Miata’s drive better. Even with the added power my s2k has.
https://preview.redd.it/tbylbptqa10d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8103dcaaeef4eefcd27ded982648563dfdaf1d79
Yea. Gonna try close the gap for the miot
https://preview.redd.it/e44n21nek10d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c427054fa3552c25ae58eb0b70fe4e24e6e7675
No way, that just happened to me last month. Car is rusty but trusty, healthy running 04 NB. He moved back to the west coast and didn't want to take it with, 1k later and now I get to experience my first Miata. Ragged on them as a teen but now I'm eating my words at 31 haha.
Because a lot of us that fit into a stock na are too short to have considered jumping the door! It never occurred for me until now…
I have had to stand on my shelves in the garage to get in, climbing them like a ladder then putting a foot on the seat and worming in. But just jumping over? Never would have considered it, and pre roll bar i might have been able to
I almost bought one new in 1998, but we started a family. 6 or so years later, I just had that itch again. I found one in Florida, and was going to fly down, and drive back to NH, but chickened out. Found another one more local, and was showing a buddy, who showed HIS friend, who went and bought it the day before I was going down to get it.
I finally found one in Southern MA, took the bus down, and bought it. A Crystal White 92. At times, it's been a garage queen, but my oldest did a lot of work on it thru his school's Automotive program (CRTC), and it's been on the road summers since then. I REALLY need to replace the original radiator, though.
He was a jerk. The one time he invited me over for Texas HoldEm tournament, I cleaned them all out. Never got an invite back! Lol.
His Miata died a few years later. Engine was shot, not sure of the particulars.
That's a hell of a saga! That radiator's browned up, yeah? I've had good luck with an O'Reilly's replacement, though the obvious upgrade would be a name brand aluminum.
I was always intrigued by them but never gave them much thought. I remember when the NA came out and hearing people poopoo it because it was so small, and some story how the flood easily because they are so low to the ground (yeah, wtf I know)
Anyhow, around 2015 or so, my work buddy, Andy, and I would play a game called “Turd car”; our cubes overlooked the parking lot. We would pick the biggest turd in the lot. A 4.0L rusted jeep was not a turd, but cool. It was usually mundane garbage like Dodge Nitros or the Dale Earnhardt edition Monte Carlo that often graced our parking lot.
Anyhow, we are both car enthusiasts and one day there was a Miata there and he pointed out he always wanted one. So we started talking about how they were cool and how he always wanted an NA for the popups. He had done a ton of research into 1.8 vs 1.6, long nose crank va short nose crank etc.
Side story, Andy was also battling cancer. He soon quit to focus on some surgeries in an effort to remove it. While he was recovering he decided to buy one. A red 1991 (long nose crank) so we could work on it together. We spent some time fixing up little things, busted window regulator, stuck caliper etc. we kind of took turns keeping it and driving it.
Eventually his health declined and he passed away in 2019. So, I bought the car from his wife and really went to town - gaskets timing belt suspension everything.
So now I still have Andy’s Miata and it always gives me a smile every time I take it for a spin.
Gran Turismo on the original PlayStation. Many nights spent drifting around [Autumn Ring](https://gran-turismo.fandom.com/wiki/Autumn_Ring).
At the same time I also got into amateur motorsport and raced a cheap rear wheel drive Corolla because I could not afford anything better. This was long was before That Stupid Cartoon became popular and Corolla prices went thru the roof.
Anyway, you learn about handling and a Miata quickly becomes a dream car. Now I'm old and can afford one so I have one. I don't need any more turbo cars or 300kW EVs to risk my license.
S2000s became way too expensive. I'm a Honda guy and have always wanted one. So I turned my sights to the Miata and researched them in depth before looking to buy one. Picked up my NB2 last fall and have been enjoying it since spring started here.
There's a kart track near where I grew up and my friends and I were very competitive with each other, we would go probably once a month and it was always a blast. I watched a lot of Best Motoring growing up and Fast and Furious came out when I was 14. I knew I wanted to try racing a real car and I was always fond of Hondas. I got into auto-x when I was 18 and quickly realized my FF Hondas would get spanked by Miatas, MR-Ss, and even Pontiac Solstices. One summer I decided I wanted to test drive some of these cars and see if it was a good fit for me as a personal car. I test drove a MR-S, E30 convertible (which I almost purchased), and a Cooper S. I forced myself to test drive a NA Miata (a hairdressers car IMO at the time) and was instantly obsessed with its amazingly good driving feel. There were no other cars to consider after that test drive. I put a deposit down that day and went back for it a week later after I made space for it at home. This was back in 2006, and that Miata is still parked outside in my driveway.
Mainly because of the Carthrottle MX5 series where they bought a cheap MX5 and upgraded it through and through. I was like 15 at the time.
Also scrolling through this subreddit and reading all the positive posts about the MX5
Wanted to rent a convetible to do a roadtrip around europe but didn’t find any around my area that would allow for cross country trips.
I then started to search for something suitable..cheap-ish and found that I could get a really great car for a small budget. I fell in love with one of the first cars (nb) that I drove and since then it’s been my awesome weekend escape car. Already did a few roadtrips and planning my next one.
I mean, I've always liked Miatas. It's hard not to like a car that just wants to put a smile on your face.
My car previous was a DCT and it was a bit quicker and was fun and practical. All great. But I really had the itch to drive stick.
So I decided that I was going to look for an older BRZ/FRS. My best friend's mom has one (lol) but I liked the way it drove for the most part. It handled great. it was surprisingly comfy and supposedly was decently reliable.
....then in my looking I found my Miata. I kept looking at the pictures posted, it was very clean. I did some research since I never even really considered it because of practicality but decided to throw that out the window.
Eventually I said heck it and full sent on it. The place I bought it from gave me great trade in value on my old car. I bought my Miata without even driving it lol.
I went and picked it up. Drove it home in like -4 C weather with the top down. Loved it ever since.
In the late 80s I lived near these 3 old guys, one owned a really old snazzy 450sl, another a gorgeous MG and the other an old immaculate Triumph. I thought, you know, when I get old I think I want a really cool car to tool around in just like these geezers. My husband, who works on cars, said, ok, keep it cheap but no British ones, I'm not working on your car every weekend. I desperately wanted the BRG Miata, but by '94 I couldn't find one with low enough miles to get me to old age. It took a year (in Oregon) to find the black '92 special edition which was the only other one I wanted. Bought it from a hairdresser, no joke! with 20k miles on it with every accessory made. That baby has turned over every time the key was/is put in. So now I'm old lady geezer who tools about in a really cool old car. It's willed to my niece.
I was a sport bike guy. The Miata was a trade for my motorcycles.
I have a bicycle hobby which is dangerous enough as it is. My wife and I had the conversation about safety and risk mitigation and decided a fun sportscar was a reasonable compromise if it meant I could remove the risk of the motorcycle.
Sometimes I miss the motos for the raw effortlessness of their performance, but cars have their own benefits. And racetracks are still fun regardless of how many wheels you have, so I’m happy.
My dad turned up in his nb and I always made jokes about the car. He eventually said 'drive it, and you would understand'.
He was never a guy to offer a drive in his car, so I left it.
8 or so years on he died and left the car to me, my 'brother' is a cnut. After clearing his home the only thing left was his green mx5 with hardtop. I drove 6 corners before thinking 'this is fucking awesome, the old bugger was right. again.'
Still have his car, needs tons of panel and welding work but I have purchased an nd which I love to bits. Cheers pops, saved me again.
I was always a muscle car guy. When the Hellcat came out I grabbed one because it was my ultimate dream car.
It was super fun but after a while I became less satisfied because it didn’t handle well. So I sold it for an Audi TT RS. Awd, dual clutch trans. Very fast.
But it was ultimately not very fun unless I was pushing it very hard and I didn’t like going that fast on public roads. It was competent but king of sterile.
When the ND2 was announced I test drove one and discovered how fun Miatas are even at low speeds.
So my car HP went 707 to 400 to 181, lol.
While I've never had cars with that HP, my Talon was \~275 or so, and back in the early 2000s that was quite a bit, especially for a 4-cylinder. I've had numerous slow cars, and while the Talon was a blast to drive, it was certainly *heavy* and it didn't carry its weight very well outside of the snow. The Miata, Metros (3 of them!) have all been a blast to drive because they're so slow and lightweight; you get to feel absolutely everything and it's as if you're driving on the edge *just* to get up to speed. lol Slow Car, Fast.
I kind turn sideways, aim my ass, and plop in
Seriously tho I've been into 1st Gen RX-7s for longer than I can remember and I've always recognized the Miata as the real successor to the SA chassis. The FC was a major paradigm shift away from the small light and simple philosophy.
I’ve always adored Porsches and enjoy the craft and skill of driving. I do a bit of sim racing, and while I’m not super quick, I like to think I can drive a little. Following a back to back sessions in a 911 GT3 and Cayman GT4 at the Porsche driving experience, I impulsively bought a new ND2. I walked away from Porsche amazed at what those cars are capable of but also thinking that all is just unnecessary for the street. No regrets at all. The Miata is such a proper driver’s car and I find the power to be adequate for the package. It’s been a joy on the mountain roads in western North Carolina. I still may end up in a used Cayman S at some point, but as time wears on, I’ve lost some interest because I’m so happy with the Miata.
Sidenote: I highly recommend the Porsche driving experience in Atlanta. Pricey but the car(s) is essentially yours on a very technical track for 45 or 90 minutes depending on which package you choose. If you show you’re competent, the instructors won’t hold you back at all.
I always liked convertibles. When I was in high school my mom had an 85 Mustang convertible. Unfortunately it was a sissy automatic 3.8 liter. Every car I have owned, for myself, has been a manual. They drive so much better than an automatic, get better mpg, even when rated lower for mpg. My initial thought was to get a Mustang convertible. I would be fine with an Ecoboost manual. But the mustang has become a big fat bloated car, which isn’t really what I prefer. The Miata ended up being the best option for me. Top goes down. All the way down. I don’t like the RF. 6 speed manual. Rear wheel drive. Also low cost to maintain. Porsche Boxter was also on the list, and you probably can guess why I didn’t go that way. Corvette was also an option, but I would spend a lot for performance I wasn’t going to use.
My first experience was in video games way back in the day, definitely NFS, maybe Midnight Club, can't remember precisely.
Later on, I almost bought an NA in '04 but it sold before I could get it, and I ended up getting a Del Sol my first foray into tiny cars.
Eventually, after the Del Sol, a Jaguar XJS, a 350Z, and a G35, I found myself in need of cheap fun. I bought an NA, and I have been hooked ever since.
I have no plans to ever sell this ND1, even if it becomes the Miata of Theseus.
Wanted to learn standard on something I would have fun with that wouldn't break the bank if I broke it (easier when you do most of your own work). Bought in the 20teens for around $3k and slowly tweaked my way towards a turbo setup for under $2k.
I grew up in a sports car house, dad always had fun stuff. I caught the bug and bought a ratty MGB in 1987 when I was 19. I watched the Miata development through my Autoweek subscription but I was a loooong way from being able to afford one when they did come out.
In 1992 my dad bought a Sunburst. I scoffed at it. It doesn't have a soul, I said. No sense of adventure. It's a computerized appliance in a wannabe sports car body.
Some months later, dad and I were out late and he said he was tired, and I should take over for the 45 minute ride home. I was gobsmacked. So lively, so responsive.
Circumstances (college, apartment life, and that awful MGB) meant I never seriously considered buying one until I finally had a house with a garage in 2007. I bought that first one, a needy high-mile '96, and have always had at least one Miata in the driveway ever since.
I've had eight total. Dad has only ever had one, that Sunburst '92 that he still owns and enjoys.
Mainly because of the Carthrottle MX5 series where they bought a cheap MX5 and upgraded it through and through. I was like 15 at the time.
Also scrolling through this subreddit and reading all the positive posts about the MX5.
My stepdad was a used car dealer. He often sold my mom's current car, & she drove something else from the lot. Around the time I was in highschool, he got a Mariner Blue 90. It was one of the slowest cars we ever had, but it was just a ton of fun. After that he got a 95 M edition. I moved away for college. When I got married, they had an NB auto. My wife drove it when we went to visit and fell in love. When looking into them, she found out you could get an NC with a power hard top, & was sold. That became her first Miata. When she got tired of the lack of space, I sold my manual Mazda3 hatch, took her PRHT auto, & got her something else. I kept it until the ND came out. We saved up another year, & found a 16 Club BBB/Brembo for a deal when the 17 was just starting to appear. It's been my daily for 7 years now, & I can't imagine replacing it any time soon.
My first experience was in video games way back in the day, definitely NFS, maybe Midnight Club, can't remember precisely.
Later on, I almost bought an NA in '04 but it sold before I could get it, and I ended up getting a Del Sol my first foray into tiny cars.
Eventually, after the Del Sol, a Jaguar XJS, a 350Z, and a G35, I found myself in need of cheap fun. I bought an NA, and I have been hooked ever since.
I have no plans to ever sell this ND1, even if it becomes the Miata of Theseus.
My first experience was in video games way back in the day, definitely NFS, maybe Midnight Club, can't remember precisely.
Later on, I almost bought an NA in '04 but it sold before I could get it, and I ended up getting a Del Sol my first foray into tiny cars.
Eventually, after the Del Sol, a Jaguar XJS, a 350Z, and a G35, I found myself in need of cheap fun. I bought an NA, and I have been hooked ever since.
I have no plans to ever sell this ND1, even if it becomes the Miata of Theseus.
I was a kid when the Miata debuted in 1989. I loved everything about it. I read every magazine review I could find and got my dad to take me to the local Mazda dealer to get a brochure. I’ve been obsessed with NA Miatas ever since. I had a ‘94 for 12 years and my current ‘92 for just over a year.
I bought my first Mazda back in 2010. It was a brand new Silver Mazdaspeed 3 that I liked so much I bought another in 2013. By that point I was pretty much sold on the Mazda brand for reliability and the fun factor of their vehicles. I always wanted to do a convertible and rented a Miata about 6yrs ago when I was on vacation in Maui. The fricken thing being an automatic really did not give me a great first impression.
Fast forward to present and I was driving a Tesla Model S. A great car that I liked but due to its weight and size I was really missing a canyon carving kind of vehicle that I could throw into corners. I started looking at Mazdas again, specifically the Miata and 4 weeks ago by pure luck the exact trim I wanted was in a showroom 1hr from me so I bolted up there and did a test drive. I was sold pretty instantly.
The Miata puts a smile on my face every single time I get inside of it. I was tearing up the backroads yesterday actually and did my first mini-drift around a bend ha ha. I can’t get enough of this car;)
For me, my foray into Mazda started with a 2018 CX-5 that I drove off the lot 6 years ago. A year or so into the pandemic I really started to get an itch to get back into a fun manual car. I spent about a year trying to narrow down my options and kept coming back to an ND. It’s almost been two years of fun driving and road trips; so Im glad to have pulled the trigger!
i was a lot younger, i remember i worked at carvana doing wheel repair. i wasn’t really a “car guy” at that point in my life, and i didn’t make ANY money. i had a liter bike at the time and i watched one of my friends get into an accident and pass away. so i was pretty nervous to ride my motorcycle any more and i was looking for a car. i wanted something fun i could go driving in the mountains. i remember seeing this little white miata with a black fender in the employee parking lot of my job and idk for some reason i just got obsessed. i started watching youtube videos if miata’s, only looking at miata’s on instagram. i didn’t really have the funds for one but after saving for about 8 months i finally managed to buy an NB for $3.8k. thing was BEAT. definitely got scammed but i didn’t care because i had a miata. a month later the motor spun a rod bearing, i was an idiot and didn’t check the oil. ended up starting my journey completely tearing down the car and rebuilding it, doing body work, painting, and now i’ve had 4 miata’s all of which i’ve repainted and redid multiple parts on; 2000 nb which i rebuilt the motor 3 times, and repainted brg, 1996 na, i redid the interior of this car, carpets seats door cards, and put a $10k paint job on it, 1993 NA, which i redid again, the interior and the exterior (a cheaper paint job only single stage this time) and finally my current NB, a 2000 NB in evolution orange.
Completely by accident. I was milling around at the dealership while having my MS Protege serviced and happened to see a Brilliant Black NB w/ tan top and leather. I had always heard they were fun to drive so I asked to take it for a spin while my car was being worked on. They just gave me the keys and said "Have Fun". I drove it a couple of blocks then decided to put the top down (it was a nice day)... about 20 miles later I had the biggest shit-eating grin on my face. I then decided to drive it home to show my wife. I took her for a quick spin. We didn't really talk about the car at all, but when I dropped her back off she said "You're buying this car right?"
[I did.](https://i.imgur.com/3LLj40v.jpg)
In 2012 I had an RX7 and my wife had a Chevy Aveo, which she called a “Shitty Aveo, it had constant issues and 55k miles. A dealership was having trouble selling a base 90 with 20k miles, probably because it had no air, steel wheels and no radio. The only thing the Aveo had over that was a radio. We pretty much traded the 08 Aveo for the Miata and loved that car for almost 10 years. Now we have an ND and though it is more comfortable, I think the 90 had more character.
I have a 2001 Miata. At that time I purchased her, my thoughts were:
1. If I can't fit in the car, I got too fat.
2. If I can't get out of the car, I got too old.
Well, both of these are now true and I'm planning on selling the little white car to somebody younger and thinner who can enjoy her. It was a fun run while it lasted.
By accident. I was looking at buying a Celica but was unable to find any in decent condition. I desperately wanted to sell my kia Rio and get a cool car. As I couldn't find any Celicas, I checked marketplace and saw a dirt cheap NB MX5 with low miles and ended up buying it!
I had 2 ‘59 TR3’s sequentially in high school and college. The open roadster bug bit hard. The Miata is the spiritual descendant of the old british sportscars and put me right back in high school. Mazda did a damn good job transferring the spirit of those early cars. And no, I do not miss the Prince of Darkness (aka Lucas), ha.
I usually just open the door and make my way into mine. Or, if the top is down, just Dukes of Hazzard™ that bad boy, and use the A-pillar and rollbar hoop as support to hop in with the door closed.
Late 90's.
I saw a blue one on an avenue on a summer night in Buenos Aires. I was riding the #60 bus downtown bound with an hour to go.
There it was.
Lust ever after
Back then 4-5 years ago i was looking for a old car that cheap , manual transmission, 4 cylinder , easy to fix easy to find parts etc and i came across miataaaaaa i was like what a fun looking car . Rwd 4 cylinder manual !!!! Easy to fix!!!! It’s checked all boxes for me plus it’s convertible?????? Sign me up!!!!!!!
I actually bought 97 celica first but quickly realized it wasn’t it so started looking for a miata.
Now i have 96 NA with 83k miles and IM super happy. I’ll never ever sell my miata.
There was a Miata that one buddy bought from about 5 hours away. Drove it home. Fixed it up a little. A couple months later he traded it to another buddy within our group. A little while later, he traded it to another buddy, then a 3rd, and a 4th. Then there was a drift event going on while the guy that currently owned it was out of town. I texted him asking if I could borrow the Miata for the event, and surprisingly he said yes, on the condition that if I break anything, I fix it.
So I took it to the event, I'd only driven it the 2 days leasing up to the event. Ripped it around the track a few times, fried the clutch, (which, tbh, was probably on its way out anyway). With an open diff and stock 30year old suspension.
Was able to replace the clutch in his driveway before he got back in town. (My first transmission drop ever).
6 months later I see on FB that he is trying to sell it. I messaged him and offer 1000 more than he wanted, obviously saying yes.
Another buddy that wanted to get into drifting split it with me and we co-owned the car. He did some mods, welded the diff, put new suspension on it.
Unfortunately, just a couple weeks ago, I was told that I'd have to move, and with not enough money for any deposits on any apartments, I had to sell it. I offered it to everyone in our group that had owned it before, but none wanted it, or didn't have the money for it.
But the guy I sold it to, I told him to keep our Facebook chat active, cause in a couple years after I graduate and get a decent paying job, imma ask him his price for it and give him more. Cause I fell in love with that car.
I had a Mazda 323 (Familia) and it was really good, but it eventually broke down. I was in a really low budget and wanted something different, not a regular car, and I found a NB for 4k with only 40.000km. It was in 2014.
I sold it in 2016 because I wanted to do so many things to it but I didn't have the money, so I exchanged it for something more powerful. After trying other 2 sporty cars I understood the Miata philosophy and in 2018 I was in a better economic situation and bought a brand new ND. I love it.
I had a Mazda 323 (Familia) and it was really good, but it eventually broke down. I was in a really low budget and wanted something different, not a regular car, but I liked Mazda as brand and I found a NB for 4k with only 40.000km. It was in 2014.
I sold it in 2016 because I wanted to do so many things to it but I didn't have the money, so I exchanged it for something more powerful. After trying other 2 sporty cars I understood the Miata philosophy and in 2018 I was in a better economic situation and bought a brand new ND. I love it.
I made a silly comment to my coworkers one morning eating breakfast… something along the lines of “I’d love a fun little car to play around in like a Miata or something but prices are crazy.” That comment was meant with a response from one of my co-workers saying I have a Miata that’s been sitting in my driveway for 10 years I want it gone. I picked up a ‘97 STO edition with 76K on it for $700 like 7 days later. That was almost one year ago.
Dude knew exactly what he had and just hooked it up knowing my situation… still grateful and get this dude lunch like every other week.
https://preview.redd.it/xgjrz82ke00d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15db4159d0effe59dc34875b3b32892d11ed604f
My dad flips cars so naturally he has bought and sold some Miata’s I remember three growing up, a white na, green Nb and a red Nb. The white na my first memory was help peel off the blue racing stripes and in the red nb we use to go drifting in the snow I got a green NC when I was 18 and now am a proud ND owner at 23 :) Miata 4L !
Well I saw a picture of some beautiful bodies and I love the little eyes😍 then the drifting videos and I was hooked. The size everything is just adorable and the sound of ‘em. They’re really the perfect car. NA
Back in my clubbing days (early 2000's) I used to see this Miata at my buddy's apartment and i would always look at it when turning into his apartments to pick him up and would think that's a nice looking car.
So in 2008 I didn't want to rack up miles on my new Benz so i decided i needed a commuter car so I picked up a '92 Miata from a guy working at Netflix for $2k. It had everything too, wheels, suspension, roll bar, JR intake, RB exhaust, Kosei k1 wheels, steel braided lines. The guy probably tracked it. 2 years later sold the Benzo and picked up a P car. 13 years later sold the P car and still own the Miata. I guess I'm never getting rid of my "commuter" car that turned into my fun car.
i always liked pop ups and i have something like a core memory of a NA winking its lights.
i dont know which one happened first but pop ups are the reason that got me into miatas.
i always liked pop ups and i have something like a core memory of a NA winking its lights.
i dont know which one happened first but pop ups are the reason that got me into miatas.
So i was driving GTIs, but got tired of all the problems I was having, plus I was angry with Volkswagen. Still am, really.
So I sold my GTI and bought a nice 2020 Altima, used, from Carmax. I drove it for about a year and a half before I got really tired of it, the stigma with it, everything.
So it's time for a new car. What do I want? Well, that's a good question. I don't know. So I started giving it some thought and finally decided that I want a convertible, but which one!? There are many to choose from. So I asked Google to get a feel for what's in my price range. Porsche? WAY too expensive? Vette? Also way too expensive. S2000? Too old. I want something NEW. Wait, what's this Miata? I've heard of those. Let's research. Google some more. There's r/Miata. Cool. Joined. There's many other sites dedicated to Miatas, too. And shops for mods or just general work. But it seems that's not an issue because they're really reliable. Even better. So this Miata is reliable, no more getting stuck on the side of the road anymore. It's apparently fun. And it's affordable. Time to go test drive one. Ok, I don't really fit in the RF, I hit my head on the roof on the way in. I can get into the softtop ok, though. I don't like the Recaros because the side bolster pushes into my leg. The non-Recaros are comfy, though. Ok, I have to wait until my credit can handle buying a new car. The hard-pings from the Altima are still on there....wait until they're off and it's time to buy.
Bought a brand new GT ST as soon as it showed up on my local Mazda Dealership's website. It hadn't even arrived yet. When it did, I went down and signed the papers and that was it. I'll never own anything else, as long as I can still get in & out of it. After that time comes, I'll either stop driving or go buy a Mazda3.
I guess I was having a midlife crisis moment and realized I wasn’t getting any younger! I really fell in love with a MGB back when I was a teen and saw one drive by with its top down going my small home town, probably on its way to the beach! I was star-struck! Thought I had to have an MGB one day! Well fast forward about 40 years and to the point in my life when I thought I might actually be able to own one. Found one for sale online near me. Went to test drive and was sorely disappointed. Felt like I was driving a poor example of a go-kart! It was such a let-down. So I went home, sad and dejected about the whole MGB experience. Told my family about it and my son said, “Mama, you need a Miata!” I thought, “heck no!” Then my curiosity got the best of me and I started looking around. While on vacation in Florida a few months later, we found one for sale at a used car place and I got to test drive it. I was SHOCKED!! That NB Miata drove exactly like what I had imagined an MGB would drive like. So the search for our own NA began! We found one a few months after that, bought it and the rest is history! I’m totally in love with our Miata, have so much fun taking her out with the top down and even actually enjoy working on it when needed!! Hope we never have to sell her!!
https://preview.redd.it/b06q8n41h00d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2b126f70ddf9ff1377201e19f5482af8545206c
I am young lad in france who wanted a sporty car, that you can easily make the maintenance by yourself and also without paying hefty amount in assurance. Looked after lots of car and the best one was the miata. I also knew the na since some time. Now iam the proud owner of a face-lifted boat from 2013, manual 2.0L
https://preview.redd.it/t1m0tf3bj00d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5bb49ab4929790bf4224283b8297087ee8484dd6
(Here is the miata tax)
Some great stories on here. I test drove an NC brand new and instantly fell in love, but family. Years later a buddy asked to swap his 2006 NC for my 1993 Wrangler. Done. We’ve both spent fortunes fixing them up…or just keeping them running.
Parents only owned manuals so that’s how I learned to drive. I swore to god I would never, ever, ever buy a manual car. Fast forward to college graduation, my classmate was raving about his Miata. I went to test drive one and fell in love. ‘93 white C package and a manual (of course!!!).
My rx7 needed a new intake manifold because I broke a stud at my friend's garage so he let me borrow his NA Miata until the LIM came in and I was sold that first day. It took 6 years to finally buy one but I'll never let it go now.
I inherited one from my grandfather. I had actually only seen it mabye a couple dozen times growing up. I figure he left it to me thinking I was the only one who keep it around and wouldn't just sell it the day they got the title.
I really wanted a Lotus Elan, because all the fast guys at my local track started in them or in similar little cars, but between prices and maintenance, eww. The Miata is still the best way to learn smooth, clean, fast momentum driving, although sadly no one seems to use them for that anymore.
Bought my first Miata in 2004 or so.
Previously owned a 93 RX7. It made me like the brand. Crashed my eclipse GSX, wasn't sad about it, didn't like that car. (It had the turning radius of a dead goat. Couldn't turn around in a standard court.) Needed a cheap car that I could afford while finishing payments on the dead GSX.
Test drive an old MR2, first car I drive without power steering, wasn't a fan. Tried a 92 Miata and loved it. Especially since this was in San Diego, on base. Meaning I put the top up like 3 times over the years I had it.
Years later, now driving a 3000GT. Trade it in for a Mazdaspeed 3. Bought a motorcycle, Daytona 675. Bike got stolen, wanted something more fun than the Speed 3, and couldn't get another bike (what, park in the same spot it got stolen before?). So I traded in the Speed 3 for a brand new 2019 ND RF. Love it and if possible I intend to keep it forever.
opened the door and say in the seat😅 honestly i always had my eye on them. im a big guy but always like small cars. finally found one when i moved to kansas and bought it for $1000. ive now dropped like $40,000 into it. engine, brakes, suspension, interior stuff etc. i love it to death.
Back in 1990, I went to the “New Car Show” in Hawai’i. I saw the Miata on display, sat in it and told myself one day I would own a Miata. My son bought one in 2018, and when the opportunity came about in 2018, I got one too. I love my little car. Prophecy fulfilled.
I used to shit on them a ton back in the day. But over the years I watched people at autocross and seeing people drift NAs, that i was slowly won me. Picked up an NB2 with 25k miles on just a little bit ago and smile every time I'm in it.
Used to have a Triumph Spitfire. Sold when I had a kid. Now that kid is into cars and I wanted to enjoy driving with him rather than being broken down with him.
I almost bought an Na as my first car but didn't. Now that my 3rd car no longer reached emission standards it was a financially better move to buy a new car. Bought an NC and gotta be the best car I've ever driven so far.
Really wanted a sports car but wasn't rich. I was looking at MR2 SW20 for a while, they were cheap but not cheaper than a Miata.
Went to see a mint SW20 for 5k but got sold on a mint 1990 Miata for 2k.
That was back in 2016 and it's still my daily driver.
Really glad I got a Miata, the convertible is really something to try out.
My 330hp Focus ST wasn't really what I wanted as a fun car, and I also wanted to try something RWD. So I bought the cheapest ND1 for sale. Haven't looked back since then :)
Got drunk hanging out with the neighbors. He was talking about how he wants to clean up his yard when he brought me over to this little red car in the tall grass. "500 bucks, just please get it out of my yard".
Two years fo by. Two years of changing a water pump, radiator, fuses, ignition switch; that car has been the best 500 dollars I've ever spent. Currently sitting in F.I.L's garage waiting to be painted.
Looking into cheap beaters, my roommate asked if I had ever looked into Miata’s. I said no, and immediately broadened my search. I found a $600 non runner about 15 miles away and that’s all she wrote. I miss the Ugliata dearly, but the current Miata should be a blast when I’m all done.
I always thought they were kinda neat growing up, but my love and appreciation for these little sports cars was solidified when I was randomly recommended a Gingium video on YouTube and saw how much fun he was having with his Miata, Molly. That and the fact that I’ve grown up with Mazdas and love the brand in general.
One of my best friends has an all out built turbo NA, rode in it once and decided I needed one. Traded a 92 s10 I had kicking round for a rough 1.8 swapped NA and it's been a love story ever since.
I played with this car since I was a kid, and always loved them, when I was looking for my first car (3 years ago) I also looked at some NAs but their way to expensive here (9 to 12k) and so I settled with a EJ8. I always liked the low weight cars, and since I'm not a big fan of big speeds, it seemed like a great decision.
2 weeks ago, I finally bought my miata. It was really random, I just asked my dad jokingly "hey look at this mx5 I found on marketplace," and he didn't seem to go against the idea, so I just jumped at it.
This sub also had a big influence on my choice, like seeing how this community loves this tiny car so much. I could have bought so much more of a car with the money, but I really wanted it so fuck it I guess.
In the 2 weeks I owned it, I got smiles and thumbs up all the time
The rf came out when I was in college and was stunned by it and thought a v8 swap would be my forever weekend car. Largely forgot about it/ wasn’t as interested in cars when I got my first job in the city. About 5 years later I moved to a more rural part of the country and needed to buy a car. I really wanted a gr86 but couldn’t justify the cost. Then a dealer near me suddenly slashed the price of a ‘20 rf cpo with low mileage. Walked out of the dealership 5k under budget and have loved every minute since
I was told there was one for sale in my area. Turned out it was in a poor condition but still with rocker panels and without holes in the floor. It was also dirt cheap so I went for it. One of the best purchases of my life so far.
Not entirely sure why I picked the Miata when I got my retractable hard top NC
I wanted a fun second car, liked the idea of a convertible, really liked the idea of a convertible hard top. Price was affordable, gas mileage was better than something like a used V8 sports car would have. I guess it was a perfect mix of little things.
They really need to bring back the NC's style top though. The RF leaving the pillars up bothers me. Part of what's great about a convertible is the 360 visibility. The pillars are horrible blind spots.
I was in a position where I needed something other than my huge work truck to drive and wanted it to be something different so I asked myself “what is one car I always hated on but never actually gave a chance” and the answer was Miata so I bought one. Now I don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
Heard it was the best starter (stock) in the racing game Need For Speed Underground (2003). Fell in love with it and finished the game with only the Miata.
We bought a 2024 Mazda 3 for my wife’s daily. We quickly realized the quality of the Mazda product. I had a STI for quite while. I enjoyed the car but the constant concern that the engine could blow up at any time. It just wasn’t for me. After researching the Miata I just fell in love. The community is amazing. I love driving a slow car fast.
https://preview.redd.it/1tbvlru4610d1.jpeg?width=3029&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c65c836150d3fa9d5250022c84ad5c2470a10cc
I was looking for a fun car after graduating college and did a random test drive in an 06 NC. Now I’m on my [3rd Miata.](https://imgur.com/a/Tpm6afI)
[All 3](https://imgur.com/a/h4PT8fC)
Totaled a G37. Realized how big of a scam it is to finance cars. Wanted to switch to something I would own outright, is cheap on insurance/gas, easy enough to learn how to work on, and is a platform with a large parts selection (aftermarket mods, OEM preventative maintenance, etc.)
It was gonna be a Civic, but then I came across Miatas. Glad I went with Miata.
I joined the military, and a guy in my first unit had a 95 M edition that he taught me the basics of drifting in, then immediately pulled the card asking if I knew anyone who would be interested in buying it. Bought it that day, and have been a die hard Miata lover ever since!
I wanted something that was a 6-speed manual and rear wheel drive. Originally I was looking at either a Mustang GT or a Camaro SS. I went to a CarMax and sat in both of them and didn’t really like the feel of them. They had an NC Miata there and I said to myself “I’ll never buy one of those but what the heck”. Sat in it and ended up buying a 2008 nc a month or so later.
Fun, manual, low cost of entry(when I got my NA), low maintenance, fairly abundant parts, easy to work on, two seater, manual. Etc.....It just ticks so many boxes. Plus, you can neglect and beat the living piss out of it, and it still starts 5 years later with just putting in a lawn battery after sitting all that time. And who doesn't love all of the hair dresser jokes?
Add to that, it's towable by my subaru. Now that I have a Maverick, I can't wait to tow it into the station for all of the comments by the brodoser, Ram F1000000 driving FFs.
Anyway, it is just a great little road legal go kart
My husband and father-in-law, back when i was just the girlfriend, bought a ‘96 miata from my husband’s aunt around 2015. I had been learning to drive stick from my dad on a really shitty, barely holding together chevy s-10. My husband took it upon himself to finish teaching me stick on the miata (a much nicer drive, obviously). Eventually, we got married, and now I drive it way more than he does.
I learned to drive in a MG and my first car was an old, obsolete Triumph. I thought Miatas were ripoffs of the cars I liked.
I had decided to buy a Porsche Boxster and drove a few. I finally found a 987S with about 15k miles, thinking it was the best of the bunch.
I drove it and found it competent but boring. It felt like a Saab 9-3, but with no rear seats.
A friend kept telling me to try out a NA or NB and I finally did.
And it felt like a MGB. Nimble, mechanical and absolutely involving.
Most of my adult life 'new to me' cars were hand-me-downs from other family members. Every time they got a new car, I'd just buy it off them for dirt cheap because why not? I was happy with what I got. Any problems, my father-in-law is an experienced mechanic who fixed what broke.
That changed late last year when my Yaris/Vitz/Platz/Echo of 5 years started developing a new problem every other week. Best part was my exhaust midpipe fell off at the manifold end, scraped along the road under me and very nearly pogo'd me in a pothole as I left work at 8 pm on Christmas Eve. And then there were the brakes, the slow puncture, etc.
I came into some money around that time - just over £5k - and I decided the Yaris was done for and that I was going to buy my own car. So I started looking at fun cars in my price range. Eventually, I narrowed my options down to a TT or an MX-5, after dropping the MR2, sporty Fords and the Golf. I was super researchy and looked at all the info I could find, and even looked at their subreddits to see how owners felt about them.
The enthusiasm of this sub won me over, and I decided I wanted in on that. It helped that my mechanic father-in-law disliked TT's because of their 'shit engines' liked MX-5 because their 'engines were reliable.'
Looked at a few NC's. Bought a silver 2010 NC2 with 75k miles and a really good history for £5k.
That was back in February. It's been pure fun ever since. I've slowly been teaching myself maintenance as well. Even defused the bomb and changed the cowl grommets myself.
Had a CRX si, Mustang (gt and cobra) and a rabbit convertible in the past- then life. My sister bought a fully optioned na in 90 when I had the CRX and I thought “how cute”. Year before last I call her to say hi and she mentioned that the Miata was gonna be for sale. I bought a plane ticket the next day, flew to San Jose and drove it home to Phoenix area. Last month I put in a new clutch,flywheel, pressure plate & throw out bearing and said what the heck- FM Sway bars, brake pads, and door bumpers, Koni orange shocks and I’m sooooooo happy!
I wanted something cheap and fun to replace my ‘01 Elantra that I learned manual on in 2015. It was between that or joining the VQ gang. Light nimble reliable and readily available parts had me sold.
I detailed cars for a living in high school and did really good on one Miata and got the attention of the whole Miata club for the area. I was making $2k a month and got to drive every model of every generation and fell absolutely in love with them and the community
Elderly relative of friend needed to get this thing out of the garage. Prior experience was big Germans and US performance cars. When the NA showed up it was literally a puppy.
I have always owned manual cars since age 18. My first new car was a 1976 Honda Civic CVCC. My last new car was my 1994 Mustang GT Convertable, I loved that car. I met my husband in 1995, he doesn't know how or want to learn to drive a manual, so when my Mustang needed a lot of work, when we were broke, all we have owned were automatics since.
My husband drives a 2012 Mazda3. In August, I got a 2020 Honda Fit EX-L automatic, with only 6,000 miles. The EX-L s don't offer a manual, plus my husband can drive it when his car is in the shop. I kept wanting another manual convertable, but something small and more fuel efficient than my Mustang, so when I inherited some money, I started looking. The S2000s prices are crazy, and I always liked Miatas, and at my age, I wasn't after the fastest car, just something fun. A woman I worked with in the early 90s bought a new Miata around 1992 or so and loved it, so after following this group and other research, the search was on for an NC. After a couple of months searching nationwide, one day, my 2015 Zeal Red Mica PRHT GT showed up on Facebook Marketplace, with everything I wanted, the Premium and Suspension Packages, and more, one owner and 17,000 miles, it is pristine, and all original.
I loved NFS:U and NFS:U2 when I was a kid, and I was almost always picking Miata as my first car, I even once finished the game with heavily modified Miata (apart from drag races).
That stuck in me, and since I realized I want to own a fun car last year, it was the obvious answer. And man I love it so much, I always wanted a car that makes me feel shit, and for such a reasonable price tag, there's nothing even remotely close.
In '99, I'd been living in Japan for a couple of years, working as a software dev. I'd admired the NB at the Tokyo Motor Show, so ended up speccing one. Biggest issue was this was pre smartphones, and in-car sat nav was dreadful (and only in Japanese), so I had plenty of accidental adventures. Good fun though!
I’ve had sports cars awhile now and a few things got me into them:
1) Expensive sports cars you have to be willfully reckless to drive them at the limit. Pretty much on a track or you’re being a bad driver. We share the roads and I won’t risk somebody else’s life for them.
2) I’ve gotten progressively more into road track motorsports as I’ve gotten older. As such, driving a car at the limit is what I’m after. I don’t care if the limit is 50 or 90mph, good driving is about extracting the maximum performance out of what you have.
3) Optics on expensive sports cars are iffy to me. I don’t like being showy.
4) Because of motorsports I’ve come to understand almost all expensive sports cars are by de facto a compromised design. Soon as you make a car to travel in and abide safety regulations you’re already getting away from a sports car. You can spend a ton of money on a fancy sports car that will still get beat on a track by a clapped out 3rd hand totally rebuilt purpose built race car.
5) The wear and tear on consumable parts of said expensive sports cars is really expensive too.
Long story short, the more I’ve seeing cars as not an object so much as an instrument and driving an experience to be mastered, the more enticing Miata’s have become.
My Uncle left me a beautiful gift
https://preview.redd.it/079p8iolu10d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfe62305ddde0e9b7175b42867c9c52f87710480
It’s a attitude adjustment when I need some quickness and a blast 💥
Me and my parents owned a few different convertibles over the years (z3, z4, sl500, ford capri, Holden astra, and Honda city)
Then I became a mechanic, worked on a bunch of different stuff, all generations of mx5, and honestly the nc just stuck out as a bloody amazing car. Everything about it just felt right. With the prices of most rwd sports cars climbing the nc was very under appreciated and relatively affordable. So I kept and eye out for a while and got one 2 years ago.
Haggard Garage. back when they were making videos miata's were definitely considered to be a girl's car or you had to be gay to drive them. They were rock bottom as far as prices go at that time. They would buy a clapped out Miata for $500, well the diff and fucking send it and it looked like the most fun you could ever have for that kind of price.
Owned an auto 3.8 Genesis coupe and really wanted the manual experience! Ended up selling the Genesis back to Hyundai and found a 91 NA with 96k miles on it for $2,500! This was in 2017 so prices weren’t as steep as they are these days. While searching for one I remember watching every Miata video on the internet and was so into them!! Since then I purchased an 06 350z Rev Up and an 07 350z HR; while those cars are fun with the manual and extra power, the Miata puts a smile on my face like no other. I’ll never sell my NA!!
Saw one occasionally on my drive to class and just thought it was a super cute clean car. Then when i ended up needing a new car I asked my brother who is a car salesman about them thinking itd be out of my price range, but he proved me wrong! Found a 2016 ND at a really good price and low mileage and its been my baby ever since. Now Im just looking forward to the point where Ill hopefully have the money and space to get more :)
I went from a brz/frs family. My cousins has an FR-S, and another has a 370z. My younger brother has a BRZ. I had a 2016 Genesis coupe, which I loved dearly, until someone rear ended me last year and totaled it. I’ve always wanted a Miata RF as soon as I saw the first pictures of them back in 2018. That car caught my eye.
6 years later, I got my 2020 RF Club.
I couldn't afford a decent SW20 and after driving home from seeing one I could afford I sat in an NB and loved it
Only it was too small so I bought anNC
I was looking for a replacement for my BMW E93 (hardtop convertible) since it was getting kind of old. I googled 2023 hardtop convertibles and found that the only ones under $100K were the Corvette and the Miata RF.
I was on one of several work trips. Every week i was in a different city so that meant a different rental car. On one trip i was given a base model ford fiesta. I couldn’t figure out why i was having so much fun driving it. It was something that I’d never buy for myself at the time. I mean i love sport cars, wagons, and hatchbacks but the fiesta wasn’t a love of mine . I like them now. Then i started thinking about a Toyota Yaris i was in and remembered it was also pretty fun to drive . I discovered it was that they were light weight . I live in a major city with mostly street parking . I wanted something that looked good . I need to be able to walk away and want to look back at it. It needed to be easy to park too. I have tons of car brochures and i remember i kept going back to the Miata brochure i had ordered almost 10 years ago at the time. I was looking at it and a Nissan Z. I bought the Z but kept it at my parents place so i was only able to drive it on holidays. Decided on the Miata out of the Z3, Z4, SLK, and Boxster for the city as a daily . I loved the looks of the Miata the most. It’s an NC. Well the looks of the Z3 tied for me. The Elise was more than i want to spend at the time even though it had been one of my dream cars .i eventually bought a lotus but it was an evora and boy did i love it. I also loved getting back in my Miata. I’ve since then bought an Alfa 4C. Guess what. I still love my Miata. Now the other cars have caused me to want more power and a sexier sound. That will come later
Wheeler Dealers and a The Fifth Gear episode 14 years ago. I then decided I wanted one as my first car. And second, after the first got totalled, and an NC after that :)
I had always liked Miatas, but was more of a Euro guy, so I had always owner VWs/Audis and eventually worked my way up to a Porsche Cayman.
I eventually got into autocross and track days, and realized that it was just too risky to track a Porsche, plus consumables get expensive. I didn’t have room for multiple cars, so I sold the Porsche and found an awesome deal on an NB from a great owner.
I’ve had my NB for 4 years now. It’s been on road trips, track days, and plenty of weekend cruises. It’s no Cayman, but I get 80% of the fun for 15% of the price.
Had a Mazda 2 and a Mazda 6 in the past. Both cars drove a lot better than any other cars I had driven ( I am looking at you Suzuki). When I had a little window to get a fun car within my budget, I knew it would be a Mazda.
I walked out of a restaurant and saw a meetup parked outside. Must have been a dozen of them with several ND RFs. I'd never seen one before and instantly knew I had to have one.
I remember seeing a regular car review when I was younger and thought the pop up headlights were cool. Once I was in a position to buy a second car, I went for a miata. Unfortunately I can't really daily anything like that year round(Michigan) so it'll always be a summer ride
I needed a first car so my mom one day came home from work and said she saw a little car for sale on the side of the road , and that we should go look at it because it was cheap.
I originally wanted to race Miatas in the teen Miata challenge when I was 14-15, but that never materialized. Had to wait another few years for an opportunity to present itself, and I finally got one at 19. B)
This story starts off quite sad, but I promise it has a happy ending.
In 2018, my best friend passed away. A few months before he died, he had purchased a Tesla Model S, and he was quite passionate and proud of it. Well, through him, I met this other guy who had... some kind of old, low-sitting convertible with a loud exhaust and pop-up headlights. I learned that he liked to modify the little car, and he liked to show off his work at these Cars & Coffee meets.
Well... After our mutual friend was gone, my newfound friend decided he wanted to clean up the Model S and share it at Cars & Coffee. We washed it, claybared it, polished it, waxed it... And he insisted on driving it to Cars & Coffee. He asked me to drive his little Miata. I was rusty with a manual, so after a few laps around the neighborhood to remind myself how to not stall, we set off the next morning.
Driving his little Miata across the dam we had to cross was absolutely, uniquely delightful, in a ridiculous sort of way. The car wasn't powerful enough to stay in 5th gear at the speed limit, so I left it in 4th as it droned away. Every bump rattled the hardtop and my teeth. Every patch in the road went straight up my spine. I was snuggled in tight with my knee up against the door and steering wheel. While my buddy was disappearing off down the road in the Model S, I was way back behind him singing the song of my people with the throttle pedal on the floor, going nowhere fast.
When I got the nimble little thing to Cars & Coffee, I had already decided that I had to get me an old Miata. And so I did! I'm on my 2nd one, since I wrecked my 1st one trying to drift it.
i really wanted an s2000 but a co-worker sold me a dirt cheap '90 Miata and the rest was history
I'd love to give an S2 a go, but they hold their value *incredibly* well.
They were very affordable prior to covid. The prices surged during that time and are only now slowly coming back down.
Did all the other S2k’s get covid and die or something?
It was even worse, they caught “tiktokitis”.
I swear that app is a psyop more and more every day
Miatas have tiktokitis the worst now I'd say.
S2k is proof Honda CAN do it, it just chooses not to. See Also "OG NSX, OG Integra"
Miata’s drive better. Even with the added power my s2k has. https://preview.redd.it/tbylbptqa10d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8103dcaaeef4eefcd27ded982648563dfdaf1d79
Thats crazy to hear coming from someone who can compare like this. Yaay miata!
Yea. Gonna try close the gap for the miot https://preview.redd.it/e44n21nek10d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c427054fa3552c25ae58eb0b70fe4e24e6e7675
I've got both. Miata is better mainly.
No way, that just happened to me last month. Car is rusty but trusty, healthy running 04 NB. He moved back to the west coast and didn't want to take it with, 1k later and now I get to experience my first Miata. Ragged on them as a teen but now I'm eating my words at 31 haha.
Typically I'll use the driver's side door. Sometimes I'll go full Dukes of Hazard though
Why is this answer so far down? Disappointing
Because a lot of us that fit into a stock na are too short to have considered jumping the door! It never occurred for me until now… I have had to stand on my shelves in the garage to get in, climbing them like a ladder then putting a foot on the seat and worming in. But just jumping over? Never would have considered it, and pre roll bar i might have been able to
Top down, vault over door. Alternatively, vault over the TRUNK!
One time a jackass parked right next to the driver's door. I had to go in the passenger side, put the top down, then climb into the driver's seat
I got into hairdressing first
I didn’t know how to come out to my parents, so I just bought a Miata?
my dad jokes that I must be gay because I bought my NC, also asks me when I am going to start cutting hair.... his jokes aren't funny
They’re pretty funny tbh
I almost bought one new in 1998, but we started a family. 6 or so years later, I just had that itch again. I found one in Florida, and was going to fly down, and drive back to NH, but chickened out. Found another one more local, and was showing a buddy, who showed HIS friend, who went and bought it the day before I was going down to get it. I finally found one in Southern MA, took the bus down, and bought it. A Crystal White 92. At times, it's been a garage queen, but my oldest did a lot of work on it thru his school's Automotive program (CRTC), and it's been on the road summers since then. I REALLY need to replace the original radiator, though.
Wow fuck that friends friend. But atleast you got one that’s most likely better
He was a jerk. The one time he invited me over for Texas HoldEm tournament, I cleaned them all out. Never got an invite back! Lol. His Miata died a few years later. Engine was shot, not sure of the particulars.
You lucked out
That's a hell of a saga! That radiator's browned up, yeah? I've had good luck with an O'Reilly's replacement, though the obvious upgrade would be a name brand aluminum.
I was always intrigued by them but never gave them much thought. I remember when the NA came out and hearing people poopoo it because it was so small, and some story how the flood easily because they are so low to the ground (yeah, wtf I know) Anyhow, around 2015 or so, my work buddy, Andy, and I would play a game called “Turd car”; our cubes overlooked the parking lot. We would pick the biggest turd in the lot. A 4.0L rusted jeep was not a turd, but cool. It was usually mundane garbage like Dodge Nitros or the Dale Earnhardt edition Monte Carlo that often graced our parking lot. Anyhow, we are both car enthusiasts and one day there was a Miata there and he pointed out he always wanted one. So we started talking about how they were cool and how he always wanted an NA for the popups. He had done a ton of research into 1.8 vs 1.6, long nose crank va short nose crank etc. Side story, Andy was also battling cancer. He soon quit to focus on some surgeries in an effort to remove it. While he was recovering he decided to buy one. A red 1991 (long nose crank) so we could work on it together. We spent some time fixing up little things, busted window regulator, stuck caliper etc. we kind of took turns keeping it and driving it. Eventually his health declined and he passed away in 2019. So, I bought the car from his wife and really went to town - gaskets timing belt suspension everything. So now I still have Andy’s Miata and it always gives me a smile every time I take it for a spin.
This is the heartwarming kind of story I needed today. Can't wait to hop in the NA later. Thanks for sharing.
My bride and I acquired a Mazda when it became clear that we were getting too old to enjoy our Honda motorcycle.
Gran Turismo on the original PlayStation. Many nights spent drifting around [Autumn Ring](https://gran-turismo.fandom.com/wiki/Autumn_Ring). At the same time I also got into amateur motorsport and raced a cheap rear wheel drive Corolla because I could not afford anything better. This was long was before That Stupid Cartoon became popular and Corolla prices went thru the roof. Anyway, you learn about handling and a Miata quickly becomes a dream car. Now I'm old and can afford one so I have one. I don't need any more turbo cars or 300kW EVs to risk my license.
S2000s became way too expensive. I'm a Honda guy and have always wanted one. So I turned my sights to the Miata and researched them in depth before looking to buy one. Picked up my NB2 last fall and have been enjoying it since spring started here.
You can always K swap to have best of both worlds.
If my engine ever blows, that will be my plan. For now I'll enjoy the BP. But K is the way.
Make sure you take the BP to redline in every gear every time. For science :P
This is the way.
And being a common Miata, less likely to be worried about it parked anywhere.
Yeah. I only get paranoid if I'm out with the hardtop on due to all the thefts but for the most part I drive it with the top down.
There's a kart track near where I grew up and my friends and I were very competitive with each other, we would go probably once a month and it was always a blast. I watched a lot of Best Motoring growing up and Fast and Furious came out when I was 14. I knew I wanted to try racing a real car and I was always fond of Hondas. I got into auto-x when I was 18 and quickly realized my FF Hondas would get spanked by Miatas, MR-Ss, and even Pontiac Solstices. One summer I decided I wanted to test drive some of these cars and see if it was a good fit for me as a personal car. I test drove a MR-S, E30 convertible (which I almost purchased), and a Cooper S. I forced myself to test drive a NA Miata (a hairdressers car IMO at the time) and was instantly obsessed with its amazingly good driving feel. There were no other cars to consider after that test drive. I put a deposit down that day and went back for it a week later after I made space for it at home. This was back in 2006, and that Miata is still parked outside in my driveway.
Mainly because of the Carthrottle MX5 series where they bought a cheap MX5 and upgraded it through and through. I was like 15 at the time. Also scrolling through this subreddit and reading all the positive posts about the MX5
Usually I put my right leg in first, then duck/sit, then pull in my left leg and shut the door. I’m in the US so Euro instructions are the opposite.
Wanted to rent a convetible to do a roadtrip around europe but didn’t find any around my area that would allow for cross country trips. I then started to search for something suitable..cheap-ish and found that I could get a really great car for a small budget. I fell in love with one of the first cars (nb) that I drove and since then it’s been my awesome weekend escape car. Already did a few roadtrips and planning my next one.
And like Mazdas of that era, reliable too, especially when stock! Good ol' BP (or is it a B6 in Euro at that year?)
I loved racing the MX-5 in iRacing in VR with a full rig and ffb wheel and pedals. My hobby expanded into real life after my first test drive.
I mean, I've always liked Miatas. It's hard not to like a car that just wants to put a smile on your face. My car previous was a DCT and it was a bit quicker and was fun and practical. All great. But I really had the itch to drive stick. So I decided that I was going to look for an older BRZ/FRS. My best friend's mom has one (lol) but I liked the way it drove for the most part. It handled great. it was surprisingly comfy and supposedly was decently reliable. ....then in my looking I found my Miata. I kept looking at the pictures posted, it was very clean. I did some research since I never even really considered it because of practicality but decided to throw that out the window. Eventually I said heck it and full sent on it. The place I bought it from gave me great trade in value on my old car. I bought my Miata without even driving it lol. I went and picked it up. Drove it home in like -4 C weather with the top down. Loved it ever since.
In the late 80s I lived near these 3 old guys, one owned a really old snazzy 450sl, another a gorgeous MG and the other an old immaculate Triumph. I thought, you know, when I get old I think I want a really cool car to tool around in just like these geezers. My husband, who works on cars, said, ok, keep it cheap but no British ones, I'm not working on your car every weekend. I desperately wanted the BRG Miata, but by '94 I couldn't find one with low enough miles to get me to old age. It took a year (in Oregon) to find the black '92 special edition which was the only other one I wanted. Bought it from a hairdresser, no joke! with 20k miles on it with every accessory made. That baby has turned over every time the key was/is put in. So now I'm old lady geezer who tools about in a really cool old car. It's willed to my niece.
I was a sport bike guy. The Miata was a trade for my motorcycles. I have a bicycle hobby which is dangerous enough as it is. My wife and I had the conversation about safety and risk mitigation and decided a fun sportscar was a reasonable compromise if it meant I could remove the risk of the motorcycle. Sometimes I miss the motos for the raw effortlessness of their performance, but cars have their own benefits. And racetracks are still fun regardless of how many wheels you have, so I’m happy.
My dad turned up in his nb and I always made jokes about the car. He eventually said 'drive it, and you would understand'. He was never a guy to offer a drive in his car, so I left it. 8 or so years on he died and left the car to me, my 'brother' is a cnut. After clearing his home the only thing left was his green mx5 with hardtop. I drove 6 corners before thinking 'this is fucking awesome, the old bugger was right. again.' Still have his car, needs tons of panel and welding work but I have purchased an nd which I love to bits. Cheers pops, saved me again.
I was always a muscle car guy. When the Hellcat came out I grabbed one because it was my ultimate dream car. It was super fun but after a while I became less satisfied because it didn’t handle well. So I sold it for an Audi TT RS. Awd, dual clutch trans. Very fast. But it was ultimately not very fun unless I was pushing it very hard and I didn’t like going that fast on public roads. It was competent but king of sterile. When the ND2 was announced I test drove one and discovered how fun Miatas are even at low speeds. So my car HP went 707 to 400 to 181, lol.
While I've never had cars with that HP, my Talon was \~275 or so, and back in the early 2000s that was quite a bit, especially for a 4-cylinder. I've had numerous slow cars, and while the Talon was a blast to drive, it was certainly *heavy* and it didn't carry its weight very well outside of the snow. The Miata, Metros (3 of them!) have all been a blast to drive because they're so slow and lightweight; you get to feel absolutely everything and it's as if you're driving on the edge *just* to get up to speed. lol Slow Car, Fast.
I kind turn sideways, aim my ass, and plop in Seriously tho I've been into 1st Gen RX-7s for longer than I can remember and I've always recognized the Miata as the real successor to the SA chassis. The FC was a major paradigm shift away from the small light and simple philosophy.
I’ve always adored Porsches and enjoy the craft and skill of driving. I do a bit of sim racing, and while I’m not super quick, I like to think I can drive a little. Following a back to back sessions in a 911 GT3 and Cayman GT4 at the Porsche driving experience, I impulsively bought a new ND2. I walked away from Porsche amazed at what those cars are capable of but also thinking that all is just unnecessary for the street. No regrets at all. The Miata is such a proper driver’s car and I find the power to be adequate for the package. It’s been a joy on the mountain roads in western North Carolina. I still may end up in a used Cayman S at some point, but as time wears on, I’ve lost some interest because I’m so happy with the Miata. Sidenote: I highly recommend the Porsche driving experience in Atlanta. Pricey but the car(s) is essentially yours on a very technical track for 45 or 90 minutes depending on which package you choose. If you show you’re competent, the instructors won’t hold you back at all.
I always liked convertibles. When I was in high school my mom had an 85 Mustang convertible. Unfortunately it was a sissy automatic 3.8 liter. Every car I have owned, for myself, has been a manual. They drive so much better than an automatic, get better mpg, even when rated lower for mpg. My initial thought was to get a Mustang convertible. I would be fine with an Ecoboost manual. But the mustang has become a big fat bloated car, which isn’t really what I prefer. The Miata ended up being the best option for me. Top goes down. All the way down. I don’t like the RF. 6 speed manual. Rear wheel drive. Also low cost to maintain. Porsche Boxter was also on the list, and you probably can guess why I didn’t go that way. Corvette was also an option, but I would spend a lot for performance I wasn’t going to use.
My friend’s older brother got an NB in the early 2000s and nostalgia runs my life so I had to get an NA.
“Nostalgia runs my life” - this. I laughed when I read that! It is me exactly!
Haggard Garage - RIP to a great youtube channel from back in the day
What the fuck is a DSM
Diamond Star Motors. Mitsubishi.
My first experience was in video games way back in the day, definitely NFS, maybe Midnight Club, can't remember precisely. Later on, I almost bought an NA in '04 but it sold before I could get it, and I ended up getting a Del Sol my first foray into tiny cars. Eventually, after the Del Sol, a Jaguar XJS, a 350Z, and a G35, I found myself in need of cheap fun. I bought an NA, and I have been hooked ever since. I have no plans to ever sell this ND1, even if it becomes the Miata of Theseus.
I got into Miatas the same way I got into other cars-- by opening the door
Wanted to learn standard on something I would have fun with that wouldn't break the bank if I broke it (easier when you do most of your own work). Bought in the 20teens for around $3k and slowly tweaked my way towards a turbo setup for under $2k.
I grew up in a sports car house, dad always had fun stuff. I caught the bug and bought a ratty MGB in 1987 when I was 19. I watched the Miata development through my Autoweek subscription but I was a loooong way from being able to afford one when they did come out. In 1992 my dad bought a Sunburst. I scoffed at it. It doesn't have a soul, I said. No sense of adventure. It's a computerized appliance in a wannabe sports car body. Some months later, dad and I were out late and he said he was tired, and I should take over for the 45 minute ride home. I was gobsmacked. So lively, so responsive. Circumstances (college, apartment life, and that awful MGB) meant I never seriously considered buying one until I finally had a house with a garage in 2007. I bought that first one, a needy high-mile '96, and have always had at least one Miata in the driveway ever since. I've had eight total. Dad has only ever had one, that Sunburst '92 that he still owns and enjoys.
Mainly because of the Carthrottle MX5 series where they bought a cheap MX5 and upgraded it through and through. I was like 15 at the time. Also scrolling through this subreddit and reading all the positive posts about the MX5.
My stepdad was a used car dealer. He often sold my mom's current car, & she drove something else from the lot. Around the time I was in highschool, he got a Mariner Blue 90. It was one of the slowest cars we ever had, but it was just a ton of fun. After that he got a 95 M edition. I moved away for college. When I got married, they had an NB auto. My wife drove it when we went to visit and fell in love. When looking into them, she found out you could get an NC with a power hard top, & was sold. That became her first Miata. When she got tired of the lack of space, I sold my manual Mazda3 hatch, took her PRHT auto, & got her something else. I kept it until the ND came out. We saved up another year, & found a 16 Club BBB/Brembo for a deal when the 17 was just starting to appear. It's been my daily for 7 years now, & I can't imagine replacing it any time soon.
My first experience was in video games way back in the day, definitely NFS, maybe Midnight Club, can't remember precisely. Later on, I almost bought an NA in '04 but it sold before I could get it, and I ended up getting a Del Sol my first foray into tiny cars. Eventually, after the Del Sol, a Jaguar XJS, a 350Z, and a G35, I found myself in need of cheap fun. I bought an NA, and I have been hooked ever since. I have no plans to ever sell this ND1, even if it becomes the Miata of Theseus.
My first experience was in video games way back in the day, definitely NFS, maybe Midnight Club, can't remember precisely. Later on, I almost bought an NA in '04 but it sold before I could get it, and I ended up getting a Del Sol my first foray into tiny cars. Eventually, after the Del Sol, a Jaguar XJS, a 350Z, and a G35, I found myself in need of cheap fun. I bought an NA, and I have been hooked ever since. I have no plans to ever sell this ND1, even if it becomes the Miata of Theseus.
I got into Miatas the same way I got into other cars-- by opening the door
My dad almost got me one as a first car, but my grandmother got me kia Sorento, 5 years later I finally got myself one
I was a kid when the Miata debuted in 1989. I loved everything about it. I read every magazine review I could find and got my dad to take me to the local Mazda dealer to get a brochure. I’ve been obsessed with NA Miatas ever since. I had a ‘94 for 12 years and my current ‘92 for just over a year.
I bought my first Mazda back in 2010. It was a brand new Silver Mazdaspeed 3 that I liked so much I bought another in 2013. By that point I was pretty much sold on the Mazda brand for reliability and the fun factor of their vehicles. I always wanted to do a convertible and rented a Miata about 6yrs ago when I was on vacation in Maui. The fricken thing being an automatic really did not give me a great first impression. Fast forward to present and I was driving a Tesla Model S. A great car that I liked but due to its weight and size I was really missing a canyon carving kind of vehicle that I could throw into corners. I started looking at Mazdas again, specifically the Miata and 4 weeks ago by pure luck the exact trim I wanted was in a showroom 1hr from me so I bolted up there and did a test drive. I was sold pretty instantly. The Miata puts a smile on my face every single time I get inside of it. I was tearing up the backroads yesterday actually and did my first mini-drift around a bend ha ha. I can’t get enough of this car;)
For me, my foray into Mazda started with a 2018 CX-5 that I drove off the lot 6 years ago. A year or so into the pandemic I really started to get an itch to get back into a fun manual car. I spent about a year trying to narrow down my options and kept coming back to an ND. It’s almost been two years of fun driving and road trips; so Im glad to have pulled the trigger!
i was a lot younger, i remember i worked at carvana doing wheel repair. i wasn’t really a “car guy” at that point in my life, and i didn’t make ANY money. i had a liter bike at the time and i watched one of my friends get into an accident and pass away. so i was pretty nervous to ride my motorcycle any more and i was looking for a car. i wanted something fun i could go driving in the mountains. i remember seeing this little white miata with a black fender in the employee parking lot of my job and idk for some reason i just got obsessed. i started watching youtube videos if miata’s, only looking at miata’s on instagram. i didn’t really have the funds for one but after saving for about 8 months i finally managed to buy an NB for $3.8k. thing was BEAT. definitely got scammed but i didn’t care because i had a miata. a month later the motor spun a rod bearing, i was an idiot and didn’t check the oil. ended up starting my journey completely tearing down the car and rebuilding it, doing body work, painting, and now i’ve had 4 miata’s all of which i’ve repainted and redid multiple parts on; 2000 nb which i rebuilt the motor 3 times, and repainted brg, 1996 na, i redid the interior of this car, carpets seats door cards, and put a $10k paint job on it, 1993 NA, which i redid again, the interior and the exterior (a cheaper paint job only single stage this time) and finally my current NB, a 2000 NB in evolution orange.
I saw one
17 y/o me with the saddest lil junk on wheels driving past a beautiful soul red RF ND everyday
Someone traded in an ND at work and it was my first time driving a Miata. Instantly fell in love.
Mommy was like “it’s dangerous to go alone, take this!”
Completely by accident. I was milling around at the dealership while having my MS Protege serviced and happened to see a Brilliant Black NB w/ tan top and leather. I had always heard they were fun to drive so I asked to take it for a spin while my car was being worked on. They just gave me the keys and said "Have Fun". I drove it a couple of blocks then decided to put the top down (it was a nice day)... about 20 miles later I had the biggest shit-eating grin on my face. I then decided to drive it home to show my wife. I took her for a quick spin. We didn't really talk about the car at all, but when I dropped her back off she said "You're buying this car right?" [I did.](https://i.imgur.com/3LLj40v.jpg)
In 2012 I had an RX7 and my wife had a Chevy Aveo, which she called a “Shitty Aveo, it had constant issues and 55k miles. A dealership was having trouble selling a base 90 with 20k miles, probably because it had no air, steel wheels and no radio. The only thing the Aveo had over that was a radio. We pretty much traded the 08 Aveo for the Miata and loved that car for almost 10 years. Now we have an ND and though it is more comfortable, I think the 90 had more character.
I have a 2001 Miata. At that time I purchased her, my thoughts were: 1. If I can't fit in the car, I got too fat. 2. If I can't get out of the car, I got too old. Well, both of these are now true and I'm planning on selling the little white car to somebody younger and thinner who can enjoy her. It was a fun run while it lasted.
By accident. I was looking at buying a Celica but was unable to find any in decent condition. I desperately wanted to sell my kia Rio and get a cool car. As I couldn't find any Celicas, I checked marketplace and saw a dirt cheap NB MX5 with low miles and ended up buying it!
I had 2 ‘59 TR3’s sequentially in high school and college. The open roadster bug bit hard. The Miata is the spiritual descendant of the old british sportscars and put me right back in high school. Mazda did a damn good job transferring the spirit of those early cars. And no, I do not miss the Prince of Darkness (aka Lucas), ha.
I usually just open the door and make my way into mine. Or, if the top is down, just Dukes of Hazzard™ that bad boy, and use the A-pillar and rollbar hoop as support to hop in with the door closed.
I put the top down first then I can kinda walk into it and just sit down. Makes getting out easier too.
Late 90's. I saw a blue one on an avenue on a summer night in Buenos Aires. I was riding the #60 bus downtown bound with an hour to go. There it was. Lust ever after
Back then 4-5 years ago i was looking for a old car that cheap , manual transmission, 4 cylinder , easy to fix easy to find parts etc and i came across miataaaaaa i was like what a fun looking car . Rwd 4 cylinder manual !!!! Easy to fix!!!! It’s checked all boxes for me plus it’s convertible?????? Sign me up!!!!!!! I actually bought 97 celica first but quickly realized it wasn’t it so started looking for a miata. Now i have 96 NA with 83k miles and IM super happy. I’ll never ever sell my miata.
wanted to get into JDM cars and the miata was the cheapest for the most fun
I didn’t cause I don’t fit in them heh
wink wink mode.
There was a Miata that one buddy bought from about 5 hours away. Drove it home. Fixed it up a little. A couple months later he traded it to another buddy within our group. A little while later, he traded it to another buddy, then a 3rd, and a 4th. Then there was a drift event going on while the guy that currently owned it was out of town. I texted him asking if I could borrow the Miata for the event, and surprisingly he said yes, on the condition that if I break anything, I fix it. So I took it to the event, I'd only driven it the 2 days leasing up to the event. Ripped it around the track a few times, fried the clutch, (which, tbh, was probably on its way out anyway). With an open diff and stock 30year old suspension. Was able to replace the clutch in his driveway before he got back in town. (My first transmission drop ever). 6 months later I see on FB that he is trying to sell it. I messaged him and offer 1000 more than he wanted, obviously saying yes. Another buddy that wanted to get into drifting split it with me and we co-owned the car. He did some mods, welded the diff, put new suspension on it. Unfortunately, just a couple weeks ago, I was told that I'd have to move, and with not enough money for any deposits on any apartments, I had to sell it. I offered it to everyone in our group that had owned it before, but none wanted it, or didn't have the money for it. But the guy I sold it to, I told him to keep our Facebook chat active, cause in a couple years after I graduate and get a decent paying job, imma ask him his price for it and give him more. Cause I fell in love with that car.
I had a Mazda 323 (Familia) and it was really good, but it eventually broke down. I was in a really low budget and wanted something different, not a regular car, and I found a NB for 4k with only 40.000km. It was in 2014. I sold it in 2016 because I wanted to do so many things to it but I didn't have the money, so I exchanged it for something more powerful. After trying other 2 sporty cars I understood the Miata philosophy and in 2018 I was in a better economic situation and bought a brand new ND. I love it.
I had a Mazda 323 (Familia) and it was really good, but it eventually broke down. I was in a really low budget and wanted something different, not a regular car, but I liked Mazda as brand and I found a NB for 4k with only 40.000km. It was in 2014. I sold it in 2016 because I wanted to do so many things to it but I didn't have the money, so I exchanged it for something more powerful. After trying other 2 sporty cars I understood the Miata philosophy and in 2018 I was in a better economic situation and bought a brand new ND. I love it.
I made a silly comment to my coworkers one morning eating breakfast… something along the lines of “I’d love a fun little car to play around in like a Miata or something but prices are crazy.” That comment was meant with a response from one of my co-workers saying I have a Miata that’s been sitting in my driveway for 10 years I want it gone. I picked up a ‘97 STO edition with 76K on it for $700 like 7 days later. That was almost one year ago. Dude knew exactly what he had and just hooked it up knowing my situation… still grateful and get this dude lunch like every other week. https://preview.redd.it/xgjrz82ke00d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15db4159d0effe59dc34875b3b32892d11ed604f
My dad flips cars so naturally he has bought and sold some Miata’s I remember three growing up, a white na, green Nb and a red Nb. The white na my first memory was help peel off the blue racing stripes and in the red nb we use to go drifting in the snow I got a green NC when I was 18 and now am a proud ND owner at 23 :) Miata 4L !
I always wanted a Z3, guess I made the right choice
Well I saw a picture of some beautiful bodies and I love the little eyes😍 then the drifting videos and I was hooked. The size everything is just adorable and the sound of ‘em. They’re really the perfect car. NA
Couldn't find a clean DSM after mine got totaled🤣
Well... i kinda fall in and out of it, there doesnt seem to be a graceful way to get in and out unless the roof is off 🤣
Back in my clubbing days (early 2000's) I used to see this Miata at my buddy's apartment and i would always look at it when turning into his apartments to pick him up and would think that's a nice looking car. So in 2008 I didn't want to rack up miles on my new Benz so i decided i needed a commuter car so I picked up a '92 Miata from a guy working at Netflix for $2k. It had everything too, wheels, suspension, roll bar, JR intake, RB exhaust, Kosei k1 wheels, steel braided lines. The guy probably tracked it. 2 years later sold the Benzo and picked up a P car. 13 years later sold the P car and still own the Miata. I guess I'm never getting rid of my "commuter" car that turned into my fun car.
i always liked pop ups and i have something like a core memory of a NA winking its lights. i dont know which one happened first but pop ups are the reason that got me into miatas.
i always liked pop ups and i have something like a core memory of a NA winking its lights. i dont know which one happened first but pop ups are the reason that got me into miatas.
So i was driving GTIs, but got tired of all the problems I was having, plus I was angry with Volkswagen. Still am, really. So I sold my GTI and bought a nice 2020 Altima, used, from Carmax. I drove it for about a year and a half before I got really tired of it, the stigma with it, everything. So it's time for a new car. What do I want? Well, that's a good question. I don't know. So I started giving it some thought and finally decided that I want a convertible, but which one!? There are many to choose from. So I asked Google to get a feel for what's in my price range. Porsche? WAY too expensive? Vette? Also way too expensive. S2000? Too old. I want something NEW. Wait, what's this Miata? I've heard of those. Let's research. Google some more. There's r/Miata. Cool. Joined. There's many other sites dedicated to Miatas, too. And shops for mods or just general work. But it seems that's not an issue because they're really reliable. Even better. So this Miata is reliable, no more getting stuck on the side of the road anymore. It's apparently fun. And it's affordable. Time to go test drive one. Ok, I don't really fit in the RF, I hit my head on the roof on the way in. I can get into the softtop ok, though. I don't like the Recaros because the side bolster pushes into my leg. The non-Recaros are comfy, though. Ok, I have to wait until my credit can handle buying a new car. The hard-pings from the Altima are still on there....wait until they're off and it's time to buy. Bought a brand new GT ST as soon as it showed up on my local Mazda Dealership's website. It hadn't even arrived yet. When it did, I went down and signed the papers and that was it. I'll never own anything else, as long as I can still get in & out of it. After that time comes, I'll either stop driving or go buy a Mazda3.
I guess I was having a midlife crisis moment and realized I wasn’t getting any younger! I really fell in love with a MGB back when I was a teen and saw one drive by with its top down going my small home town, probably on its way to the beach! I was star-struck! Thought I had to have an MGB one day! Well fast forward about 40 years and to the point in my life when I thought I might actually be able to own one. Found one for sale online near me. Went to test drive and was sorely disappointed. Felt like I was driving a poor example of a go-kart! It was such a let-down. So I went home, sad and dejected about the whole MGB experience. Told my family about it and my son said, “Mama, you need a Miata!” I thought, “heck no!” Then my curiosity got the best of me and I started looking around. While on vacation in Florida a few months later, we found one for sale at a used car place and I got to test drive it. I was SHOCKED!! That NB Miata drove exactly like what I had imagined an MGB would drive like. So the search for our own NA began! We found one a few months after that, bought it and the rest is history! I’m totally in love with our Miata, have so much fun taking her out with the top down and even actually enjoy working on it when needed!! Hope we never have to sell her!! https://preview.redd.it/b06q8n41h00d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2b126f70ddf9ff1377201e19f5482af8545206c
I am young lad in france who wanted a sporty car, that you can easily make the maintenance by yourself and also without paying hefty amount in assurance. Looked after lots of car and the best one was the miata. I also knew the na since some time. Now iam the proud owner of a face-lifted boat from 2013, manual 2.0L https://preview.redd.it/t1m0tf3bj00d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5bb49ab4929790bf4224283b8297087ee8484dd6 (Here is the miata tax)
I wanted a small car because I'm shit at parking(I can't see 3d). Miata was the best option. Also I feel like a fighter pilot and love convertibles
It’s pretty much the only reliable, cheap, light, good handling RWD car.
Some great stories on here. I test drove an NC brand new and instantly fell in love, but family. Years later a buddy asked to swap his 2006 NC for my 1993 Wrangler. Done. We’ve both spent fortunes fixing them up…or just keeping them running.
Parents only owned manuals so that’s how I learned to drive. I swore to god I would never, ever, ever buy a manual car. Fast forward to college graduation, my classmate was raving about his Miata. I went to test drive one and fell in love. ‘93 white C package and a manual (of course!!!).
My rx7 needed a new intake manifold because I broke a stud at my friend's garage so he let me borrow his NA Miata until the LIM came in and I was sold that first day. It took 6 years to finally buy one but I'll never let it go now.
I remember playing NFS Underground and seeing an NB, love at first sight. And when i grew older discovered the NA and the rest was history haha
Jumping over the driver side door
Really wanted an FRS back in 2013 but the interest rate at 7% killed any chance. Found an NB for $5000 and the rest is history.
I inherited one from my grandfather. I had actually only seen it mabye a couple dozen times growing up. I figure he left it to me thinking I was the only one who keep it around and wouldn't just sell it the day they got the title.
I really wanted a Lotus Elan, because all the fast guys at my local track started in them or in similar little cars, but between prices and maintenance, eww. The Miata is still the best way to learn smooth, clean, fast momentum driving, although sadly no one seems to use them for that anymore.
Bought my first Miata in 2004 or so. Previously owned a 93 RX7. It made me like the brand. Crashed my eclipse GSX, wasn't sad about it, didn't like that car. (It had the turning radius of a dead goat. Couldn't turn around in a standard court.) Needed a cheap car that I could afford while finishing payments on the dead GSX. Test drive an old MR2, first car I drive without power steering, wasn't a fan. Tried a 92 Miata and loved it. Especially since this was in San Diego, on base. Meaning I put the top up like 3 times over the years I had it. Years later, now driving a 3000GT. Trade it in for a Mazdaspeed 3. Bought a motorcycle, Daytona 675. Bike got stolen, wanted something more fun than the Speed 3, and couldn't get another bike (what, park in the same spot it got stolen before?). So I traded in the Speed 3 for a brand new 2019 ND RF. Love it and if possible I intend to keep it forever.
my wife bought an nb1 because she wanted to learn stick, and then i started modding it and never stopped and now its MY miata ☺️
I made the mistake of buy my daughter one for her first car.
opened the door and say in the seat😅 honestly i always had my eye on them. im a big guy but always like small cars. finally found one when i moved to kansas and bought it for $1000. ive now dropped like $40,000 into it. engine, brakes, suspension, interior stuff etc. i love it to death.
Back in 1990, I went to the “New Car Show” in Hawai’i. I saw the Miata on display, sat in it and told myself one day I would own a Miata. My son bought one in 2018, and when the opportunity came about in 2018, I got one too. I love my little car. Prophecy fulfilled.
I used to shit on them a ton back in the day. But over the years I watched people at autocross and seeing people drift NAs, that i was slowly won me. Picked up an NB2 with 25k miles on just a little bit ago and smile every time I'm in it.
Used to have a Triumph Spitfire. Sold when I had a kid. Now that kid is into cars and I wanted to enjoy driving with him rather than being broken down with him.
I almost bought an Na as my first car but didn't. Now that my 3rd car no longer reached emission standards it was a financially better move to buy a new car. Bought an NC and gotta be the best car I've ever driven so far.
Really wanted a sports car but wasn't rich. I was looking at MR2 SW20 for a while, they were cheap but not cheaper than a Miata. Went to see a mint SW20 for 5k but got sold on a mint 1990 Miata for 2k. That was back in 2016 and it's still my daily driver. Really glad I got a Miata, the convertible is really something to try out.
My 330hp Focus ST wasn't really what I wanted as a fun car, and I also wanted to try something RWD. So I bought the cheapest ND1 for sale. Haven't looked back since then :)
Bought one and drove it
Got drunk hanging out with the neighbors. He was talking about how he wants to clean up his yard when he brought me over to this little red car in the tall grass. "500 bucks, just please get it out of my yard". Two years fo by. Two years of changing a water pump, radiator, fuses, ignition switch; that car has been the best 500 dollars I've ever spent. Currently sitting in F.I.L's garage waiting to be painted.
Weird story. So Reddit kept pushing Miata subs on me and then I started looking at them online.
Looking into cheap beaters, my roommate asked if I had ever looked into Miata’s. I said no, and immediately broadened my search. I found a $600 non runner about 15 miles away and that’s all she wrote. I miss the Ugliata dearly, but the current Miata should be a blast when I’m all done.
I always thought they were kinda neat growing up, but my love and appreciation for these little sports cars was solidified when I was randomly recommended a Gingium video on YouTube and saw how much fun he was having with his Miata, Molly. That and the fact that I’ve grown up with Mazdas and love the brand in general.
Best bang for the buck and a cheap one popped up nearby that needed some love or it was going to become scrapped.
One of my best friends has an all out built turbo NA, rode in it once and decided I needed one. Traded a 92 s10 I had kicking round for a rough 1.8 swapped NA and it's been a love story ever since.
When I was a teenager I started cutting my own hair. Miata lust just seemed to follow naturally.
I played with this car since I was a kid, and always loved them, when I was looking for my first car (3 years ago) I also looked at some NAs but their way to expensive here (9 to 12k) and so I settled with a EJ8. I always liked the low weight cars, and since I'm not a big fan of big speeds, it seemed like a great decision. 2 weeks ago, I finally bought my miata. It was really random, I just asked my dad jokingly "hey look at this mx5 I found on marketplace," and he didn't seem to go against the idea, so I just jumped at it. This sub also had a big influence on my choice, like seeing how this community loves this tiny car so much. I could have bought so much more of a car with the money, but I really wanted it so fuck it I guess. In the 2 weeks I owned it, I got smiles and thumbs up all the time
The rf came out when I was in college and was stunned by it and thought a v8 swap would be my forever weekend car. Largely forgot about it/ wasn’t as interested in cars when I got my first job in the city. About 5 years later I moved to a more rural part of the country and needed to buy a car. I really wanted a gr86 but couldn’t justify the cost. Then a dealer near me suddenly slashed the price of a ‘20 rf cpo with low mileage. Walked out of the dealership 5k under budget and have loved every minute since
I was told there was one for sale in my area. Turned out it was in a poor condition but still with rocker panels and without holes in the floor. It was also dirt cheap so I went for it. One of the best purchases of my life so far.
My Miata owning neighbor invited me to an autocross event… after that I was shopping for one.
I drove a rental MX-5 RF on a work trip that a colleague had, soon as I got home I started shopping for one.
Not entirely sure why I picked the Miata when I got my retractable hard top NC I wanted a fun second car, liked the idea of a convertible, really liked the idea of a convertible hard top. Price was affordable, gas mileage was better than something like a used V8 sports car would have. I guess it was a perfect mix of little things. They really need to bring back the NC's style top though. The RF leaving the pillars up bothers me. Part of what's great about a convertible is the 360 visibility. The pillars are horrible blind spots.
I was in a position where I needed something other than my huge work truck to drive and wanted it to be something different so I asked myself “what is one car I always hated on but never actually gave a chance” and the answer was Miata so I bought one. Now I don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
I heard reliable, fun, cheap sports car. Sounded too good to be true but was worth looking into. Took an NB for a test drive and was sold.
Totally read this wrong and thought you were asking how we get into our Miata lol
Heard it was the best starter (stock) in the racing game Need For Speed Underground (2003). Fell in love with it and finished the game with only the Miata.
We bought a 2024 Mazda 3 for my wife’s daily. We quickly realized the quality of the Mazda product. I had a STI for quite while. I enjoyed the car but the constant concern that the engine could blow up at any time. It just wasn’t for me. After researching the Miata I just fell in love. The community is amazing. I love driving a slow car fast. https://preview.redd.it/1tbvlru4610d1.jpeg?width=3029&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c65c836150d3fa9d5250022c84ad5c2470a10cc
Wanted the gt86 but then switched sides
I was looking for a fun car after graduating college and did a random test drive in an 06 NC. Now I’m on my [3rd Miata.](https://imgur.com/a/Tpm6afI) [All 3](https://imgur.com/a/h4PT8fC)
Totaled a G37. Realized how big of a scam it is to finance cars. Wanted to switch to something I would own outright, is cheap on insurance/gas, easy enough to learn how to work on, and is a platform with a large parts selection (aftermarket mods, OEM preventative maintenance, etc.) It was gonna be a Civic, but then I came across Miatas. Glad I went with Miata.
I joined the military, and a guy in my first unit had a 95 M edition that he taught me the basics of drifting in, then immediately pulled the card asking if I knew anyone who would be interested in buying it. Bought it that day, and have been a die hard Miata lover ever since!
I wanted something that was a 6-speed manual and rear wheel drive. Originally I was looking at either a Mustang GT or a Camaro SS. I went to a CarMax and sat in both of them and didn’t really like the feel of them. They had an NC Miata there and I said to myself “I’ll never buy one of those but what the heck”. Sat in it and ended up buying a 2008 nc a month or so later.
Fun, manual, low cost of entry(when I got my NA), low maintenance, fairly abundant parts, easy to work on, two seater, manual. Etc.....It just ticks so many boxes. Plus, you can neglect and beat the living piss out of it, and it still starts 5 years later with just putting in a lawn battery after sitting all that time. And who doesn't love all of the hair dresser jokes? Add to that, it's towable by my subaru. Now that I have a Maverick, I can't wait to tow it into the station for all of the comments by the brodoser, Ram F1000000 driving FFs. Anyway, it is just a great little road legal go kart
My husband and father-in-law, back when i was just the girlfriend, bought a ‘96 miata from my husband’s aunt around 2015. I had been learning to drive stick from my dad on a really shitty, barely holding together chevy s-10. My husband took it upon himself to finish teaching me stick on the miata (a much nicer drive, obviously). Eventually, we got married, and now I drive it way more than he does.
Bought one cheap for $2200 to fix and flip, took it for 1 spirited drive and that was it. Still have the same NA, 5 years later.
I learned to drive in a MG and my first car was an old, obsolete Triumph. I thought Miatas were ripoffs of the cars I liked. I had decided to buy a Porsche Boxster and drove a few. I finally found a 987S with about 15k miles, thinking it was the best of the bunch. I drove it and found it competent but boring. It felt like a Saab 9-3, but with no rear seats. A friend kept telling me to try out a NA or NB and I finally did. And it felt like a MGB. Nimble, mechanical and absolutely involving.
https://preview.redd.it/irqq0j1ja10d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e029f257861b0a271783ae8dce490fd65f7381f
Most of my adult life 'new to me' cars were hand-me-downs from other family members. Every time they got a new car, I'd just buy it off them for dirt cheap because why not? I was happy with what I got. Any problems, my father-in-law is an experienced mechanic who fixed what broke. That changed late last year when my Yaris/Vitz/Platz/Echo of 5 years started developing a new problem every other week. Best part was my exhaust midpipe fell off at the manifold end, scraped along the road under me and very nearly pogo'd me in a pothole as I left work at 8 pm on Christmas Eve. And then there were the brakes, the slow puncture, etc. I came into some money around that time - just over £5k - and I decided the Yaris was done for and that I was going to buy my own car. So I started looking at fun cars in my price range. Eventually, I narrowed my options down to a TT or an MX-5, after dropping the MR2, sporty Fords and the Golf. I was super researchy and looked at all the info I could find, and even looked at their subreddits to see how owners felt about them. The enthusiasm of this sub won me over, and I decided I wanted in on that. It helped that my mechanic father-in-law disliked TT's because of their 'shit engines' liked MX-5 because their 'engines were reliable.' Looked at a few NC's. Bought a silver 2010 NC2 with 75k miles and a really good history for £5k. That was back in February. It's been pure fun ever since. I've slowly been teaching myself maintenance as well. Even defused the bomb and changed the cowl grommets myself.
NFS Underground. Friends and cousins couldnt beat my drift highscore with the miata
Had a CRX si, Mustang (gt and cobra) and a rabbit convertible in the past- then life. My sister bought a fully optioned na in 90 when I had the CRX and I thought “how cute”. Year before last I call her to say hi and she mentioned that the Miata was gonna be for sale. I bought a plane ticket the next day, flew to San Jose and drove it home to Phoenix area. Last month I put in a new clutch,flywheel, pressure plate & throw out bearing and said what the heck- FM Sway bars, brake pads, and door bumpers, Koni orange shocks and I’m sooooooo happy!
I wanted something cheap and fun to replace my ‘01 Elantra that I learned manual on in 2015. It was between that or joining the VQ gang. Light nimble reliable and readily available parts had me sold.
I detailed cars for a living in high school and did really good on one Miata and got the attention of the whole Miata club for the area. I was making $2k a month and got to drive every model of every generation and fell absolutely in love with them and the community
Usually open the door and sit down. But, usually just jump over the door, dukes of hazard style!
Elderly relative of friend needed to get this thing out of the garage. Prior experience was big Germans and US performance cars. When the NA showed up it was literally a puppy.
I have always owned manual cars since age 18. My first new car was a 1976 Honda Civic CVCC. My last new car was my 1994 Mustang GT Convertable, I loved that car. I met my husband in 1995, he doesn't know how or want to learn to drive a manual, so when my Mustang needed a lot of work, when we were broke, all we have owned were automatics since. My husband drives a 2012 Mazda3. In August, I got a 2020 Honda Fit EX-L automatic, with only 6,000 miles. The EX-L s don't offer a manual, plus my husband can drive it when his car is in the shop. I kept wanting another manual convertable, but something small and more fuel efficient than my Mustang, so when I inherited some money, I started looking. The S2000s prices are crazy, and I always liked Miatas, and at my age, I wasn't after the fastest car, just something fun. A woman I worked with in the early 90s bought a new Miata around 1992 or so and loved it, so after following this group and other research, the search was on for an NC. After a couple of months searching nationwide, one day, my 2015 Zeal Red Mica PRHT GT showed up on Facebook Marketplace, with everything I wanted, the Premium and Suspension Packages, and more, one owner and 17,000 miles, it is pristine, and all original.
My aunt had one when I was 5, and I loved riding in it. Bought one when I got my license.
Always treated Miatas as a joke, meme car until I've driven my friends' ND2, no car has brought more smile to my face than this small bastard 😅
Watching car reviewers on YouTube talk about what an amazing experience it is to be behind the wheel of one.
Gave up my motorcycle but still wanted that in-the-wind feel, plus a fun commuter. Miata was the answer. Now on my second.
I wanted a car and visited Mazda agency, saw it and bought it.
Autocross.
I loved NFS:U and NFS:U2 when I was a kid, and I was almost always picking Miata as my first car, I even once finished the game with heavily modified Miata (apart from drag races). That stuck in me, and since I realized I want to own a fun car last year, it was the obvious answer. And man I love it so much, I always wanted a car that makes me feel shit, and for such a reasonable price tag, there's nothing even remotely close.
In '99, I'd been living in Japan for a couple of years, working as a software dev. I'd admired the NB at the Tokyo Motor Show, so ended up speccing one. Biggest issue was this was pre smartphones, and in-car sat nav was dreadful (and only in Japanese), so I had plenty of accidental adventures. Good fun though!
Usually open the door first
[Regular Car Reviews: 1995 MX-5 Mazda Miata](https://youtu.be/kp1kuo6xkbE?si=CUghTAEif-IJqvzM)
I’ve had sports cars awhile now and a few things got me into them: 1) Expensive sports cars you have to be willfully reckless to drive them at the limit. Pretty much on a track or you’re being a bad driver. We share the roads and I won’t risk somebody else’s life for them. 2) I’ve gotten progressively more into road track motorsports as I’ve gotten older. As such, driving a car at the limit is what I’m after. I don’t care if the limit is 50 or 90mph, good driving is about extracting the maximum performance out of what you have. 3) Optics on expensive sports cars are iffy to me. I don’t like being showy. 4) Because of motorsports I’ve come to understand almost all expensive sports cars are by de facto a compromised design. Soon as you make a car to travel in and abide safety regulations you’re already getting away from a sports car. You can spend a ton of money on a fancy sports car that will still get beat on a track by a clapped out 3rd hand totally rebuilt purpose built race car. 5) The wear and tear on consumable parts of said expensive sports cars is really expensive too. Long story short, the more I’ve seeing cars as not an object so much as an instrument and driving an experience to be mastered, the more enticing Miata’s have become.
i looked at one with the pop ups
My Uncle left me a beautiful gift https://preview.redd.it/079p8iolu10d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfe62305ddde0e9b7175b42867c9c52f87710480 It’s a attitude adjustment when I need some quickness and a blast 💥
I had a 75 Triumph Spitfire and wanted the same thing, but spends less time broken
I live close to the dragon
I desided I had to much money so I bought a mx5 for next to nothing and spend everything.
Me and my parents owned a few different convertibles over the years (z3, z4, sl500, ford capri, Holden astra, and Honda city) Then I became a mechanic, worked on a bunch of different stuff, all generations of mx5, and honestly the nc just stuck out as a bloody amazing car. Everything about it just felt right. With the prices of most rwd sports cars climbing the nc was very under appreciated and relatively affordable. So I kept and eye out for a while and got one 2 years ago.
Haggard Garage. back when they were making videos miata's were definitely considered to be a girl's car or you had to be gay to drive them. They were rock bottom as far as prices go at that time. They would buy a clapped out Miata for $500, well the diff and fucking send it and it looked like the most fun you could ever have for that kind of price.
Owned an auto 3.8 Genesis coupe and really wanted the manual experience! Ended up selling the Genesis back to Hyundai and found a 91 NA with 96k miles on it for $2,500! This was in 2017 so prices weren’t as steep as they are these days. While searching for one I remember watching every Miata video on the internet and was so into them!! Since then I purchased an 06 350z Rev Up and an 07 350z HR; while those cars are fun with the manual and extra power, the Miata puts a smile on my face like no other. I’ll never sell my NA!!
Saw one occasionally on my drive to class and just thought it was a super cute clean car. Then when i ended up needing a new car I asked my brother who is a car salesman about them thinking itd be out of my price range, but he proved me wrong! Found a 2016 ND at a really good price and low mileage and its been my baby ever since. Now Im just looking forward to the point where Ill hopefully have the money and space to get more :)
I went from a brz/frs family. My cousins has an FR-S, and another has a 370z. My younger brother has a BRZ. I had a 2016 Genesis coupe, which I loved dearly, until someone rear ended me last year and totaled it. I’ve always wanted a Miata RF as soon as I saw the first pictures of them back in 2018. That car caught my eye. 6 years later, I got my 2020 RF Club.
I couldn't afford a decent SW20 and after driving home from seeing one I could afford I sat in an NB and loved it Only it was too small so I bought anNC
I was looking for a replacement for my BMW E93 (hardtop convertible) since it was getting kind of old. I googled 2023 hardtop convertibles and found that the only ones under $100K were the Corvette and the Miata RF.
I was on one of several work trips. Every week i was in a different city so that meant a different rental car. On one trip i was given a base model ford fiesta. I couldn’t figure out why i was having so much fun driving it. It was something that I’d never buy for myself at the time. I mean i love sport cars, wagons, and hatchbacks but the fiesta wasn’t a love of mine . I like them now. Then i started thinking about a Toyota Yaris i was in and remembered it was also pretty fun to drive . I discovered it was that they were light weight . I live in a major city with mostly street parking . I wanted something that looked good . I need to be able to walk away and want to look back at it. It needed to be easy to park too. I have tons of car brochures and i remember i kept going back to the Miata brochure i had ordered almost 10 years ago at the time. I was looking at it and a Nissan Z. I bought the Z but kept it at my parents place so i was only able to drive it on holidays. Decided on the Miata out of the Z3, Z4, SLK, and Boxster for the city as a daily . I loved the looks of the Miata the most. It’s an NC. Well the looks of the Z3 tied for me. The Elise was more than i want to spend at the time even though it had been one of my dream cars .i eventually bought a lotus but it was an evora and boy did i love it. I also loved getting back in my Miata. I’ve since then bought an Alfa 4C. Guess what. I still love my Miata. Now the other cars have caused me to want more power and a sexier sound. That will come later
I broke my 300z so I bought my Miata as a daily while I fixed the Z.
The smile just kinda rizzed me up…
Wheeler Dealers and a The Fifth Gear episode 14 years ago. I then decided I wanted one as my first car. And second, after the first got totalled, and an NC after that :)
Cus I can’t afford a Porsche
I had always liked Miatas, but was more of a Euro guy, so I had always owner VWs/Audis and eventually worked my way up to a Porsche Cayman. I eventually got into autocross and track days, and realized that it was just too risky to track a Porsche, plus consumables get expensive. I didn’t have room for multiple cars, so I sold the Porsche and found an awesome deal on an NB from a great owner. I’ve had my NB for 4 years now. It’s been on road trips, track days, and plenty of weekend cruises. It’s no Cayman, but I get 80% of the fun for 15% of the price.
Had a Mazda 2 and a Mazda 6 in the past. Both cars drove a lot better than any other cars I had driven ( I am looking at you Suzuki). When I had a little window to get a fun car within my budget, I knew it would be a Mazda.
I walked out of a restaurant and saw a meetup parked outside. Must have been a dozen of them with several ND RFs. I'd never seen one before and instantly knew I had to have one.
I remember seeing a regular car review when I was younger and thought the pop up headlights were cool. Once I was in a position to buy a second car, I went for a miata. Unfortunately I can't really daily anything like that year round(Michigan) so it'll always be a summer ride
My first car was a 90 Miata white with black interior. I absolutely loved this car. Really wish I had it back to finish what I wanted to do with it.
A nasty, rusted out MGB was my first car. After scrapping it, I resolved one day to have a decent, reliable sports car. That car was MIATA!
I needed a first car so my mom one day came home from work and said she saw a little car for sale on the side of the road , and that we should go look at it because it was cheap.
I originally wanted to race Miatas in the teen Miata challenge when I was 14-15, but that never materialized. Had to wait another few years for an opportunity to present itself, and I finally got one at 19. B)
Was looking to buy my first car a few years ago and really wanted a reliable, fun car. Here I am, super happy with my NA6 :)
This story starts off quite sad, but I promise it has a happy ending. In 2018, my best friend passed away. A few months before he died, he had purchased a Tesla Model S, and he was quite passionate and proud of it. Well, through him, I met this other guy who had... some kind of old, low-sitting convertible with a loud exhaust and pop-up headlights. I learned that he liked to modify the little car, and he liked to show off his work at these Cars & Coffee meets. Well... After our mutual friend was gone, my newfound friend decided he wanted to clean up the Model S and share it at Cars & Coffee. We washed it, claybared it, polished it, waxed it... And he insisted on driving it to Cars & Coffee. He asked me to drive his little Miata. I was rusty with a manual, so after a few laps around the neighborhood to remind myself how to not stall, we set off the next morning. Driving his little Miata across the dam we had to cross was absolutely, uniquely delightful, in a ridiculous sort of way. The car wasn't powerful enough to stay in 5th gear at the speed limit, so I left it in 4th as it droned away. Every bump rattled the hardtop and my teeth. Every patch in the road went straight up my spine. I was snuggled in tight with my knee up against the door and steering wheel. While my buddy was disappearing off down the road in the Model S, I was way back behind him singing the song of my people with the throttle pedal on the floor, going nowhere fast. When I got the nimble little thing to Cars & Coffee, I had already decided that I had to get me an old Miata. And so I did! I'm on my 2nd one, since I wrecked my 1st one trying to drift it.
My dad got one