Hemi's new car...

[Onslaught]

Actually, I'd say that the NA Miata is far from the ideal road trip car; it's cramped and buzzy. If someone wanted a sporty convertible to use for a road trip, I'd suggest a Mustang 100 times before I'd suggest an old Miata.

Replace "buzzy" with rattles

[FoMoJo]

Actually, I'd say that the NA Miata is far from the ideal road trip car; it's cramped and buzzy. If someone wanted a sporty convertible to use for a road trip, I'd suggest a Mustang 100 times before I'd suggest an old Miata.

I've never driven a Miata but I have driven sports cars of a similar size on long trips.  While it may be a bit tight for a larger person, the lack of top and, I assume, sporty handling make for a fun journey; providing you stay off of the expressways.

[Onslaught]

I've never driven a Miata but I have driven sports cars of a similar size on long trips.  While it may be a bit tight for a larger person, the lack of top and, I assume, sporty handling make for a fun journey; providing you stay off of the expressways.

Unless you have longs legs a stock MX-5 is find for long trips. If you're tall and have changed things on it then that's a little different.

[SVT666]

How about a transmission swap for that money?

My wife can't drive stick.

[SVT666]

And please don't judge an MX-5 by driving an auto. I'm not trying to bash your car but an auto NA is soooo much different than one with a 5 speed in it. I'm talking night and day here.

Is it bad, or just different?

[SVT666]

Unless you have longs legs a stock MX-5 is find for long trips. If you're tall and have changed things on it then that's a little different.

Changed things?  As in a 5.0L V8, or other changes?

[Onslaught]

Changed things?  As in a 5.0L V8, or other changes?

Springs and stuff like that. I fear the Racing Beat ones I got are a little too hard.

[Onslaught]

Is it bad, or just different?

An MX-5 isn't fast stock. And auto is down right slow. And the MX has one of the best 5 speeds around I think. So not having that just kills 35% of the fun for me.
Now if a woman is driving then it probably wouldn't matter.

[Payman]

Good for you, Hemi!   
I don't agree with putting a 5.0 in it... perhaps a turbo kit and a 5 speed swap, because a big part of the Miata appeal is the 2300 lb tossability of the car. Some Shelby stripes on the blue paint would look cool though.

[Onslaught]

Good for you, Hemi!   
I don't agree with putting a 5.0 in it... perhaps a turbo kit and a 5 speed swap, because a big part of the Miata appeal is the 2300 lb tossability of the car. Some Shelby stripes on the blue paint would look cool though.

I'd put money down that a turbo on a MX-5 would be faster than a stock 5.0 Monster Miata. And would cost way less and be less work in the end.

[Payman]

My wife can't drive stick.

If she's like my wife, change "can't" with "won't bother 'cause it's too hard and silly to have to change gears by yourself".

[Cookie Monster]

My wife can't drive stick.

Teach her.

[Laconian]

If your wife gloms onto this car, maybe she'll force you to get your own for the V8 swap.

[Payman]

I'd put money down that a turbo on a MX-5 would be faster than a stock 5.0 Monster Miata. And would cost way less and be less work in the end.

Yeah, a 2300 lb 200 hp turbo 1.6 > 2800 lb 225 hp 5.0.  And you'd go from a 50:50 weight dist to a 65:35 or something like that. It'd be an understeering nightmare.

[Vinsanity]

I've never driven a Miata but I have driven sports cars of a similar size on long trips.  While it may be a bit tight for a larger person, the lack of top and, I assume, sporty handling make for a fun journey; providing you stay off of the expressways.

Staying off the freeways is key. An old Miata would be a blast to drive up PCH from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and a new one would be fun all the way up the CA coastline.

I personally find it to be more tedious on the freeway and in traffic than, say, a Caddy. But nothing beats a little old Miata when running errands around town. It literally puts joy in city driving you didn't know could be had.

[Vinsanity]

Teach her.

lol, I remember using my old NA Miata to try to teach my sister to drive stick (I was going to sell it to her when she got her license), but although she eventually got the basics down pretty well, she decided it was too much of a hassle to deal with every day, and bought an auto EG Civic instead.

[Rupert]

Good job, Hemi!

Now to give it more power to go with the auto trans...

[Eye of the Tiger]

I think I want a convertible.

Wait..... wut? Subaru makes a convertible?

[the Teuton]

Wait..... wut? Subaru makes a convertible?

[the Teuton]

Lo and behold, occasional poster CWW was the first picture to come up on the Google search...

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Lo and behold, occasional poster CWW was the first picture to come up on the Google search...

That looks nice.

[Vinsanity]

I want to put on a pair of old racing goggles, a leather helmet and driving gloves, and take that thing on a dirt rally stage

[the Teuton]

I want to put on a pair of old racing goggles, a leather helmet and driving gloves, and take that thing on a dirt rally stage

I want to know who did it and how they did it.  It probably flexes like Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1978.

[Vinsanity]

I want to know who did it and how they did it.  It probably flexes like Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1978.

I wonder how it would survive a rally jump...

[the Teuton]

I wonder how it would survive a rally jump...

You're thinking about this much better than I am right now.  All I know is I want it.

[SVT666]

Yeah, a 2300 lb 200 hp turbo 1.6 > 2800 lb 225 hp 5.0.  And you'd go from a 50:50 weight dist to a 65:35 or something like that. It'd be an understeering nightmare.

You honestly think a 5.0L would add 500 lbs to the weight of a Miata?  With the transmission and rearend, you might add 300 lbs, but only 150 lbs would be on the front wheels alone.  A 5.0L can easily be taken to 345 hp with just a head and intake swap, so I wouldn't be too concerned about how fast it would be.

[SVT666]

My wife has agreed to a Turbo install.  Fuck Yeah!!!

[S204STi]

lul, turbo NA automatic Miata...  That'll surprise the kids at the strip.  Are you going to man up and get the FM Hydra kit?

[Rupert]

Get a shift kit for that transmission.

[Rupert]

Also, I'm trying to figure out how Flyin' Miata has been around for 25 years, when the Miata has only existed for 20. 0_o