Driving vs Riding

[solo1]

I miss the riding, still like the Valkyrie, so that qualifies me to post..............I guess.

Yesterday, I drove for a short period after getting the Miata out of storage. Later this month I hope to take my annual birthday ride,, errr, Drive.

Didn't have time yesterday but took the Miata out for a short spin today, no pics, Driving was the no 1 priority.

I managed to run some of the winter fuel through it, snicked through the gears (yes, snick is a word, look it up), and, in general, had a decent time with my butt firmly cradled in leather bucket seats. I left the top up since, for me, it was a wee bit chilly.

Yeah, the Miata is small, the motor no powerhouse but everything is in balance. On top of that, it's fun to drive, especially listening to the non drone but interesting sound of the Helmholtz designed polished stainless steel muffler. I'm sure glad that I don't own a Mustang or Corvette, both fast cars. The Miata keeps me legal (more or less)because it isn't.

[f6john]

I've never sat in a Miata. Wondered how I would fit. I nixed several C4 Corvettes after driving them because of the fit. I wound up with the C5 Corvette since it has the most interior room of any Corvette model. Put the seat all the way rearward and my feet won't reach the pedals. Speeding hasn't been a problem as my joy comes from the handling and the sounds, I actually drive faster in my Titan than the Corvette. I actually don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket but that has been more luck than anything else.

[msb]

My wife has a mint '92 Miata...bone stock, save for the paint job I gave her about a half dozen years ago. Extremely "mild" in terms of HP, but probably the closest you can get on 4 wheels to the feeling of riding a motorcycle. Not so easy to get in and out of for your's truly and the top of he windshield frame is in my direct line of sight, but it is fun the odd time I get behind the wheel

[Bighead]

My wife some years back wanted a Miata so we go look at them and I didnt fit I would only be able to drive or ride passenger with the top down. So she decided against it.

[Moonshot_1]

I've never sat in a Miata. Wondered how I would fit. I nixed several C4 Corvettes after driving them because of the fit. I wound up with the C5 Corvette since it has the most interior room of any Corvette model. Put the seat all the way rearward and my feet won't reach the pedals. Speeding hasn't been a problem as my joy comes from the handling and the sounds, I actually drive faster in my Titan than the Corvette. I actually don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket but that has been more luck than anything else.

But can you gear snick in it? I think I can on the Valkyrie if I pre-load the shifter lever.

[BobB]

I also miss the riding since my mishap last May and no amount of driving will make up for that.  That said, Sue and I are enjoying our Mercedes-Benz 450SL, which replaced my Valkyrie.  I am about to take the cover off and move it to another stall.  I have yet to restore some of the parts that were removed last fall, but we are looking forward to the 2019 car shows.

When we purchased the SL last year, I was looking for a roadster that had a little room behind the seats.  A Miata or Vet did not fit the bill.   The SL has a 4.5L V8 but the '76 is no power house, about 190 HP.  It is a Grand Touring open car, not a sports car.

If I continue to hang around here, I guess I'll have to change my tag photo. 
Wishing you all safe journeys this year...

[msb]

My wife some years back wanted a Miata so we go look at them and I didnt fit I would only be able to drive or ride passenger with the top down. So she decided against it.

That's basically the way it is with me... strictly top down, although I'm sure newer models are more spacious.  I rarely drive it though, I bought it for the Mrs for her 50th some years back when she finally pulled the plug on any thoughts of getting her own MC. As my old neighbor once said when he saw me driving it ... "here comes Fred Flintstone" 

[The emperor has no clothes]

My wife some years back wanted a Miata so we go look at them and I didnt fit I would only be able to drive or ride passenger with the top down. So she decided against it.

That's basically the way it is with me... strictly top down, although I'm sure newer models are more spacious.  I rarely drive it though, I bought it for the Mrs for her 50th some years back when she finally pulled the plug on any thoughts of getting her own MC. As my old neighbor once said when he saw me driving it ... "here comes Fred Flintstone" 

I'm only 5'10", but I think even someone 6'2" would have no problem with the new Miata's. Now someone like Serk would be a different story.

[f6john]

I've never sat in a Miata. Wondered how I would fit. I nixed several C4 Corvettes after driving them because of the fit. I wound up with the C5 Corvette since it has the most interior room of any Corvette model. Put the seat all the way rearward and my feet won't reach the pedals. Speeding hasn't been a problem as my joy comes from the handling and the sounds, I actually drive faster in my Titan than the Corvette. I actually don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket but that has been more luck than anything else.

But can you gear snick in it? I think I can on the Valkyrie if I pre-load the shifter lever.

Stock shifter in the Vette probably was a "snicker" when new but 20 years later not so much. Now for about $450.00 I can buy a aftermarket shifter and snick to my hearts content.

[solo1]

I'm 5 foot 10 and 1/2 and 225 pounds with a gut.. I fit ok but my sons do not. The Miata's steering wheel is not adjustable so it doesn't lend itself to a big gut, even with the seat full back.

The new Miatas probably have more room but not much more. Big guys better go with BMW, Corvettes, Mustangs, etc.

As an aside, my Miata's six speed manual is the best shifting gear box of all the cars I've had including four on the floor, column shifts, etc.   As the nuetral is very narrow it took a bit to get used to.

[DGS65]

Lol I'm a Corvette guy and never have I wished I had less power so I couldn't speed and get into trouble 

[Pappy!]

Solo - I drove a '97 Miata from Central Florida to Fayetteville, Tn. one time. I was, to put it mildly, "Buttsprung" by the time we arrived.
Wife sold that one and got a 2007. We did the drive again and wow!!! What a difference in comfort. More hp, better comfort, and more fun. Both that wife and the Miata are gone now.

[old2soon]

Lol I'm a Corvette guy and never have I wished I had less power so I couldn't speed and get into trouble 

My neighbors 14 Camaro is quite similar in color to yer Vette. I know when he washes it off sometimes he do not even need the lights on!  At night with the L E D parking lights it do appear to be snarling.  RIDE SAFE.