Michael Landskroner wrote:
> Ben,
>
> Well I'm close, I'm 48.
>
> Listen guys and girls (to make all of you feel younger), when someone
> asks if it's good/wise to use a Roadster as a daily driver I had to give
> an honest opinion regarding parts availability and affordability,
> maintainance, RUST, etc. Back when these cars were new they were the
> cream of the crop, and except for some unreliable (actually it was
> because most mechanics and owners didn't know how to maintain them and
> because of Prince of Darkness electronics) British cars, oh and some
> Italian cars FIAT and Alfa, there really was no competition about price
> or reliability.
>
> However, 30+ years later there are better alternatives to someone who
> has to use it as a daily driver. I drove these cars when they were new
> (my friend's father was a Datsun dealer) and I've owned my current
> Roadster for 20 years. Over the years I've seen the parts getting harder
> to find and rather pricey for certain essential items (do Ball Joints,
> tie rods, calipers and rotors, oh, and drums, ring a bell?). And where I
> was able at one time to get a starter motor or alternator at my local
> parts shop, now they look at me with a ? on their faces when I tell them
> the model number. Even a young whipper snapper parts guy @ a Nissan
> dealer told me they never produced such a car, or at least imported it,
> and he still didn't believe me when I brought to him the parts book.
>
> As far as a Miata being a "chicks" car, so it be. But after I set up my
> Miata I'll challenge any Roadster to keep up, and I doubt they would be
> able to. How many Roadsters have 140HP - 240HP AT THE REAR WHEELS, and
> are reliable? How many Roadsters can run almost 1G during cornering and
> still maintain a somewhat civilized ride?
>
> I LUV my Roadster, but truth and objectivity is essential. Yes, it has
> character, charm and is exotic, that the Miata does not have and
> probably will never ever have, and people stare at it and talk to you
> about it, but how much good is that when you need to get it serviced or
> need parts and it's your only ride?
>
> Another $.02,
>
> Mike
> 66 1819
> 73 240
> 91 Miata
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ben Zech [mailto:motormite@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 7:53 AM
> To: motormite@hotmail.com; shifty@best.com;
> datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Miata vs. Datsun Roadster Vs. MGB et al (was Miata)
>
> I guess I'm the oldest on the list so far, 50 in March.
> Short hair (pony tail, 1969)
> Anybody else?
> BZ
>
> >From: "Ben Zech" <motormite@hotmail.com>
> >Reply-To: "Ben Zech" <motormite@hotmail.com>
> >To: shifty@best.com, datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> >Subject: Re: Miata vs. Datsun Roadster Vs. MGB et al (was Miata)
> >Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2000 23:17:07 GMT
> >
> >I own a 90 Miata 100K+ and has never let me down.
> >Not stock by any means either, but I will have to admit you see a lot of
> >women driving them (I think this is what the thread was refering to.
> >
> >1 Miata
> >6 Roadster(s)
> >1 95 Jeep Cherokee
> >1 66 Chevy Van (20K original miles)
> >1 90 929 another very reliable car
> >1 82 Ford pickup for hauling Datsuns home
> >1 53 GMC bus for storage (parts)
> >
> >Pretty diverse, huh?
> >BZ
> >
> >AHHHH.... The exuberance of youth ;-)
Mike Clothier
> >
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