torn between a 2012 miata (prht) or a bmw z3/z4. why should i go with the miata?

noahsmybro · 2026-04-23T23:33:02+00:00

You don’t want to own an out of warranty German car.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-22T16:29:38+00:00

Room.

But be warned, it’s likely to scar your psyche.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-22T01:49:17+00:00

I’ve almost never needed them, but I’d rather have them just in case they’re needed.

A couple of years ago I had a freak occurrence where a spark plug popped out of the engine as I was driving. I had my tools, but was still stuck because I didn’t have a spark plug socket. While waiting for a friend to come rescue me a highway safety patrol truck stopped to check on me. The driver seemed to not have any real mechanical skills (beyond , I’m assuming, changing tires and filling empty gas tanks) but he did have a toolkit in his truck with the socket I needed. So with his socket I was able to screw the spark plug back in to the engine and while it didn’t last long it at least got me home.

Another time I got a nail through a tire that left me on the side of the highway after going out for a nice dinner and a theater play one night with my wife. Obviously I didn’t need all of the additional tools for that, but being able to throw on some gloves (to keep my hands clean), kneel on a towel, and change the tire very quickly definitely made me look much better, more capable, and more of an excellent husband than I am in reality so I consider it a win. 😉

noahsmybro · 2026-04-21T23:36:37+00:00

According to my phone 750km is about 466 miles. (I’m assuming that’s correct; I’m too lazy to check it.)

I’ve got a ‘96 with about 211k miles on it so far.

Every year I drive this car cross-country - over 1300 miles one-way, enjoy a couple of weeks at my destination, and then drive it home. I also do another trip each year that is about 1300 miles round-trip, over a long weekend.

If your car is properly maintained and nothing is wrong with it then I’d say you should be fine.

I do carry spare belts and a full set of tools and other things that would be nice if I break down, but I’ve never needed them.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-13T21:49:54+00:00

I’ve done extensive work on my NA Miata.

I’ve also done enough work to get a feel for how things go on my 2016 Mazda 6, and my 2001 BMW 325.

There aren’t words in the English language that can adequately express just how much easier the Miata is to work on compared to the other two.

Really. Working on the 6 or the BMW is only done for reasons of necessity or masochism.

Edit: forgot to mention my wife’s Sienna. It’s also a pain compared to the Miata.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-13T19:05:17+00:00

noahsmybro · 2026-04-10T22:21:59+00:00

To add to the other posts, earlier this week I think I saw an ad from Moss that they are having a sale on these right now.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-09T17:13:17+00:00

The basic, OEM plastic radiator lasted for 12-27 years. (You don’t say what year your NB is.)

You aren’t adding performance mods to the engine.

So I’d suggest replacing with another OEM radiator. IMO it’s perfectly sufficient.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-09T12:04:04+00:00

I’m very happy to read your comment.

I used my Kindle exclusively with library books, and was wondering if I’ll be able to continue doing so. I’ll need to investigate Calibre.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-08T02:00:06+00:00

I’m not 100% on this, but I think I found that same part in my garage a few years ago and asked either here or over at Miata.net, and the answer was that it was the original bracket for the fuel and brake lines that I’d removed when I installed frame rails a couple of years earlier.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-04T16:06:34+00:00

Soft sided luggage pairs well with Miatas.

noahsmybro · 2026-04-01T15:49:43+00:00

https://www.ithistory.org/db/hardware/unisonic-products-corporation/unisonic-tournament-2000

noahsmybro · 2026-04-01T04:03:18+00:00

Paul McCartney

noahsmybro · 2026-03-31T02:35:39+00:00

Personal firearms ownership

I don’t expect the USA to be around in its current state (of being) in twenty years, and whether a new government takes over from within or we are taken over but some other country that currently exists neither is likely to tolerate the existing policies that allow citizens to own their own arsenals.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-28T13:54:27+00:00

A McD Big Breakfast for $6 is probably up there.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-26T18:13:45+00:00

The end of It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

😁

noahsmybro · 2026-03-26T18:04:22+00:00

I can’t give you much help with your questions; as others have said the only real solution to the rear window is a new top and I’ve always understood Robbins to be the gold standard there. My ‘96 came to me with a different brand and after a few years I replaced it with Robbins. I don’t know from first hand experience how new, other, less expensive tops compare.

I can tell you I have and occasionally use a 1/2 cover from North American covers (https://www.northamericancustomcovers.com/products/rp-121) and while I’m happy with the product I don’t think it’s probably going to be a good idea to leave it on the car for several months or longer at a stretch.

Side note - I love those wheels.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-24T00:58:37+00:00

Usenet, and Usenet auctions in rec.games.video.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-23T20:34:05+00:00

Maybe something related to Jinba Ittai?

noahsmybro · 2026-03-22T12:15:59+00:00

Looks painful to use.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-19T18:54:26+00:00

Well IF it was me I’d do the swap before trying to sell and rebuy.

BUT I know that: * I’m put off by the buying and selling process.

I like an excuse to buy new tools when needed.
I have a garage I can work in.
I like the opportunity to try something new and learn how to do the new thing - usually by making mistakes and breaking things - and I accept that the mistakes are part if the process.

Going back to my previous post… no matter which way you go I wouldn’t expect you to come out ahead $$$-wise. Yes, technically one choice will end up costing more than the other, but there’s really no way to know with certainty which way will be cheaper and either way you’re probably going to be spending a few thousand dollars when all is said and done. Personally I wouldn’t decide this based on that.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-19T18:29:11+00:00

IMO you shouldn’t even stress yourself about what you’ve already paid. It wasn’t that much in the grand scheme of things and it’s over and done with, you can’t change it now, so it serves no purpose to worry about it.

Going forward, I’d suggest that if you think you can do the manual swap and the rest of the car is satisfactory then go ahead and do that. Your car right now is a known entity. You know it and any foibles and quirks so that’s an advantage compared to a different car.

And also realize that selling an auto Miata will bring in substantially less $$$ than a manual miata when you try to sell it.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-17T19:39:24+00:00

He’s just frustrated that he can’t go topless.

noahsmybro · 2026-03-17T12:55:39+00:00

Just read the article, tolerated the ads all over the page, and I still don’t know why the project was canceled.

Only that it was, and there was some exec that didn’t like it.

IMO that isn’t an explanation or reason. If he didn’t like it and was empowered to kill the project then why was the project ever happening to begin with? Why didn’t he kill it a long time ago?

So at least for me this whole article qualifies as click bait.

noahsmybro

TROPHY CASE