Miatatude

Two Rubber Shift Boots

The car is way filthy from driving around in the rain all weekend. I couldn’t wash it because Donna needed it to go swimming. Busy after work week, so it may be all the way until Friday before it gets washed. Ordered the 2 rubber shift boots that go on the transmission under the leather boot you see. When I installed the leather a few weeks back I noticed that the top one had a big tear in it. I didn’t place too much emphasis on it until I was lurking over on the Miata.net Forum and discovered that those torn boots would lead to extra heat in the cockpit. It was then that I put 2 and 2 together. The transmission has been radiating heat for a while now, I just thought it always did that. Now I think that after reading the procedure for changing these boots I will have to move up the purchase of the short shifter kit so I don’t have to do the job twice and potentially pay for the bottom boot twice.

Started down, went up, back down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 249

Not Lint Free

More rain dodging on the return trip. We left early and it was raining so we put the top down after filling up with gas. The top was way wet from sitting out overnight, so I tried to dry it as best I could before putting it down. Seeing as I was filling up with gas, I thought that I could try using the window-washing squeegee. I tried it and while it got a lot of the water off, because of the pebble grain on the vinyl it left a lot behind. To get as much of the left over water I used those blue towels they keep right there. While not completely dry, it was good enough for now. When we stopped to put the top up at a later time I noticed that there was lots of light blue fuzz all over the top. I guess those little towels are not lint-free.

Started up, went down, went up, went down, went up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 247

When I Win The Lottery

It was spritzing lightly as we started out for our morning drive, so only Rudy had his top down. When we stopped at the Crossroads of Time for a couple of folks to gas up, everyone else put their tops down for the run through the gap. If you have ever owned a convertible, you know that in a light rain as long as you can keep moving you stay dry, we used this principle throughout the day. The tops did go up a couple times during extended stops. With the roads mostly wet it kept our speed down through the gap, which in a way was a good thing, as I got to study the turns instead of just reacting to them. About 3/4 way through the Honda S2000s started passing by in the opposite direction. There was a group of 50 or so from all over the country in town to do what we were doing, drive the gap. When we got to the gravel lot at the end there were still a few of them there. We chatted a bit with a couple. Saw one that I’m going to get when I win the lottery, light blue metallic exterior with a dark blue leather interior….sweet.

Started up, went down, went up, went down, went up, went down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 242

Be Careful

We missed any rain on the drive up, although the clouds looked like we might get a downpour, it never materialized. We put it up when we got to the hotel, as everyone wanted a driving break after the 6-hour trip up. But the break didn’t last long, as the siren’s call of 318 turns just up the road, had us back in our cars in about an hour. We managed to get one complete spirited run through out of both passes. On the north run we came up behind a small car at about 2 miles in that didn’t take the hint to pull over until about 5 miles later. On the way back south we had to chill until halfway through and we passed Sheriff’s car #2. We knew there were 2 Sheriff’s cars in the gap, because they passed by us as we took a break in the big gravel lot at the Tennessee end. One stopped and chatted with us a bit and asked if we were enjoying ourselves and told us to be careful, we were. At dinner that evening I balked at putting the top up, but Donna insisted, so up it went. As usual, Donna was right, as it had started to sprinkle before we were done eating.

Started down, went up, went down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 236

Going To The Gap

Our little Miata Club is going to the Gap this weekend and according to the Tail of the Dragon we won’t be alone, there are a couple of biker groups and about 60 Honda S2000s coming. Plus we know the Windy City Miata Club will be there as well.

After work I finished most of the preparation for the trip. New plug wires. Fresh oil & filter. Rotated the tires. Bottle of Techron. Tomorrow, if I have time, I’ll wash the car.

While I was at it I took off the Alley Gator Teeth. (That is my picture at the bottom of the page.) Saw a picture of my car from a couple of years ago with out the teeth and thought I might go with just the gums showing for a while….

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 233

Busy, Busy, Busy

Finished up the Stone Guard install. Will take a daytime picture tomorrow to complete the picture series, then I’ll caption the photos and upload them. I have to judge the Barndoor Fan Club photo contest and announce the winners. Busy, busy, busy.

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 233

A Drive In The Dark

Put it up for last Friday’s rainy day and it has been up all week (and in the garage) until tonite. We put it down for a drive in the dark and a quick stop at the store for some breakfast essentials as the fridge is pretty bare before the weekly shopping excursion on Sunday. The Taurus was a nice car for the big trip but once again it is good to be back in a Miata. From last Friday at around 5:00 PM until today at around 5:00 PM we put 2231 miles on the rent-a-car and 120 more on the Civic. Today was another long one too, Lexington, VA back to Aiken, SC, approximately 400 miles. Now all I have to do is find the time to type in my trip notes for the past week, type in the last 8 days worth of rants, and get the photos of the Stone Guards up.