erioshi wrote:
Chuck, I've considered a locost based build for a daily, and it always ends up leaning towards a Miata-Voort (or Doonk-ata?). With 100+ heat in the summer, -30 or colder temps in the winter, typical summer rains that many parts of the world would consider serious storms, along with everything in between, real heating, AC, full ventilation (defogging), a real (possibly removable?) hard top, a fully enclosed passenger area, and amazing lights (lots of wildlife - deer, bear, even moose if you head north a bit) are all pretty much essential in our neck of the woods for a daily.
I think a Miata could supply most of the greasy bits, the climate controls and related plumbing, and probably even the glass for a build. But then how much of a real advantage would it have over building up & tuning a Miata? I do think there is room to build a pretty cool car, but I think for real day-to-day use, it would be very easy to underestimate all the little details that need to be covered for a car to function as a serious daily driver. I guess I think "building something" would be relatively easy, but "getting it right" would raise the bar by quite a bit.
I do think it would be a fun challenge, though.
Well except for the rain part, although the rain we do have seems to qualify for your type of rain, it sounds like the more temperate parts of Texas.
EDIT: WAIT! I read that wrong. I read it as about 30 degree temps in the winter not MINUS 30! "yikes"
MINUS 30? I sure hope that's Fahrenheit and not Celcius.
You don't need a tank, you need a portable sauna for the winter.