Miatatude

Managed a ride to work with the top down, but just put it back up on arrival as there was a 70% chance of rain today. Didn’t rain at all until about the time we walking to our car. Left the top up because of it. Never did actually rain though, mostly just sporadic drizzle. Used the AC to kill the mugginess and for the firs time in ages. There was a little puddle on the garage floor from where all the condensation dripped out of the AC. I was reminded of it each time I went out to the laundry room. The puddle formed right where my first step lands naturally each pass, good thing I was barefoot.

Started up, went down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 182

As predicted. at 8:45 PM we went for a drive. Actually felt cool as the temperature had dropped into the middle 70’s. Let’s hope it holds and tomorrow we can stay in only the 90’s instead of triple digits…..

Started up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 179

The Miata just sat in the garage all day. We went out as a family this morning in the MSV and spent the afternoon inside and napping. Going to be just like last weekend, we won’t even drive the car until Sunday when we’ll take a night drive. The car needs to rest anyway because next weekend we are going to the Gap, not the store, the road! 318 tuns in 11 miles, wOOt!

Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 178

Finally went out measured the shift knob heights, they are the same, 4-1/32 high. I used a level and placed it on top of the installed knob, I then dropped a steel ruler down from the bottom of the level, ’til it hit the top of the center console and they came out identical. Must be an optical illusion. Feels taller too though, kinda makes me want to get a short shifter kit now. 🙂

Started up, went down, back up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 178

Well, the heat finally broke me. We went out to lunch to Burger King and it was hot, really hot. We made the trip with it down and even just used the cockpit cover for the afternoon. After work we had to run an errand so we put the top up and rode in air conditioned comfort. Had a busy afternoon and evening, so I didn’t check shift knob height and at quick glance I may just leave the vent rings off. I’ve got enough silver in the center of the dash (with radio, toggles switches & AWD heater panel) that it breaks up the all black nice enough.

Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 176

I swear that the new polished Voodoo knob is taller than the spun on I had. It may be just the way the new leather boot fits. Tomorrow I’ll measure it. Bead blasted the dull finish off my vent rings and chucked them up on a lathe. Using some 200 grit sandpaper I reapplied the former spun finish back on. Then I put a couple coats of clear gloss paint to try and match the pearl. Not exactly, but I’ll reserve my final judgement until I see them in the sunlight.

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 175

I love Brown. UPS man delivered my goodies from Serious Auto today. Pearl Finish Voodoo Magnum Shift /knob and E-Brake Handle along with leather shift & e-brake boots. Of course the first thing I did when I came home was put the stuff in. Looks better than before, especially the emergency brake area. The leather boot is several rungs up on the aesthetics ladder compared to the plastic and the Voodoo handle is much nicer looking than the MGW it replaced. My stock vinyl boot was coming apart at one of the seems so the new leather boot there was needed for function as well as style. The pearl knob replaces my Frankensteinish shift knob that I liked functionally, but not visually. The shift knob was something I called a MGWoodoo, because it started life as a Spun Voodoo and I had it machined to hold the rubber gripper portion of a MGW knob.

Enough positives, lets toss in the negatives: the leather is pebble grained while the seats are smooth. Actually if I was rich I would get some pebble grained seats, like that feel and look. The finish on the knob and handle is the same, pearl, but because the shape of the items are so different, they almost look like different colors.

The positives outweigh the negatives, but I’m not sure if they overcome the cost values. Looks nicer, and Miata nuts might notice, but $160 is a lot for the slight improvement.

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 175