Mondo Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Being the wuss that I am when it comes to creature comforts, like A/C... It would be a tough choice between a 7 and LS3 Miata if I was looking right now. Always liked "sleepers" . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I'm already satisfied that I can handle a short or long (6100-mile) blat in a Seven, and even enjoy it. But a long cross-country trip without doors and without A/C is a bit much to ask of the wife (after all, we're both on the far, far side of 65+ years old, as much as I hate to admit it!)..... So an LS3/Miata is definitely in the works. I'm already entertaining ideas for an appropriate personalized Alaska license plate (6 numbers/letters max) for the hyper-Miata. Any clever ideas or witty suggestions? (I already have an appropriate one in mind, and it is available and "acceptable," but I don't want to spill the beans until I have a car to put it on, and have it wrapped up). The State of Alaska license plate website is fun to browse and tinker with: https://www.dmv.alaska.gov/dmv_online_services/akpages/akplate.aspx Even "GAYCAR" and "CHIKCAR" appear "acceptable," and available. But not "BVRB8," which "....could be inappropriate or offensive to others." However, for some unexplained reason, "BEVRB8" is acceptable, and available. (I recall seeing "BVRB8" on a Corvette, and was amazed -- maybe they later took it away from him). I'm attaching a photo of a personalized plate a friend recently got for his new Lotus Exige. When I applied in person for the plate "SAVANT" for my 2004 Audi S4 Avant, the helpful DMV desk clerk informed me that "IDIOT" was also available....thanks a lot! Anyway, I'm open to suggestions for a suitable plate for an LS3/Miata. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Anyway, I'm open to suggestions for a suitable plate for an LS3/Miata. LS3 MX5 is always an option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 How about GOTAV8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 Maybe UDLUZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboeric Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 or DV8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 or VATEMX5 or MX5VATE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 A bit off thread but seen on a local "import" pickup truck "MISNAV8". Us lucky Califirnia guys get to use 7 spaces, that's because we need something to read in traffic. LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Had my first track day today in the Miata. It lived up to the billing (think Scannon's comments, not Hanks :jester:). It was sadistically fun to watch folks in far quicker cars forced to let me by in the passing zones because of the Miata's capabilities in the corners. It was even more enjoyable knowing that in some cases those drivers had to get completely off the throttle just so I could complete the pass -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboeric Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Glad you had fun John. That's a lot of the attraction of these cars, and is in many ways the same appeal as Lotuses have always had - speed by finesse rather than brute force. I vividly remember a vintage race at Westwood (near Vancouver, B.C.) in the early 80's watching a Lotus 11 and a Shelby GR350 going at it hammer and tongs in the pouring rain. The rain negated the Shelby's horsepower advantage, and the Lotus's skinny tires were perfect for the wet pavement. The passed and repassed each other lap after lap - it was probably the best racing I've ever seen. The brilliance (and the weakness) of the Miata is that it was engineered into a package that could be used everyday like an ordinary car. It dulls the experience a bit, but I suspect that unless you've experienced an Elise or a 7, that it's a pretty vivid experience. Now imagine a Miata with 200+ hp...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 So I joined the club this weekend - bought a base 1992 in great shape with 94,000 miles. I can almost fit inside! http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd136/soareyes/CIMG0793.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I used to think Miatas were stepping stones to se7ens, now I am starting to think it's the other way around:).(Will Hank be next???). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Stan, Looks like you found a good one with a hardtop and rollbar installed. I sometimes wish I had a hardtop for mine and have been looking for one if I can find one at the correct price. I have been toying with putting in a rollbar but am not ready for the cutting of the interior pannels as of yet so it is also something I will do in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Stan, Nice looking Miata, congrats! If you need more headroom, check out this article on the Miata.net Garage: http://www.miata.net/garage/headroom.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 No, Hank is not the next one of us LSIS owners to be seduced by "the feminine side " -- I am. Attached are photos of the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata with 17,000 miles that I (with Skip Cannon's considerable help) have located in Colorado. I put a down payment on it a week ago, and hope to close the transaction this week. Next on the list will be getting the car to Flyin' Miata in Grand Junction, Colorado, and checking the build list for their Chevrolet LS-series V-8 conversion, with the Getrag 6-speed transmission and Getrag differential, and a host of upgrade mods to match. What I'm looking for is basically a 21st-century equivalent of the Sunbeam Tiger, and with handling commensurate with the power; we'll see if this will be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikker Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 (edited) http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/2592144472.html but really Mr Cossie, I have to ask why, and would not the handling get all fked up with all that lump weight in what was after all a Jap Elan copy. Edited October 3, 2011 by rikker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 No, the handling is not screwed up. Flyin Miata's V-8 Miata took third overall in the Open class in last week's Targa Newfoundland. See http://flyinmiata.com/V8/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Tom: I have to say the V8 Miata is exerting a certain gravitational pull on me (is resistance futile?). I await your honest, objective assessment. Mike M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Stan, Nice looking Miata, congrats! If you need more headroom, check out this article on the Miata.net Garage: http://www.miata.net/garage/headroom.html Thanks Skip! I'm 6' 3" so every extra inch helps. I had a copy of your article "Checking Out a Used Miata" with me whenever I went to test drive a car as it was very helpful. Here is the link to the article in case any other members are looking for a Miata: http://www.miata.net/faq/usedmx5.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Rikker The v8 conversion adds about 200lbs to the car with the weight balance about the same as original. The only handling problem you have is oversteer whenever you want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now