Recent Comments:
GM, Ford doing well in China, despite slow sales at home {Autoblog}
Jul 8th 2008 4:41PM Funny Johnny how people seem to think the increase in Mini sales means something different. They have yet to break 10K but everyone thinks they are new leader
Spy Shots: BMW 335d caught ahead of U.S. launch this fall {Autoblog}
Jul 8th 2008 3:24PM Nope.
None of the new diesels permit common bio diesels to be used.
Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi Evo X {Autoblog}
Jul 2nd 2008 3:12PM those mileage figures is what turned me off.. .15/21?
thats like big suv territory
By the Numbers June 2008: Not That Bad Edition {Autoblog}
Jul 1st 2008 6:34PM Hot?
Look at its volume, its not hot. Just doing better than the previous year which wasn't good. Anything would have been better than the previous year. Plus they have the clubman now which is where sales are going
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top {Autoblog}
Jun 29th 2008 1:42PM I just picked up an 08 Miata SE. (Special Edition). Basically sky blue with saddle brown cloth top and leather interior. Lots of chrome and all options other than the sport package. Canadians get a hard top version only while the US gets the cloth top only. 750 Cloth top and 110 Hard top versions of the SE exist.
That out of the way. I had a NB (2000) version for five years before diverging into "other" cars. Since I was able to buy mine using the S-plan (think invoice minus rebates and dealer stuff) I took an SE.
Compared to the Sky/Solstice. Get out. Sorry while their looks appeal to others they are useless for traveling if you actually have a significant other. No usable trunk space with the top down and you have to get out of the car to put it up or down.
That Miata hard top is plastic. FWIW it was the only way to keep the weight down. It actually takes between twelve and fifteen seconds to work at max. Can't be done in gear and the trunk has to be closed. It also is a little noisier than the soft top, called sound reflections.
The only thing that "alarmed" me about the current generation, no spare. Run Flats are an option but everyone on the forums (www.miata.net) don't care for them. If you need more security than goo + a provided electric pump you can get the RX8 17" spare or RX7 16" spare. Just make sure the spare always goes on a front tire.
It claims to need premium but runs fine on regular. I average 30 to 32 on mid-grade for my commute, mostly 35 to 55 speeds and two lane roads across 26 miles.
Oh, about his comment about hard top convertibles looking funky if more than two seaters? Guess he needs to see an EOS. I almost bought one but the VW dealer was a dick and the maintenance costs being quoted on forums made me flinch.
Oh well, best roadster on the planet. For what its worth, handling is superb and as anyone knows, its not how fast you accelerate that matters its how fast you go.
Buick Reatta a design flop? {Autoblog}
Jun 29th 2008 12:04AM Honestly I think it would be good looking even today.
Speed cameras in Arizona nab driver 22 times in 45 days {Autoblog}
Jun 26th 2008 5:01PM Jason,
Accidents at Windy Hill Road in Marietta have gone down. It got cameras because it was one of the worst intersections in the area.
Audi A1 drop-top bound for Frankfurt in '09, aimed at MINI cabrio {Autoblog}
Jun 26th 2008 4:52PM I'll keep my Miata.
It is the real roadster on the roads and it has a usable trunk regardless of what position the top is in
Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds {Autoblog}
Jun 26th 2008 3:46PM I wonder if Wagoner asked for help in making new battery technologies?
Speed cameras in Arizona nab driver 22 times in 45 days {Autoblog}
Jun 26th 2008 3:31PM I am not a fan of speeding cameras. I am a fan of red light cameras. At least those get people to be safe. The problem I have with speeding cameras is I have yet to see any anywhere other than interstates - where your all going the same direction.
ps: still can't post from work :(
