Bridgestone RE-11 short review

Frank Berger wrote:
> pws wrote:
>> Carbon wrote:
>>> On Wed, 05 May 2010 11:27:54 -0500, Frank Berger wrote:
>>>> Carbon wrote:
>>>>> On Tue, 04 May 2010 09:53:50 -0500, Lanny Chambers wrote:
>>>>>> In article >, pws
>>>>>> > wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 225/50/16 is another possibility, but it seems just a bit fat
>>>>>>> for a 7" wheel unless I am thinking wrong, which is certainly
>>>>>>> possible.
>>>>>> Look at the specs at <http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?
>>>>>> tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=P otenza+RE-11>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Recommended rim width is 6-8", and the specs were measured on 7".
>>>>>> Perfect.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How am I supposed to maintain my own reputation for laziness if I
>>>>>> do your research for you?? :-)
>>>>> That is clearly the size I should have ordered with my 16x7
>>>>> wheels. I got 205/45/16s because that was what Mazda used and it's
>>>>> what the online configurator at tirerack.com suggested. I was
>>>>> worried that there might have been interference issues going with
>>>>> a bigger tire. But the extra diameter sure would have helped with
>>>>> my MSM's comically short gearing. Ah well. Next time.
>>>> As a new MSM driver, I understand your characterization of the
>>>> gearing.
>>> I still love the car, despite its few maddening quirks. No wonder
>>> there is such a strong aftermarket.
>> I can handle quirky.
>>
>> For me, the next Miata choice comes down to a decision between the MSM
>> and a NC with the PRHT, and I am leaning towards the MSM even if cost
>> were not an issue, though I love that retractable hardtop so much that
>> it is not an easy choice at all.
>>
>> Pat
>
> I recall reading two professional reviews of the hard top. One said it
> reduced interior noise compared to the soft top a lot, the other said hardly
> at all. With our mild Dallas winters, weather has never been a concern. It
> is neat, though.

Austin has similar winters, obviously at just 200 miles south, but we
usually get even less snow than Dallas.

The main reason that the PRHT interests me is the ability to not deal
with a ragtop at all, (literally zero exterior vinyl or cloth upkeep),
but to still have a convertible option.

That said, I am looking at the MSM a little more closely every day. Want
to loan me your car for a weekend? ;-)

Pat

pws wrote:
> Frank Berger wrote:
>> pws wrote:
>>> Carbon wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 05 May 2010 11:27:54 -0500, Frank Berger wrote:
>>>>> Carbon wrote:
>>>>>> On Tue, 04 May 2010 09:53:50 -0500, Lanny Chambers wrote:
>>>>>>> In article >, pws
>>>>>>> > wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 225/50/16 is another possibility, but it seems just a bit fat
>>>>>>>> for a 7" wheel unless I am thinking wrong, which is certainly
>>>>>>>> possible.
>>>>>>> Look at the specs at <http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?
>>>>>>> tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=P otenza+RE-11>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Recommended rim width is 6-8", and the specs were measured on
>>>>>>> 7". Perfect.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> How am I supposed to maintain my own reputation for laziness if
>>>>>>> I do your research for you?? :-)
>>>>>> That is clearly the size I should have ordered with my 16x7
>>>>>> wheels. I got 205/45/16s because that was what Mazda used and
>>>>>> it's what the online configurator at tirerack.com suggested. I
>>>>>> was worried that there might have been interference issues going
>>>>>> with a bigger tire. But the extra diameter sure would have
>>>>>> helped with my MSM's comically short gearing. Ah well. Next time.
>>>>> As a new MSM driver, I understand your characterization of the
>>>>> gearing.
>>>> I still love the car, despite its few maddening quirks. No wonder
>>>> there is such a strong aftermarket.
>>> I can handle quirky.
>>>
>>> For me, the next Miata choice comes down to a decision between the
>>> MSM and a NC with the PRHT, and I am leaning towards the MSM even
>>> if cost were not an issue, though I love that retractable hardtop
>>> so much that it is not an easy choice at all.
>>>
>>> Pat
>>
>> I recall reading two professional reviews of the hard top. One said
>> it reduced interior noise compared to the soft top a lot, the other
>> said hardly at all. With our mild Dallas winters, weather has never
>> been a concern. It is neat, though.
>
> Austin has similar winters, obviously at just 200 miles south, but we
> usually get even less snow than Dallas.
>
> The main reason that the PRHT interests me is the ability to not deal
> with a ragtop at all, (literally zero exterior vinyl or cloth upkeep),
> but to still have a convertible option.
>
> That said, I am looking at the MSM a little more closely every day.
> Want to loan me your car for a weekend? ;-)
>
> Pat

No.... but if you come up to Dallas on a Sunday, you can take it for a spin.
Remember, it's not a stock MSM. Got the FM Little Enchilada package and
around 200 HP.

Frank Berger wrote:

> No.... but if you come up to Dallas on a Sunday, you can take it for a spin.
> Remember, it's not a stock MSM. Got the FM Little Enchilada package and
> around 200 HP.

Careful there Frank, I could take you up on that one day!

This black 2005 MSM has caught my attention, but I am not ready yet........

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1718271104.html

200 hp is roughly what I am running now in the 1991 model, so it
shouldn't feel that strange to me.

I definitely plan to up the power a little on the MSM if/when I get one,
probably with that same FM package.

Thanks!

Pat

On Thu, 06 May 2010 17:10:22 -0500, Frank Berger wrote:
> pws wrote:
>
>> That said, I am looking at the MSM a little more closely every day.
>> Want to loan me your car for a weekend? ;-)
>
> No.... but if you come up to Dallas on a Sunday, you can take it for a
> spin. Remember, it's not a stock MSM. Got the FM Little Enchilada
> package and around 200 HP.

I am seriously considering this package, as well as some beefier sway
bars. You bought the car with the little enchilada, correct? Have you
driven a stock MSM? On mine I find the stock power delivery too soft.

pws > wrote:

> This black 2005 MSM has caught my attention, but I am not ready
> yet........
>
> http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1718271104.html

You could add the "HUGE TAK" to make it perfect!

--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

"Frank Berger" > wrote in message But the extra
diameter sure would have helped with my MSM's comically
>> short gearing. Ah well. Next time.
>
> As a new MSM driver, I understand your characterization of the gearing.
>

There's a guy here in the Hou SCCA that switched out the 6 speed in the MSM
for a 5 speed and (in autocross) he seems to have a clear advantage over the
std MSM's that have to go into 3rd gear (and back) on an all too regular
basis! You might consider it.

Chris
99BBB

"Frank Berger" > wrote in message >
> I've been reading about putting a 5-speed in the MSM.
>
>

Now, you're coming around!
cd
99BBB

Carbon wrote:
> On Thu, 06 May 2010 17:10:22 -0500, Frank Berger wrote:
>> pws wrote:
>>
>>> That said, I am looking at the MSM a little more closely every day.
>>> Want to loan me your car for a weekend? ;-)
>>
>> No.... but if you come up to Dallas on a Sunday, you can take it for
>> a spin. Remember, it's not a stock MSM. Got the FM Little Enchilada
>> package and around 200 HP.
>
> I am seriously considering this package, as well as some beefier sway
> bars. You bought the car with the little enchilada, correct? Have you
> driven a stock MSM? On mine I find the stock power delivery too soft.

Bought it that way. Haven't driven a stock MSM. Never drove a turbo
before. It's taking some getting used to (tje 6-speed, also) It's an
entirely different car than my '96 base Miata. More power, of course, but
less driveable as a daily commuter.

Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
> "Frank Berger" > wrote in message But the
> extra diameter sure would have helped with my MSM's comically
>>> short gearing. Ah well. Next time.
>>
>> As a new MSM driver, I understand your characterization of the
>> gearing.
>
> There's a guy here in the Hou SCCA that switched out the 6 speed in
> the MSM for a 5 speed and (in autocross) he seems to have a clear
> advantage over the std MSM's that have to go into 3rd gear (and back)
> on an all too regular basis! You might consider it.
>
> Chris
> 99BBB

As I said in another post, I've been reading about (and considering) it.
Thanks.

XS11E wrote:
> pws > wrote:
>
>> This black 2005 MSM has caught my attention, but I am not ready
>> yet........
>>
>> http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1718271104.html
>
> You could add the "HUGE TAK" to make it perfect!

That is a given, I would think. Also the huge wing. After that, it would
be fast, fast and yup, ferious!

My failure to save that advertisement for the archives will always be
one of my bigger regrets..........

Pat