Today: Exomotive Exocet, 2011 Lancer Ralliart, 1991 Mazda Miata
Tomorrow: Exomotive Exocet, ..., ..., ???
2020 is going to be an interesting year. I’m starting a new job (I am very excited about this) with a short 12 mile commute. I think I’ll be taking the opportunity to reconfigure my garage. Here’s what on the chopping block:
The Ralliart:
The Lancer had a great moment the other day in pouring rain as I blasted up HWY 1 from Santa Cruz - passing countless cars with little repent. I had all but completely forgotten how great that car is in the bad weather. Is that enough to keep it? I don’t think so.
The Miata:
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine my life without a Miata. I do love my little NA6. It’s full Flyin’ Miata suspension cost a fortune and it handles like it. However, it’s incontinent. It has about 1.3 horsepower. It has 207k miles. The driver’s side door is dented. The driver’s front fender is dented. The top needs replacing. The interior needs carpets and seat covers. My time for projects this big will be low with the new job.
Use cases, ranked:
Must Haves:
1) Commute (to be fair, I’ve done it in the NA Miata for 2 years)
2) One car must seat 4.
3) Something good at back roads / canyon carving when weather is non-Exocet compatible
Nice to have:
4) Cars & Coffee cred / Radwood weirdness
5) Good for rally trips
6) Home depot runs
7) 4 seater uses it’s “fuel” efficiently, or at least uses regular instead of premium
Outside the box:
8) Can tow the Exocet
9) Has a shower so I can live in it for track days
The contenders? I’m open to suggestions. I have only room for 1 car in the garage, 1 in the driveway, and 1-2 on the street. Here’s a bunch of stuff that tickles me.
ND Miata Club (used)
Honda Beat
Mitsuoka Zero1 Roadster
Mitsubishi Evo III
Mitsubishi FTO
S550 Mustang
Lotus Elise / early Evora
Sprinter LWB Highroof
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar F-Type Coupe V6S Manual or Convertible V8S RWD Auto
V8 Vantage
Honda S2000
NC Miata Club
Hyundai Ioniq or something cheap and electric
One more thing:
About that 12 mile commute, it’s uh, full of cars. Here’s the thing though, that 8 mile stretch of red looks more like blue or orange if you drive a NEW (or slightly used) electric (carpool lane access). So take that into consideration. I also have the option of turning in a poor 15 year old car for an extra $4k off the lease of an electric vehicle. That’s in addition to $7500 from uncle sam and $2000 from the state of CA. That makes an electric car nearly free.
