I brake for Miatas?

I'm driving my F150 to work this morning and I'm rolling toward the exit ramp with my foot off the gas. I normally hit the off-ramp curve at 50-55 mph with no tire squeal, and continue at the same speed as I merge onto the cross road. I figure it saves gas. (Tire disclosure: Factory, skinny, 9 year old tires on the Truck.) This morning I come up on a Miata doing 29 mph in the curve. WTF? My first thought was to pass him on the inside of the curve ... but I'm pretty sure that's illegal.
Is there some Miata police that takes away the cars from drivers who are Abusing their cars like that? Abusing!

I'll volunteer, I'm in the market for a slightly abused Miata.

I abused my Miata on the way to work this morning, too. When I downshifted into 2nd gear for the on ramp, I was pulling 5k rpm. I think my smile was ear to ear. I actually had to slow down to my normal cruising speed when I hit the highway.

RossD wrote: I abused my Miata on the way to work this morning, too. When I downshifted into 2nd gear for the on ramp, I was pulling 5k rpm. I think my smile was ear to ear. I actually had to slow down to my normal cruising speed when I hit the highway.

Miatas can exceed highway speeds?

My 20 year old one can. It actually looks better at highway speeds...and at 50 feet.

I think you may have met my old neighbor. She caught me working on the Miata one day and started asking questions about it and lamenting that she ever sold hers. After I told her it was supercharged, she wanted to go for a ride.

I ended up taking a route that linked 3 Interstate cloverleafs, and took them all at about 70 or so. She demanded to know how the car could do that, as her car squealed and skidded at any speeds above 40 in a turn.

I bet that car you followed had burned up all-seasons on it just like her old one did.

My wife and I have instigated a "Convertible Claim" rule: If it is between 70 and 90 degrees and not actively raining, you either need to put your top down or surrender the title and keys to someone who will.

I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

I feel ya. I was either on fire or freezing (especially during a few top down sessions during the Winter).

I feel sad when I see a sports car doing the hurky jurky from bad shifting. It hurts me!

My window of comfort with the top down on the Miata is 55-100 degrees and not a downpour. Of course I have no A/C so if the top is up it is just miserable.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

That's what the HVAC is for. If it is sunny and above 55 or so I run with the top down and the heat on. Unexpectedly nice days in late February FTW. I actually have AC in my Miata and have never turned it on in the year I've owned the car. If it is above 90 I tend to take the regular daily and use the AC. But I would say my comfort zone for top-down Miata-ing (or all-windows-and-sunroof open in the daily) is anywhere between 60 and 90 as long as it is not damp.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

BLASPHEMY!
The turbo & suspension encourage hooning, so I abuse my Miata pretty much daily.

Mine is about 50-80. 80 is pushing it if there's no clouds and a bright sun.

Duke wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

That's what the HVAC is for. If it is sunny and above 55 or so I run with the top down and the heat on. Unexpectedly nice days in late February FTW. I actually have AC in my Miata and have never turned it on in the year I've owned the car. If it is above 90 I tend to take the regular daily and use the AC. But I would say my comfort zone for top-down Miata-ing (or all-windows-and-sunroof open in the daily) is anywhere between 60 and 90 as long as it is not damp.

My heat doesn't work, which is strange... i need to get in there and see if the heater core has been bypassed.

AC works well, though.

The sun on my head and in my eyes is the deal-breaker for me. I'm not very heat tolerant, and my eyes are pretty sensitive.

I'm thinking i may just get a hardtop and maybe remove the soft top or get a G-string top.

The only time I have the top up is if it's raining or was raining and I didn't have a chance (ie a red light) to drop the top. I got my miata in March and in Wisconsin that means the nice sunny days are in the 40-50°F range. Damn right I had the top down. Stocking cap and gloves, as long as the salt has been washed off the road, I was driving my new to me miata. Now the real question will be this fall. Will I still be driving it at 40°F on the down swing... I hope so!

nderwater wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

BLASPHEMY! The turbo & suspension encourage hooning, so I abuse my Miata pretty much daily.

Hooning second gear means lots of tire smoke in my car. She needs more meat.

winter time top down action with the heat on full blast in the miata......its awesome.

my favorite feature was the zip open rear window. I may not have had the top down every day, but I had the window zipped open every day it wasnt raining. I dont know if I could live with a miata with a non-zip top.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

Duke wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I think i've put the top down on my Miata a whopping 5 times since i've had it. I didn't realize beforehand that there's a relatively small window of comfort with the top down. I am disappoint.

That's what the HVAC is for. If it is sunny and above 55 or so I run with the top down and the heat on. Unexpectedly nice days in late February FTW. I actually have AC in my Miata and have never turned it on in the year I've owned the car. If it is above 90 I tend to take the regular daily and use the AC. But I would say my comfort zone for top-down Miata-ing (or all-windows-and-sunroof open in the daily) is anywhere between 60 and 90 as long as it is not damp. </blockquote The sun on my head and in my eyes is the deal-breaker for me. I'm not very heat tolerant, and my eyes are pretty sensitive. A wide brim hat will work.

With the roll bar and the dual density padding, it's a little claustrophobic with the top up. I keep it down any time it's not raining and the temp is over about 25. There's a blanket in the car for passengers.

As for abuse, I don't know what that means. These things are like the honey badger. They don't care. A day without a few redline shifts and the need for a dab of oppo is like a day without food. I drive a bit out of my way each day just to cut through an empty parking lot. :)

Duke wrote: My wife and I have instigated a "Convertible Claim" rule: If it is between 70 and 90 degrees and not actively raining, you either need to put your top down or surrender the title and keys to someone who will.

Our rule is similar, except its the "If the top is up, the storm better have a name" rule.

Joey

Plus, Ive owned my Miata for about 8 years, and over 100k summertime miles. The top has rarely been up. I drive to work at rather elevated speeds everyday, about 30 miles each way, with no cat and some bosal exhaust. Its LOUD. But I love it so...

Joey

Just this morning I took the on/off ramps at at least double the recommended speed in my Miata.

I'll take a bumper sticker that says "I outbrake Miatas."

>:]

In reply to mtn:

Double the recommended speed is the point at which you base your starting speed... unless it has a black and white starburst around it with flashing lights. Then you damn well better slow the heck down!

Because absolutely no one asked: