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Java Junky · 02-07-2007, 03:38 PM

Aaay 'Drive, welcome aboard.
Your years of hot-roddin' have served you well. They've led you to li'l Stewie.
We share many things (a small-block 'Healey bein' one of 'em) n' have travelled similar paths. So when you talk about the importance of some semblance of comfort involved in a bit of a hot-rod I understand completely.
We've Miatas in the family too, n' I love 'em to death. Quick, nimble, n' certainly reasonably priced (I've never been one to buy new when there're low mileage cars for sale for gobs'a money less) but I opted for Stewie for the followin' reasons:
1) the tires/suspension: stock it's got damned near as much snot as a Miata with work on it's suspenders, n', as you're obviously familiar with what's involved tryin' to fit serious rubber under the Miatas, the stock rubber allows you considerably more footprint in the corners.
2) the extra power: it's a motorcycle engine n' as such makes it's power upstairs. Not overly useful if you're used to hangin' the tail out with the gas pedal to steer yourself aroun' corners, but it ain't no slouch either. It's an efficient "old school" sports car that still maintains, as you stated, some degree of comfort.
3) on the "comfort", user-friendliness of it: it's got the ability to put a top between you n' the impendin' drenchin' in 5 r' 6 seconds. Until you've had the giddy joy of watchin' the disappointment come over the faces of the hardtoppers aroun' you when you're sittin' at a light n' they're all jealously prayin' for you to get soaked . . well, it's one'a those things that's godda be experienced. I could never successfully convey the satisfaction of that feelin'. N' I'm fast with the Miata tops, but to be able to jus' push the button? Then again . . I'm talkin' to someone who's had the joy of "puttin' the top up in a 'Healey n' the MGs. Breakin' out all the pieces, poppin' the top frame in place n' all those @&#^in' snaps.
I made the decision n' have had mine for almost 2 years now. 'Never looked back. It's the balance of ability n' low maintenance that I was lookin' for at this point in time.
Oh, one drawback: get used to friends keepin' their distance for a while. We all go through it. Without realizin' it you're gonna be wearin' this stupid smile all'a time n' it jus' makes folks uncomfortable.
'Drive, you won't be disappointed.
Be well, n' like the old knight said . . .
Java
Oh, one other thing 'Drive: get a good ride in each of the models. The earlier 2000cc model n' the later 2200cc model. Any serious driver's gonna have a definite preference as the two are distinctly different. And, what I've heard n' read about the Skys, if you drive one you'll probably prefer Stewie.

02-07-2007, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,482	Aaay 'Drive, welcome aboard. Your years of hot-roddin' have served you well. They've led you to li'l Stewie. We share many things (a small-block 'Healey bein' one of 'em) n' have travelled similar paths. So when you talk about the importance of some semblance of comfort involved in a bit of a hot-rod I understand completely. We've Miatas in the family too, n' I love 'em to death. Quick, nimble, n' certainly reasonably priced (I've never been one to buy new when there're low mileage cars for sale for gobs'a money less) but I opted for Stewie for the followin' reasons: 1) the tires/suspension: stock it's got damned near as much snot as a Miata with work on it's suspenders, n', as you're obviously familiar with what's involved tryin' to fit serious rubber under the Miatas, the stock rubber allows you considerably more footprint in the corners. 2) the extra power: it's a motorcycle engine n' as such makes it's power upstairs. Not overly useful if you're used to hangin' the tail out with the gas pedal to steer yourself aroun' corners, but it ain't no slouch either. It's an efficient "old school" sports car that still maintains, as you stated, some degree of comfort. 3) on the "comfort", user-friendliness of it: it's got the ability to put a top between you n' the impendin' drenchin' in 5 r' 6 seconds. Until you've had the giddy joy of watchin' the disappointment come over the faces of the hardtoppers aroun' you when you're sittin' at a light n' they're all jealously prayin' for you to get soaked . . well, it's one'a those things that's godda be experienced. I could never successfully convey the satisfaction of that feelin'. N' I'm fast with the Miata tops, but to be able to jus' push the button? Then again . . I'm talkin' to someone who's had the joy of "puttin' the top up in a 'Healey n' the MGs. Breakin' out all the pieces, poppin' the top frame in place n' all those @&#^in' snaps. I made the decision n' have had mine for almost 2 years now. 'Never looked back. It's the balance of ability n' low maintenance that I was lookin' for at this point in time. Oh, one drawback: get used to friends keepin' their distance for a while. We all go through it. Without realizin' it you're gonna be wearin' this stupid smile all'a time n' it jus' makes folks uncomfortable. 'Drive, you won't be disappointed. Be well, n' like the old knight said . . . Java Oh, one other thing 'Drive: get a good ride in each of the models. The earlier 2000cc model n' the later 2200cc model. Any serious driver's gonna have a definite preference as the two are distinctly different. And, what I've heard n' read about the Skys, if you drive one you'll probably prefer Stewie. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.