Miatatude

I first talked of this NB Miata malady back in May and it has been here in the background ever since. It is always noticeable for the first 4 or 5 1st gear launches in the morning. I’ve tried to adjust my technique, but after 30 years of driving a clutch one way I can’t always remember to use the “new” method. After some reading on the Miata.net Forums and the flippant remark by my favorite Mazda salesman I have been revving the engine to around 1500-2000 RPM for first gear launches. It has been working pretty good (when I remember to do it), but recently it is less and less effective. I’m afraid I may have to have the Mazda TSB applied to the car where they swap out the clutch disc for a new & improved version. But frankly, I’m not too anxious to have the folks at the dealership tackle this project after my experience with the 7500 Mile Service there.

Speaking of service, it is almost time for the 15,000 one. At the rate I’m going it should be about 2 weeks from now. This time I won’t let the gorillas who work there rotate my tires (see the 7500 mile service link above), I’ll just do that my self in my driveway. Oh, that reminds me, the creaking that they never totally fixed last time is finally gone. Every couple of weeks I can’t take the noise any longer so I try spraying something with white lithium grease. First I tried the hinges, but I’m not sure I can hit the right spot. Then I hit the torsion bars that hold the trunk lid up in a couple places. A couple of days ago on my third attempt I got the spot. I can’t really explain where I did it, but if you come over to my house I can point to it for you.

Comet Gestation Counter: 33 days

For about a year now, coworker and fellow Miata owner, Russ has resisted the siren’s song sung to him by his son-in-law. But every man has his breaking point and this past weekend was it for Russ. He finally succumbed to the Darkside, literally. He bought that optioned to the max, 1998 black Boxster with only 11,000 miles on the clock that had been dangled in front of him at a very attractive price.

He got home so late from picking it up Sunday night that he didn’t have time to remove the hardtop. But he is a dedicated convertible man, so the hardtop came off Monday evening and it is stored in it’s official Porsche stand under it’s official Porsche cover in his garage.

If you know any one who would like a 99 Emerald Green Miata with the tan leather package and only 46K miles of use, I know where one is for sale.

Comet Gestation Counter: 29 days

To jail I’m going.
Life of Brian Store
Get your T-shirts before I’m shut down.

Comet Gestation Counter: 25 days

With yesterday’s post and Rick’s comment I figured I’d be right near the top of a Google search for the phrase “Oh Yes Wyoming!”, so I tried it. Not even close. The top spot was occupied by a site called mathcaddy.com, a blog that had done the same thing as I did, posted the lyrics to the song. Three months before me! Boy, not only was I disappointed in my lack of Google ranking, but I am hopelessly behind the times. He also had an MP3 of the song. I downloaded it and have uploaded it to my site so as to be kind to his bandwidth. And maybe hoping to improve my G-score, here is for your listening pleasure, “Oh Yes Wyoming!”

When I transcribed the speaking part of the song, which just has Yada Yada Yada in the Flash gizmo instead of the words, I misidentified Antelope Jack as Angelo. When Mr. Mathcaddy did it he heard Zeke as Zinc. Rest assured between the two of us we’ve got it right.

Comet Gestation Counter: 23 days