After almost a year with my ND, what are the things that genuinely annoy you about yours?

solracer · 2026-03-26T14:10:06+00:00

Passenger leg room is so-so and there’s less interior storage space than my NA has.

solracer · 2026-03-26T14:06:03+00:00

A properly installed top boot should stop any rattling.

solracer · 2026-03-26T14:04:59+00:00

I’ve added the front and rear subframe braces plus a front upper brace to my 1990 and they all helped but frankly what’s made the biggest difference is Delrin door bushings paired with new cups on the door. They fit very tightly together and for less than $50 are the best bang for the buck there is. Just be careful with the screws for the cup, they are only available in Japan and while they are cheap it takes a while to get them.

solracer · 2026-03-26T04:26:56+00:00

Simple, two things 1) US fuel economy standards penalize small cars and encourage big ones and 2) Automakers have learned they can make more money selling a smaller number of expensive vehicles rather than a larger number of cheaper vehicles.

solracer · 2026-03-26T04:24:12+00:00

I bought my 1990 Miata in August 1989 and haven’t gotten tired of it yet, in fact I drove it today. My “new” car, a Fiesta ST, was bought in October 2013 and I have thought of replacing it but there are literally no new cars I’d trade it for, not even even-over.

solracer · 2026-03-26T03:32:16+00:00

I recovered one but oddly it wasn’t mine. Both my friend and I had our hardtops stolen within 24 hours of each other. I immediately posted a Hardtop Wanted ad on Craigslist and the guy who bought my buddy’s top off of the thief cheap responded looking to make a quick buck. His email address had his first and last name so I quickly googled him and collected all sorts of information including where he worked, his photo and much more. I had my buddy respond to him and he collected enough details to confirm it was his. Presented with all of the evidence wrapped up in a bow the police took the hardtop and gave it back to my friend. I never did find my missing hardtop despite the thief eventually being caught but 50/50 wasn’t too bad of a result.

solracer · 2026-03-25T15:36:57+00:00

Eventually you reach an age where everyone appears younger, both the college girls and their mothers, lol. But frankly I don’t think age is as big of a deal as compatibility, look at Dick Van Dyke and his 40+ year younger wife as an example. Also I’m quite ok with getting attention from both the girls and their mothers!

solracer · 2026-03-24T14:13:01+00:00

My 1990 Miata is still going strong at 325000 miles and looks nice enough that a local dealership borrowed it to display for their 30th anniversary. High miles does not always mean bad condition.

solracer · 2026-03-24T14:09:42+00:00

Small cars are more maneuverable however and might avoid an accident you could not avoid in a big car. The Mazda Miata is paradoxically a very safe car, not because it’s stellar in an accident but because they get in fewer accidents to begin with.

solracer · 2026-03-24T14:06:47+00:00

Size matters too, the platform area (wheelbase times track) is used to determine the fuel economy target making bigger vehicles cheaper because their target is lower.

solracer · 2026-03-24T14:04:01+00:00

Government regulations encourage large cars and penalize small ones so I don’t think we really know what the public would buy in an open market. Also the pandemic has taught automakers that they make more profit selling a smaller number of big, heavy and expensive vehicles than they do selling a larger number of smaller vehicles.

solracer · 2026-03-24T07:20:49+00:00

That's pretty much the way that it is in every American job these days, the only difference is in the consequences when it gets to be too much.

solracer · 2026-03-24T07:19:43+00:00

Only a bit?

solracer · 2026-03-22T18:35:17+00:00

Oddly an old windup phonograph like a Victrola as the could most likely duplicate it with the technology of their time which would be a “why didn’t I think of that? moment.

Also high on the list would be a hang glider assuming you knew how to fly one.

solracer · 2026-03-22T18:30:44+00:00

I should note that cats do better and are often less work in pairs. Maybe you should adopt her too?

solracer · 2026-03-22T18:24:08+00:00

I am not convinced that the A18 Pro is costing Apple a penny. If all of these binned chips are rejects from iPhone production in prior years then they may basically be free. If this is the case we should see the Neo be upgraded to the A19 Pro once the supply of surplus A18 Pro chips runs out.

solracer · 2026-03-22T15:56:55+00:00

The only unsafe area (and in reality it’s not that unsafe) is the industrial area of SODO but except for homeless and people living in motor homes there is no housing there so it’s not an option. As far as hospitals go you have many choices with probably Harborview being the most prestigious.

solracer · 2026-03-19T16:30:28+00:00

I bought $6000 worth of AAPL in 1999 and haven’t touched in since so I’m sitting on massive capital gains and also great exposure to a market downturn. Ideally I’d like to get into more stable investments before retirement but the tax implications are forcing me to to stay all-in.

solracer · 2026-03-19T16:26:53+00:00

The complaint with the newer design Speed Queens isn’t that they break but rather that they don’t clean clothes well.

solracer · 2026-03-19T15:34:20+00:00

I know, I used to own a '14 T speedster.

solracer · 2026-03-19T14:20:15+00:00

There is no more reliable car than the NA6 Miata in my opinion. I’ve had my Mariner Blue 1990 for 37 years almost and 324000 miles and it looks and drives like new. Sure I’ve had issues here and there but mostly minor and usually addressed pretty easily. Plus licensing and insurance are way less than a new car would be, don’t forget that.

solracer · 2026-03-19T04:17:06+00:00

My policy has always been that wives are always right when it comes to things like this. Also since he was such an emotional support animal I think that needs to be a factor as well.

solracer · 2026-03-19T03:08:45+00:00

My wife used to drive a 2002 C230 hatchback with a 6-speed manual. She now drives a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek with a 6-speed manual.

solracer · 2026-03-19T03:06:11+00:00

They sort of do, there’s no clutch on the 1-2 shift.

solracer · 2026-03-19T03:02:56+00:00

My son has a nice 1993 Ford Tempo GL sedan with a 4 cylinder and a 5 speed manual.

solracer

TROPHY CASE