It's good to know you always have something on standby–bonus points that it doesn't feel like a downgrade, either.
Photography by David S. Wallens
The plan was to autocross something else here in the fleet.
That other car was, let’s say, exhibiting some issues that raised concern.
So, at the 11th hour, we went swapped our registration over to the Miata.
It fired up on the first turn of the key.
Before leaving home, we just checked the oil, lug nuts and tire pressures. We wiped down the paint with some quick detail and cleaned the windows.
Drove it an hour-plus to the autocross, did all of our runs, and never missed a beat.
But, wait, there’s more: We had plans for some non-car activities in Orlando later that day.
After autocrossing with the Martin Sports Car Club, we pulled off our magnetics and headed for town. And from there, we drove home–so a 200-mile day in the Miata. Mostly highway but some in-town driving.
Any issues? Any hiccups? Anything to report?
Nothing, proving that, once again, the Miata is old reliable.
It's good to know you always have something on standby–bonus points that it doesn't feel like a downgrade, either.
I've had a similar experience with my autocross and track Miata over the last 11 years that I've been driving it. It has to die sometime, but it hasn't yet and it seems to put up with a tremendous amount of abuse.
Are there any fun modern cars as robust as these early Miatas? It seems like everything newer/faster I read about is filled with warnings like be careful with the transmission because it's made of glass (ND Miata), experienced drivers need $4k in brake upgrades to survive on track (C5 Z06), or be careful with the engine because the oiling isn't adequate for track (GR86).
Here in Michigan we are having some what of an early spring/summer. I went out to the garage over this past weekend, peeled the car cover off the Miata, checked the vitals and off I went after six months of winter slumber. No issues.......like I just put it away yesterday.
My Mustang is like that. It can sit for months and then do 400 miles in a weekend like it's nothing and knock down 30 mpg doing it. There is something to be said for a car that just works.
Old cars that work are the bomb! All of my old Datsuns are (or were) that way. No so much the wife's BMW :(
My 1991 Spec Miata got shifted at the rev limited, past 7,200 RPM, every shift. I think the others drivers mostly did, too. Yet the cars keep running strong!
Toyman! said:My Mustang is like that. It can sit for months and then do 400 miles in a weekend like it's nothing and knock down 30 mpg doing it. There is something to be said for a car that just works.
Time to update your garage in the user profile. No mustang mentioned.
Toyman! said:My Mustang is like that. It can sit for months and then do 400 miles in a weekend like it's nothing and knock down 30 mpg doing it. There is something to be said for a car that just works.
Very much. It’s like a shovel: You just know it’ll be there for you.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
I always forget to update that.
It's a 2014 V6 Premium 6 Speed with 170k on it that I picked up for a song.
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