I'm going to the experts

On 2006-10-23, battjt > wrote:

> I have used my Miata as a daily driver year round for 4 of the last 6
> years here in Indiana. This year, I'm parking for the winter it in
> favor of the 1988 Chevy truck.

The Miata will handle a lot better in snow.

> 2. dirt and grime. The inside of the car is always dirty.

True. If you have to top down, the dash is always dusty, and
there are always leaves and stuff on the floor and seats.

> 3. SUV headlights and "driving" lights are normally above the rear
> deck, so in the mirrors. If tail gaters annoy you now, you may go
> insane in a Miata.

That is a bit annoying, but unless you switch to something
_big_, it's not much better.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! Am I in GRADUATE
at SCHOOL yet?
visi.com

On 2006-10-23, Eric Baber > wrote:

> - On long journeys I do occasionally miss being able to listen to people
> talking on the radio. I can listen to music, but the ambient noise is too
> loud to listen to people talking. Obviously it's worse with the top down,
> but even with the lid closed it's pretty noisy

One word: earplugs.

Put 'em in, then turn up the volume on the radio. Cheap foam
earplugs let you maintain a decent S/N ratio without having
damaging SPL at the eardrum.

> - As others have mentioned, smoothness, especially again on
> long journeys. Maybe it's because my car's a '91, but you can
> feel pretty much every bump and bounce (and yes, I've recently
> replaced the shocks). Most of the time I really like feeling
> that in tune with the road, but especially when driving in my
> wife's Fiesta I realise how non-smooth my car is

A lot of people mention this, but I don't get it. I like being
able to feel the road. I find driving mushy "smooth" cars is a
bit unnerving.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! Loni Anderson's hair
at should be LEGALIZED!!
visi.com

>> - On long journeys I do occasionally miss being able to listen to people
>> talking on the radio. I can listen to music, but the ambient noise is too
>> loud to listen to people talking. Obviously it's worse with the top down,
>> but even with the lid closed it's pretty noisy
>
> One word: earplugs.
>
> Put 'em in, then turn up the volume on the radio. Cheap foam
> earplugs let you maintain a decent S/N ratio without having
> damaging SPL at the eardrum.

Does that allow you to understand voices properly? As I say my system is
fine for listening to music, but making out words in speech is what's
tricky.

>> - As others have mentioned, smoothness, especially again on
>> long journeys. Maybe it's because my car's a '91, but you can
>> feel pretty much every bump and bounce (and yes, I've recently
>> replaced the shocks). Most of the time I really like feeling
>> that in tune with the road, but especially when driving in my
>> wife's Fiesta I realise how non-smooth my car is
>
> A lot of people mention this, but I don't get it. I like being
> able to feel the road. I find driving mushy "smooth" cars is a
> bit unnerving.

It's more than "feeling the road" - as I say I mostly like that too.
Smoothness can be nice when you're doing long stretches of boring motorway
driving when the only feeling to the road is noisy asphalt, potholes and
other damage to the road surface. That ain't fun, that's just annoying, and
not worth feeling. That's where a nice, smooth ride can be preferable in my
book.

Eric

wrote:
> I'm looking to buy my first convertible, and I'm trying to weigh the
> pros and cons. I thought if anyone could help, they'd be in this
> group.
> -----------------------

hi
i'm dave and i live in wisconisn. when i bought my 2005 miata, i was
concerned about snow conditions. and, when i replaced the goodrich hi
perf tires it came with, to goodyear all weather eagles...it handled ok
in the snow---up to about 3-4 inches. it also drives great on dry
roads too.

On 2006-10-23, Eric Baber > wrote:
>>> - On long journeys I do occasionally miss being able to listen to people
>>> talking on the radio. I can listen to music, but the ambient noise is too
>>> loud to listen to people talking. Obviously it's worse with the top down,
>>> but even with the lid closed it's pretty noisy
>>
>> One word: earplugs.
>>
>> Put 'em in, then turn up the volume on the radio. Cheap foam
>> earplugs let you maintain a decent S/N ratio without having
>> damaging SPL at the eardrum.
>
> Does that allow you to understand voices properly?

Works for me. I listen to NPR (which mostly talk) and books on
CD that way.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! Yow! I'm imagining
at a surfer van filled with
visi.com soy sauce!

Grant Edwards wrote:
> On 2006-10-23, battjt > wrote:
>
> > I have used my Miata as a daily driver year round for 4 of the last 6
> > years here in Indiana. This year, I'm parking for the winter it in
> > favor of the 1988 Chevy truck.
>
> The Miata will handle a lot better in snow.

I'm not worried about my driving.

The truck will handle 4,000 lbs of oncoming steel better.

Joe