new vehicle for the deadone

[dead0man]

I don't know if I mentioned or not, but my Mazda 3 died last fall.  I finally sold her today and will soon be leaving to get my new ride.  My first manual in 14 years (it came back to me like riding a bike), my first rwd in 16 years, my first convertible ever.  A beater 97 Miata.  Spray painted trunk, non-painted hood.  Plenty of dents and rust, a goofy farmer ghetto exhaust tip, ripped up seats.  Just oozing awesomeness.

craig's list for the car if you want to make fun



I'll post some pics with me and the car tomorrow...maybe.

[Nutmeg]

Tragically the post has been deleted. I can't even guess what such a beast would cost.

[dead0man]

$1800!

[dead0man]

It's WAY too low.  I've never adjusted the ride height on a car (because I've never had a car with the option), but apparently it's pretty easy....if the dude left the tool in the car.  I'll find out in the morning.

[dead0man]

The Beast! (that is it's name)

[Murica!]

Awesome miata!

[dead0man]

It is!  So rough.  So funking rough. 

I just got back from inspection and registration.  They told me I had to put a front plate on, I'm not gonna.  At least not until I get pulled over for it.  The plate is sitting in the windshield, easily visible.  So many cars, including the Miata, look like crap with a front plate.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

It is!  So rough.  So funking rough. 

I just got back from inspection and registration.  They told me I had to put a front plate on, I'm not gonna.  At least not until I get pulled over for it.  The plate is sitting in the windshield, easily visible.  So many cars, including the Miata, look like crap with a front plate.

Do you really think it's looks cooler/better/etc..to have the plate on the dashboard vs the plate holder in front?  Sounds more trailer trashy to me.

[dead0man]

Do you really think it's looks cooler/better/etc..to have the plate on the dashboard vs the plate holder in front?

Yes




I suppose it does kind of put a nose on the goofy grinned Miata, but it's still cleaner looking without it.

[angus]

More like an early-20th Century toothbrush mustache. You could call your car Hooptie Adolf. 

I'm with you, man.  Leave off the front plate.  Fight the power!

[dead0man]

A black plate would totally make it look like Hitler with a "did I do that?" grin.  Thank Og Nebraska's plates are just ugly and not black.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

A new car for the deadone? Your dick needs a vehicle?

[dead0man]

The memos you're getting on my penis are inaccurate, you might want to find a better source.

[Nutmeg]

Tragically the post has been deleted. I can't even guess what such a beast would cost.

The Beast! (that is it's name)

Did I help to name him/her? Gasp!

[dead0man]

You know, I don't know.  Certainly not consciously......and no, sorry.  After doing a little research, I see that I Facebooked Feb 8th at 8:29pm that "Will be leaving to get my new beast soon, expect pictures tomorrow."  I hadn't decided that was her name yet, so maybe your post gave me some subconscious positive feedback.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

The memos you're getting on my penis are inaccurate, you might want to find a better source.

It'll be hard finding a better source than your wife, but I'll try.

[dead0man]

classy bro, my mom's old and fat, you got anything for that?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

classy bro, my mom's old and fat, you got anything for that?

Oh come on, you know it's all in good spirit

[angus]

You manage to get it to turn over yet?  Brrr.  Brrrrr.  Brrrrrrr-ka-burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Walmart sells car batteries cheap, and installs them for free.  If you're not one of the rabid anti-Walmart posters who congregate here, you should consider them.

Okay, no one has asked yet, so I'm going to have to embarrass myself.  I'm a little unclear on what you meant by the "ride height."  Are you talking about the Low Rider option, like making it hop like a Cheech and Chong hydraulic lift?   In the sense that the suspension of the chassis can be adjusted from inside.  Like this?

[dead0man]

No, that's hydraulics, and much more complicated.  Mine are just aftermarket replacement coilovers (I don't know why spell check thinks that is spelled wrong) that have a ride height adjustment capability.
youtubes explanation
the part where he actually adjusts it

link to picture of why I'm having issues adjusting it right now

All those shiny, clean, easily turned things in the video are covered in a salty sludge on my car AND I don't have the proper tool for the job.  The internet tells me I can tap them around with a hammer and flathead, and I was able to budge 'em a bit, but it would have taken forever to move them the 2 or 3 inches I need to move them.  I think it might be easier to take them out, but I'd really rather not.  I've got a buddy with the tool that I should be getting in the next couple of days and hopefully that will work out.

I got groceries with it yesterday with the top down because it was a nice warm 35.  Wasn't chilly at all.

[dead0man]

oh and the battery is tiny and in the trunk.  Got's to keep that perfect 50/50 weight distribution like a proper sports car should have (but very few do).

[angus]

link to picture of why I'm having issues adjusting it right now

Got it.  A picture is worth a thousand words and I appreciate your use of it.

I got groceries with it yesterday with the top down because it was a nice warm 35.  Wasn't chilly at all.

Damn straight that's warm.  We're having a cold spell just now.  It's about 15 and windy.  It bites.

I had a tiny battery in the back for a few years, too.  It was a Fiat Spider ragtop, 1981.  I bought it in '85.  It was a fun car, but expensive to get fixed, easy to break, and had a number of engineering faults.  I would never, ever buy a Fiat again under any circumstances.  On the other hand, I've had two Mazdas, one new, one used, and I'd definitely consider another Mazda.

[dead0man]

The Miata is the spiritual successor to that Spider (and the MGB, Lotus Elan and a bunch of other European....mainly british, roadsters), only it's got Japanese reliability and when it does break, it's generally cheap to fix.  It is the best selling convertible sports car of all time, so there are plenty of parts out there.

[dead0man]

For those keeping score at home, finally get her raised a bit.  Leaking a little clutch fluid from somewhere, so I was bleeding it, and while I had the front tire off I dicked with the coilovers there.  It was pretty easy, just had a lot more room than in the back.  But now I knew I had the right method and how much muscle it took to turn them (quite a lot, especially while they were still rubbing on the half shafts on the back ones).  My knuckles are a little bloody and my back and shoulders hurt a little more than they usually do, but I raised the back up about 1.5" and the front maybe a 1/3".  Think I want to add another half inch or so in the front and a full inch in the back (that's what she said).  But even as is she's riding much better and scraping on nothing.  I can even go over the giant speed hills (bumps isn't a good enough word for these monsters) in my neighborhood in 2nd gear instead of almost coming to a complete stop.