when did you first love a miata [Archive] (2024)

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jdcanadian

21st August 2009, 02:25

so i was thinkin' about my two cars, one, my '01 base model named Sterling(he's all silver, I'm BRILLIANT:thumbs:) and the other is Maya, my '78 Deluxe, Champagne Two edition, Westfalia Campmobile(i love saying/typing the long name)... anyhow, i realized that i fell in love with both at a certain time and place, and have fond memories of the "first kiss"

the miata i met in person for the first time at the Toronto international car show in '92. it was of course an NA, cherry red(don't know the paint code).

i waited in line for a few people in front of me and then sat down.....in the most form fitting, comfortable and invitingly confining interior ever! It fit like a glove, craddling me in a firmness that was gentle and assuring me of control while driving:jump:

it took a few years to finally get my own, but my love and respect for this lil' car has only grown over the two years i've owned him(he's a boy car, i know, i've only ever had girl cars but this one turned out to be a boy...go figure...)

so....when did you first fall for the miata?

qoheleth

21st August 2009, 07:46

I fell in love with the Miata when I drove it. Nothing is better than a sunny day, a curvy road, and my '99 with the top down.

I never cared for Miatas before. I had the pop-up headlights on my Bradley GT, and I regretted doing that ever after. When the time came that I needed a convertible again and I wanted a sports car, the Miata was the only thing I could afford. I had the chance to buy a white (my least favorite car color) '91 (the best year ever for Mazdas, I've been told), but it had automatic transmission.

Then my car dealer friend came up with the Green Arrow (my favorite comic book hero), and I test drove it, and have been addicted to it ever since. Emerald Mica '99, touring package.

crazyguy

21st August 2009, 08:28

when i first wanted a rwd real sports car but i dont have $20k to spend on a s2000.
but then i found out miata nb is very attractive and afforadable,just lacks a bit of hp.

wtxtaa

21st August 2009, 09:10

The hook was set, actually before Miatas came out, with the Triumph Spitfire my Dad briefly had in the mid 80s while I was in junior high. The articles and press releases in 1989 about the release of the Miata intrigued me. I was in high school at the time so I couldn't do much about the interest. While I was in college in the early 90s my brother picked up a red '90 NA, then it was a matter of time. After college, I would look at Miatas then talk myself out of one, and periodically repeat the cycle. Then in 2005 when a '99 showed up in the local classifieds, and I started to talk myself out again, my wife told me to go get the thing. I'm glad she did...

doug121041

21st August 2009, 09:31

My interest (and love affair) with sports cars dates back to 1958 when I had my 1st opportunity to drive one - - a 1952 MG TD. I was hooked and couldn't wait until I could afford to own one (a sports car, but not necessarily an MG TD).

Years went by until the Miata was introduced in 1989. I immediately fell in love with it and by 1993 was almost ready to lease one on a 3 year lease. But with retirement on the horizon and knowing that my wife and I wanted to travel full time in our motorhome for a few years after retirement, the Miata "dream" was put on hold.

Eventually we settled down and built a new home in 2006. In 2008 I found a low mileage 2003 Miata LS at a local dealership and knew that now was the time - - so I bought it! In the past 17 months I have (with the help of my daughter) put 17,000 miles on this Miata. What a fun car to drive - - an absolute blast!!

Still waiting to take a longer trip in it (other than around town driving) - - perhaps the end of September. It was a long time in coming but I'm sure glad that I finally own a sports car - - and it's a MIATA!!

desert red

21st August 2009, 09:40

After leaning how to drive a manual in my father's 1950 MGTD (and subsequently owning a MGB myself) I fell in love with the Miata from the moment I read about the its concept and saw the first press pictures. I would go by the dealer and look at the cars (and their + $7000 AJMV) when they arrived. My first test drive was when my brother kindly let me drive his early year Silverstone. I was hooked. I looked at them every year, but my family situation at the did not allow the purchase one. As I was driving past my local Mazda dealer one day, I caught sight of my future Miata out of the corner of my eye. It just seemed to be speaking "Here I am". It took another month to actually buy it, but as the saying goes, good this are worth waiting for.

Edit: ∧∧ How about that; another TD to Miata convert.

710 cap

21st August 2009, 09:43

I had been following the news on the release of this new car that Mazda was developing. Then in 89 or 90 my wife and I were overnighting in Seattle on our way to L.A. We were in Downtown Seattle for breakfast and the streets were being set up for a parade. We decided to stay and check it out... and what to my amazement, every car in the parade was a Miata. Of course there only 3 colours available at that time Red / White & Blue. That was it I was hooked.

TCs-K0-MX5

21st August 2009, 10:05

The first time I drove one. ~12 years ago Dad's 1990. Since then I've had the opportunity to drive half dozen of them. Been a motorcyclist for 20 years and didn't think a roadster would get used enough to justify.

This summer decided to buy a used miata and replace the 6 year old motorcycle. New plan....keep the miata, it gets a good amount of use and replace/upgrade the motorcycle over the winter to a more desirable and now less used model.

whaap

21st August 2009, 10:10

I admired the Miata when it first came out. I couldn't force myself to buy one because there were a few design features about the NA I just couldn't take. As soon as the NB came out I had one. I'm on my second NB at the present time.

agv

21st August 2009, 10:14

in '90 while I was repairing my MG Midget

Rivergoat

21st August 2009, 10:59

I noticed the Miata when it was first released in '90, although at that time I just purchased a new Honda Prelude. The Honda stayed with me for many years, but a rapid fire of one-thing-after-another, combined with the projected cost to rebuild the ABS and replace the A/C compressor led me to look to sell it. I had seen the S2000, but its MSRP led me to run for the hills. The Miata was a natural place to turn. I had driven an MGB in the past, loved the small sports car feel (when the MG would actually run). Couldn't afford a new car, but found my MX5 with 9K on the clock in near perfect condition and priced too good to pass up. Grabbed it, drove it, and haven't looked back. I just wonder why I waited so long to get a Miata :)

TMFShinsen

21st August 2009, 11:22

Home from college in the summer of '90, spotted one in a parking lot: WHAT IS THAT?!?! :cool:

Old Putz

21st August 2009, 11:36

the miata i met in person for the first time at the Toronto international car show in '92. it was of course an NA, cherry red(don't know the paint code).

Had an eerily similar experience at the Alameda County Fair in the summer of 1990. Except I remember how wonderful the shift lever action was- short throw, gates snug but not tight.

Only took me another 18 years to get around to buying one...:ohno:

bellamia

21st August 2009, 11:47

Mine's a classic story of a friendship that turned into a passion. Always wanted one, and then got one. The first few years were a friendly relationship, but I was a bit disappointed in the performance. I didn't know she was sick (bad coil-pack and partially plugged cat). After a good counselling session mediated by this forum, I replaced the coil-pack and the cat and now....WOW. The performance that I didn't know existed is there and other suggestions and tips from this forum have made her a thing of beauty. What a great car!!

Stumpy

21st August 2009, 12:28

I fell in love with my friends Miata the day she bought it. She let me drive it to her home alone as she followed in her other car.

I was jamming to 80's tunes, zipping down whindy roads, with the sun in my face. It will forever be one of my favorite drives of all time.

Since then I have always wanted one.

My friend was nice and let me drive it almost everytime we went out.

3 years later, I got one of my own. :)

mywong23

21st August 2009, 12:54

before they existed ;)

as I was smitten by Emma Peel & her Lotus Elan.....

bigblue

21st August 2009, 14:39

The first time I laid eye balls on a 10AE. It was love at first site. 9+ years later Bigblue is still my best dance partner

gjohn3707

21st August 2009, 15:48

I enjoyed riding go karts when I was teenage. I wanted a Miata when I owned my MG Midget. When I first read about Miiatas on this forum I knew then.

tom4416

21st August 2009, 15:52

When rumors started surfacing in 1988, I knew it was what I was looking for. Had recently given up my 280ZX because it had become a caricature of the original 240Z and was looking for a true sports car. By time the actual press releases hit the magazines, was ready to put the money down and took delivery 7/89 and have never looked back although I've gone through a "few" over the years.

Rich Wilkman

21st August 2009, 16:22

Brit cars are a thing in my family and I liked the Miata when it came out in 1990 and my uncle bought one.

But I didn't love it until the ditched pop up lights. Same thing that makes me love the new 'Vette, too.

-Rich

lordspacecowboy

21st August 2009, 20:51

I was lucky in the my parents had bought a 77 Porsche 924 and never drove it much. By the time I was ready to drive the car had depreciated to the point that it was the cheapest option for me to drive. I fell in love with the underpowered but great handling sports car. Fast foward ten years, a wreck and a few normal cars, my youngest brother was looking for a sports car and I went with him to look at a miata, me question his sexual preference the entire time. I drove the car while he talked to the owner, both of us passed on that car, but I bought a 99 within a month and a half, he is still looking for his. :)

t walgamuth

21st August 2009, 21:00

I was autocrossing my 84 mercedes 280e and got sick of not being able to buy any performance enhancing parts for it.

I made a rational decision to buy a Miata because it would be a great autocrosser.

After I bought my 99 and started driving it I really came to love it. I love the handling and I love the lines of it. From the drivers seat the hood resembles an XKE hood, from the rear view mirror it looks like an E type too, sort of.

And its a great autocrosser with whatever parts I can imagine available and more.

Scuba_Steve

21st August 2009, 21:07

1989 I ran a marathon in Carthage MO. At the finish there was a blue two seater sports car and I found it was a new model by Mazda. A year later when I was in the market for a new car, I looked at them and the Mazda dealers were raping customers who wanted to buy one (3k to 6k markup).

I wound up buying a ford probe. Fast forward 12 years later, I bought a coporate car 2001 Miata.

ACBlessing

21st August 2009, 21:41

When I realized I was never going to get a Porsche Boxster on a military income.

Actually, I really didn't care much for Miatas for more than a decade until my dad traded his Mustang in for one and let me drive it. I took him up on his offer to get in and drive and not wanting offend him, I did.

Since that moment, I couldn't sleep well until I had my own. If I ever get married again, it's going to be in the prenup that I'm not selling it and in fact might get an ND to accompany it.

PGH1NC

21st August 2009, 22:08

I guess I was introduced to Miata by a running buddy. He had one (NA) at my home on a Memorial Day several years ago. He let me drive it. Way cool.

However, at the time I had a Jeepster convertible. One evening I met him at the local Y to run and had my Jeep parked beside his Miata. As we finished our run we saw two kids and we asked them which car (the Jeepster or Miata?) was "cooler'. They picked the Jeepster!

Then 5 years ago I got to drive my cousin's NA. He was going to sell it to me but changed his mind. Had just sold jeepster, found a local Miata (NB) on ebay, and the rest is history. I have two cousins with Miatas, now an NB and an NC.

KAG Miata

21st August 2009, 22:29

I've always loved small roadsters. My buddies in college had a Spitfire and TR-6. I first saw a Red Miata in person when one came cruising down my cul-de-sac in 1990. I recognized it immediately and fell in love.

Finally got my sons through college last year and picked up my 2000 Miata. I get teased about it being a mid-life-crisis, but I explain it was a crisis almost 20 years in the making!

Claff

21st August 2009, 22:35

We always had Brit cars when I was growing up, and in the late '80s I had a MGB. My dad had his eyes on a Miata since they first came out and finally got one in 1992. I didn't think much of it, thinking it didn't have a 'soul' compared to the Brits. One night we were going home from the racetrack and it was getting late and he was pretty tired. We switched seats and I drove the last 45 minutes home through sports car-worthy roads in the middle of a warm summer night. Even then I had to admit that while the car may not have had a soul, it sure made the MGB feel old and sloppy and slow. Why it took me till 2007 to get one for myself, I don't really know.

soldsco@comcast.net

22nd August 2009, 01:40

When the Miata first came out I wasn't all that impressed as I was more into RX-7s and cars that had lots of gizmos and such. Then a friend of mine got one around 91. As soon as he took me for a ride I had to have one. I understood then what the Miata was about. Bought a brand new '92 B package right before I got married. My new wife didn't like it and after about a year traded it and wound up with an Isuzu Trooper.

But the bug was still there and in 2005 I convinced my wife of the need for a economical car to commute in. Conincedentally Miatas fit the bill and I wound up with a red 99 with 20K miles. Four years later its not quite stock anymore and it has become a part of the family. Even my wife likes it although she doesn't get the turbo. I could never sell this car.

jdcanadian

22nd August 2009, 04:27

awesome folks! keepem' comin'

for myself, in the process of buying this car, i had many options, but "all roads lead to Miata"
i had gotten sick of my job of 7.5years(i'm a waiter, it's a record)and needed a newer more reliable car than Maya(the Bus, see above)....in love with Miata's since the car show, it was on my list, NA or NB, as well as MR2's(3rd gen). I even looked at Z3's, Z'4's, but decided that they were too expensive to "build". Also, my dad has an '03 Z4 3.0i(the big motor) and it's crazy fast:rofl:.....but it's too much work to drive. Yes, the miata is not near as fast(yet:jump:)...but it's a million times more fun.

I LOVE MY MIATA!!

...there, i said it!

this lil' car puts a smile on my face every time i drive it, and the anticipation of "building" it drives(pun) me nuts:jump:

andyb

22nd August 2009, 08:44

Mid-life crisis?

I was turning 50 and was looking for that Harley.
My daughter, who is a nurse at Shock Trauma in Baltimore said - "Oh No you are not buying a bike - I do not want to have to put you back together after some idiot cuts you off at the pass" So NO Harley for you!

The birthday comes and my buddy invites me over to see a project he bought to work on during the Maryland winter. We pull off the car cover and I checked out the Emerald Green 2000 Miata and said "what's to fix". This car is in great shape and has only 10K on the clock.

My wife and daughter come out into the garage and throw me the keys, said "Happy Birthday" and by the way the car's name is "Harley." Oh yeah, they threw me the payment book as well. But that's fine.

Seven years later I still get a good feeling every time I get in the car and start it up!

Much better birthday present for me than the Harley would have been.

Buzzoid

22nd August 2009, 12:43

I always liked the idea of a such a small, simple, and tossable car. Really fell in love when i drove it. So much more a feeling of connection than my previous 2005 Civic Si. One test drive and I know I had to own it. :)

On a side note, I love those Westfalia Campers and simply can not believe the prices those things command now. I see them selling for $30-60K. Crazy...

Link for proof: http://gowesty.com/vehicle_sales.php

jblynch1

22nd August 2009, 14:30

I've always had an admiration for small sports cars, but had rarely been in one of any kind until May 2009 when I test-drove my MX-5 ... and I am 46 years old! (Automotiveally I've led a sheltered life).

When the NA came out, my circle of friends considered the Miata as a "girl car", just too under-powered and cute to be a respectable guy car. I liked the shape improvements that came with the NB, and decided that I could own one and not emasculate myself. Too bad I had a family at the time, and a 2-seater was out of the question. With one child off to college, and the other driving, we needed to add a car to the fleet. COOL! Since 90% of my driving is me alone, a 2-seater fits the bill. Trouble is I had a $7500 budget so no S2K or Skye Redline for me. I read an article on Jalopnik.com where they surveyed professional drivers for their top 10 cars under $10,000, and compiled the list. Along with the 1996 Supra, 2003 WRX, 2005 Mustang, there was the 2003 Miata. Ah, validity. The search was on.

The third MX-5 that I drove was a 120K mile 2003 Miata on Craigslist for $5500. I test drove it, found it a bit confining (why is there no tilt steering column????), but figured I could get used to it. It was the wrong color (black), had some parking lot dings, the passenger window wouldn't roll down, the top was a little torn up, and the previous owner had glued Mercedes emblems over EVERY Mazda emblem (hood, trunk, wheels, stick shift, steering wheel, etc. :O ) ... but it drove nice and the interior was in good condition. Since my primary objective was to get an entertaining commuter car that I could drive without care, this would be the ticket if the price was right. I offered $4,000, and they took it.

The love for the car came on slowly over the next few weeks. I pried off the Mercedes emblems, changed out all the fluids, and did some major cleaning. I got used to the smaller co*ckpit. (Still wish I could raise the steering wheel a little!) Significant bonding took place as I began taking corners at 40mph. Ridin' on rails, YEAH! The sound effects that I get from the Flyin' Miata dual exhaust that I added last month helps the love too. (Another Craigslist score for $100!) A couple more months and there might be a turbo under the hood.

When questioned about this being my "mid-life crisis" car I tell everyone that a mid-life crisis car comes with a hot young blonde, and since my wife wouldn't let me get one of those too, the Miata does not qualify. It is what it is ... my go-kart!

MCLoso

22nd August 2009, 19:29

I had a TR4, my dad had an MGA and an MGTF. Then I had a Corvette. Then I had kids. Meanwhile the Miata came out and it was always an interest, but 2 seats and kids don't go together so good.

We were buying a used Toyota for my son last year and the guy was selling a Miata (probably an NA) for $5,000. I couldn't believe that car was selling for only $5K!. From that day on I started looking for mine. Fell in love with a 10AE an had to have it.

Thumper 13

23rd August 2009, 14:09

Just another in a long line of 2 seat roadsters I have owned dating back to my first one a 63 TR 3B. Its not the Miata I love its the way she handles,not unlike my S 2000,just a lot less power.

Lt. Dan

23rd August 2009, 14:29

First time I ever drove one was at an autocross... I had been campaigning a first gen RX-7, but somebody offered a seat in his miata for an event... The steering was INCREDIBLE compared to most everything I had driven... Alas, for a couple years it was a love affair I couldn't see to fruition because of my height(6'3"), and having never heard of the Foamectomy....

Now it's all good.... hehe....

dfitz

23rd August 2009, 14:58

before they existed ;)

as I was smitten by Emma Peel & her Lotus Elan.....Whoa Emma Peel, I thought I was the only one who...

Reality check - a local Ottawa, Ontario Mazda dealer got the first Miata at the store in early 1990. My wife and I were there (since we met at the St. Jovite race track during the heady days of Can-Am and Trans Am racing in the 60s you know we were interested in cars). Hey, we winter in Sebring so we can attend the 12 Hours of Sebring, that I first went to in 1963, and many other races at that famous track!

Back to the dealership, the salesman gave me the keys and told me not to take it for a drive - huh!? His next statement was that if we drove it we would be satisfied until we bought one. Well family and work got in the way of an impractical Miata as a family car so Miata ownership was postponed.

That lasted until January 2004 when, retired and living in Florida for the winter, I decided to scratch the long existing Miata itch.

We found a 1994 M-Edition a couple of hours away, went, saw, bought. We drove that Miata for a while and then the Miata itch returned I found a 2003 LS Garnet Red Mica on eBay, we won the auction! We sold the 1994 in less than 24 hours. The 2003 is now "Canadianized" and in the garage here in Brockville after doing the Ontario-Florida-Ontario round trip for winter 2007-2008. In the fall of 2008 we decided not to take the 2003 south. It took a while after we were in Florida to find an inexpensive Miata but we did find a 10AE with lots of miles and a bit rough around the edges. For a 3,000 to 5,000 mile a year car it is just great.

Bottom line that salesman back in 1990 was right

Harb

27th August 2009, 00:45

I have to say that as soon as they came out I was smitten it just took me awhile to get it done.

Chilicharger665

27th August 2009, 00:57

I saw it in a Jeep dealership parking lot March of 08...

I was actually looking to get a Nagaro Red 07 350z but the MSRP was getting me down...

I saw it sitting there and went to look at it, the salesman immediately threw me the keys after a 5 minute walk around. The car did have front end damage (still does:(..) but I took one test drive and I was hooked. I had to have it. I picked it up 2 weeks later.. and then the next day was back when it wouldn't start. It just turned out to be a broken battery connection and its been trouble free ever since!

Good news is that I JUST paid off the car and so now I can finally fix the front end damage!!!

jimmyjet

27th August 2009, 01:46

I got the bug when I read about Rod Millen's turbo Miata in Road & Track back in 1989. I knew I wanted one right then, but I had to wait two years until I was in college. It was small, utterly impractical for school and I don't regret the decision for a minute. 18 years later, I finally added my turbo. I'm in love all over again!

2bav8

27th August 2009, 01:50

My lust began after seeing them destroy my Mustang at the track. Someone was kind enough to let me do a fun run and I was hooked...

Mark Booth

27th August 2009, 02:10

When the stories about the Miata's unveiling hit the car magazines, I read them with lust. But the Miata was introduced less than two month after my wife and I had purchased our house. Despite the lust for my own little topless roadster, there was just no way I could justify spending the coin for a fun car when I had walls to build, sprinkler systems to install, and sod to be laid. It took 4 more years before I started looking seriously for a Miata to buy. In March of '93, all of the early craziness had finally died down and you could actually walk onto a Mazda dealer's lot and pay LESS than sticker for a Miata.

So, that is when I stopped by a "local" dealer to check out what was available. A leftover '92 Classic Red one caught my eye! The salesman could tell I was a serious shopper so he put the top down, snapped on the boot, took my driver's license information, installed a dealer plate, and then handed me the keys. The shocker was when he told me to take it out on my own. In fact, he told me to go ahead and drive it to my house and show it to my wife. This, despite the fact that my house was 25 miles away! He encouraged me to keep it for a couple of hours and have some fun with it! :eek:

To this day, I still believe that salesman KNEW I would be hopelessly in love with the car before I got it back to the dealership. And that IS exactly what happened. By the end of the 2nd mile heading toward home, I had a grin so big I think it devoured the rest of my face! And well before I reached my house, I was praying that my wife would love it as much as I already did! :)

Happily, she did! And we bought that '92 Classic Red by mid-afternoon the same day. I would have easily paid full list for the car. But I didn't have to. Like I said, the '93 models were already on the lots and this little leftover '92 moved into my garage for $2,300 below sticker.

We had the '92 for 8.5 years and almost 140,000 miles before selling it and getting the '01 Classic Red in August of 2001.

And the love affair continues! :)

Mark

the_don

27th August 2009, 11:40

my friends have always made fun of the miata for years and I always explained how everyone and there mother had a mustang or camaro convertible. so when I got rid of my mustang(lol) I looked and looked. many cars and many years later I got one... I am very happy with it except for space.

zzman

8th September 2009, 22:37

I wanted a miata when from the first time I saw one when they we're brought into the USA. Had a 65' MG Midget that needed to be restored at the time. I wanted to start to the restoration but she said I could'nt buy parts. She says why don't you get something already done. I say let's go to the bank and we'll have a car right now. Well that was not what she wanted to here either.After 18 years of marriage she got rid of me . I got my first mx-5 shortly after.I waited 20 years to get my first MX-5 that was a 99'. Now have a 01' LS bought new and I love my car. I still have the 65' Midegt. Life is good. zzman

Jerry & Cootie

9th September 2009, 04:47

The day I laid eyes on it. Try to remember back to 1989 and what the other cars looked like, and what was it's competition.

Scrapster

9th September 2009, 07:42

When I hit second gear on my first test drive of the first Miata I ever drove.

Rivergoat

9th September 2009, 09:45

before they existed ;)

as I was smitten by Emma Peel & her Lotus Elan.....

:jump: oh my oh my oh my oh my :jump:

LOVE Emma Peel :D

Flighttester

9th September 2009, 14:30

I owned an RX-7 when the Miata originally came out and my oldest daughter's then boy-friend drove his father's brand new Miata to the house one day back in '89-'90.

I looked it over and declared it 'nice' but not nearly in the same league as the RX-7. I mostly forgot about it.

I stayed with Mazda RX-7's till the FC and the experience my brother had with his FC kept me away from that model. I kept waiting for a new RX-7 to replace the FC but when it became evident that wasn't going to happen, I began to look at alternatives.

I didn't find anything like the RX-7 for years but one day in '04 I went past the local Pontiac GMC store and saw a little Miata '00SE sitting there. On examination, I discovered it had been traded in on a new GTO and it was showroom new, with all the original stuff (including the little wine picknick backpack) and it had only 4,000 miles on the clock. It was never ever driven in the rain.

They wanted too much I thought and so I checked here (as a newby) to see what you guys thought of the '00SE and what a 'new one' would be worth. (they were asking $18,000).

It was suggested that I try a new MSM because they were selling them 'cheap' at the time and I went to the Mazda shop and tried one. A new silver '05 model.

I drove it hard (just as I did the '00SE) on the long test drive and I soon discovered that the little turbo model demonstrator didn't rev as high (constantly banging on the rev limiter) as the '00SE and nothing at all like my trusty old '87 RX-7 Turbo II. They wanted $23,000 for the MSM. I felt the '00SE ran better and certainly it looked better.

I walked from both places without buying but I kept getting calls from the Pontiac store telling me I 'needed' that little purple Miata. I resisted for two weeks.

Finally, the dealer found a guy who wanted my RX-7 (to build a race-car, I was told) and he offered me much more than I though it was worth. That brought the little Miata down to what I thought the price should be and I drove it home.

I like the '00 Miata. But, it sure as hell isn't my old RX-7 and nothing could make it as good as the old RX-7.

Now, about five years later, I have about 80,000 (mostly highway) miles on the little purple car. It isn't exactly what I need or what I want but I like it anyway. So does my wife.

I'll probably keep it but I consider it about like I considered my '74 MGB/GT... A 'nice' car but not a 'great' car.

Great for the price though.

Myada

9th September 2009, 17:55

My very first "car" was a Yamaha DT125, rode it for a year and traded for a slightly used yellow '72 Celica GT. I was hooked on small sports cars.

The following year, I traded again for a '74 MBG-GT liftback, BRG w/black rubber bumpers. Loved that car, how it handled and looked. The only downfall was that it was made by British Leyland and was a piece of crap. I had to work on it ALL the time.

Finally sold it in 1982, still miss it.

This Miata brings back everything I ever possibly wanted in that MGB!

I'm hooked for life, or what's left of it.

~jim

ZR1991

9th September 2009, 18:18

Easy. It was when they were first introduced, and my attorney bought 2, one for his wife. I loved the car, but at the time was full of family. As the years went on, I eventually went through many exciting cars, a couple in my sig. But now I want very much to find a reasonable used convertible, and that's why I just joined the forum. Looking forward to learning, and eventually having the best small roadster around. Looking forward to tossing it about on weekends. In fact just came in having driven my cousin's 2006 all day long. Loved it when I first saw it, and loved it today!

Regards, Art in Baton Rouge

99brg

9th September 2009, 18:30

When I was born in 1964. Again when I saw my first MG or Triumph. Again when I read David E. Davis' article in Automobile magazine about this little Montego Blue British sports car made in Japan that was about to come out in 1989. Again when I picked up mine 18 years later, then every day since.

2ndY2KSE

9th September 2009, 20:51

When the wife said "if I have to drive a convertible, I wouldn't mind this".
Test fit the the golf bag, signed the papers, THEN I Drove it.

scaphil

9th September 2009, 22:57

I saw a red Miata on a TV show on a Sunday night. I inquired with my insurance company how much would insuring one cost on a Monday night (I was 25). Then I found one that I was exactly looking for - base model silver on Tuesday night. Test drove and place a down payment. Picked it up Friday. That was 19 years ago. I have always had a Miata since (I've only had 2 - a NA for 12 years and now a NB).

philrab

10th September 2009, 09:43

My first (accidental) four wheel drift. I was still running pretty hard tires, got on the throttle a little aggressively, and the rear got loose. I got back in the gas to keep the rear end planted, and the front slid ever so slightly. I still remember how naturally the car took my direction from steering and throttle and just cooperated. I thought about where I wanted the car to go, and the car responded without complaint or fight. That, to me, is the Miata's most endearing feature of it's personality. It really will forgive and flatter when other cars will kick your butt for overstepping the limit.

dAw

10th September 2009, 12:32

The day I picked it and drove it home.

Then I loved it more and more as I put time and parts in it.

:thumbs:

2ndGearRubber

12th September 2009, 00:46

when i accidentally chirped the tires on the test drive ;)

snikujmit

12th September 2009, 16:29

I was actually tricked into buying my Miata. A friend of mine wanted a guy's opinion of the used Protoge that she was buying and asked me to go to the dealer with her to check it out.

When we got there she told the salesman that I wanted to test drive a new Miata. I had no intention of getting a new car but thought "What the heck.... might be fun." She & I went out for a spin (without the salesman.... do they even allow that anymore?) on a beautifully warm spring day. When we got back to the dealership the only thing I had to say was "Where do I sign?"

I spent way more than I could afford at the time, ate nothing but Hamburger Helper and took a second job to help pay for the 3 year loan; but have NEVER ONCE regretted it for even a moment!!

One trip along the winding hilly roads of scenic Thomaston, CT with the top down was all it took for me to fall head over heels for my '01.

Mark Weinert

12th September 2009, 17:11

I fell in love with roadsters in the early 70's..
Friends had a '64MGB (pre-safety bumpers/wire wheels) and a tuned up Datsun 2000
They were great cars but you had to be a weekend mechanic, plus wind and water leaks were normal.
Then Mazda comes out with a car that has all the fun with the reliability of a Japanese sedan.
Doesn't get any better that that in my book.
-----------------------------------------
1999 white touring - 5MT

XSNRGE

13th September 2009, 20:07

For me, I was one of those douches who thought that it was a girly car. Still kind of do though...

I've owned Nissan 240SX's for all my driving life, not really anything fancy, but I loved the pleasant driving experience, as well as the interior design (specifically the interior designs of early 90's Japanese cars).

A week ago I was searching for a new car and I ended up with 3 possible prospects: a 1990 Miata, a 1994 Saab NG 900 and a 1987 BMW 325e.

I wasn't a fan of the Saab interior, neither did I like the awkward European design of having to PULL the shifter upwards to get it into reverse.

The BMW was in good condition, but the engine needed some work. As a mechanic, I don't mind the challenge. As a poor mechanic, I didn't think the cost of parts for the car was pleasant, so I ignored it.

I then went to check out the Miata. Still thinking its a dinky little car, I rolled into the guy's driveway and checked it out. It really isn't that small in real life, only photos make it look small and dinky.

I took a seat in it and the interior felt almost exactly like my 240SX's interior, simple, functional and easy to use. I liked it.

The seller told me to take it for a spin around the block.

This was when it all changed... Not only did it the clutch feel, throttle pedal response and gear shift feel - feel very familiar to that of my previous car, but it also felt a lot classier and smoother.

I fell in love...

That was yesterday... I called the seller again today to seal the deal.

As of tomorrow, I'll be the proud owner of a 1990 classic red Miata :D

Bob Smith

13th September 2009, 21:15

When I was a kid in the 60s there was a used car lot that only sold British Sports cars.
Austin Healys, Triumphs, MG etc.
I fell in love with these pretty little cars.
When it came time for me to own my own car these cars were out of favor, they were considered unreliable and I was in the construction trades.
I owned a 66 Chevelle but then later needed a pickup truck.
Then years later when the Miata first can out my lust was reborn, the fun of a British roadster with the reliability of Japanese engineering.
It took a while before I was able to afford a 2nd car just for fun but in Nov of 04 I bought a 2001 Crystal Blue LS, my OTM is a 03 Astro Van so the difference between the 2 is night and day.
That Van helps put money in my pocket, but the Miata puts a smile on my face.

KAG Miata

14th September 2009, 17:14

Well put. It's amazing that no one tapped into the American love affair with British roadsters until the Miata came out. As I stated in my earlier reply, I always loved the way Triumphs and MGs felt, but couldn't stomach the reliability issues. Mazda cured that issue with the Miata.

tc200

14th September 2009, 17:55

When I was 18 I went to a track day with a friend of my dads (nice g35 on r-comps) and me in my 06 civic (all stock ran so bad I needed new tires at the end of the day) but, the instructor was nice enough to take me round in one of the NA miata's that was there. It was amazing watching him handle the car and feeling the g's through corners and I just loved it. It only took a year and a half to save the money to get one of my own and I have never looked back.

Not to mention the amount of other miatas there and how interesting all the modifications were.

when did you first love a miata [Archive] (2024)

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