New Car- 2002 Mazda MX5 Miata LS

[>U]

For those of you that don't know, my Audi died - not an honorable death, timing belt snapped at 59k miles and chewed up my top end- I could have fixed it but i decided- Why bother? If i rebuilt the motor , i would still be left a ton of maintenance and reliability nightmares -mind you that car was only a 2004 , with a full/clean maintenance record and all work done at the dealership until 52k, never a scheduled service missed.

Anyway, fuck Audi. On Friday I picked up a new ride, a 2002 Miata LS, green with white racing striped on tan leather interior, 5 speed, LSD, ultra low miles- 32k, immaculate condition inside and out. Best part is, the payment is less than half my audi payment, over a shorter term, insurance is lower and it is infinitely more fun to drive.

I almost bought this really great S2000 through Mecca's dealership, but i wanted a low payment. Even with the best possible deal it was going to be double what I was financing on the Miata. Plus there was the issue of transporting it from PA to FL.. lol, mecca was begging me to buy it so he could drive it all the way down here. The S2000 is undoubtedly a cooler car, definitely faster, probably handles better.. but this one suited my needs right now perfectly and the price was perfect.

I thought the car would feel small , i'm not exactly supermodel skinny haha, but it really doesn't- it's larger than I expected on the inside, i can even move the seat back a couple more notches.

Here are a few pics..

[gimpyben]

So where are you going to put the obligatory enormous stereo?

[>U]

lol, i havent done a stereo system since the Prison!

[gimpyben]

Whatever. It can't be Ziad car until I have to read a rant/diatribe about sound-stage and cross-over frequencies. Either way, sweet ride. I wish something like that was practical here in MN. Got any plans for this one?

[>U]

Yeah, how could I not mod this car?

It's going to get a rollbar installed first, then wheels and suspension.. I hope to get this stuff done by spring..

After that, who knows..I'll upgrade as necessary..maybe brakes after that, but the factory brakes are really good so far..

To make you happy, it will get my Alpine IDA-X100 Ipod/Iphone controller HU though,but I really doubt I would put any kind of sound system in this car.. convertible kinda kills any hope of GOOD sound, plus i can't weigh it down like that..

[hondamatic]

Congrats, that's awesome. I can't imagine a better, more-fun 'inexpensive' car than a well-spec'd Miata. The thing should give you no trouble.

Just wish the windscreen fit above my nose... I wanted to buy one after finishing university.

Just remember, if you do wheel work, keep the unsprung weight down.

[King_Tut]

Nice, as gay as they can look, the new ones have a certain appeal beyond the "our generation lotus/caterham" notion. Strange, I never noticed how some of the design cues of that one match the viper on a smaller scale with the stripes and that front kit.

Ps: not a fan of the stripes, but nice interior.

[cheater]

get spinners.