My Roadster now has a little sister

snakebite

I got a brother that you sound EXACTLY like.

LOL. He's a great brother, but he's got that 911itis and he ain't budging!

(his toy allowance requires less scrutiny than mine)

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

gbhrps

snakebite,

We meet again, and for the same reason.

When I liquidated my three antique cars a year ago last September, I too, test drove the new Miata. I absolutely loved that thing, having performance almost as good as the Z Roadster.

But my almost 6' 3" frame just couldn't fit inside the tiny little cabin and get comfortable. Not enough shoulder room, not enough leg room, couldn't even get my knees in on the passenger side when my Bride drove the car. But the top was a masterpiece of function and simplicity.

And I would have bought the same colour you did, the GT with the tan leather interior. Drop dead gorgeous.

Your biggest problem now is deciding which one to get out of the garage!

Gene

snakebite

It's TINY compared to the Z!
Im 6'1", or I was at one time. At 60, I've likely compressed some?

Anyways, I thought getting in and out of the Z was a bit tedious, but it takes planning in the MX-5. I open the door and turn around and sit. Then I take my shoes off and place them in the floor board of the passenger side. This makes it easy for me not to scuff up the door panel and threshold as I slide my legs in.

Once in, I actually have plenty, wait, just enough room to adjust petal and wheel distance. Think "fits like a glove". So yea, any longer or wider and I'd be feeling stuffed.

As for the top? Brilliantly simple. Put it down or up with 1 hand while seated!

Having said all that, there's itches the Z scratches that the little roadster can't. The first word that comes to mind is "refinement".

There's others, of course.

Honestly, there's less overlap than you would think at first glance.

I have 6 or 7 motorcycles. My kids never understood. Because they never bit, a motorcycle is a motorcycle to them.

But a man who loves horses will tell you they all have their own gait. It might look similar to someone watching him saddle up and ride off, regardless of which animal he chooses that day. But to him, every one of them feels different underneath him.

I'm a blessed man I suppose, with the dilemma I face each morning. Grateful in fact.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

*J*ap***V*et*

Lol!! In all honesty when I first saw the thread I thought you might've gotten your hands on a 350! How are you liking the miata sir? I hear they are an absolute blast to drive!

snakebite

That same Porsche-brother, who givez me crap about fetching this Z, kept nagging me to go get a Miata. I ignored him until I realized he was serious. I finally asked him why would a Porsche snob be so gun ho about a 155HP roadster?

He didn't say it loud, and he kind of looked both ways, but then said "because it haunts me when I'm tracking or autox-ing that those guys always seem like they're having more fun than us"

Well to answer your question, the dang thing is an outright riot to flog. And that gearbox, at least the ND (current generation) is the slickest shifting box I've ever felt.

Don't know how well it'll hold up considering the fun bullseye has you hustling it! But I'll find out.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

*J*ap***V*et*

Nice man...always been solid course cars! I've only seen a few of the newer ones like yours. It's nice Snakebite!! Good luck w the new sisters!!

mults

In the first picture, is that a can in your pocket or are you excited about the "girls"?

My Brother-in-law got a hardtop convertible a few years ago and I enjoyed driving it so much I also got one too. This was before I got my Z, but the Miata was a blast to drive, it cornered well, gave the feeling of always being in control and she sure was pretty...

Enjoy your new ride...

__________________
mults
40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune)
Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706
Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club

snakebite

Grizzly long cut straight.
I'm kind of hippy-redneck?

Sitting on the can (back pocket) never felt comfortable.

Thanks for the well wishes!
I'm enjoying both roadsters.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

tranzloop

Nice one. I'd be interested to know how the two drives compare/make you feel.

I assume the 'Wind In The Cowboy Hat' was a metaphor? I have one (a more rare hat style in the UK) and can't wear it. The brim catches on the head rest every time I move my head. I even considered taking the head rest out but it's fixed so I have to wear a bucket hat instead.

My wife tells me I look stupid in either, but with the roof down and the sun out a brim is a must.


anyhow, enjoy your topless threeway

snakebite

First, you'll need to add a hat-lasso or it's likely the fella behind you will catch your Stetson in his wiper blades.

My opinion of both roadsters?

I love them both. But if after answering enough comparison questions until you finally get to "yea but, which one is more FUN to drive?"........ um,........ I'm not going to answer that here.

I'll just say that if the most fun you can have is tossing the roadster around and enjoying catching it back within the boundaries of public roads, the lighter, nimbler, more playful toy is going to have the advantage. In this case, a substantial one!

Or put another way, one of them is far more "tied-down" and resists tossing until you push it past the pace that law enforcement will tolerate.

I think you get the idea?

For those that just enjoy the top-down cruise of a sweet ride and have little measure of hooliganism in their DNA, I suspect the comparison would yield different results.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

nis350

I'd bet the Miata has a much more reliable top than the Z.

snakebite

It does. But that's because the pump, hydraulic lines and cylinders are all built to last 70-80 years. Incredible engineering. Lol

I must admit that putting the top down or up, while sitting at a traffic stop, all from your seat in about 3.2 seconds is COOL.



Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk