My new "motorcycle"

[VLJ_imp]

I have to admit, having never owned one before, I am not looking forward to the upkeep on this ragtop. I know people typically say to avoid automated carwashes, even for normal cars with metal roofs. Well, I've used my local automated car wash for years, on a half dozen cars, with no problems. With this top, however, I'm not so sure. Will there be leakage? Is the top susceptible to damage from cleansing chemicals?

I really don't know, and hate this feeling of cluelessness.

Stichill, yep, your white LED foglights look much better than the yellow-ish halogens. I've always been told that halogens work better than LEDs as foglights, which is why automakers still pair them with LED headlights.

Love the DRLs on your Fiata.

[Guth_imp]

I've only ever hand-washed my cars. As far as the soft-top maintenance goes, I don't think that you can beat the 303 products. Raggtopp products are also well regarded, but so far 303 has proved to be amazingly effective. Probably can't go wrong either way.

My other tip for convertibles in particular (although it has plenty of carry over applications) has to do with caring for the weather sealing used on the top (and doors, trunk lids, etc.). Honda sells a silicone grease called Shin-Etsu Grease that you can buy at your local dealer or online. One tube goes a LONG way. I don't know if there is anything unique to the formula used in Shin-Etsu Grease compared to other silicone greases, but I've actually seen it "re-bloom" the weather seals on my Tundra and all of the seals on the S2000 still look like new. This grease keeps the seals nice and supple. Good stuff!

[Lord Popgun]

Guth, that Shin-Etsu is some great stuff. I have a tube I use on my Lexus gaskets. Works great and lasts a long time. And like you said: a little goes a LONG way.

[the Ferret]

I think cars like the S2000 and MX5 are uber cool, but here's why I would probably never own one . I love riding my motorcycles every day. I love the swooping turns and the input required to ride. I like riding to places, but I don't have to be headed anywhere in particular to enjoy the ride or I can ride the same roads to the same destination like I have been doing since the lock down March 23...a 19.3 mile ride to the park and back. I look forward to that ride every day, rain, or shine, hot or cold, and I love it when I'm out there doing it. Every single ride. I just can't see getting excited like that about a car ride. I can't see looking forward to a car ride every day. I can't imagine a 19 mile drive to the park every day exciting and can't imagine looking forward to it on a daily basis. I may be wrong, but I'm in no hurry to find out.

My brother only takes his Miata out on perfect blue bird days,when he can put the top down, and it has never been further than 45 miles from his house. It's a 2012 and I think he has maybe 8000 miles on it? Other than that it's under a cover in the garage and on a float charger, until the next blue bird day. That's not my style.

[Stichill_imp]

I have to admit, having never owned one before, I am not looking forward to the upkeep on this ragtop. I know people typically say to avoid automated carwashes, even for normal cars with metal roofs. Well, I've used my local automated car wash for years, on a half dozen cars, with no problems. With this top, however, I'm not so sure. Will there be leakage? Is the top susceptible to damage from cleansing chemicals?

I really don't know, and hate this feeling of cluelessness.

Stichill, yep, your white LED foglights look much better than the yellow-ish halogens. I've always been told that halogens work better than LEDs as foglights, which is why automakers still pair them with LED headlights.

Love the DRLs on your Fiata.

I only put mine through a Mr. Mike’s one time because I had been forced to drive the car on salty roads for a warranty repair. I wanted the bottom blasted clean from the underside. It was pretty terrifying being inside the little car while the brushes beat at it. Probably would never do it again.

There are some car washes where workers still hand-wash. I think that would be a better option.

Re: fog lights. One time I used them in fog and they were totally ineffective. I decided they were more for show so I’ll take the improved look of the LEDs.
Regarding top maintenance, I second Guth's recommendation of 303 products. I'm not familiar with Shin-Etsu but now I'm going to try it!

Some Fiata owners who park their rides outside have complained about water soaking the area behind the seats. Turns out there's some kind of foam filter in the rain drainage system on each side that gets clogged with rotting leaves, etc. There's a procedure to access them and clean them out. That seems like a Mazda thing so you might want to look into it on your car if you plan to park outside.

[LongRanger_imp]

“Fiata.” Love it!

[VLJ_imp]

Guth, I just ordered up some of that silicon grease you mentioned. Thanks for the tip. I've already purchased a maintenance kit from Raggtopp. No doubt, I'm sure I'll be hitting you up for additional maintenance tips.

See, unlike mickey's brother, my ragtop car will be my daily driver. I no longer have another vehicle. This Miata is it. If I return to work, it will be parked outside. Rainstorms, winter frost, Sacramento's unforgiving summer sunblast...all of it. I need to protect that top.

Stichill, on that single occasion when you ran your car through the automated car wash, were there any leaks? I know the sounds from inside the car had to be fairly intense, but did the top actually suffer from it?

mickey, I get what you're saying about the differences between riding a bike and driving a convertible. I agree with you, at least when the top is up on the convertible. Top down, though? I don't know about that. I think a quick drive to dinner or a short rip in the foothills is just as al fresco in this little car as it is beneath my helmet and clothing gear while riding a bike. Plus, I wear earplugs while riding. Overall, I think there is an equal or maybe even slightly more pronounced sensation of isolation on the bike than in this little car, when the top is down.

Now, as for excitement? Can't say that I still felt excitement while riding the bikes on routine errands. The CB1110, definitely not. That was more about serenity, and pure motoring enjoyment. It just felt goooood. Not a lot of adrenaline rush there, however. That was never really the point. The XSR gave more of that thrill rush, as did the Z900, but not while simply running errands, and I'm not sure it was more than what I get from this little two-seat ripper at 7,000 rpm on the same twisty roads. Again, it's on the freeways or very fast sweepers that the bikes certainly feel faster and more thrilling, due in large part to how much more speed they still have left to give, but on proper twisty roads I'm finding this MX-5 to be every bit as engaging as the bikes were.

One main difference is the safety factor. With the bikes, I always had to rein them in a bit, because they can so easily overpower any twisty public road. It's not often that you're dancing with the redline on an XSR, Z900, or any modern sportbike. Also, traction. Are you really willing to pin it hard and drift your streetbike, and risk highsiding, low-siding, deer, squirrels, large rocks, pine cones, etc? With the MX-5, you get to use all of the throttle. You get to let the motor wail. You get to drift, if that's your thing, and it's much more controllable than a similar drift on a sportbike.

The speeds are relatively equal, as long as you're not talking 100+ mph things, which I know you never do, car or bike. Rolling foothills, of the sort I rode with Eric on his CB1100? I would wager that a stopwatch would say I get through them faster in the Miata, if I'm pushing both the bike and car within the limits of my comfort zone, which is much higher in the car. Four big contact patches compared to two tiny ones sure boost the car driver's confidence.

I do feel more like a stealth assassin, a...ahem...ninja when going fast on a motorcycle, but at the cost of constantly fearing for my mortality, and for my license. There is so much less of that in the Miata. Instead, there is more of a feeling of Steve McQueen-style childish nonsense, without the fear of instant death, maiming, or jail time.

Isn't that the goal, if not the entire point?

It's silly, sure, and undeniably juvenile, but it's really fun, and kind of necessary. Every so often you just need to placate your Inner Twelve-Year-Old, and there is something to be said for doing it more safely, in a vehicle that will also let you stop by the market on the way home to grab a case of Coke, a big ol' pizza, and a ginormous pack of paper towels.

Like I said, not a bad trade-off. There are certainly worse fates; more depressing ways of surrendering to the inevitable.

[LongRanger_imp]

I’m taking my two-seater in for Paint Protection Film and a ceramic treatment this week. It’s not inexpensive but probably money well spent. Is this something you’re considering for your Miata?

[the Ferret]

yea, you're right VLJ, I'm not a 100 mile an hour guy anymore. Used to be, lived through it, now I'm just enjoying riding at a more moderate/safer pace. Generally about 60% of that. Probably how I'd drive the Miata too, it wouldn't be as thrilling for me as it would for you. Have thought about getting rid of my low mileage pick up truck for a Civic, but it would be for the gas mileage, not for any sportiness that the Civic would provide. I'm just an old guy now, physically and mentally. There is no inner twelve-year-old anymore lol.

Makes me smile that you still have one though!

My favorite car vs motorcycle vid ..just for fun to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR8y6ypacRI

[Mscb1100_imp]

I agree re: belt lines too high. Reminds me of the ‘58 Bulgemobile parody:



That’s interesting, VLJ, didn’t know that.

Here’s before/after on the Fiat fog light swap.

Regarding the middle picture with what appears to be bridge with a wooden deck. Is that in your home state ?