Driven Today!!!

[TBR]

Well, it has 4 seats.   I never used to be a fan of convertibles, and I still am not, but roadsters really do it for me now.  I wouldn't want to buy a 911 convertible over a coupe for instance.

I have to give the Rx-8 a test drive.

Me too. 2-3 years and I'll hopefully own one.

[Raghavan]

What's the difference between a convertible and a roadster?

[JYODER240]

What's the difference between a convertible and a roadster?

Depends on who you ask.

[BMWDave]

Depends on who you ask.

For me, a roadster is a car with no storage area behind the seats.  So a S2000, Miata, Boxster are all roadsters.  A 3 series, Porsche 911 cabrio and others are convertibles.

[BMWDave]

Me too. 2-3 years and I'll hopefully own one.

How will you get past your cheapness?

The RX-8 is a great car for you, it's all practical!

[Onslaught]

What's the difference between a convertible and a roadster?

Josh is drunk right now so i don't know if I can explain very well what I think my mind is saying.
But I think of a roadster as simplistic convertibles with manual tops and not many extra stuff like
ABS, traction control and electronic crap out the ass. I know the actual definition is different but I don't
give a crap right now. Want to fight about it? To me a MGB or NA or Elan are roadsters.

But a convertible is more a larger and "fancier" car with radio controls on the steering wheel.
Heated seats for your cold ass and electronic stuff to make you look like a better diver than
you really are.

But I've had too many drinks tonight and you should ignore anything I say. I won't agree with myself tomorrow.

[BMWDave]

Josh is drunk right now so i don't know if I can explain very well what I think my mind is saying.
But I think of a roadster as simplistic convertibles with manual tops and not many extra stuff like
ABS, traction control and electronic crap out the ass. I know the actual definition is different but I don't
give a crap right now. Want to fight about it? To me a MGB or NA or Elan are roadsters.

But a convertible is more a larger and "fancier" car with radio controls on the steering wheel.
Heated seats for your cold ass and electronic stuff to make you look like a better diver than
you really are.

But I've had too many drinks tonight and you should ignore anything I say. I won't agree with myself tomorrow.

[TBR]

How will you get past your cheapness?

The RX-8 is a great car for you, it's all practical!

Well, I am going to sell the Prelude in about a year, right before I go to college. The next summer I am planning on working up in the Boundary Waters area at a scout camp there so I won't need a car (and will be able to put pretty much all the pay into the bank, with no expenses). But, the next summer I'll have a more traditional job (ideally an internship) so I'll need a car. Therefore, I'll have to buy something and by that time RX-8s should be able to be found for pretty reasonable prices.

[Soup DeVille]

What's the difference between a convertible and a roadster?

Convertibles have roll-up side windows that work like hardtop cars do. Roadster have either no side windows or plastic zip-ins.

The first generation Vipers were roadsters,the current ones are convertibles.

[Onslaught]

Convertibles have roll-up side windows that work like hardtop cars do. Roadster have either no side windows or plastic zip-ins.

The first generation Vipers were roadsters,the current ones are convertibles.

So Mazda should get a slap down for calling the MX-5 a Roadster. I'm getting a plane ticket right now to start the slapping.

[the Teuton]

90% of Pennsylvania can get flushed down a toilet without me caring.

But I hear Allegheny County is a nice place to be...

[Raza]

Convertibles have roll-up side windows that work like hardtop cars do. Roadster have either no side windows or plastic zip-ins.

The first generation Vipers were roadsters,the current ones are convertibles.

That's the proper, "traditional" definition. 


However, in modern usage, when someone says roadster, they mean a two seat convertible. 

[Rupert]

Convertibles have roll-up side windows that work like hardtop cars do. Roadster have either no side windows or plastic zip-ins.

The first generation Vipers were roadsters,the current ones are convertibles.

Are you sure you're not getting roadsters and sports cars mixed up?

[Onslaught]

Are you sure you're not getting roadsters and sports cars mixed up?

I'm sure ChrisV will come in and enlighten all of us.
And then tell us how he has had 50 of them.  And then
he walked to got to school up hills of broken glass with
no shoes on and it was snowinl. And a T-Rex chased him.

[Laconian]

HAHahahahaha..

[Raza]

Are you sure you're not getting roadsters and sports cars mixed up?

No, he's right.  First gen Viper was a roadster, the current is a sports car.  Two seats, two doors, three pedals, rear  wheel drive, open top.

[Champ]

WOW just got back from my day at Brainerd International Raceway, home of North America's fastest track (or something like that).

What a blast!  All sorts of cool cars there, 2 vipers, m5, bunch of F-bodies, TWO z06's, GTO, Nismo tuned Altima SE-R, mini, TWO Evo MR's, Carrera 4S, some miniature indy cars and 2 Saabs!

Here is a clip of my friend who went with me (from his car POV) with a 2003 9-3 sport sedan.  In this clip he has some little fast forward pointlessness of the drive there but he gets a good lap we had where him and I got stuck behind a EVO - which was trying to lose us but couldn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmq5hndU86o

I highly suggest you guys take your cars out to an open track day with instructors, it's a total blast!

[BMWDave]

WOW just got back from my day at Brainerd International Raceway, home of North America's fastest track (or something like that).

What a blast!  All sorts of cool cars there, 2 vipers, m5, bunch of F-bodies, TWO z06's, GTO, Nismo tuned Altima SE-R, mini, TWO Evo MR's, Carrera 4S, some miniature indy cars and 2 Saabs!

Here is a clip of my friend who went with me (from his car POV) with a 2003 9-3 sport sedan.  In this clip he has some little fast forward pointlessness of the drive there but he gets a good lap we had where him and I got stuck behind a EVO - which was trying to lose us but couldn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmq5hndU86o

I highly suggest you guys take your cars out to an open track day with instructors, it's a total blast!

I'm going to head up to one in Lime Rock or Pocono Raceway one of these days.  Theres an event the day I get my car, but I won't get it in time for it.  It's 240 dollars a day for five 20 minutes sessions on the track.  Not a bad price, all told. 

[Champ]

I'm going to head up to one in Lime Rock or Pocono Raceway one of these days.  Theres an event the day I get my car, but I won't get it in time for it.  It's 240 dollars a day for five 20 minutes sessions on the track.  Not a bad price, all told. 

Nope!  It was $235 for our day today, which was about the same deal although they didn't keep track of your time on the track.  However almost 2 hours of track time is more than enough to get you physically tired and your car sufficiently beat on.

[BMWDave]

Nope!  It was $235 for our day today, which was about the same deal although they didn't keep track of your time on the track.  However almost 2 hours of track time is more than enough to get you physically tired and your car sufficiently beat on.

Do they supply helmets/necessary equipment, or must I buy that myself before I go on track? 

[Rupert]

Hella.

But lose that silly music during the track part of the video!

[Soup DeVille]

Do they supply helmets/necessary equipment, or must I buy that myself before I go on track? 

Most track day events will rent you the helmets, but they only have a limited number.

I don't think they'll be requiring anything more than that.

[BMWDave]

Most track day events will rent you the helmets, but they only have a limited number.

I don't think they'll be requiring anything more than that.

Good to know.  I plan on buying a helmet, since I plan on using the car for a an occassional track day/autocross. 

Champ, when you take your car to a track session like that, do you swap in race pads and different fluids? 

[Soup DeVille]

Good to know.  I plan on buying a helmet, since I plan on using the car for a an occassional track day/autocross. 

Champ, when you take your car to a track session like that, do you swap in race pads and different fluids? 

I know you were asking Champ, but I have a problem with rudeness and breaking in on others' conversations. Oh well.

Anyways, I used Motul DOT 5.1 fluids at all times in the S2000 (it's the best DOT approved fluid I could find), and swapped between EBC greenstuf pads for street driving and redstuff pads for track days.

On the Civic, which I've never taken to the track BTW, I use Motul DOT 4 and Ferodo DS2500 pads. I actually think this setup is better than what I ran on the S2000, and wouldn't bother changing to hotter pads for track use.

[BMWDave]

I know you were asking Champ, but I have a problem with rudeness and breaking in on others' conversations. Oh well.

Anyways, I used Motul DOT 5.1 fluids at all times in the S2000 (it's the best DOT approved fluid I could find), and swapped between EBC greenstuf pads for street driving and redstuff pads for track days.

On the Civic, which I've never taken to the track BTW, I use Motul DOT 4 and Ferodo DS2500 pads. I actually think this setup is better than what I ran on the S2000, and wouldn't bother changing to hotter pads for track use.

Cool!  I'll look into that. 

[Champ]

I keep DOT 5.1 in my car all the time so that's about the best you can do.  I like to try and bleed out just the area by the caliper to get some fresh fluid down there.

I haven't been swapping pads, but next year I will most likely get a second set of pads and rotors just to use for the track.  This will go along with a set of slicks I plan to buy! 

They usually have helmets, but it is always good to ask.  I suggest getting your own since you can buy a nice new open faced (also called 3/4) helmet for $60-90 and believe me that will be the cheapest part about tracking :D

[BMWDave]

I keep DOT 5.1 in my car all the time so that's about the best you can do.  I like to try and bleed out just the area by the caliper to get some fresh fluid down there.

I haven't been swapping pads, but next year I will most likely get a second set of pads and rotors just to use for the track.  This will go along with a set of slicks I plan to buy! 

They usually have helmets, but it is always good to ask.  I suggest getting your own since you can buy a nice new open faced (also called 3/4) helmet for $60-90 and believe me that will be the cheapest part about tracking :D

Haha, I know, tracking can get expensive!  But I definitely want to get into the game.

[Champ]

Here is some good info on brake fluids:

Some of these are DOT 5, which DOES NOT work with our (normal cars) brakes, but 3/4/5.1 are all good. DRY is usually a good measure for people who bleed their brakes often (racing), since there is always fresh fluid. WET is generally a street usage, as water builds over time the boiling point lowers.

DRY: 401F -- WET: 284F --- DOT3
DRY: 446F -- WET: 311F --- DOT4
DRY: 502F -- WET: 343F --- VALVOLINE SYNPOWER
DRY: 509F -- WET: 365F --- MOTUL 5.1
DRY: 527F -- WET: 302F --- AP RACING 551
DRY: 536F -- WET: 392F --- ATE SUPERBLUE/TYP200
DRY: 550F -- WET: 290F --- FORD HD
DRY: 590F -- WET: 410F --- AP RACING 600
DRY: 590F -- WET: 518F --- CASTROL SRF
DRY: 593F -- WET: 420F --- MOTUL RBF600
DRY: 610F -- WET: 421F --- NEO-SYNTHETIC SUPER DOT 610

link to good info on differences: http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml


To reitterate, DO NOT USE DOT 5.  You CAN use DOT 5.1 with DOT 3 and 4.

[BMWDave]

Here is some good info on brake fluids:

Some of these are DOT 5, which DOES NOT work with our (normal cars) brakes, but 3/4/5.1 are all good. DRY is usually a good measure for people who bleed their brakes often (racing), since there is always fresh fluid. WET is generally a street usage, as water builds over time the boiling point lowers.

DRY: 401F -- WET: 284F --- DOT3
DRY: 446F -- WET: 311F --- DOT4
DRY: 502F -- WET: 343F --- VALVOLINE SYNPOWER
DRY: 509F -- WET: 365F --- MOTUL 5.1
DRY: 527F -- WET: 302F --- AP RACING 551
DRY: 536F -- WET: 392F --- ATE SUPERBLUE/TYP200
DRY: 550F -- WET: 290F --- FORD HD
DRY: 590F -- WET: 410F --- AP RACING 600
DRY: 590F -- WET: 518F --- CASTROL SRF
DRY: 593F -- WET: 420F --- MOTUL RBF600
DRY: 610F -- WET: 421F --- NEO-SYNTHETIC SUPER DOT 610

link to good info on differences: http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml


To reitterate, DO NOT USE DOT 5.  You CAN use DOT 5.1 with DOT 3 and 4.

Thanks for the info!  I'm really looking forward to tracking this car a bit.

[Champ]

Haha, I know, tracking can get expensive!  But I definitely want to get into the game.

It's definitely worth it!  There is no where else you can get this kind of excitement, short of the bedroom.

The most expensive part is buying track time and then gas to get to a track and back.  Unless you blow your engine or something   Brakes and tires are the next big thing, but aren't too bad.  I was talking with people who run slicks and they generally get 10 track events out of a set - which could be up to 4 years for some people.  My pads and rotors are still in great condition even after 2 track days.

I forgot to add, I rode with a guy who has a track prepped EVO MR.  Holy shit.  It's fast   Slicks make so much difference!!  I can't stress the importance of a good set of tires.  With the right tires pretty much any car is fast.  He had 6-point seat belts which are also super nice!