Looking to check out an NB and test drive one

[Faerus]

I work with AJ (BAM!) at Vorshlag Motorsports and I'm looking to check out an NB Miata in person and test drive it as well. I will probably be picking up an NB Miata within the next week or so and plan on daily driving it along with racing it in STR. I would prefer to drive a naturally aspirated one (with or without mods). I'm located in North Dallas near George Bush and Coit and work up in the Allen/McKinney area. I'd like to test drive this week as I may be heading to Houston this weekend to pick up an NB.

When checking the car out I'd like to see how the interior is, stereo quality, trunk size, how the seats feel, etc. I'd also like to see the noise level with the top up on the freeway and get some sense of the cars acceleration (the owner can drive for that portion if they don't feel comfortable).

[BAM!]

'Tis true! No pressure sales and a few rides to lunch are great at spreading the Miata gospel. I think I'm personally responsible for at least 3 people buying Miatas and made many more envious of what we have. Matts no slouch, hes had a 2006 GTI and a 2008 350Z in the past, Im in the process of tossing in a LS1 into his M3. Hes had autox and track experience and drives like a girl so you wont have to worry about his driving either... :p

[cone-cerned]

Drives like a girl, hehehe......

[Miatamoto]

Good to see you on here Matt! Good luck with finding the right Miata.

[goofygrin]

how the interior is

Actually I was surprised how much I liked my 00 interior once I switched the center console to the NB2 console.

stereo quality

Audiophile? No. Good enough for top down driving? Yep.

trunk size

You aren't going on a long trip, but for around town it's fine. With the top down you can haul lots of long lumber :)

how the seats feel

NB1 seats are HORRID.

I'd also like to see the noise level with the top up on the freeway

There's noise, but you're likely going to get more noise from the exhaust than anything once you put headers and a catback.

get some sense of the cars acceleration

Slow. Miata's aren't fast in the straight line without boost. If you're used to driving an M3 or anything with any sort of power you're going to hate it. Then turn on the AC and feel your life blood seeping away.

[Rebel]

Actually I was surprised how much I liked my 00 interior once I switched the center console to the NB2 console.


Audiophile? No. Good enough for top down driving? Yep.


You aren't going on a long trip, but for around town it's fine. With the top down you can haul lots of long lumber :)


NB1 seats are HORRID.


There's noise, but you're likely going to get more noise from the exhaust than anything once you put headers and a catback.



Slow. Miata's aren't fast in the straight line without boost. If you're used to driving an M3 or anything with any sort of power you're going to hate it. Then turn on the AC and feel your life blood seeping away.

Hater.

[BAM!]

ive been driving miatas for 10 years now and if youre in a 1.6l, you probably want to turn off the AC when leaving from a stop. i know, i dont like it, but i live with it. well, when i HAD that miata with AC... lol

[Rob®]

You aren't going on a long trip, but for around town it's fine.

I used to go on long trips in my NA all the time. You just need to pack "light." Small/usual carry-on luggage piece, 2 stuffed-to-capacity backpacks, and some random small things put in the odd corners (small toiletries bag, shoes, etc) will all fit in the trunk and last you nearly a month. I don't keep the spare in the trunk, so that obviously adds a good bit of extra room.

[goofygrin]

I used to go on long trips in my NA all the time. You just need to pack "light." Small/usual carry-on luggage piece, 2 stuffed-to-capacity backpacks, and some random small things put in the odd corners (small toiletries bag, shoes, etc) will all fit in the trunk and last you nearly a month. I don't keep the spare in the trunk, so that obviously adds a good bit of extra room.

No female in your life?

We go for 10 days and I'm lugging two overstuffed bags to the airport and we have 4 backpacks between us.

[trickyrix]

You aren't going on a long trip, but for around town it's fine.

You can fit a surprising amount of crap in the trunk. All of this fit... plus a tool box, a case of Mobil 1, and a half-gallon growler of wine. The NB trunk is more regularly shaped than mine, but they're similar. You get the idea.

There's noise, but you're likely going to get more noise from the exhaust than anything once you put headers and a catback.

+1... FM cat + Borla cat-back is a bit of a whip on road trips. But that never stopped me from hitting the road. You learn to just hum along to the drone...

NB1 seats are HORRID.

NA/NB1/NB2 seats are all direct swaps. '95 M-Edition seats are super-comfy if you can get your paws on a pair (no, I won't sell mine... ).

[Rob®]

No female in your life?

We go for 10 days and I'm lugging two overstuffed bags to the airport and we have 4 backpacks between us.

When I went on those long trips, no, I was either single or went alone for whatever reason. I wouldn't go for a month-long trip without washing my clothes in there at least once, so I didn't need that many different outfits.

Now, yes, but she packs just as light as I do if I force her to (i.e. trip in the Miata). She's actually more anxious to get my car moving again so we *can* take long trips in it. Then she realized it'd be quicker/easier to just get her own.

But back to the topic: you can fit a surprising amount of stuff in the trunk. If trunk space is your primary concern, I don't think a Miata would be anywhere near your radar.

[Faerus]

David with the 05 Grey/Silver MSM was nice enough to let me check out the car and test drive it today. Obviously the power difference was significant, but driving the car and sitting in the seats confirmed a lot for me.

Actually I was surprised how much I liked my 00 interior once I switched the center console to the NB2 console.

I was planning on doing the same thing, is there an easy place to buy these or would I need to go salvage yard shopping?

Audiophile? No. Good enough for top down driving? Yep.

Figured as much, but I was planning on switching the headunit anyways so I can listen to music from my iPhone.

You aren't going on a long trip, but for around town it's fine. With the top down you can haul lots of long lumber :)

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the NB trunk was bigger/better shaped than AJ's NA trunk. It should be enough to fit groceries and the normal stuff though.

NB1 seats are HORRID.

I had read the NB2 seats were better and in my quick test drive they seemed fine. Are they simply lacking in racing conditions or are they uncomfortable during long drives?

There's noise, but you're likely going to get more noise from the exhaust than anything once you put headers and a catback.

Good to know. Noise was what I expected while on the freeway.

Slow. Miata's aren't fast in the straight line without boost. If you're used to driving an M3 or anything with any sort of power you're going to hate it. Then turn on the AC and feel your life blood seeping away.

Heh, it will definitely be a change from my 350Z. The whole reason I'm going with the NB Miata is so that I can start autocrossing consistently next season, learn proper car control, have fun, and enjoy the cheap consumables while doing it.

[goofygrin]

I had read the NB2 seats were better and in my quick test drive they seemed fine. Are they simply lacking in racing conditions or are they uncomfortable during long drives?

MSM seats are different from NB2 seats.

They simply aren't comfortable for anything.

[onething]

I use an aftermarket luggage rack that attaches and removes easily. I bought a weatherproof bag to put on it. That leaves the trunk for my laptop and anything the other person needs to carry.

[Radio-Active]

MSM seats are different from NB2 seats.

They simply aren't comfortable for anything.

Funny...

That is the main reason I chose the MSM over the NC. I thought the seats were terible on the NC I test drove. They hurt my thighs on the 5 mile test drive. The RX8 seats would be the ideal seat if I had had the desire to fit them in my car.

[Faerus]

MSM seats are different from NB2 seats.

They simply aren't comfortable for anything.

Picked up the car on Saturday with a nice 10 hours of driving. You were right though, the lack of lower lumbar support definitely bothers my back. Is there a good solution besides swapping seats?

[Radio-Active]

Pictures?

[goofygrin]

A foamectomy might help you... might not. It did not help for me.