What did you do to your vehicle today?

[AstulzerRZD]

You have to drive one with fresh shifter rebuild and mounts as well (they're all shit even with low mileage because the rubber is 20 year olds).

I've driven
- clean 10 y/o AP1
- clapped AP2
- my own AP1 with all the shit done.

The first two were worse than ND Miata.
Let's see if we can get together the next time I'm back.

I know my FK8 and Acuity disdian is true because the cars were fresh, but now I also want to drive a fresh EK/EG.

[roastpuff]

I am more than happy to have you drive the S2000 for a bit and find some twisties/somewhere to open the motor up - the VTEC feel is unmatched. If you can wake up early there are many Sea to Sky drives on Sat/Sun around 6:30AM lol. S2000 around a parking lot is just sad - under 4k it's a gutless topless Civic.

The Emira transmission felt notchy in a good way, I didn't get to drive it drive it just around the block. Never driven Elise so I wouldn't know unfortunately.

I just did an auto-x yesterday, dancing the S2000 on the edge and driving it with the throttle to adjust the nose is such an amazing feeling. The way the car is so sensitive to throttle input on the edge/weight shift... amazing. If you have the skill you can make it do anything you want. Had a co-drive with a senior driver, really makes it apparent how high the limit is for a 20 year old chassis - was within striking distance of FTD and this was the first time he drove it!

It really sucks that we don't have the Pitt Meadows pad anymore, nowhere really good for auto-x in the Lower Mainland.

[Badhobz]

my ratrolla paddles feels great. excellent engagement and response.

[Traum]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

The NC drivetrain was meh, a lot of people say how good Miatas are but I didn't feel like it was that amazing.

With the NC, I feel like the stock engine mounts does not do the transmission nor the drivetrain any justice in terms of how good the mechanical bits are capable of delivering. As soon as you swap the squishy OE mounts out for some stiffened up mounts, the shift feel improves dramatically. It doesn't even have to be a stiff polyurethane mount either -- something with more and stiffer rubber was enough to noticeably to hold the drivetrain in place, and improve the shift feel by a noticeable amount.

Another weird quirk I found thru the ownership of my NC was -- the transmission / shifter has a certain position where it would just slide into the cog with the best and snugest feel, and it isn't all the way to the left or right when you to shift. For illustration purposes, let's just say the shifter can be pulled 100 units to the left when you want to shift into 1st or 2nd. But in reality, the slickest and most natural amount to pull to the left is actually somewhere in the 97 or 98 units range. So if you were pulling the shifter all the way to the left like I was for the longest time, you are actually slightly off from the ideal amount of pulling.

It also doesn't help that Mazda designed the shifter locking plate to be made out of plastic / fiber-reinforced plastic. That piece of garbage wears out over time from regular usage, allowing you to move the shifter well past the 100 unit mark.



As seen in the above pic, the left lockout plate is new, whereas the right lockout plate is worn. For reference, the lockout plate is oriented with the single hole facing up/forward, so the worn out part is from 1st and 2nd gear.

I wasn't aware of this for the longest time until I opened up my transmission tunnel trim pieces to add some tranny oil to the turret. I was too cheap to replace the lockout plate, so I just practiced and developed a feel to the amount of horizontal distance to move the shifter before putting the car into 1st or 2nd.

[trollface]

The NA miata was great when they were 3k, they deserve none of their praise now that the FRS are touching the 13k mark and a clapped out Miata with rotted out rockers, tops and seats is 7k.

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by roastpuff

I am more than happy to have you drive the S2000 for a bit and find some twisties/somewhere to open the motor up - the VTEC feel is unmatched. If you can wake up early there are many Sea to Sky drives on Sat/Sun around 6:30AM lol. S2000 around a parking lot is just sad - under 4k it's a gutless topless Civic.

The Emira transmission felt notchy in a good way, I didn't get to drive it drive it just around the block. Never driven Elise so I wouldn't know unfortunately.

I just did an auto-x yesterday, dancing the S2000 on the edge and driving it with the throttle to adjust the nose is such an amazing feeling. The way the car is so sensitive to throttle input on the edge/weight shift... amazing. If you have the skill you can make it do anything you want. Had a co-drive with a senior driver, really makes it apparent how high the limit is for a 20 year old chassis - was within striking distance of FTD and this was the first time he drove it!

It really sucks that we don't have the Pitt Meadows pad anymore, nowhere really good for auto-x in the Lower Mainland.

Does that extend to me too? Are you coming to the stock and lube meet?

Originally Posted by Traum

With the NC, I feel like the stock engine mounts does not do the transmission nor the drivetrain any justice in terms of how good the mechanical bits are capable of delivering. As soon as you swap the squishy OE mounts out for some stiffened up mounts, the shift feel improves dramatically. It doesn't even have to be a stiff polyurethane mount either -- something with more and stiffer rubber was enough to noticeably to hold the drivetrain in place, and improve the shift feel by a noticeable amount.

Another weird quirk I found thru the ownership of my NC was -- the transmission / shifter has a certain position where it would just slide into the cog with the best and snugest feel, and it isn't all the way to the left or right when you to shift. For illustration purposes, let's just say the shifter can be pulled 100 units to the left when you want to shift into 1st or 2nd. But in reality, the slickest and most natural amount to pull to the left is actually somewhere in the 97 or 98 units range. So if you were pulling the shifter all the way to the left like I was for the longest time, you are actually slightly off from the ideal amount of pulling.

It also doesn't help that Mazda designed the shifter locking plate to be made out of plastic / fiber-reinforced plastic. That piece of garbage wears out over time from regular usage, allowing you to move the shifter well past the 100 unit mark.



As seen in the above pic, the left lockout plate is new, whereas the right lockout plate is worn. For reference, the lockout plate is oriented with the single hole facing up/forward, so the worn out part is from 1st and 2nd gear.

I wasn't aware of this for the longest time until I opened up my transmission tunnel trim pieces to add some tranny oil to the turret. I was too cheap to replace the lockout plate, so I just practiced and developed a feel to the amount of horizontal distance to move the shifter before putting the car into 1st or 2nd.

My NC was one of those cars where I just bought it to try out and I had an exit plan before I had even bought the car, so I just did maintenance on it and did not change anything. Don't get me wrong, the car was good and I miss it dearly, it's just not as magical as everyone had made it out to be.

The car what I would call racecar spec. GS(6sp LSD) no options no AC. It came with mods already, Megan coils, race muffler, and a tune on the surface, but it had mismatched tires.

I did all the basic maintenance (engine oil, coolant, tranny, diff, plugs) and threw on a set of used direzzas so I had at least matching tires. Also threw on a set of chassis braces at the behest of my friend who was buying the car from me.

At Pitt Meadows autox, the car was pretty damn good placing midpack in STX and a shit ton of fun, Miata magic. Would have done better if I ran RE71R/BFG Rival like everyone else. One particular outlier though was my car was FASTER than Mitch's FBO and prepped NC in a straight line. On one particular autox weekend, it was full throttle from the start box to the first braking point. I was hitting the rev limiter at the top of 2nd before I needed to brake, I sought out Mitch to see what I should be doing and he was a bit dumbfounded because he's not hitting the limiter. He has a 07 and mine was a 06, we even have the same colour (galaxy gray mica)

The car is currently apart awaiting for 2.5 swap. We haven't cracked open the engine but it feels like we have a ringer or it might have a hotter cam. We also found that it has a Mazdaspeed engine mount already as well when I bought it. My friend tried to replace the mount but the one on it was identical. He thinks it MIGHT have been raced at one point but was reverted back to street.

/rambling

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

Does that extend to me too? Are you coming to the stock and lube meet?

That invite WAS for you

And for anyone else who wants to drive the car. Cough cough Dukes. I need to ruin everyone's shifter preference.

Yes, I can bring it to the Stock and Lube meet if it's not pouring rain.

[bcrdukes]

I don't know how to drive manual

[red kryptonite]

How does the current generation learn how to drive manual? Do they even offer manual cars with lessons?

[JDMDreams]

No they learn with Tesla's and don't know how to step on the brakes

[Badhobz]

Originally Posted by red kryptonite

How does the current generation learn how to drive manual? Do they even offer manual cars with lessons?

A couple of bros at work are trying to teach their teenage kid but the kids gave up after a single lesson. They have zero interest in cars.

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by red kryptonite

How does the current generation learn how to drive manual? Do they even offer manual cars with lessons?

Manual cars are available but are extra money.

Most people learn from friends or family who have manual cars (mostly enthusiasts these days) but the percentage is very low. 5% or less IMO.

Originally Posted by Badhobz

A couple of bros at work are trying to teach their teenage kid but the kids gave up after a single lesson. They have zero interest in cars.

My friend has a 18 yo daughter who learned how to drive stick in his Miata. I said good for her, she won't be impressed by some douche that easily.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by red kryptonite

How does the current generation learn how to drive manual? Do they even offer manual cars with lessons?

TikTok making NA/NB miatas in style again means a more Gen Z are driving stick that I thought.

EU ppl gotta pass their license test in a stick but IME they’re sloppy with grinding gears and not rev matching.

EU manuals seem easy to drive: the Fiat 500 mild hybrid was impossible to stall, even parallel parking on a hill in lisbon.
It had a super short 1st gear & electric motor.

[red kryptonite]

my buddy (not into cars) has a son (loves 80-90s jdm, influenced by me and initial d) is turning 16 soon and ive always said ill teach him how to drive stick when the time comes. that day is approaching... so good luck car, bye bye clutch.

[EvoFire]

I taught my wife, then gf how to drive stick, in a MS3 of all cars, you'll be fine. She got into a VA WRX that I was test driving and asked me why did my car have to be so hard to drive lol

[JDMDreams]

I thought stock new manuals are easy to drive cuz they have the clutch delay valve for everything.

[red kryptonite]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

I taught my wife, then gf how to drive stick, in a MS3 of all cars, you'll be fine. She got into a VA WRX that I was test driving and asked me why did my car have to be so hard to drive lol

i taught mine in a va sti. she was stressing out because she had to learn stick, driving a slammed car, and knowing the car is getting traded in a few days so she cant mess it up.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by JDMDreams

I thought stock new manuals are easy to drive cuz they have the clutch delay valve for everything.

all the clutch delay valve does it keep u from dumping it

imo doesn't make it any easier to drive

[JDMDreams]

From what I recall on old BMWs it makes it that you have to shift slower and you can't feel the clutch grab point as much.

[OriginalJC]

Had a bit of an after-install event last night with the short shifter.

Car was fine for 2 weeks after the install, but on my drive home last night I did a mildly aggressive shift and felt something come loose, but was still able to shift. 2 blocks from my house, and I could feel the shifter cable had popped off from the shifter base. Couldn't shift. I pulled over with the clutch still depressed. I was locked in 3rd gear, so was able to drive the 2 blocks and pull into my garage.
Pulled everything off again, and re-attached the cable base and ensured it clipped it properly (according to my expert mechanic opinion... ). Quadruple checked it was secure. Put everything back together. RIP 1x clip from the cupholder.

Drove to work this morning, feels ok. But super paranoid that it's going to slip again. Have my tool bag in my trunk ready for roadside repair if needed...
Totally user error. That spring loaded mounting clip was such a PITA. Fingers crossed it's all good now.

[OriginalJC]

Way too old for this shit...

[bcrdukes]

At least nobody got hurt, other than a bruised ego.

Live and learn!

[djstyles]

Installed a clutch pedal extension, cabin filter (doesn't come with one from factory) and a Goodwin Racing axle back a few days ago for some sporty Miata noises. The stock muffler is super quiet and doesn't exactly excite the senses.

[hud 91gt]

Cabin filter… in a convertible?

[djstyles]

Originally Posted by hud 91gt

Cabin filter… in a convertible?

I like to cruise with the top up from time to time. I noticed the air had a funky smell when I first got the car, problem solved!