u/andyb978

I'm moving back to the Dallas/Las Colinas area this July after spending the past two years working abroad, and I'm finally in a position to buy a weekend/fun car. I've narrowed it down to two cars that couldn't be more different: a brand new Mazda Miata RF and a low-mileage Shelby GT350.

On paper this seems like a ridiculous comparison, but what matters most to me is the quality of the driving experience rather than outright performance.

A little about me:

• Early 40s
• Have owned sports cars before
• I enjoy driving for the sake of driving, not drag racing or chasing lap times
• I prefer manual transmissions and cars that feel mechanical and engaging
• I plan to explore the Texas Hill Country on weekends and maybe do the occasional track day, but 95% of the driving will be on public roads

The Miata RF appeals to me because:

• Lightweight and incredibly communicative
• Seems like a car you can enjoy at sane speeds
• Lower ownership costs
• Brand new with a warranty
• Around $43k

The GT350 appeals to me because:

• That incredible Voodoo flat-plane crank V8
• One of the best sounding modern performance cars ever made
• Tremec manual
• More practical for road trips
• It just feels like a special occasion every time you start it

My concerns:

• The Miata's lack of storage space and lower power. Am I going to wish it had another 150 hp after the honeymoon period?
• The GT350's purchase price ($60-70k+), higher maintenance costs, and buying a used high-performance car that may have seen track use.

For those who have owned or driven both, which one left the bigger impression after the novelty wore off?

If you could only own one for the next 5-10 years, would you rather have the pure, lightweight precision of the Miata or the drama and soundtrack of the GT350?

I'd especially appreciate opinions from people who've spent significant time with both cars rather than just test driving them.

Hi everyone,
I’m moving back to the Dallas area after spending the last two years working overseas, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle my TRT during the transition.
I was diagnosed overseas after dealing with symptoms like low energy, poor sleep, low libido, and brain fog. My doctor started me on TRT, and I’ve now been on a stable protocol for quite a while with excellent results. I’d really like to avoid any interruption in treatment when I move back to the US.

I have a few questions for anyone who’s been through this:

Transporting testosterone
I have several unopened vials and ampules that were legally prescribed to me.
Is it better to pack them in my carry-on or checked luggage?
My biggest concern is whether they’ll be exposed to freezing temperatures in the cargo hold if I check them. Has anyone had issues with this?
Did TSA or US Customs ask for anything beyond the prescription or doctor’s letter?

Getting established with a doctor
Is it realistic to get in with an endocrinologist in the Dallas area without waiting months?
Would you recommend an endocrinologist, urologist, PCP, or one of the TRT clinics?
I have my diagnosis, treatment records, and prescription from my overseas physician. Are most US doctors willing to continue an existing protocol if everything is well documented, or do they usually want to stop treatment and repeat the entire workup before prescribing?
If you’ve moved back to the US while already on TRT, how long did it take before you had your first prescription in hand?

I’m hoping to make this transition as smoothly as possible and avoid running out while I’m waiting for appointments.
If anyone has recommendations for TRT-friendly physicians or endocrinologists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I’d really appreciate them as well.
Thanks in advance!

I’m moving to the Irving / Las Colinas area in a couple of months after spending the last two years working abroad, and I’ve actually never lived in Texas before. I’m trying to figure out which gym would be the best fit before I arrive.

My training is a mix of powerbuilding and hypertrophy. I focus on the big compound lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press) but also spend plenty of time on bodybuilding accessories. I’m not a competitive powerlifter, but I do train seriously and like to progressively overload.

Things I’m looking for:
Plenty of squat racks and benches (minimal waiting during peak hours)
Deadlift platforms
Good selection of plate-loaded and cable machines
Heavy dumbbells
A serious training atmosphere without being intimidating
Open early and/or late would be a bonus

I’ve looked at Planet Fitness because the price is hard to beat, but I’m concerned I’d outgrow it pretty quickly since I rely a lot on barbells. I’m happy to pay more if it’s genuinely worth it.

What gyms around Irving, Las Colinas, Valley Ranch, Coppell, Grapevine, or nearby would you recommend? Are there any hidden gems I should check out once I get there?
Thanks! Looking forward to finally experiencing Texas.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been seriously considering picking up a 2017–2018 Shelby GT350, it’s pretty much my dream Mustang. The sound, the flat-plane crank, the whole character of the car… nothing else really compares.

But the more I research, the more I’m starting to hesitate.

From what I’ve read, the Voodoo engine seems a bit hit-or-miss, especially in earlier years. I know 2016 had more issues, but I still see people mentioning oil consumption, engine replacements, etc. Even if failure rates aren’t super common, the cost if something does go wrong seems brutal.

Then there’s the A/C… I keep seeing posts about compressors or evaporators failing, sometimes repeatedly. A few people even say the system is kind of a weak point on these cars, possibly due to vibration from the engine . Others mention full A/C failures or repairs running into the thousands depending on what fails .

On top of that, I’m planning to buy from CarMax and get the MaxCare warranty for peace of mind. But I came across some horror stories where people say MaxCare tries to cheap out, deny claims, or replace parts with used/refurb components instead of new ones (example here: https://www.reddit.com/r/carmax/comments/1f2o78n/maxcare\_is\_really\_failing\_me\_they\_refuse\_to\_pay/).

So now I’m trying to figure out:

Is a 2017–2018 GT350 actually “safe enough” from a reliability standpoint?

Are the engine issues overblown, or still something to seriously worry about?

Is the A/C problem really as common as people say?

Does getting MaxCare meaningfully reduce the financial risk, or am I still exposed to big out-of-pocket repairs?

Has anyone here actually had to use MaxCare on a GT350? How was the experience?

I’m okay with higher maintenance, I’m not expecting Corolla reliability. But I don’t want to end up in a situation where a single failure wipes out $10k+.

Would really appreciate hearing from actual owners or anyone who’s been down this path. Trying to decide if this is a “worth it, just go for it” situation or a “you better be ready to pay to play” kind of deal.

Thanks in advance 🙏