What Miata?

bravenrace wrote: In reply to eastsidemav: Do you ever feel the need for a hard top?

I haven't yet, but I also don't track the car. I think the car looks a little goofy with the power hardtop, and the removable hardtop for the NC models is bloody expensive (I want to say over 3K for a color matched top). If I intended to drive the car year round, I might've considered it, but with the soft top being so convenient, I don't miss not having one.

Oh yeah, as a general rule, if I'm going to be driving under 60 mph, and its not insanely hot and humid, (or raining) during the spring, summer and fall, the top is down while I'm driving. Below highway speeds, this is the best convertible I've ever been in when it comes to resisting wind buffeting. Its even okay on the highway with the windows up, but if the top is down, I prefer having the windows down, too. My attitude, its a convertible, its meant to be driven with the top down

Oh, and MSM means Mazdaspeed Miata, the 2004-05 factory turbo car. FM means Flyin' Miata

If you want raw, the 1994-97 R-package is the way to go. It's got the worst ride and the least amenities I personally would only pick up an R package if it were cheap and being sold as a "stripped" model, because I don't like the manual rack and I'd have to pull out that suspension for something better. But I do like the front and rear airdams.

Come to think of it, the Targa car is a 1994 R. But in VIN only, there's not a single R part on the car and hasn't been since I bought it.

Keith wrote: If you want raw, the 1994-97 R-package is the way to go. It's got the worst ride and the least amenities I personally would only pick up an R package if it were cheap and being sold as a "stripped" model, because I don't like the manual rack and I'd have to pull out that suspension for something better. But I do like the front and rear airdams.

I want an R-package. I missed out on a nice clean one by a day to replace my last Civic.

In reply to Keith:

Keith, you are probably in a better position than me when it comes to demographics, but I think the racer vs cruiser split has probably stayed close to equal through all the models, but maybe fallen a bit with the NC. The big difference is the NCs have enough power stock, that they no longer seem crippled with an automatic transmission, so those who are more interested in a fun toy, but have little interest in racing are more willing to drive an auto NC vs an NB or NA.

Based on interest in aftermarket parts, there's been a definite shift in demographics.

Oh yeah, braven race, two more things:

If you ever make it down to the Cincinnati area before you decide on a car, let me know, and you're free to check mine out to see if an NC is right for you

Second, an important thing to look into since you are in Ohio, NB Miatas around here seem to hide their rust issues better than NA Miatas, but they most assuredly have them. Make sure to do a little digging so you know where to look if you go shopping for an older Miata.

NC with Targe SC package ... http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=5683&parentid=0&stocknumber=31-30000%20%205%20SPEED

Those graphics and the wheels and ducts make the smiley face look demented and awesome instead of friendly and slightly "special."