Saw Off with their Heads on Sunday, with Mermaid Island and Dillenger Four. Going to both nights of Fat's 35 yr shows, and that's it. They are closing at the end of the year.
My high mileage, rock chipped, door dinged daily driver was very lightly rear-ended about two weeks ago. The driver was a sweet young woman who felt really bad, it was ironic that I was consoling her because she wanted to cry. Her insurance took care of everything and I picked it up today. I thought it would just need a bumper repair and respray but they ended up replacing the right taillight. The problem is it doesn't match. The blinker is a darker orange, and the reverse lens looks a little different. It looks better. Now I want to repalce the left one, but I'd have to get a brand new one from Mazda so it matches, which is about $400 after tax and shipping. Am I being too picky for what is a beat up daily driver? It seems crazy, but them not matching is bugging me.
I'm considering applying for a job in Concord, but don't want to bother if it's somewhere I don't want to live. I'm from CA, have lived in the Bay Area and rural areas of CA most of my life, plus 10+ years in Seattle. I prefer big cities, I'm very progressive, enjoy football and auto racing - mostly IMSA, F1 and IndyCar, and punk rock. I like taking my Cayman on curvy mountain roads on the weekends, and before injuries, I used to mountain bike a lot. I'm not at all religious. Living in the bay area has met all my needs, especially punk shows and roads to drive. But it's expensive, which limits how many activities I can do. I haven't been to as many 9er games as I would like.
I know tail of the dragon is nearby, but at over 4 hours from Concord it's not something I would do every weekend as I do now. Are there other fun roads near Concord? Cool tracks with HPDE events? Is the population, and especially local government, dominated by religious extremists? I'm concerned with moving to a deeply religious state that I will hate. And how's the weather?
The job is theoretically worth it. My current job pays well, is close to home, and I have the schedule I want, but there are issues with some people that make it miserable. Honestly, those people might fit into a deeply religious state, so I may have similar issues there. And I don't care about the product I work on one bit, it's boring. I'd like to work in a field that I'm passionate about. Is there any reason I shouldn't consider moving to the Concord area?
Been putting off a LSD swap in my NB1 dreading those two bolts. CA car, not at all rusty. Everything was going smooth, the rear PPF bolt came out fine, and literally the last hurdle to the job going smooth was the front bolt. It loosened a little, then stopped. Tried harder, and it spun the pressed in mushroom bolt. It spins freely in the PPF. I can push it up a few mm's and it drops back down into the hole. Not amount of pressure on top would prevent it from spinning and coming loose from the bolt. Also couldn't get the axle out of the hub to gain better access to the top. After letting penetrating fluid sit over night on both the hub and PPF nut, I'm going to try again tomorrow with some vice grips or channel locks. I highly doubt it will work and am anticipating having to remove the PPF. I found a bolt and nut on eBay to buy once my attempt fails and I have to cut it off.
This was supposed to be a one day project, now it's looking like my car will be down for at least week. I'm frustrated and going to get beer.
I bought a ticket and a $35 t-shirt online. At the theater they said they may have merch after the movie, and they did have a small take set up. After I hit the restroom I was last in line, and they didn't have my size. They took my name, but nobody has gotten back to me and nobody is responding to emails. That was May 9th. I'm beginning to doubt I'll get my shirt. 🤣😥😭
Hear me out: I'm not saying they are bad, but I don't like hardtops. And driving with the top up when it's not raining or extremely cold.
First of all, the hardtop looks great, no doubt. I've had two. One was stolen from my '94 that I bought salvaged to make it a Spec Miata, but I never had the money. The other I sold ASAP after buying my NB in Dec. I was stressed that it would get stolen even when secured with a lock in my private backyard. And it's hard as hell to get in and out of unless you're tiny and flexible.
In my opinion, the convertible is a key aspect of a Miata. Along with the small size, engine, and handling, the top-down experience is the essence of Miata joy. It's like pizza without cheese. Is it really pizza or just bread with pasta sauce? Every time I see a Miata on the street with a hardtop or the soft top up, or any convertible for that matter, I think to myself, "You're doing it wrong," and I feel a little sad. There are exceptions: racing/track days, people concerned about skin cancer, noise on the freeway (I have another car for long trips), and obviously, weather. But I see so many hardtops on here, and I think wwwwhhhhhyyyyy. Just buy a 240SX or BRZ or something similar. Take off your tops and have some fun, people! No hate for the hardtop crowd, I just think you're missing the most special part of the Miata.
Edit: Wow, wasn't expecting that many responses so fast, thanks! I just want to reiterate that there's nothing wrong with hardtops or driving with the top up. It's my opinion that top-down is a key part of my enjoyment of the multiple Miatas I've owned. Everyone is different, that's what makes the world cool.
A Ferrari 812 passed by just before getting back on the road and I caught him about a minute later, had to back off to get clear road through the fun stuff.
