Not bad, eh?
It's a 1999, 78,000 km, five-speed, some sort of anniversary/luxury edition (it has air, cruise, leather and a Nardi steering wheel!)
Actually, we're still in the process of buying it from Doug Mepham, long-time friend, co-founder of Targa Newfoundland, and one of those people who was born with his hair combed - hence, the sort of person you would want to buy a used car from.
He was not the original owner - that person put a roll bar in it because his wife wouldn't ride in it otherwise.
Lady Leadfoot isn't quite that fussy, but more safety never hurt.
She has always wanted a convertible and when this one came up - well, you bite the bullet.
And has there ever been a convertible top easier and faster to work?
I have only driven it a little so far - the car is as tight as an 11-year old car could possibly be. It has been resprayed - said original owner lived on a gravel road which took its toll.
Yes, the front end does look lowered (or the rear end jacked up). Doug says various inspections by presumably knowledgeable types revealed nothing but stock parts under there, so who knows how that happened? (If someone out there DOES know, please inform!)
Just have to be careful driving into filling stations.
Among its many virtues, the Miata reminded so many people how much fun it can be to drive slow. Sure, it does make a great race car - nimble and quick (which is not to say 'fast'). But you can tool around, maybe take an on-ramp a bit quicker than you normally would, take the 'racing line' through a bend and never leave your lane, and feel like a pro racer.
And the wind in your hair on a warm summer's evening?
Can't wait.
Congratulations on your new addition to the family and welcome to the fraternity. You have made an excellent choice. I am on my second Miata and I still get a stupid grin on my face every time that I get into the drivers seat. It really is a great car.
Happy Motoring, Kenzie, and don't forget to give the Mazda wave as you go by.
Mike in Oakville
Posted by: M Boughner | May 16, 2010 at 08:57 PM
Excellent choice...hope to see it in Oakville.
Posted by: David White | May 17, 2010 at 11:59 AM
There's still some pretty neat finds out there from the ninety's for not much money. My new "on-ramp" thrill is a '95 SHO. HOLY, she goes!!
Did the convertible thing once. My hair can't take it... too thin.
Better have you fun quick before Fantino finds a way to ban ANYTHING fun on the road.
Posted by: Sean McConnell | May 17, 2010 at 05:03 PM
Congrats, Jim! You'll enjoy that for sure. They're flattering enough to make anyone feel like Fangio.
There are all sorts of reasons why it might be sitting that way, most of which involve some creative parts swapping on the part of that mysterious roll-bar-installing previous owner. Maybe it's an excuse to install a nice performance suspension!
You helped me out so much with the Targa, drop me a line if I can help at all with this little beastie - keith at miata.net.
Posted by: Keith Tanner | May 18, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Hey Jim, Hugh from San Diego, we met some years ago, at dinner. Great little Miata there. I had one as well, Red, such a fun car. Only problems were (1) failing window lifts on both sides within 3 months of each other, with identical faults. The cable from the electric motor, the cable end nipple pulled off. Mazda wanted something like $300 for replacement units, I fixed both with a 50 cent bicycle cable nipple, they never failed again; (2) the clutch went at around 80K Miles and (3) I sold it at 110,000 miles when the head gasket started leaking.
Posted by: hugh cree | May 18, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Congrats on the new addition!!
Nothing like driving around in a light weight sports car. You've got the whole summer ahead of you! Live it up! :-)
Posted by: Chris | May 19, 2010 at 09:21 AM
The MX-5 reminds me of the billboard ad for this vehicle in the U.K. - "Mazda puts motoring back 25 years!"
Only drove one once - beautiful little car.
Posted by: John Holman | May 22, 2010 at 06:43 AM
Good choice, I'm on my 3rd, back to the roomier, lighter 1990.
My partner has 2001, which is softer and quieter.
When you wrote this I was at the Miatas in Moab IV event with a couple of hundred other Miata owners.
I drove from Vancouver, taking in San Antonio on the way, racking up over 8,000 trouble free kms
http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4604950985/in/set-72157624086884670/
and for the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai1JZ9kx5Hc
Enjoy
Peter
Posted by: Peter | June 05, 2010 at 07:18 AM