Johnny Finally did something

[Johnnymac]

Congrats!! I think you'll enjoy tossing this thing around! Like they always say, it's more fun to drive a slow car quickly than a stupid fast one

And I did guess Miata in my first post, but when I thought more about it I figured RF because you said winter driven as well

Exactly, and yes you too mentioned Miata earlier, just circled back and refined it to RF after reading about the winter driving.  Great guessing.

[Revelations]

Awesome! Congrats, I'm sure you'll have a fun summer this year.

[Firm]

Congrats! Solid choice, I too prefer the RF over the standard ragtop, should prove to be tons of fun. Two seats and a light topless car is still the best formula for pure on road fun.

[Johnnymac]

Thanks guys, this was a long time coming and I'm happy it worked out.  First "open top" vehicle for me, so we will see if I get addicted to the experience.

[RRocket]

Thanks guys, this was a long time coming and I'm happy it worked out.  First "open top" vehicle for me, so we will see if I get addicted to the experience.

I love open air motoring.

2 targas, 3 convertibles.

I'm sure you'll love it too.

[GreatBigAbyss]

Honestly, I know I picked a little on you with that pic earlier, but I really plan on having something like this in my driveway sometime in the not too distant future. 

I've never driven on, so I really hope I fit.  I'm 6'1", with a longer torso. 

[Johnnymac]

Honestly, I know I picked a little on you with that pic earlier, but I really plan on having something like this in my driveway sometime in the not too distant future. 

I've never driven on, so I really hope I fit.  I'm 6'1", with a longer torso. 

Ha, I expect to get ribbed a bit for the choice.  It's not the "manly" choice and "normal" people won't get the appeal.

I'm not exactly a small man either, I am around 6 foot tall, maybe even 6'1 on the high end.  I'm broad and muscular and around 205lbs.  I fit okay, sure if I was like 4 inches and 50lbs smaller I would fit perfect but that isn't what God blessed me with.

I think you will have to drive one before crossing it off, you could fit just fine.

[blur911]

Cool choice.  I like it.

I'd probably recommend against getting a lighter flywheel/clutch package though, I did this once on my 911 and it was nothing but a PITA.  Leaving from a stop was harder, trying to drag race was impossible, shifting wasn't really improved.  No real gains, maybe some imperceptible gain in lap times at a track, but not worth it.

[RRocket]

Cool choice.  I like it.

I'd probably recommend against getting a lighter flywheel/clutch package though, I did this once on my 911 and it was nothing but a PITA.  Leaving from a stop was harder, trying to drag race was impossible, shifting wasn't really improved.  No real gains, maybe some imperceptible gain in lap times at a track, but not worth it.

Agreed. Especially with a 4 banger.

[Johnnymac]

Cool choice.  I like it.

I'd probably recommend against getting a lighter flywheel/clutch package though, I did this once on my 911 and it was nothing but a PITA.  Leaving from a stop was harder, trying to drag race was impossible, shifting wasn't really improved.  No real gains, maybe some imperceptible gain in lap times at a track, but not worth it.

Agreed. Especially with a 4 banger.

Yup, I agree, while it would be nice to shave 5+ pounds of rotating mass for better acceleration, the trade off isn't worth it.  I would be better putting that money into something else.

[Seafoam]

Okay I think I've given ample time for people to guess and discuss what it could be.

https://www.atlanticmazda.ca/used/2022-Mazda-MX_5_RF-id13695954.html

Tortoise gets half points with the first post because he mentioned Miata, but he said it was a convertible and I wouldn't necessarily classify this as that, it's more of a targa style top.

The person who guessed perfectly was actually Gurgie who was the first to mention the MX-5 RF.

Thanks for playing folks.

I originally was leaning towards the soft top, which was what I test drove back in Fall of 2024.  The thinking was that it was lighter and probably cheaper to buy.  But then Ron kind of got to me as he said that he preferred the RF.  Seeing as I plan on driving it year round, the RF probably makes more sense.  Sure it's just over 100lbs heavier because of it, but from all that I've read and seen people can't really tell the difference when driving.

With this being used, I do plan on modifying the car over time.  Maybe some weight savings with smaller rims, Flyin Miata has a brake kit upgrade that will shave around 5lbs a corner.  I was thinking maybe lightened flywheel, but then I guess it'll make the shifting a bit more wonky and I'd have to change out the clutch.  There's an exhaust that Flyin Miata sell as well that might be something I would be looking at doing.  Lastly I might also change the suspension stuff, but all this will be geared towards it being a road car, not a track or autocross car.  I want maximum enjoyment on secondary twisty roads and daily driving.

Could I have bought a Honda S2000 locally for less, sure I could have.  Could I have bought a C5 Z06 Vette for less locally, sure.  But I felt the S2000 was going to be too harsh, rattly, and uncomfortable, plus I sort of didn't want to be a "Honda fanboy" and it certainly would look like that had I added an S2000.  The Vette sure would have been fun, but the consumables would have been a lot more, less safety features and I'm not sure my unskilled hands would venture into risky adventures behind the wheel that may or may not have ended with me upside down in a ditch on fire.

There were loads of vehicles that I could have gone after, from BMW's, Merc's, Z350/370's, muscle cars, Porsche Boxster/Caymans, etc, but in the end with this being my first true "sports car" RWD, what better vehicle than a Miata to start that journey.  It'll be cheap to run, easy to modify, and should be pretty reliable considering this is the ND2 version with the uprated engine.

Ron already gave me a hard time about buying a secondary car with less performance than my daily, but this was more about having a different experience than what my daily is and I've thought about the test drive of that 2024 Miata over the past year and a half and how much I enjoyed it.  I might have to modify the seating a bit if I find my leg hits the steering wheel as it did when I test drove back a year and a half ago.

I've been joking with my wife for at least a decade about how I'm earning "husband points" to put towards a Miata.  She has always viewed the Miata as a middle aged, over weight, gay man's car.  I think her view changed on the vehicle once I became more serious about the pursuit of it and I won't be shocked if she falls in love with her when she gets the opportunity to drive her.

The plan is to pick her up in the next week or two.  Got a lot on the go in my life at the moment so it's not exactly easy for me and my wife to take the day to go to Moncton to pick her up.

 You test drove the car I actually bought . The primer grey MX-5. Having owned 5 MX-5's over the last 27 years you won't be disappointed .
I don't understand that Gay shit. It's a car.
Keep an eye on that Soul Red paint as it is thin and chips easily.

[Johnnymac]

Yes, that test drive has stuck in my mind ever since.  Thank you for the tip on the paint, maybe it would be wise to PPF the front at the very least.

[Johnnymac]

Just bought my first "mod" for the new Miata.  One of the things that I noted in my research was the RF (hardtop) version has more wind buffeting than the soft top version.  I figured that someone would have found some solution to help minimize this and sure enough some Miata owner down in the states made his own, he works in aerospace, and once it was known on the facebook group he was hounded to make more for sale.  Unfortunately it seems he has gotten out of making and selling them, but luckily there are copy cats and this one on Etsy is an exact replica.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4402899663/window-anti-buffeting-for-mazda-miata?ls=r&ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-2&content_source=b656102ef8f34b505be063816f3722b0%253ALTf26a12860d696426e803269377be3e9426bbbcb6&logging_key=b656102ef8f34b505be063816f3722b0%3ALTf26a12860d696426e803269377be3e9426bbbcb6&listing_id=4402899663&listing_slug=window-anti-buffeting-for-mazda-miata

These are little triangular trim pieces that sit between the car and the mirror that reroutes the wind away from the cabin, thus reducing the wind noise/buffeting.  I think I can manage to install these myself as I think it's just a peel and stick.  Anyone got recommendations on maybe adding some extra adhesive or tape and what I should use?

I'll see if the issue with my knee hitting the steering wheel is a problem or not, if so I will be swapping out the brackets and lowering the seat a bit over an inch and that should do the trick, the bonus with this lowering kit is it actually lowers the wait 6.5 pounds per seat.

[Blueprint]

Congrats! I flew back from the NL last weekend and missed all the fun here. Yes, having driven both the RF and the 'vert, there is actually more noise / buffering in the RF, but the RF is better suited to 12mo/yr use.