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Too Big for a Miata - What Are Some Good Options?

Kornholio said:
Because they're only projects to people that allow them to become one. :cool
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I'm going to plead ignorance to late model VWs, but *please* tell me they have done something to improve QC since the god awful nightmare that is/was my good friend's '99 Jetta.

I've never seen so much shoddy construction concentrated into one single vehicle in my life. The damned K-cars must have been better built... It seemed like everything you wouldn't want to fail.. was inevitably made out of flimsy ass plastic, and failed on a level that would make congress look good.
 
Kestrel said:
The OP said he didn't want a project. Why would you suggest a VW?

:cool
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Kornholio said:
Because they're only projects to people that allow them to become one. :cool
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As someone who has owned two Saabs and one Fiat, I can honestly say, hands on heart, no question, absolutely, the two biggest POS, crap piles I have EVAR owned were VW's. Diabolically awful. :| Say what you will, the record is clear. No thanks.
 
Kestrel said:
I'm going to plead ignorance to late model VWs, but *please* tell me they have done something to improve QC since the god awful nightmare that is/was my good friend's '99 Jetta.

I've never seen so much shoddy construction concentrated into one single vehicle in my life. The damned K-cars must have been better built... It seemed like everything you wouldn't want to fail.. was inevitably made out of flimsy ass plastic, and failed on a level that would make congress look good.
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Yeah but, As stated, the platform is fantastic to build upon. While you can throw pejoratives at my v-dub all day, that doesn't change the fact that it is a drivers car at heart that has embarrassed many a more rich and modern vehicle. They can be turned into a great handling car with not too much work, and power is just a stone's throw away. It is a bang for the buck dream that has flown under the radar precisely because of the attitude you hold, and for that I am thankful. It has been a fun project.
 
Kestrel said:
Honor?.... :laughing

Aside from a select few, many of the stock Volvo offerings were indeed pedestrian. But who said anything about OEM? As stated, the platform is fantastic to build upon. While you can throw pejoratives at my brick all day, that doesn't change the fact that it is a drivers car at heart that has embarrassed many a more rich and modern vehicle. They can be turned into a great handling car with not too much work, and power is just a stone's throw away. It is a bang for the buck dream that has flown under the radar precisely because of the attitude you hold, and for that I am thankful. It has been a fun project.

Is it the best? Of course not. But who said I was competing? If I wanted to copy the crowd, I'd buy a mid life crisis-mobile like you and be done with it. The vette offers silly performance for the money. Yes, I've driven them. And spent a year in a late WRX, as well as a Miata and many other vehicles... But it isn't going to change the fact that I adore the old Volvo. I'm sorry to break your heart, but I must admit to having them as my background wallpaper, too. I guess I'm 0 for 100 in your eyes, but that never mattered to me anyway. Keep your American iron, and I'll keep my Swedish iron.

I wouldn't mind continuing to argue, but you drive a wagon... And who can argue with a man who drives one of the most sensible vehicle layouts of all time?



Which is a damned shame, as they are one of the most practical vehicles in automotive history.

Such a shame that form is preferred over function. Cough.
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Why do you fill your replies with condescension and insults?
 
Kestrel said:
Honor?.... :laughing

Aside from a select few, many of the stock Volvo offerings were indeed pedestrian. But who said anything about OEM? As stated, the platform is fantastic to build upon. While you can throw pejoratives at my brick all day, that doesn't change the fact that it is a drivers car at heart that has embarrassed many a more rich and modern vehicle. They can be turned into a great handling car with not too much work, and power is just a stone's throw away. It is a bang for the buck dream that has flown under the radar precisely because of the attitude you hold, and for that I am thankful. It has been a fun project.

Is it the best? Of course not. But who said I was competing? If I wanted to copy the crowd, I'd buy a mid life crisis-mobile like you and be done with it. The vette offers silly performance for the money. Yes, I've driven them. And spent a year in a late WRX, as well as a Miata and many other vehicles... But it isn't going to change the fact that I adore the old Volvo. I'm sorry to break your heart, but I must admit to having them as my background wallpaper, too. I guess I'm 0 for 100 in your eyes, but that never mattered to me anyway. Keep your American iron, and I'll keep my Swedish iron.

I wouldn't mind continuing to argue, but you drive a wagon... And who can argue with a man who drives one of the most sensible vehicle layouts of all time?



Which is a damned shame, as they are one of the most practical vehicles in automotive history.

Such a shame that form is preferred over function. Cough.
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Back when I did open road racing, someone brought out a heavily modified 850R (T5R maybe?) wagon in that canary yellow color Volvo thought was so sporty back then. It was impressive that they could get that boxy thing to go fast, but at what cost? Even in the practice sessions, it was a finnicky beast. And of course it DNFed for the actual race.

As someone who does what I do for a living, one would think I am all for "project" cars and trying to squeeze every ounce of performance out of a vehicle. But I'm not about trying to be automotive Jesus. Why bother trying to turn water into wine...when I can just go to the liquor store and buy whatever booze I want? Keeping something exactly or close to the way it was engineered is usually the best thing for reliability. Making it faster, handle better, or whatever almost always compromises the more practical aspects of the vehicle. Namely reliability...which is why I led with that Volvo story. A boring car might be made fun with a lot of work, but how much fun is it if it breaks down on you unexpectedly?

Yes the wagon is practical. In just the month I've had it, there have been several times I've moved some things around (new 55" TV, bumper for the Corvette, etc) that would not have been possible with a sedan. If only it had more power, and handled better, and was rear drive, and....sigh at least the stereo is pretty nice.
 
Kestrel said:
I've never seen so much shoddy construction concentrated into one single vehicle in my life. The damned K-cars must have been better built... It seemed like everything you wouldn't want to fail.. was inevitably made out of flimsy ass plastic, and failed on a level that would make congress look good.
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By bringing up the K-car I think that amounts to some kind of throwdown challenge.
:laughing
 
TheRobSJ said:
Yes the wagon is practical. In just the month I've had it, there have been several times I've moved some things around (new 55" TV, bumper for the Corvette, etc) that would not have been possible with a sedan. If only it had more power, and handled better, and was rear drive, and....sigh at least the stereo is pretty nice.
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Which is why God created this:
lead2-2011-cadillac-cts-v-wagon.jpg

And Satan created this:
audi-rs6-avant-xl.jpg
 
Oh well now were talking! I actually would get the wagon body in the CTS-V. Same performance as the sedan and coupe, but with way more utility. And dammit it sure does look cool. Plus they're super rare. I have yet to see a V wagon actually on the road.
 
But back to the OP...

So the Vee Dub cabrios are out. Understandably so because of their horrific reliability. And all these other suggestions are just a bunch of hullabaloo.

Really your only alternative to the Miata in the modern age is the Honda S2000. Headroom is better. The roofline is kind of humped a bit where your head goes and it just seems to have a bit more room overall inside than the Miata, despite being a similar size/weight roadster.

The Pontiac Solstice and the sharper edged (my fave) Saturn Sky also are the same size and probably offer the most headroom of the three. But it weighs a lot...a lot more than the Miata. So that sharp handling instant flickable pure roadster feeling the Miata has gets dulled down quite a bit in the GM twins. Not to mention they have the worst build quality compared to the Honda and Mazda.

Unless you want to go older or into a different type of vehicle, there is really nothing else like a Miata.
 
TheRobSJ said:
No. You read it right. Twenty eight US dollars is what the car costs me.

And as cheap as it is, it still took me several months to jump on the deal just because of how uninspiring Acura's offerings are. People ask me how I like it all the time. "Meh it's a car." is what they get. First FWD I've ever had, first car with less than six cylinders, and first Japanese.
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Since I totaled her 99 Subaru Outback a month and change ago, my mom has been looking for a new car. She doesn't drive that much, but wants to go camping every now and then. She likes cars that she can see over the top of, at a minimum from a curb but preferably not (and she's 5'8" I think).

If she wants a practical wagon, that needs to be bulletproof as it'll likely be neglected, but hopefully at least equal speed/mileage/comfort as an old Subaru (meaning not much/mid 20s freeway/decent) does it seem to fit the bill? I can't imagine she'd keep it less than a decade at <10k/year (15 year old Subaru has 101k).
TheRobSJ said:
Well ain't that funky. And I apparently have the Edsel of the modern era. Just saw a news story that the TSX wagon is the least desirable car to Americans of 2013.
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Interesting, wouldn't have guessed that. Doesn't mean it's a bad car, just that Americans don't like wagons.
 
AbsolutEnduser said:
Truly, he had to make *some* grand finale on a barrage of posts about the Virtues of Volvos.. when in fact, neither were they a convertible... nor was he actually suggesting one:

:facepalm
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This is the sink... By those standards, this thread has proceeded exactly as it should have. :cool

By the way... Has the OP considered a Volvo 242? 2 door box. Way more fun than a Miata. This picture proves it. That guy in the Miata is barely sideways. Where's the fun in that? Be a hooligan and make the rational choice.

2003921_600.jpg


:party

:laughing

PS- I'm with Rob on the S2000. They are roomier than the Miata, though you're undoubtedly going to pay more. For that, you'll get a slightly heavier but sharper handling vehicle and a lot more engine. They accommodate height better than the Mazda, although if you weigh more than 250+, you may find the combination of height and weight to make things a llittle snug. (My dad didn't find it to be an issue, and he is 6'2 and around 220). Engine is downright passive until you really get on it, so it is not intimidating to pick up for the casual driver : ie... The wife.
 
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