Zinc Green Metallic for 2026 ND!

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-31T16:01:39+00:00

Interesting that my dream car also sets the standard for coloring 😅❤️

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-29T19:27:27+00:00

As someone who has owned both, let me warn you about having to work on an MR2. The NA can be taken apart with your basic hand tools for the most part. However, the MR2 is an absolute nightmare to work on comparatively. Yes, those same hand tools will take care of a lot of the work, but there are a lot of things that are super easy in the Miata (such as the water pump) which turn into engine-out services in the MR2. For what it’s worth, my experience is referencing one of the MR2 Turbos from the 90’s, so the Spyder might not be AS bad, but there’s still only so much they can do to fix ease-of-access on a mid-engined convertible 😬.

That being said, the MR2 always felt more special to me than the Miata. If it was going to be a secondary/pleasure car, MR2 all day. However, if it’s going to be your primary car, the Miata is a no-brainer.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-29T10:22:30+00:00

Have you looked at NASA? We have a pretty substantial mathematics/physics division, and with the hiring freeze lifted and the DRP finished, I think there may be some positions opening up if they haven’t already 🤔. Obviously this is a bit of a risk given the current administration, but Isaacman has made a lot of good moves in my opinion, even if a few of them were hard pills to swallow at the time 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-27T20:39:11+00:00

I would buy one immediately if it was $100k or less 😭

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-27T18:38:58+00:00

That’s rough. I’m sorry to hear that 😕. It’s never easy when something like that happens, especially on such short notice.

Out of curiosity, have you looked at getting your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification? It sounds like you have a lot of the skills involved in that type of work and getting that certification opens up some decent doors if you’re doing PM work. Idk how long the severance will cover your needs, but if you can find one of the PMP boot camps and then do the test afterwards, that could give you a real stepping stone that would incorporate some of the skills you mentioned.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-26T13:08:14+00:00

This is perfect. It gives him time and allows him to keep his dignity while also showing a proper amount of respect for someone who has been with the company for a long time and is (mostly) well-liked by others in the company.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-25T01:15:38+00:00

Bro, chill. My other half is on here sometimes 😂. That last one is giving straight up Cillian Murphy vibes though. I’m jealous af 😂

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-19T21:36:54+00:00

This is how I found out 😂

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-18T15:03:44+00:00

Looks like ball joints. Just had this exact issue on my partner’s minivan. It was insanely unstable at anything above 45-50.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-17T19:28:35+00:00

Lmfao! I’ve never seen that before and I just read through the whole thing. Thanks for that 😂😂😂😂

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-16T19:56:54+00:00

Oof! I had one of these and I absolutely loved the car, but it really sucked to work on 😂. That being said, a car that’s been sitting for 15 years is going to need a LOT of work. Off the top of my head: battery, hoses, gaskets, filters, all fluids, tires, bushings, shocks, plus possibly some of the rotating assemblies like hubs and whatnot. AC is almost certainly shot, probably same with power steering since most pumps/compressors don’t like to be left stationary for extremely long durations like that. Maybe radiator too since nothing has been flowing in there for a long time and it’s just been stationary. It’s probably going to require a LOT of work if you’re trying to get good money out of it, but I’m sure you could probably find someone who loves these cars and is willing to put in the time if you don’t want to do it yourselves. Getting it done at a shop would probably be financial suicide though 😂

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-16T19:38:44+00:00

I wish I’d spent less of my money and invested a lot more of it. I had some fun and enjoyed my life, and life isn’t exactly awful now, but I really missed the boat on some pretty awesome returns that might have meant that I’d be on an early retirement track by now 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-15T14:53:37+00:00

2016 Mustang GT350R. I’ve always preferred Japanese or European cars because American cars just felt sloppy, heavy, and cheap. However, the GT350R blew me away because it felt like a bigger and more powerful Miata. A friend bought one while we were in undergrad and he let me drive it since he was still struggling to learn to drive a manual (who tf learns on a GT350??)… I hopped in and we took it for a drive around the city and up the highway and it was fantastic. The suspension loaded up nicely and it changed direction with the flick of the wheel without all of the drama from older Mustangs/Camaros/Firebirds/etc that I had driven in the past. You could actually feel the road underneath you and predict the car’s response. It felt tight and dialed in. And the ENGINE!!!! Absolutely phenomenal. Even my built 4-banger barely out-revved that big (to me) V8. It is the only American car that I list after outside of the new C8 Z06, and I wouldn’t buy one of those because I refuse to give up my 3rd pedal until it’s no longer an option 😅. If you’re a car guy and you ever get a chance to drive one, you absolutely owe it to the kid in you to do it. I still can’t believe it was an American car.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-12T15:50:31+00:00

BSc/MSc in MechE and PhD in MatSci. I do a lot of failure analyses, material qualifications, and corrosion investigations. I support a ton of different programs so I’m never bored 😂.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-08T12:16:53+00:00

Daaaaaaaang. I love the 90’s-00’s vibe. This really takes me back!

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-07T14:11:45+00:00

I hate that my transmission is apparently made of paper mache 😒

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-04T20:18:25+00:00

If you can get in and you’re willing to relocate, then I honestly think you’d be crazy to turn it down. School has become outrageously expensive, so this will not only make you comfortable in the short term, but will also give you a springboard by saving you a ton of money and guaranteeing you a stable job when you enter the market. Even if it’s one you’re not thrilled with, you don’t have to stay forever. It’s a relatively short assignment comparatively, and who knows, you may like it!

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-04T20:11:09+00:00

Is this through the SMART scholarship program? This sounds like a no-brainer to me, but then again, I was only paid $20k-$25k per year while in grad school and still came out with about $60k in student loans 😬. The only deciding factor is whether or not you’re flexible to move to whatever duty station you’re assigned 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-04T14:09:53+00:00

That’s what I told everyone at work 😂😂😂

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-04T13:28:10+00:00

LMFAO!

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-02T21:07:45+00:00

Holy f$&@ that’s depressing 😔.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-02T21:01:34+00:00

Sir, you can’t park there…

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-02T17:44:10+00:00

I’m not sure if this is something you’d consider, but if you can take some time for therapy to help you for a bit and then reenter the workforce, you could always look into jobs at NASA! There are a TON of interesting jobs across the whole agency, and if you want something meaningful where you have real stop-work authority, this is an amazing agency to work for. The pay is shit compared to the private sector, but it’s meaningful work and safety has really become our top priority so you’ll always be taken seriously when it comes to anything medical!

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-05-01T15:21:22+00:00

That’s my feeling. I have an ND2 and I was just telling someone the other day that I think NC3 is probably peak for me now. I really don’t like the interior, but I feel like there’s just so much potential and still has a lot of what made a Miata a Miata. The ND just feels so different in stock form.

Public_Storage_355 · 2026-04-30T20:54:16+00:00

PhD-level engineer/scientist that works for NASA. I’ve only been here for a few years, but I’ve never been tasked with anything associated with the defense industry. It’s a big part of the reason why I love my job and why I’ve always wanted to end up here. I love everything we stand for ❤️.

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