MGB: I bought a Miata...

Before I get flamed too bad, let me point out that I still have my 'B! It happened like this....
I decided I needed to replace one of my aging Hondas with something newer, and had a line on a nice '02 Subaru Impreza Outback. Kim's glowing comments about her Forester helped me decide to buy it. At the same place (an auto auction lot I do business with) was a '95 Miata with only 19K miles! Red......and with an automatic trans & air. My wife drove it and loved it - so it followed me home too (and I'm selling both Hondas!). I haven't driven it much, but it seems to be a pretty neat little car. Since we're both small people, the size isn't an issue. My wife absolutely refuses to drive anything with a clutch and without A/C, so finding her a 'B would be virtually impossible. Even a 'C meeting those requirements would be tough (the automatic would be pretty easy to find - the A/Cwould be harder). At least now she has her own little sports car...

congrats joe! to be honest i never paid them much attention before, but from coming to this board, and the more time i spend with the B.. the Miata has caught my eye (and mind) much more often. I saw Two today in fact that were pleasing to my eye, my favorite being a medium blue color.. bet they are fun, and don't worry you can always say it's the wifes, and then go crazy when u get a moment alone with it! enjoy and congrats!

evan

Joe- Great find on the Miata. Check out http://www.miata.net for everything miata-related. There is also a BBS much like this one. You can access it off the main page or directly at http://www.mataforum.com. Enjoy the car, sounds like it's in great shape.

did they actually make automatic miatas?

tc

My older brother (he's 70, just recently quit teaching aerobatics) has a Miata with a supercharger. Almost frightningly fast.
One of the newer groups in SCCA racing is Spec Miata. Stock power, hardtop required, suspension package, usual safety equipment, and spec tires. It's a real hoot to watch a flock of Miatae fly into a turn much too fast and then surprise everyone by making that turn and screaming off to the next one!

Joe, et al, I have an automatic '95 too, my wife bought it so I would have a car to drive, at the time I had a Bugeye Sprite and my '76 B undergoing endless repairs. The car will spoil you, turn the key and go. I'm glad I can have both experiences.

Everyone needs "other" cars, Joe! (Especially for spouses...) Congratulations on your Subaru -- They are good, reliable cars. My "other" car has been a Subaru for about 12 years now. We have two Foresters; Charles' Forester has been to many British car shows (including MG2001 and MG2002) as the Official MG Search & Rescue Vehicle, and so is an honorary MG now . . .

They are neat cars Joe. I guess I started to consider them more when Peter Egan bought one. The early body like yours I think picks up the spirit of the British sports car. Road and Track had a photo of what is expected to be the new Miata. Very bland styling.

I've been reading about it...seems an inexpensive way to get into racing...&, looks to be fun - if you're not a big guy like Chuck or me!

Moss sells Miata add-ons and competition stuff! :)

Hey Joe,

Bring it out to the SCCA autocross April 19. We will be at Memphis Motorsports Park starting time around 8:30 - 9:00. We will be using the back side of the Road Course. Running the M's at 60 miles can scare the you know what out of you. Seem a few cars run of course because they weren't able to brake fast enough.

Hope to see see you there.

Cole

I don't think Angie will let me autocross with her car. I won't even ask - been married 32 years, and hope to make 32 more. She won't compete either. But I may try to make it in my 'B :-)

I've voiced my opinion on Miatas before - your wife will love it! Having a 5-speed makes a world of difference, but get it up to speed and take to the twisties and I'm guessing you'll agree it's the next best thing to a B! Some day, I'm going to get another...

And your opinion is why I am keeping mine to myself. :) I'm giggling.

Joe, please make sure that your wife occasionally puts the top down....! I see too many Miata's with the top up throughout the spring, summer and fall! And too many with the hardtop's on throughout the summer months!

Enjoy....

Dan D

She'll have the top down a lot. That's one reason we bought the car - that has to be the best sports car top design ever. I can put it up or down from the driver's seat with one hand! If she couldn't do it easily herself, we probably wouldn't have bought the car.
If someone would design a top like this (including the header clamps) that could be retrofitted to a 'B (or, for that matter, any old British car) they'd sell a ton of 'em to non-purists like myself. I wouldn't put one on an all-original car, but I'd put one on a daily driver in a heartbeat!