lotusman1951 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 If I looked back on all the things I learned in --whatever-Point being is that I have totally lost track of most of the Motorcycles, Cars, Boats and Women I have known-long committed affairs. 12 years with my Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, 20 years with an Allard K2, an armada of boats from kayaks to 50ft passagemakers. This week after 20 years I parted with my his and hers British Racing Green Miatas-stick and supercharaged and auto and stock. 12 months since I sold the Yacht. before that the MZ660 motorcycle was sold off. There have been a dozenish lotus in my past. Today, I should be buying a 2007 Miata with auto to replace the BRGs-and I am reluctant. The Fisher Fury that I bought off this website, has sorted out with 500 miles trouble free. My review of the car as compared to say a lotus 7 is that its stiffer, takes bumps better, and has better wind control at speeds-80mph being smooth windwise. The 7s have been less squeeky-body rattles and such and they are easier to get in and out of. I have , in the past used elans, elises and cortinas as daily drivers-The Fury was bought as a project to fill in the void of the sold Yacht-not to be a Miata replacement-perhaps thats whats happened-that I am reluctant to replace the Miata because of the Fury ? I know some of you out there have more than a passing addiction to "things that move"-I think I am going through some sort of withdrawal. This posting helps me think out the situation. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 So, brother Danny like Lotus too? What is your and your brother's favorite car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 This is a post where I can relate. I have the records to know what I have owned and sold over the years. I even have photos of all I think. It is not well organized - that will happen one day, probably when I am retired wanting to get all dewy eyed and sentimental about that little pocket rocket that I loved in 1991 and the muscle car that that I clocked on a straight road in 1987. But a sign of the scale of cars involved is that in 2014, I sold 16 cars. All 16 had been owned for over 20 years and in storage. I still have 9 cars spread across 3 countries and 5 cities. All in various states of operation or disrepair and restoration or benign neglect. As for women, I do have the 'little black book'. Most have names, some have photos, many have phone numbers and emails, some are just fragmentary descriptions since I was so drunk I cannot remember, one is of the "chew the arm off, don't wake her variety". Those that made an impact live vividly in the memory even decades later. You can feel them, hear them, handle them, rev them out and admire their looks. Those that don't.... well they were poor drives and worthy of forgetting. All part of the rich tapestry of life. But you never stop lusting for the next one. I for one have a strong desire to own a Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, Jaguar and an Aston Martin (amongst a longer list of cars) before my license gets handed back. I still think they are better value than women and at my age some nubile young chick ain't going to look at middle-aged ooze called me (but mysteriously they do seem to notice the bulge in my pants....the wallet?) So Kevin, you have not got withdrawal symptoms, you just need a new love of your life to lust for - the motorized kind with wheels that is (or maybe not?). Develop your bucket list. Go browsing collector cars on Fleabay. Enjoy a hunt in the porn pics on Hemmings? Browse the exotica on mobile.de? You are having yet another car/boat based mid life crisis. So what, we all have them. So go out and find a new one to make you feel young again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenup Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Lotusman....I can relate..been retired 15 years and owned three BRG miatas, stock automatic, stock manual, and a sbf monster BRG SE....finally sold them all a couple years back...now down to my stalker, 3.9 v8 mgbgt Sebring replica, Arkley, and my z3 coupe...I still look and think about new acquisitions all the time, but something has happened lately...I no longer have the knee jerk desire to rush out and acquire them...in a perverse way, it is somewhat comforting to not have to conjure up complicated plots and scenarios to acquire new vehicles...now just thinking about it seems to satisfy the urge..I guess that could apply to a couple other things when we are in our seventies...chuckle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Kevin, Just pass on the 2007 Miata and get yourself one of the 2016 ND models. The best Miata ever and its even quicker than the 2004 & 2005 Mazdaspeed factory turbo cars. I got one two weeks ago and I love it. It is the 36th Miata I've owned and the 359th car (and 16 motorcycles) over a lifetime as a gearhead. I can get you an S-plan which will get you a new Mazda at invoice. Here's my current cars, there is a WRX in the house's garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road SHO Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 So, brother Danny like Lotus too? What is your and your brother's favorite car? I wonder what is so wrong with his forehead that he has to keep it covered up? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Tow'd dreams from LaPAZ to LA. There is a $4000 Meyers Tow'd in Baha-This is one of 200 tubed framed post Manx buggies that Bruce Meyers created-a kissing cousin of a lotus 7 from a light cheap focused car perspective. So as soon as I can I need to fly to Mexico, bring cash and drive an antique. who knows what condition 1000 miles north-no spanish. silly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Lunatic Fringe, yes-each and every recreation has an edge-the skydivers without chutes, shark fishing in an inner tube, cactus jumping bacon frying nudists. So 7ers-you be that subset -people have cautioned you about how dangerous, or funny, or special your motoring is-Lunatic Fringe. My bathroom reading is old Road and Tracks-does that mean anything? My dog car is a BMW318ti how alter ego can you get..I feel dizzy- Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Interesting to hear your ND comments, Skip. I had an NC from new in the UK - purchased without a test drive based upon all of the positive things that had been posted about them on BlatChat. Thought that it could be a dual purpose car - replacement for the Caterham as a tourer and also useful as a daily driver. Kept the car for 12 months, 3.5k miles and then part exchanged it for a 3 pot 100bhp Ford Fiesta. Hated the MX5, loved the Fiesta :blush: Getting a second car next year as a weekend motor / occasional use by the wife and I'll look at the ND to see if issues I encountered have been ironed out, but my heart is currently set on a convertible that can be used year round.... My car owning count is way, way short of 359! After a couple of old bangers when I first passed my test (both stolen) I then purchased a new Renault Clio (7 years - gave it away to a guy to see if he could sort out persistent electrical gremlins that would randomly prevent the car from starting) followed by a new Ford Mondeo (Taurus) which I ran for 11 years until I got the MX5. Then the Fiesta for a year (sold at a big loss when I moved to US) and now a Ford Escape. A couple of Caterham's in between (first one lasted 6 years, the second one just 1 year - again sold when I moved to the US). My philosophy of buying new and running until they rot worked well (financially at least) for so long, but undone by the last couple of transactions. If I had my time again I think I'd be tempted to try a wider variety of used cars and I definitely would have purchased a Caterham at an earlier age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Steve, The ND is a bit smaller inside than your NC. I know many people who drive Miatas all year long as their daily drivers, you just need good dedicated snow tires all around and don't put weight in the trunk. An ex GF who was a really crappy driver, who never went over 55 mph in her Miata rarely called me for a ride to work unless the snow was over 1'. For her, the Miata was a fashion statement. When you first drive an ND don't be put off by the way it leans in corners. It takes a good set and gets on with the business of turning. Mazda designed it to be that way and it takes awhile to get used to it. I never did warm up to the NC and have never owned one so I don't know what issues you had with yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenup Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) I have owned 6 NA's over the years and thoroughly enjoyed them...never owned NB or NC, but found them pleasing to the eye. I am probably the only person to say this, but after recently seeing two ND's in parking lots I simply do not like the look...in fact I find the styling to be distasteful........I know they are a better car in almost all aspects than the previous iterations, but I was very disappointed with the "in person" styling...When the Z4 came out in 2003, I felt the same way but eventually came to like the style..hopefully the same will happen with the ND. Or, perhaps the Fiat coming out next year, based on the ND chassis will be an improvement...my 2 cents... Edited November 10, 2015 by sevenup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 ..... Hated the MX5, ....... Of the many, many reports in print and on line, that is a quote rarely, if ever, seen! I also have a "car count" way short of Skips' 356, and that is why I read each of his comments very thoroughly. Also, I've often wished I had been able to get my Caterham many, many years earlier, as I was under 30 years old when I first test drove one, and about 56 when I finally got one. Thanks for the posts Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 I put a set of Blizzacks on my '94-R pkg Miata and drove thru every winter. I loved pulling away from SUV's and their all-season tires at stop lights. The only downside was the car really got rusty after all the salted roads. I also have high hopes for the Fiat version of the Miata ND. IF I were to buy an all-season convertible now, I'd be tempted by the VW Beetle. Naturally, using my Caterham as back-up for track days, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenup Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 2017 Fiat 124 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Strangely, even though they are the same car under the skin, I prefer the look of the Fiat to the Miata. I keep thinking that this shows I would fall for lipstick on a pig! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsimon Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 FIAT updated: "Fix It Again, Takehiko" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenup Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Croc, agree on preferring the Fiat over Miata style...in my mind a big negative on this car is the engine, which is the 1.4L Multi-Air turbocharged 4 cylinder...It is 160 hp with even more torque...on paper sounds ok, but I have driven the 500 with this engine and it is not inspiring...does not even sound good...Fiat needs to step it up on their power trains throughout their product line.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) I put off buying a new ND Miata waiting for real pictures of the Fiat 124 now known as the Fiata. When the press release pictures were leaked to the internet I felt that the 124 styling was too busy. It reminded me of the early Japanese cars that looked like the designers were influenced by the JC Whitney catalog. It may look better in person but I didn't want to wait another year to find out so a couple of weeks ago Stella, a Soul Red Club edition came to live in my shop. Within days CLIS syndrome went into full swing and a number of modifications have already been made to the car. In my opinion the new ND Miata is the best Miata ever produced by the factory. Its smaller, lighter and quicker than the previous generation. How many cars can say that? The 32 mpg I've been getting around town is just a bonus. Edited November 22, 2015 by scannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 The profile of the Fiat looks a lot like the NB Miata, in fact I thought it was one. I will take the new Miata over it. The Mazda folks have a great design team,IMHO, one of my favorite (or maybe favorite) new cars is the Mazda CX3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 I will toddle off 177 miles north to purchase a Miata NC automatic-a pleasure in my advancing years-I will have been the largest, heaviest and largest displacement-in my lifetime. $8K 64K miles full option car no hardtop -thats as simple as it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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