Miata is NOT always the answer, it seems.

"Beefchips" (beefchips)
10/05/2020 at 21:47 • Filed to: None

I have been test driving to see what might be a good replacement for my WRX. Yesterday I drove an NB Miata and my impressions were positive on the whole.

It responds to input in a way that lets you know you’ve done something, which is lacking in a lot of other cars I’ve driven. There’s quite a bit more body roll than I’d like but I was thinking of a Flyin Miata turbo kit anyway, so what’s a few grand more in suspension upgrades? These cars are about a dime a dozen on CL. It is glorious to drive with the top down.

With the top up it’s another story though, as my head was bumping up on the canvas! And my knees were jammed in under the steering wheel so that I had to jack my knee sideways to use the clutch. NC was the same, I didn’t even drive it cause I don’t fit. Sigh. So much for that idea.

DISCUSSION (32)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:00

That sucks

But maybe a race seat might help?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:05

I'm in the same boat. I'd look silly in a Miata even if I wasn't horrifically fat.

For Sweden > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:11

Kinja won’t let me upload an image of a C5 Corvette convertible

Beefchips > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:12

Beefchips > pip bip - choose Corrour
10/05/2020 at 22:13

Weird right, I’m only 6’0 so you’d think it wouldn’t be a big deal. The dealer I was at could not have cared less, they literally just tossed me the key and said “have fun.” I definitely could have gone round the block, swapped out the seat, and then tested it.

Beefchips > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/05/2020 at 22:14

Lol yeah it would be pretty silly to drive around in the rain with the top up, and a head-bulge showing in the canvas above the drivers seat

Beefchips > For Sweden
10/05/2020 at 22:15

Mmm I know the one... regular sized humans fit in it?

Poor_Sh > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:16

I’m 6'0" but maybe different proportions. I fit snugly in my NB where my hands might hit my legs if I keep them on the wheel during a full turn. My hair hits the top sometimes if waxed up but not in a hat. A lot of people talk about a foam-ectomy where you just remove some of the foam height in the seat and it’s all better. Just FYI

I love love love my Cayman, but my NB is a true joy all the time

For Sweden > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:16

I think so

dogisbadob > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:25

Solstice ?

Beefchips > dogisbadob
10/05/2020 at 22:31

I actually had an app ointment to go see this one before my better sense took over and I backed out . If the top is too short, get rid of the top right?? But with just that and a motorcycle I’d be wet and cold all the time .

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/d/lake-oswego-lotus-super-s2-rare/7207129716.html

Beefchips > Poor_Sh
10/05/2020 at 22:35

H ow would you capture the cayman vs NB comparison? I feel that the C ayman S I drove somehow would never telegraph what it’s doing. You can push it to 90 from a stop, or nail the apex going way faster than intended , and it’s not upset. It’s actually pretty good at keeping calm and carrying on I felt.

dogisbadob > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:46

SLK? It has a folding hardtop :p

Beefchips > dogisbadob
10/05/2020 at 22:51

I like that idea! The “ hair-dressers cars” fro m the 90s are pretty cool IMO. Actually an SL450 from the previous generation (R107) is on my list too .

Mark Tucker > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:55

Test-drive an NA before you give up on Miatas altogether. I never could get comfortabl e in an NB, but I owned an NA for many years and fit just fine. ( I’m 6 feet even, long waisted with long arms, for reference. ) I’m not sure what the difference is, but in the NB I was brushing the roof and couldn’t see the tops of the gauges no matter how I fiddled with the seat.

flatisflat > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:58

BMW Z4?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 22:59

There is a ton of room for tall people in C5's, as long as you can live with the stock seats or floor mount seats. I’m 6' with a 30" inseam, and I have several inches to spare. It’s very much a tall person friendly car.

Poor_Sh > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 23:03

Yeah that’s accurate. The Cayman S is a comfortable leather heated seat gentleman’s sportscar that cuts up the track like a scalpel. Great for road trips, road rallies, tracks with sweeping curves, esses, and chicanes. But in regular traffic, over bumpy roads, and short jaunts.... it’s just a bit stale. I wouldn’t really agree that it doesn’t telegraph what it’s doing, it just takes track G forces to wake up.

The NB on the other hand is fun just driving to the grocery store, to work, anywhere really. It's always fun to drive no matter what. I'll take a less comfortable seat and sore back for a bit for such an engaging drive. I don't have performance tires on it, I don't thrash it much for fear of its old engine and suspension, but it's always alive and takes turns with glee.

Beefchips > Poor_Sh
10/05/2020 at 23:06

Oh interesting, maybe I need to go back and push that cayman a little harder

Beefchips > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/05/2020 at 23:06

nice! add it to the test drive list :)

Beefchips > flatisflat
10/05/2020 at 23:07

I’m intrigued by them, they are pretty cars for sure . Have you driven one? How would you describe it?

Beefchips > Mark Tucker
10/05/2020 at 23:09

Hm, that’s interesting that there’s so much difference between the generations. Good to know!

flatisflat > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 23:13

I’ve driven once a looooong time ago. I had an ‘02 Camaro Z28 at the time, and memory tells me that I felt the Z4 to be much more balanced and, even though a convertible, had a much more communicative and responsive chassis than the Camaro (perhaps not saying a whole lot but still).

Something tells me that I thought the gear ratios were good and I didn’t feel too cramped at all even with its dimunitive size.

Poor_Sh > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 23:15

That might help lol

functionoverfashion > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 23:34

E46 330i

Beefchips > Poor_Sh
10/05/2020 at 23:42

D oubt the dealer will let me take it to a track :) That looks like a lot of fun though!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 23:45

Just make sure to drive a manual, the auto is awful. And if you aren’t dead set on a drop top, try a Z06.

Poor_Sh > Beefchips
10/05/2020 at 23:58

Every Porsche dealer I went to understood I wasn’t going to make a decision on a Cayman based on a5 minute drive in traffic. They know twisty roads near by and will get the smile on your face if you seem intrested lol

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Beefchips
10/06/2020 at 00:14

Is that with stock seats? I absolutely do not fit in my NB with the top up and a stock seat. My head is just in the roof and it does not wo rk at all. I live in Socal so I dont use the roof anyways which solves that problem. But when I also replaced the seat (so that I fit below the roll bar) I definitely noticed that I can sit normal in the car with the top up. It was definitely a game changer for me with the seat. And with spending good money on a nicer seat, I bet it would have way fewer downsides.

I love the dichotomy of having my Miata and STi. Its a good combo. Makes the Subaru feel so refined and comfortable and most all QUIET (strange from a subaru but yeah its a thing).

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Beefchips
10/06/2020 at 00:20

the newer z4s are QUICK. I rented a hardtop vert z4 with an automatic. I was surprised that I didnt hate the autobox. It didnt really feel like a Miata but it was a nice little convertible that looked great, sounded good, and was a good tourer.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Beefchips
10/06/2020 at 05:54

When Miata isn’t the answer, 3rd gen MR2 is. They’re roomier inside , especially head room wise.

My bird IS the word > Beefchips
10/06/2020 at 06:35

Yeah, when I sat in my first miata and the winshield frame was eye level I realized they were not for me. I'm not even that tall.