The Answer is Always...

...Miata!

I finally got my new daily after a rather long search. The wait for the perfect combination definitely paid off though, and I'm quite happy. It's a 2012 Touring, 6spd manual with just under 46,000 miles. Has the handling package, which included Bilstein shocks and LSD, as well as traction/stability control.

It's replacing my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer I've been dying to get rid of since I moved. I'm commuting roughly 450 miles each week for work now, so having something a bit more fun, comfortable, and fuel efficient will definitely help things.

The only modifications I'm looking at for the time being are a Hard Dog roll bar (for an occasional autocross and carrying a kayak in the summer), a removable hard top, and upgraded speakers. But who knows, things may change...

Oh, and it will be sharing the paddock with my other new project, a nearly mint 1973 Saab 99 EMS, that I just brought over from southern California.

Nice car! I think I need a NC Miata someday.

Where are you located? I see Colorado plates... I'm in Colorado Springs and do a bunch of track days if you're ever interested.

Nice.

Just don't start looking at the Flyin' Miata or Goodwin Racing websites :)

Because you'll start looking into 2.5L swaps among other changes

Beautiful! Still one of my favourite cars to track. That looks really clean.

That Saab!

dcamp2, I am up in Fort Collins! Definitely hoping to hit up a few events this year!

Stefan, unfortunately I've been looking at Goodwin for well over a year before I even bought the car! They're definitely going to be making a pretty penny off me in the future!

In reply to Svenska94Aero:

FlyinMiata can do the same engine conversion (or sell you the parts to DIY it) and they are a bit closer in Colorado, because I live to enable a fellow car nut :)

Plus you can trust us You can definitely come visit us.

I'd go for boost over a 2.5 conversion, personally. More fun, especially when altitude is involved.

Keith Tanner wrote: Plus you can trust us You can definitely come visit us. I'd go for boost over a 2.5 conversion, personally. More fun, especially when altitude is involved.

Haha I'm not planning on it, but if anything happens to the current engine, I've already considered a MazdaSpeed 3 swap. My other car is getting a turbo already, and although I do love boost, I like to differentiate my cars a bit. I will keep the options in mind though!

Congrats! I love the looks of the late NCs

That Saab would look so cool retrofitted with two yellow fog lenses on the inner lamps and two blue HIDs for the outers. Something like this:

See? It's already attracting the ladies!

Haaahahaha. Well okay then Honestly, I am considering doing yellow-tinted lights eventually. Thanks for the photoshop!

Nice NC, congrats!

We have both an NA and NC and love them for both their differences and the similarities. The NC is a Club PRHT, and is my wife's DD. Only problem is having two Miatae to spend $$ on at once!

And... why not a 2.5 and boost...

Aww, came here hoping your answer wouldn't be 'The answer.'
Buying one to DD is a bold move imo, and I say that as someone who DDed an NA for a few years.

pinchvalve wrote: That Saab would look so cool retrofitted with two yellow fog lenses on the inner lamps and two blue HIDs for the outers. Something like this: See? It's already attracting the ladies!

Best photoshop I've seen in a while.

We did the yellow lights with my old '78 99 DD. It was as easy as finding a W123 Benz in the junkyard.

sweet

Got a little busy tonight. Involved way more cutting and trimming than I was initially expecting, but the end result is worth it.

I spot an e39 M5 and a SC300... you sir, are a man of class

NordicSaab wrote: I spot an e39 M5 and a SC300... you sir, are a man of class

I wish I could claim credit, but it's my friend's place. The E39 is his father's and the SC is his brother's. His lifted FJ60 and 80 are just out of frame. Super nice shop space, and they're generous enough to let me use it pretty much whenever I want.

Nude Olivia Munn on a Saab...nice.

I like the NC. Seems like a better daily than the NA/NB. Nice purchase.

Which HD roll bar is that?

Here: M3 Hard Bar with Double Diagonal

The pic and description are a bit deceiving, I wasn't expecting to have to cut gaping access holes in the bulkhead to install sandwich plates for the lower mounts (the pic only shows factory bolt locations on the lower mounts, the actual bar has kind of an L-bracket, so 6 bolts on each side). The center section of the factory roll bar is retained, and screwed into brackets on the bar. The plastic trim behind the seats also required a substantial chunk to be dremeled out for clearance.