500 miles with the top down - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 04-27-2009, 06:48 AM

Over the weekend the lovely Mrs was gone to a conference in DC. I drove to indy to visit with the lovely #3 daughter and her family on Fri eve.

I watched grandson #1 participate in a ti quon do kickoff (hilarious...a bunch of little kids kicking and punching with mucho pads).

IN the morning I went to Muncie and did some work on the house there for the lovely #4 daughter.

IN the afternoon I drove to east of Dayton OH and spent the night with the lovely #1 daugher and her family trying out their newly purchased travel trailer. And on sunday drove home in the afternoon.

All lovely weather, all with the top down in the Miata. It reminded me of my motorcycle days. The Miata with its tight suspension and steering and a fairly aggressive autocross alignment requires constant attention on the road especially on a windy day, (scratch your nose wrong and you could be in the ditch) but the ride is surprisingly compliant now with the stock springs.

I used sunblock to avoid sunburn and drank lots of water to avoid dehydtation.

I'm still trying to get the grin off my face!

jplinville · #2 04-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Sounds like fun, BTW...Its Tae Kwon Do

LUVMBDiesels · #3 04-27-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

...
All lovely weather, all with the top down in the Miata. It reminded me of my motorcycle days. The Miata with its tight suspension and steering and a fairly aggressive autocross alignment requires constant attention on the road especially on a windy day, (scratch your nose wrong and you could be in the ditch) but the ride is surprisingly compliant now with the stock springs.

I used sunblock to avoid sunburn and drank lots of water to avoid dehydtation.

I'm still trying to get the grin off my face!

I HATE YOU!

(note to moderators - I don't REALLY hate him )

It sounds like you had a wonderful time and a wonderful ride!

I have been jonesing for a convertible since I let my last one go but the wife told me I would have to dump one of the other cars first

jplinville · #4 04-27-2009, 09:49 AM

I need to get a wind screen before I drive topless for anything over 50 miles...the sound is too deafening at highway speeds.

It's supposed to get here next week!!

Honus · #5 04-27-2009, 10:46 AM

That sounds great. Reminds me of a road trip I took many moons ago in my 1973 MGB. We lived in southwest Virginia at the time, which is pretty much MG heaven. Drove from there to Martha's Vineyard. Then to Boston to visit my sister. From Boston, we drove west to Casanovia (sp?), NY. That was the prettiest part of the drive, heading west from Albany. The weather was great the entire two weeks, so we had the top down pretty much the entire time. That's a great way to travel. Unless the weather gets bad, you are almost disappointed to reach your destination.

I think I need a Miata.

Matt SD300 · #6 04-27-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Over the weekend the lovely Mrs was gone to a conference in DC. I drove to indy to visit with the lovely #3 daughter and her family on Fri eve.

I watched grandson #1 participate in a ti quon do kickoff (hilarious...a bunch of little kids kicking and punching with mucho pads).

IN the morning I went to Muncie and did some work on the house there for the lovely #4 daughter.

IN the afternoon I drove to east of Dayton OH and spent the night with the lovely #1 daugher and her family trying out their newly purchased travel trailer. And on sunday drove home in the afternoon.

All lovely weather, all with the top down in the Miata. It reminded me of my motorcycle days. The Miata with its tight suspension and steering and a fairly aggressive autocross alignment requires constant attention on the road especially on a windy day, (scratch your nose wrong and you could be in the ditch) but the ride is surprisingly compliant now with the stock springs.

I used sunblock to avoid sunburn and drank lots of water to avoid dehydtation.

I'm still trying to get the grin off my face!

Cool beans, Tom!!.........Glad you had a great time!!..........

jplinville · #7 04-27-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

I think I need a Miata.

nah...get a 107

MS Fowler · #8 04-27-2009, 11:23 AM

I have a friend with a TR6. His take on the Miata is that the Miata is what the TR6 would have been if anybody at British Leyland really cared.

LUVMBDiesels · #9 04-27-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

I have a friend with a TR6. His take on the Miata is that the Miata is what the TR6 would have been if anybody at British Leyland really cared.

I always pegged the Miata as a Spitfire...
I just read an article in "Hemming's Sports and Exotic Cars" where a guy took his TR6 and made it into what it should have been. He put fuel injection on it, a five speed and a lsd. He removed as much of the PoD's electrical crap as he could and replaced the entire wiring harness with one that uses electricity and not 'smoke'
He made a car that is competative with today's best but still retains it's TR ness

ramonajim · #10 04-27-2009, 01:07 PM

Bit of a Miata fan here (Darling Wife and I have 3.75 between us). As a veteran of multiple topless cross country (San Diego to Connecticut and back) trips, I can't recommend earplugs highly enough. Takes a few minutes to get used to (SO many driving cues are audio when you're in a little 'vert!) but the adjustment comes quickly.

Good plugs will allow you to hear the stereo, hold a conversation, hear sirens, etc - but will kill the din that is so very, very fatiguing.

Funny how different drivers react to the differences between a well-tuned Miata and most other cars - I understand the OP's comments about needing to pay attention - but to me, it translates into KNOWING what the car, and the road, is doing. Softer, more "comfortable" cars make me feel like I'm working harder to pay attention than when I'm driving my Miata - she and I just communicate, there's no "thinking" required.

Mr.Kenny · #11 04-27-2009, 02:18 PM

The Miata is the best!.... I tell you THE BEST!

I have owned at least 200 vehicles of all types; several MGBs, Triumphs, Fiat spyders , X19, alfa, Porsche, jaguar, Corvette, Supras, rx7....etc.

The Miata was the most fun of all the cars I owned. It always started, ran to redline, drove it hard and put it away wet. It always worked, was balanced and was a hoot.
I kept this car longer than any car I have every owned;... like 7 years. I sold it because it was time to begin it's first restoration at 175,000 miles and I didn't want to do it. There was nothing really wrong with it except worn out shocks and tires and top. And my 16 Y.O. daughter was beginning to eye it for herself.... Too small, so No way!
This car was made for twisty roads, but i took several long trips in it with the top down (the rpms on the interstate are quite high). A hat and sunglasses & sunscreen are mandatory for comfort; I never tried the ear plugs.
A person can modify these cars in so many ways, it is not even funny.

I think it's time to buy another one........