the dashboard the top of my head will likely be over the windshield.

Aremmes > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 21:30

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Same here. My knees hit the door armrest, the parking brake, and, depending on the seat position, the steering wheel. It’s still more comfortable than the seats in my sister’s Focus.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 21:49

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I’d need to take some foam out of the seat or get a new seat and really low rails. So i can see the road and not the sun visors

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JGrabowMSt 08/08/2017 at 21:58

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I might not even weekly it, let alone daily...most days I drop my kid off and pick him up from daycare, so it’ll be a weekend/track thing for me. I guess that means I don’t need the top at all, really, but I’ll likely hang onto it for a little bit. That said, if I can swap it for a bunch of parts that’s probably a good thing.

The gas milage is also a plus for me, I’m so used to getting 12mpg with the Land Cruiser that 30mpg in this thing sounds like heaven.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 08/08/2017 at 21:59

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I didn’t have any issue with headroom, I think I had a few inches between my dome and the roof and the sun visors didn’t seem to be an issue. Still, a new or modified seat might help me out a little.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/08/2017 at 22:00

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You’re right, that does sound a bit ridiculous. At least you can get stuff off the top shelf though, I’ve got t-rex arms.

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/08/2017 at 23:26

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Even at 190k miles, if it’s as mechanically solid as you say, NP all day long.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious 08/09/2017 at 06:20

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I’m surprised how little I care about the mileage, but it’s going to be a third car for me so that’s probably why.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/09/2017 at 08:44

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Nice price. That hardtop alone is worth a grand.

JGrabowMSt > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/09/2017 at 10:39

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Between the SL600 and the Magnum RT with mods, I’m basically in your boat. Both cars give me about 16-18mpg average, and I can be stopping for gas anywhere from 1-3 times a week depending on what I have going on with work.

It’s time to just use a company car more. Problem is I live closer to some clients than the office, so it’s a time thing for me to drive out to the office just to get a car and drive back, then I have to drop the car off at the office again after I’m done. It’s hard to expense gas for me when I drive so much for pleasure on the weekends too. It’s not really fair for me to go to a close client to my house, and then expense the whole fill up when I may just be in the office for the rest of the week. When I do a lot of rounds just for work, then I absolutely expense it, but I have to be careful about it so it doesn’t get rejected, because our accountant really looks through all of it. I’m hoping the Miata will give me the opportunity to balance that out significantly better on a regular basis so I’m not sinking $100+ a week into the tank. From gas mileage alone, my very conservative estimate is that within 6-8 months, the gas savings alone will have paid for the Miata, along with reducing wear and tear on the two cars I really want to keep for a long time, along with providing more budget for mods and repairs on them.

CaptDale - is secretly British > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/09/2017 at 11:19

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That is how my Fiero GT was. Low, quick, and a blast. Was definitely slow car fast and I loved it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CaptDale - is secretly British 08/09/2017 at 12:26

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Slow car fast is life. I drove an ‘88 Fiero GT one time and it was hilarious. I’m standing on the gas, thing sounds like it was flying, I look down and I’m going 45 because 2.8/automatic. At 45 though it was still crazy fun.

CaptDale - is secretly British > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/09/2017 at 12:31

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I was happy I had the V6 with the 5 speed. Little thing could click along pretty good. Only wish maintenance was easier at the times because then I might still have it, but then I wouldn’t have my GTO....

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CaptDale - is secretly British 08/09/2017 at 12:59

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I’m actually a big fan of the 2.8, the automatic just dragged it down into the mud. It was a great sounding, torquey little engine that deserved better than it got. I guess you can’t feel too bad about something that results in a GTO, haha.

CaptDale - is secretly British > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 08/09/2017 at 13:05

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No I can’t and am not upset by it.