I've always been into cars, ever since I grew up in my dad's Foxbody, then later his '03 Cobra. Though, given the first Fast and Furious movie I saw in theaters was Tokyo Drift, it was always going to be a given that I had a heavy lean towards the JDM scene - and by consequence, drifting, too. Before I knew it, Tokyo Xtreme Racer Drift 2 had joined my stable of PS2 games, and from then on my fate was really sealed. Though, it wasn't until high school that my on and off affairs with Miatas began. After seeing the prices of S13s and AE86s in 2014 (I know, I know), I wound up with a red NA8:
It was cool, but not cool enough - with my attention then drifting over (pun intended) to time attack, I soon found myself purchasing what is to this day still my favorite car I've owned - a Splash Green NB2.
It was while I had this car that I started doing media for several events, Pro-Am and grassroots alike in Southern California, and it was then the fire of drift was relightened. My dumbass however sold that car, and got an IS300 Sportcross with the guise of needing a more responsible car for my budding photography career (which later turned into some journalism features, thanks to MotoIQ). Said Sportcross was a piece of shit, so I wound up with a DC2 Integra trying to get myself to go to VtecClub. Never happened. Sold that, and got an LS400. Left Southern California for the real-life purgatory known as "Fresno" for A&P school. Then covid hit. And life hit next. Three moves, two of them to new states, two jobs that require I travel for most of the year, in the span of three years. Finally finding a moment to breathe last October, I found myself bored, and with a fire season's pay in my pocket, I said "Screw it." Enter my third Miata:
This post is already getting to be a mile long, so I'll cap it off here: The car's a 99 with damn near every option, including the ones I don't like - the Bose audio, for starters. I'm not entirely a fan of the 5 speed and 4.3 set up either, since being spoiled with the 6 speed and 3.9 of my NB2. Additionally, it's mechanically clean enough, but the previous owner did quite a few old-manisms. Door panels were ratty and had velcro stuck to them for various things, the passenger side floor mat was cut in half and stuck underneath the pedals, the deadpedal was extended with a rag and duct tape, the works. Did I mention the interior is tan? Because it's tan. 🤢
But hey, for a running, driving, clean title NB Miata with full Roadstersport exhaust and a matching hard top in today's market? I couldn't complain.
Okay, but, seriously, when's the last time you saw this? I don't think I've seen it since I was playing NFS Pro Street.
I finally grew tired of looking like the sideshow 350z we have at home with no front bumper and all, so when I saw Down Shift Auto Parts got a mildly damaged NB2 in, I was quick to buy a bumper and a straight bracket - of course, this required drilling and riveting.
Ta-da. Eagle eyed viewers may spot something in the passenger's seat. Which I got one of those too, just a cloth OEM NB2 seat, but neglected to take any pictures of that. The day after I put the bumper on, of course, I spotted an incredible deal on an OEM big tupperware kit. Sure, it was a four hour drive one way, but the Miata had a full tank, so...
Yes, I actually drove four hours home like this when I have a Suburban in the driveway. Though, this entire thread is more an archive of my poor decision-making than anything else, so take it as you will.
It really wasn't until I needed a 2x4 turned on its side and a part of another 2x4 to hold up the skirt that I realized just how high the car was. I promise to lower it once the kit's on, I figure I could grab another two inches or so if I pull more camber in the front and get the sidewall away from the fender. This post's bonus image: