Some drunken clown plowed into my commuter 2014 Focus when it was parked.

[Payman]

Yeah, don't blacken the wheels. Put steelies on it.

Seriously, silver steelies look great on small roadsters. Gives them a '60s vibe.

[MX793]

Man, the Challenger convertible is awesome. 

I'm kind of surprised Dodge never offered a drop-top.  Then again, once all the extra chassis bracing is added to make up for the lack of a roof, it would probably weigh as much as a RAM 1500.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Man, the Challenger convertible is awesome. 

Imagine what they could do with a Prius V!

[MX793]

What about a Murano convertible?

[Eye of the Tiger]

What about a Murano convertible?

[shp4man]

The whole Miatas are gay thing is amusing to me. I've heard that at least 5 times so far from various individuals.
How can a car be gay?
My standard response is "Gay? Huh, that's not what your sister said".     

[Morris Minor]

You said you have 2hr/day horrendous commutes. Yes I know they're wonderful but Miatas, even autos, do not spring to mind as suited for sitting in stationary traffic. As a cheap commuter appliance the Prius is perfect: comfortable, great A/C, super reliable, and built for crawling from stoplight to stoplight.
Between the two extremes: somewhat fun, plus a viable rush hour proposition, I'd say the Mazda 6.

[Laconian]

With an AT and perpetually nice weather, I think a Miata would be peachy in traffic.

[FoMoJo]

The whole Miatas are gay thing is amusing to me. I've heard that at least 5 times so far from various individuals.
How can a car be gay?
My standard response is "Gay? Huh, that's not what your sister said".     

Miatas aren't gay, but beetles are.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You said you have 2hr/day horrendous commutes. Yes I know they're wonderful but Miatas, even autos, do not spring to mind as suited for sitting in stationary traffic. As a cheap commuter appliance the Prius is perfect: comfortable, great A/C, super reliable, and built for crawling from stoplight to stoplight.
Between the two extremes: somewhat fun, plus a viable rush hour proposition, I'd say the Mazda 6.

If I had to drive two hours in shit traffic (which I would only do for an extraordinary amount of money), I would definitely go with an automatic. I might even consider a Prius, even though I hate how they drive.

[Morris Minor]

If I had to drive two hours in shit traffic (which I would only do for an extraordinary amount of money), I would definitely go with an automatic. I might even consider a Prius, even though I hate how they drive.

I commuted to downtown Atlanta in one for about 9 months. It was perfect for disengaged just-get-me there stuff. The only thing I changed on it was to add some decent 3M window tint.

[shp4man]

I'm not usually a used car recon tech, but it's a fact that every used vehicle you see on a car lot or on CL is on there for a reason.
Now, if you think about a specialty vehicle like the Miata, the reasons change. The car is limited- two seats, a small trunk- it's really a toy.
This car very likely got traded for a more practical ride, or the owner got to old or lost interest, rather than some hidden engine or transmission problems.
I tried to explain that to the wife, but she's still thinking I should get a more practical car.

[FoMoJo]

I'm not usually a used car recon tech, but it's a fact that every used vehicle you see on a car lot or on CL is on there for a reason.
Now, if you think about a specialty vehicle like the Miata, the reasons change. The car is limited- two seats, a small trunk- it's really a toy.
This car very likely got traded for a more practical ride, or the owner got to old or lost interest, rather than some hidden engine or transmission problems.
I tried to explain that to the wife, but she's still thinking I should get a more practical car.

Does she have a preference, small SUV, sedan, compact, another Focus?

[shp4man]

Does she have a preference, small SUV, sedan, compact, another Focus?

She has her own car- a 17 Fusion. In her mind, another soulless appliance is best, even though it's my damn car.

[MX793]

I'd just like to add that I'm sorry about the loss of your car.  That it was destroyed by a drunken clown must certainly make the situation more traumatic.  Clowns give me the creeps.

[FoMoJo]

She has her own car- a 17 Fusion. In her mind, another soulless appliance is best, even though it's my damn car.

There must be some compromise.  Will the settlement from the Focus be more than the cost of the Miata?

[SJ_GTI]

I'd just like to add that I'm sorry about the loss of your car.  That it was destroyed by a drunken clown must certainly make the situation more traumatic.  Clowns give me the creeps.

#metoo

[Laconian]

She has her own car- a 17 Fusion. In her mind, another soulless appliance is best, even though it's my damn car.

The Miata crowd is pretty social. You could autocross, or do group rides...

[AutobahnSHO]

The Miata crowd is pretty social. You could autocross, or do group rides...

This. Most of the participants are in the more mature age range. A weekend drive to somewhere interesting.

****************** ***************************

To anyone who EVER thinks Miatas are "gay"- ask them if they have ever gone go-karting. Ask if they enjoyed it. If so, tell them it's a street-legal go-kart. DONE.   

[shp4man]

There must be some compromise.  Will the settlement from the Focus be more than the cost of the Miata?

I'll have to add about $5K.

[CaminoRacer]

I'll have to add about $5K.

Lowball 'em

[Payman]

I'll have to add about $5K.

Pfft. Do it.

[cawimmer430]

Mitsubishi has a somewhat less than stellar reputation here. I would opt for that over some other brands, though.

I know, but it's cheap and fuel-efficient.

[FoMoJo]

I'll have to add about $5K.

Maybe in order to retain bliss at home and still have a little zoom-zoom in your life, perhaps Mazda 3 is the answer.

I'd choose the hatch.

[SJ_GTI]

Maybe in order to retain bliss at home and still have a little zoom-zoom in your life, perhaps Mazda 3 is the answer.

I'd choose the hatch.

boothisman.gif

[AutobahnSHO]

boothisman.gif

+1

[FoMoJo]

boothisman.gif

[dazzleman]

Get a 68 Camaro.

[shp4man]

Get a 68 Camaro.

LOL.

I put the little car up on the lift this morning. It's box stock except for the rear shocks, absolutely no fluid leaks or evidence of body repairs. It has an interesting 4 link rear suspension with independent rears, I just realized it doesn't have a spare tire. 
Still has the factory kit with the air compressor and sealing fluid.
Runs 0-20W oil and a Ford FL910S oil filter. The glass on the passenger side fog light is cracked. Thats it. That's all I can find. Now, if the insurance company would cut a check for the murdered Focus....

[MrH]

Hold out for a manual!

But NC Miatas are great.  I still miss mine sometimes.  NDs are better, but probably not worth the price premium.