The Racing Geek

After spending a week without a car I have finally decided to sell my Miata even before my Elise arrives. I was hoping that I would be able to keep her around as a beater but I just cant justify the cost of insuring and maintaining two cars at the same time. Here is the text of my Craigslist advert (http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/106716058.html)

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I have finally decided to part with my much loved 99 Miata. I was hoping to keep her forever and have spared no expense in keeping her top condition. This car has given me great plaseure over the last 2.5 years and I hope that someone who enjoys miatas as much as me. Price $6500

Specifications

Make: Mazda
Model: Miata MX-5
Year: 1999
Color: Silver
Transmission: Manual 5 speed
Mileage: 114k miles
Interior: Leather
Power windows
Nardi Steering wheel
Pioneer Premier MP3 CD player
Pioneer speakers
Rebuilt transmission (4k miles ago, slow bearing failure)
Toyo T-1S tires
New alternator
25-27 mpg

History

Second owner
Smogged in July this year
I have full records for the last 37k miles
60K service + timing belt was performed at 78k miles
30K service done at 106k miles
Oil changed every 3k miles
Servied only at Mazda specialist mechanics – MazCare (Atlanta) & P.R.Motorsport (Hayward)
Mostly highway miles
Never tracked
Car is parked off street under a Covercraft “Noah” cover and waxed every few weeks
non-smoking owner

Roof patch
There is a 14 inch rip (vandalism) in the roof that I patched myself using fishing line and liquid rubber. This has lasted more than 5 months during which I have driven and parked the car in rain with no leaks.

Contact
Rahul Nair
(510) XXX-XXXX

I’ve finally taken the plunge and ordered a brand new 2006 Lotus Elise. I’ve been waiting to buy a hot new car for a while and had some very simple needs – a great handling 2 seater convertible that makes me feel GOOD!!!

I considered several cars but in the end it came down to a shootout between a Lotus Elise and a Porsche Boxster S. Despite the fact that these aren’t two cars that traditionally compete in the same category, it was an incredible difficult decision and came down to the following points.

Lotus Elise
Pros
- Goes like Stink (0-60 in 4.7 sec)
- Handles like a gokart
- Is a true racers car, not some rich mans plaything
- Sounds truly glorious
- Looks like a supercar
- Is the pinnacle of the small philosophy that created the Miata
- Bargain of the century (Speed for the Price)
- Its a LOTUS

Cons
- Impractical (small interior, lousy trunk space)
- Harsh ride
- Difficult getting in and out – no woman in a skirt will ever get in
- 6 month waiting list

Porsche Boxster
Pros
- Also very fast
- Luxurious
- Relaxing to drive until you floor it and it just takes off
- Much more practical – has more trunk space than my Miata
- Available for instant delivery

Cons
- Not as fast or agile as the Elise
- Much more expensive
- Are a Dime a dozen in the Bay Area
- Obligatory Top Gear quote: “the only reason why you’d buy a Boxster is because you couldnt afford 911… so all you do when you are driving around in this is advertise the fact your life hasnt worked out quite as well as you’d been hoping… ”

In the end it the Elise won out because it was
a) Cheaper
b) Incredible fun
c) The car I always wanted
d) Lower depreciation
e) Now is the only time I can drive it-in 5-10 years I be too old to put up with the hassle
f) Its a LOTUS.

Now I just have to wait until it gets here (December)