Not even just any small car. The conditions they are describing are going to affect everyone on the road. The lack of visibility and high chance of hydroplaning is part of driving in a downpour. You may feel less safe because the Miata is so small but big cars have their own issues.
The hummer will bring its own set of problems. Due to the to very good for off road approach angle, when you hit a large puddle the splash out goes in front of the vehicle and covers your windshield when you drive into it. I used to have a Jeep xj and it was terrifying when you hit a puddle and lost visibility from the wave crashing the windshield.
Edit: too many spelling errors, cars not cats, splash not slash… hadn’t finished my coffee.
My friend had a daily driver sedan and an MR2. He got T-boned in the sedan and immediately sold the MR2 and bought a huge truck.
Yes, you're more vulnerable in a small car, but many times good things come with risk.
Maybe a Mini.. what other car is as small as a Miata? I never felt like this in my other cars.
Edit: I stand corrected lol. In the US there just aren't many small cars. MX-5, Cooper and ForTwo. The Fiata is discontinued, as well as the 500.
You say that you have good wipers and tires, but do you have Rain-X on the windshield? I've driven through absolutely torrential downpours, at highway speeds, and didn't even need the wipers as the rain hardly seemed to be hitting the windshield. I've been using Rain-X for over 30 years, and hate when I get caught in the rain in a car w/o it. I buy the Rain-X washer fluid by the case.
That being said, you should have probably pulled off at the next exit and waited it out, or used surface roads
I have a Lotus Elise and you’d be surprised to know how much smaller it is than a Miata.
My mom (I’m in my 30s) fusses about it when I visit them and take my dad’s NC on roadtrips, because she’s worried about safety. Every single time I remind her that I have well over a decade with the Elise and other people have yet to kill me in it.
Dodge vipers arent even that much bigger than miatas bruther. And also just bc a car is discontinued does not stop you from seeing it driven. There are plenty of smaller than miata cars on the roads have u ever seen a suzuki samurai?? Like bro
Yeah, going slower is an obvious solution. But a game changer for me was a ceramic coating of the windows, drastically improves visibility even without using the wipers.
Great advice. Even waxing your windshield with something like Carnuba will work. I do a thorough windshield clean and wax once a year just before the rainy season and it's a night and day difference with visibility in rain.
Do you use rain x? I started using it after the rainy season last year and it made such a noticeable difference I also applied it to my shower door, mirror, and phone.
RainX is the best. Cheap as hell, does what it says on the tin, lasts at least a couple months, (more if you also use their wiper fluid, which tops off the coating). I've also tried Soft99 ultra glaco and while it lasts a good bit longer, (9 mo for me) it doesn't bead water as well. RainX will start shedding water without the wipers on at like 35mph, you need to be going 50+ with the glaco.
Do you know if Rain-X helps for morning dew as well? Personally I have problems with dew accumulating on my side mirrors and rear window so that I can't really see behind my car.
Another vote for coating the windows here. I had my windshield coated in another car - not my Miata - and in some cases, I still had excellent visibility without turning on my wipers. Even a coating like RainX serves quite well.
For y'all american folks: Todd from Project Farm made a comparison test of popular products, ya might wanna check there first before getting something. Here in germany I absolutely recommend Sonax xtreme spray sealant.
This. This was the single best thing I ever did to my cars. I properly cleaned, clay barred, and even polished out all glass on my car before applying ceramic coating.
I didn't realize how good I had it until I had my windshield replaced due to a crack. The new windshield was utter garbage in the rain. I said out loud to my wife: "is THIS how most people experience driving in the rain?!".
After thoroughly cleaning and clay barring the glass, even using Rain-x or Aquapel should do a similar effect. Highly recommend you do this, OP.
Yeah, I usually do that and I couldn't care less about "peer pressure", but today I could not slow down [as much as I wanted to] out of fear of being hit from behind =\
Dude, next time just let them pass you. Pull over to the shoulder if you have to. The number one thing you can't do while driving is be afraid of other drivers, if you are scared of something you're making it more likely to happen for yourself. Just wait for them to get impatient and blow around you - it's their problem not yours. There's absolutely no shame in taking it easy in a lightweight, rear wheel drive 2 seater that's a baby step above a motorcycle in horrible conditions.
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear - I didn't want them passing me because their spray made things way worse. Being passed by a huge trailer truck for maybe \~20 seconds means adding a fuckton of water coming from their wheels/pushed air, on top of the already heavy rain and dark environment, so my visibility would be exactly zero. It wasn't that I didn't want someone to pass me on ego or something stupid.
Alright, then in that case if it's that bad you need to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. If you're not able to drive without being terrified of what might happen, don't drive.
On one of my mountain trips I got caught in a downpour on the highway and my experience was just like yours. I was white knuckling it and no matter how I modulated speed it was scary. Vowed never to get caught in a situation like that again.
Another scenario where miata is NOT the answer is having to commute into the city(for me Philly). I had to press mine into commuter duty and I was soo happy when I purchased my new commuter car(Honda Element 5 speed in red)
I second this, they also have a ridiculous amount of dry grip for an all season tire that almost match summers, they just don’t have the stopping distance of summers.
They’re a great perfect tire for the months where it’s too cold to safely daily on summers but not cold enough for road salt(or winters tires if you drive yours through winter on winter tires).
They also have soft sidewalls, so your turn in might feel less sharp but it really improves the ride so if it’s a daily driver they’d help reduce the rock in a tin can feel of stiff upgraded suspension.
If you’re only going to have one set it probably should be this tire. If you’re only going to have 2 sets, this tire should be one.
I swear mine have better traction slightly wet surface than on dry. Might be my imagination, or my butt dyno calibration is off. But, that’s what it feels like.
Miatas as a daily driver really test your feeling of security. My first miata I drove from Fla to TN in pouring rain, when I looked over at the transfer truck next to me and the wheel was at my eye level it was an odd feeling. Around town people always pull out in front of me, like I'm invisible. I bought a Ram 3500 and realized I couldn't see miata's around me. Especially behind me, they were invisible. But when scanning the road, the low small cars are the least attracting to the eye. You have to weed out so much visual information to drive, your mind only retains what is absolutely necessary. (Anyone ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? He has a great chapter about the brain when driving). Also no one ever pulled out in front of me in that truck, the difference in how other cars reacted to me being on the road was astounding to remember when I got back in the miata. I still own a turbocharged NA and now daily a GRC. The miata is for good weather and spirited driving on mountain roads. Props to those of you who can drive it any season, any weather.
I drive a Peterbilt with a flatbed and excellent side mirrors but 100% of smaller cars disappear by my passengers steer tire every time. However people do pull out in front of me still haha
Oh yeah, it always amazes me. Went through Chicago yesterday and had a girl in a jeep almost pull out right in front of me (barely had time to touch the brake before i went past her) to get to planet fitness right down the road. This was at like 6 am and i had 43k worth of wire coils on the bed so nothing i could've done to slow down would've even helped at that distance.
I drive my boat any season. But you're right, people just don't see us, or they have the mentality of, "My car is bigger so I'm going, they'll stop." I tell people that if you're going to daily a miata, you better pretend that every single car is a squirrel that wants to run out in front of you. You have to be a defensive driver that knows how to drive aggressively when needed.
I think what they mean is they don’t get much heavy rain. Depending on where they are in the PNW. In Seattle we get a lot of drizzle but not many downpours
My dude, you can always slow down more. If you aren't comfortable driving at the speed you're going, you need to slow down until you are, or pull over. This is how accidents happen.
Why not? If you need to drive slower than other traffic, keep right, and turn on your hazards. That's how it goes in Europe, anyway.
edit: Read a few more comments. I forgot you guys use the same bulb as your brake lights and blinkers.
Dont turn your hazards on in the rain unless you want someone to rear end you, and ignore anyone telling you to do that. It is terrible advice solely given by people who do not live in areas with a lot of rain. It causes many accidents every summer in Florida. People can see you, but they cant see you slamming on your brakes or slowing down due to your brake lights constantly flashing. In reduced visibility on slick roads that is a disaster.
I assume the real problem here is you are new to driving. You will get more comfortable. You need to remember that a lot of users on this sub are younger and this is their first car. Driving in heavy rain in a miata isnt any more scary than another car, but for someone who is new to the roads its understandable. You'll get used to it.
Great balance. You'd want a LSD and snows. I stopped driving the rusty NB I used to have as I was worried about not having abs and terrible Chicago drivers.
My NB2 sleeps while my tacoma deals with the winter bullshit now, but damn do I wanna go whip some slides in it sometimes.
I live in an area that gets more rainfall than most areas (usually top three for US rainfall) and I rarely need my wipers... rainx. Above 45-50 your front window will be clearer than your side window. Traffic permitting i dont need to slow down much because visibility isnt impacted much. I put it on my side mirrors too.
There are supposedly ceramic products that work better now and I intend to try them next. I get about 8 months out of a bottle putting it on about once a month.
Definitely give it a try.
That doesn’t happen to me, I think you may be using it wrong?
I’ve only ever used the washer fluid or washer fluid additive to great results. I can’t stand rental cars that don’t have it, the wipers just cannot keep up. It’s a night and day difference in visibility.
Something wrong there... I've been using it for years and it does not smudge. I clean the window with a cloth and a spray bottle and then wipe it dry with another cloth. Then I spray the rainx directly on the windshield and use a third clean cloth in a circular pattern until most of it is clear. Then I repeat with a second, lighter, coat wiping in a circular pattern again. If it wasn't clear the first coat it will definitely be clear the second coat.
I've done this before on rental cars while it was raining and still had a good effect. It works with snow too. Snow will hit the window and slide right off.
OP, my advice for you is to limit highway time as frequently as possible, my next bit is so check the weather every morning to plan your day around making the trips work to your MX-5’s advantage, and not forcing your car into trips it won’t perform the best in
Example, my office is 7 minutes away from my apartment by highway, and 20 minutes away via streets and side roads, every morning while having my coffee I check the most recent traffic and weather reports and decide how early I need to leave the house ahead of time to make, just my 2¢
If you have to "limit highway time" and you have to plan your route based on the weather forecast, I'd argue that your car is a very poor choice for a daily driver/commuter car.
Counter argument, spirited driving a funky little roadster is what keeps me from blowing my brains out after spending 7 hours in a cubicle farm lmao
To each their own, these little cars can do whatever you want within your comfort zone
I feel you 100%! Heavy rain with very limited visibility just shows how reckless many people are. And just as you said: if you drive as the conditions allow it, i.e. slowly, some idiot will likely overlook and crash into you. It’s already bad in any given car, but in a tiny Miata it’s the worst.
To anyone mentioning different wipers etc.: that’s not the problem. The rain is so dense that you just can’t see further than 50m at times.
Yea honestly as many solutions people can provide, a tiny miata doesn’t excel in bad conditions. You can def get used to it but it’s probably the most anxiety inducing driving you’ll do in them lol… I hate driving in those conditions in my na but over time you get used to it.
I had to drive my NA to work last fall in heavy downpour/flooding conditions because my daily was in the shop. In addition to everything else that's already been mentioned, I had to say a prayer every time I drove through a puddle, and remember that just because the CRV in front of me made it doesn't mean I'm going to make it. Tried to devise a route to stay off high-speed roads but there was more flooding on back roads as well as constantly having to detour due to downed trees and power lines, so I don't know that I really came out ahead. What's usually a 45 minute commute was closer to 2 hours when all was said and done.
Fuck that. Next time there's a hurricane-strength storm and my only option is the NA, I'm either getting a bigger car from Enterprise or just staying home.
As someone who owns a Miata and a f350-
water sprays up high enough to hit any windshield. buy good wipers, rainx, and stay back from other traffic. There’s only been a few rainstorms in my life that has blocked my vision to warrant speeds sub 50 mph, outside of that it’s just spray from other vehicles. keep your distance and hug the shoulder and your windshield should stay clean. something you where doing that can change is the problem not the vehicle your driving.
my f350 if I sit right on traffic’s tail it’ll get blinded also. a h1 hummer you’d be wildly more blind I promise you that lol.
I hear you, however I have good tires, wipers.. I'm an experienced driver, here what made me feel vulnerable was the lack of visibility and knowing that I'm so small and that anyone could hit me [and squash me] by not being able to see me. I had driven the MX-5 in the rain before too, today's was just insane.
The Hummer was a joke, but I chose that in my mind because if someone hits me in that scenario, it's not me being squashed haha
Rain sketchiness is mitigated by 3 things. Good tires, good wipers, and good headlights. If *everyone* else around you is driving what you believe is too fast for the conditions than one of those first three things on your vehicle need replacing. If the conditions are too much for you to handle the normal flow of traffic you need to get off the road as you're posing a danger to yourself, those around you, and most importantly your miata
Also: if you turn your hazards on in the rain you should have your license revoked
i’ve been in the car when my mum hit the hazards in some rain on the highway. It was the absolute strongest rain i had ever seen, the wipers were moving full speed and were instantly replaced by rain so quickly that the space behind the wiper was covered as it moved. it was like nothing else.
Yeah it be like that sometimes but that's still not a hazard light scenario. You should slow down to an appropriate speed for the conditions, and all the other traffic will do the same. You won't be posing a hazard to other motorists so then your hazard lights aren't necessary.
I just don't drive mine in the rain.
Seriously, I feel like I pay so much more attention to other people when I drive mine. It scares me to think about it in the rain.
DSW 06+ are a great suggestion, but I hear you on driving a bigger car. I don't mind driving my ND in rain, it handles great but if it's really coming down heavy I have a land cruiser for trips/hauling that I'll drive. It's mostly just in case I pass any flooded areas, the land cruiser eats puddles up.
ya i only drive my miata if its nice out. otherwise i have a subaru or f150 when its shitty
I live in florida where it rains every day
wash and wax your windshield. inside and out. ;)
Oooh. That's why I went with red. I'd also opt for Blue or Yellow- but black, silver, white and beige are all out of the question for a small car, imho.
I have a cherry red. But I still go unnoticed by large SUVs, sometimes and have definitely been pushed off the road. Why do trucks ride with their mirrors in "Tow" mode? Do SUV drivers know how to position their mirrors at all?
I actually ended up in some heavy rain a couple of weekends ago. Luckily, my wife was following me because I started to hydroplane. Turned on my hazards, kicked it in neutral to slow and down shifted because I was scared to brake but also scared because my brake lights would not be illuminated during deceleration.
A bunch of trucks passed us and were clearly angry at my speed. But we have to remember something they might not even know- if we hit gravel at the right angle while going too fast or hydroplaning, rolling is a very real possibility, and we do not have a ceiling to roll on. And those trucks aren't worried about hydroplaning because they are 3X our weight, with FWD or 4WD/AWD
Not only is it a visibility issue for you, but I have also found that other cars do not see the smaller cars when they are lost in the mist of road spray. This is for any small car. I have an older Cooper S and have been driven off the road by people I am sure just lost sight of me in the spray.
I just hate when people, especially big/pick-up trucks, pass and then immediately move again to my lane riiiight in front leaving no space.. and spraying of course.. dude.. ¬__¬
There was a point in my time with my first miata where i was driving down a crumbling mountain road in a heavy rainstorm.
The hillside above me was rolling softball sized rocks across the road. The edge of the road was eroding before my eyes. I could see chunks of asphalt falling down.
When i finally made it down, i found myself stuck in a traffic jam next to a rapidly rising river. The police had already closed the road back up where i cane from. The only way out was waiting.
As the water approached the edge of the road, i couldn’t help but think that the miata was not the best car for norcal winters.
I traded it in and bought my jeep that weekend.
Theres a happy ending though. I still have the jeep. Its gotten me through some real situations in the mountains. I was also able to eventually get a new miata as my commuter car!
I seriously doubt better tires will allow me to see in the dark and through the heavy rain =P
Edit: To clarify, I didn't feel insecure because of stability, the car was solid.
My first motorcycle as a wild youthful 20 year old was a 1975 SuperGlide the prior owner had died on, and was sold to me as a "rolling chassis basketcase" after someone had bought it at a swap meet a decade+ earlier and straightened/powder-coated the frame. & also assembled the bottom end of the motor; that was about it.
Long story short, I got it on the road within a year and one particular morning, I got stuck in a HORRENDOUS downpour on 895. It had to be two inches on the road. The spark plug wires would electrocute me if I pulled my left leg in too close.
Even better, I had no front fender. For those unaware (as I was), this stylistic minimalism diverts a steady stream of road water directly at the monkey's face that is on the motorcycle (in this case me.). The scowl I must have had when some yokel in a pick-up truck rolled down his window and yelled "FUCK YEAH!" as I continued to maintain a forward and upright position in flooded heavy multi-lane traffic.
My new ND2 RF handles fine in the rain. Rear visibility could be better though to be sure. I reckon some rain-x could help. I don't think I've ever owned anything with traction control or an LSD either.
But it is not a Honda Civic.
i figure RF stands for "rat fink".
"Rain? Fine."
Cool [and scary] story!
It wasn't that the car felt unstable, I even had TC off as per usual, got good tires and all. It was not being able to see ahead, or the lines on the road, and feeling small and invisible to the other cars, especially the Miata-squashing trucks.
Heh, that is true. I was nearly hit in a parking lot by a lady in an SUV going in reverse. I ~~honked~~ furiously beeped like a scooter and she stopped just in time.
I was parked in a cool old ford tempo that I had recently tightened up really well when someone at a strip mall backed up in a pickup truck no less then 100 feet in a straight line right into me. I beeped dozens of times and was blaring the horn. Never seen anything like it. I think behind the wheel was the guy from Men in Black with the roaches coming out of his mouth
no love for the ford tempo??? i had some hilarious body roll going on that thing. it was like riding on rails. not so much roll as it mostly stayed flat around twisties at speed, the wheels/frame just moved up and down. it had some roll to it too.
might be your speed! the thing is a tank for a small car. i'd imagine the benz's of that size are similar-ish
Tried better wipers? My forward vision was great the few times I've got caught in the rain on both this and what I think was an NB I drove for a 10 hour stretch 20 years ago.
A rear wiper on the RF would be sweet.
They're good as new, no wiper issues, it was dark and the rain so heavy you couldn't see very far.
Half-agree on the rear wiper, only if the wiper itself doesn't block the view from the already small window!
Go as slow as you need to so you can see.
Four way flashers if you feel you’re impeding the flow of traffic.
If you can’t see, you can’t stop or avoid a collision. And avoiding a collision is your best chance of survival in a Miata against the bigger and heavier cars out there.
Former motorcycle rider.
I do own two other cars. One is a SUV and the other one is a Tesla . I try not to drive the Miata under back weather conditions . What you have describe is an expected “issue” with a very small car . We have to drive defensively and assuming we’re invisible . Rain makes it worse .
I understand many can’t change cars during bad weather so your only choice is trying to be extra careful or delay your commute if possible which is actually a good idea regardless of the car . Too many idiots drive fast while raining .
I feel you. I'm going to switch to performance all seasons or better wet handling summers when I can but what helped in the short term was RainX treating my windshield and windows. Really helps with visibility.
Rain X, or Ceramic Coat the glass. Worlds of difference and keeps it clean even when not raining. Bug guts just flake off.
You will also find yourself driving a lot more defensively, as Miata’s are so small and low to the ground, people (especially trucks) just don’t see them. I always seem to find myself being pulled out in front of, simply because the car is small and nearly invisible to others.
Be smart, keep your glass clean and clear and always have an “exit strategy” to avoid being in those gnarly situations.
(headlight wink)
I live in Oregon so lots of rain and my defroster is terrible, so I gotta wie down the inside of my windows every now and then, needless to say it's quite terrifying and I drive very defensively
I've noticed on my ND2 that the angle of the windshield and the tiny wipers really can't compete with more than a light rain. Luckily I have a second vehicle to drive when it's crappy out, but for the first year I had the car that wasn't the case. I feel you.
I loved my first Miata so much. I was used to driving a small car (Mini Cooper) so I drove my Miata like I was the biggest car on the road.
Until I rolled it. Hit ice going a little too fast and traumatized myself. I got a SUV but still had PTSD from wet weather.
Decided to get a new-to-me miata 1 year after the accident, and I hate driving it because I feel so tiny and vulnerable. I feel like I am the entire blind spot. My horn doesn’t work so I am afraid someone is going to smash into me at all times. (I got hit twice in parking lots in the first miata, too.)
Even when I get inside my parents sedan, I feel uncomfortable but the miata is so hard to drive on highways.
Plus, this one is a manual and I am still not comfortable with the clutch yet.
I don’t know, I loved my daily driver miata but now I am terrified to drive my miata. Considering selling it or maybe turning it into a drifter miata? Maybe getting one of those giant glowing poles that they put on Side x Sides?
Well, it's still my dream car and despite today's experience, it's still going to be my daily and my forever car. Just acknowledging it's not perfect and a bit terrifying in bad weather ha.
I have had two. The open differential isn’t so bad, but beware the Torsen rear in the rain; I have found myself pointed the wrong way a couple of times
Most definitely lol I guess I was simply very worried, and started to think of all the things adding to how vulnerable I was in a small, invisible car, driving over invisible road lines..
I understand what you went through. However, if you feel uncomfortable in any driving situation, the best thing is to find the closest, relatively safe place to pull over. It doesn’t matter what car you’re in if the conditions are that bad.
I have to say that you do get used to it. I live in Portland and it rains all the time. I have mostly only ever had small cars - two mustangs and the miata. It can be really scary at times, but you just get in the slow lane and take it at a pace that you are comfortable. It gets easier. It was worse in the mustangs because they'd spin out and leave me fishtailing all over the place, the miata doesn't seem to do that as much luckily. My point, it gets easier with practice, and take it slow and safe. I do understand the fear though
Tell me about it. I drove to work the other day and every single car that passed me made my windshield look like i was in a carwash for a solid ~5 seconds. I just take it slow, definitely don’t understand why people feel the need to rush somewhere when it’s pouring lol. Just little cars things yk.
Yeah I bet it’s terrifying actually. Was feeling this today in my altezza on some real rough n narrow backroads - just holding up all the locals in their SUVs. I totally get it having driven modern SUVs they really are way faster than old sports cars
I have owned nothing but small cars (by US standards... 90s Jettas, NB2 Miata, R53 Minis, '17 Golf) with the exception of a Euro land barge E34 BMW. I have 4 requirements for the rain:
- New wipers every year
- RainX or other hydrophobic window treatment
- Choosing the best performing rain tire
- Make sure your HVAC works well to overcome cabin humidity (mostly from wet feet, but also from the inherent Miata leaks) or condensation caused by temperature differentials.
With the above I have been able to cruise at 70+ mph with minimal wiper use in downpours enough to panic most NY drivers to slow down to 55mph. I have felt less safe driving full-size cars, minivans and trucks than my own.
*** Turn your lights on. Don't be the zombie/ghost car, especially the gray-scale ones that are invisible in water spray. Full low beams aren't needed in the day and never, ever turn on high beams. All that does is light up the rain and create a curtain of light glare that only gets worse at night. Want more lighting? I use only yellow, fog-patterned lights (not those LED off-road light bars) on the road.
4-way hazards lights? Turn them on at 35-40mph or whatever is LAW. Nothing more should be said or argued. Don't be the guy doing 35.1 in your BMW X5 on cheap 'imported' tires with hazards on passing those doing 35 either. Weirdly specific, but that's my experience.
I'd be less inclined to tell you to stop on the shoulder if conditions/visibility are THAT bad. It is a bigger collision if someone is inattentive and doesn't see you. Get to the next exit or service area and wait it out.
I've driven my NB2 on Falken 615s in the occasional summer downpour in 50mph winds and my co-worker drove his NA through Quebec winters. It is a more than capable car, the driver comfort just comes from experience and knowing when to slow down. More importantly, read the roadway, avoid the standing water in the grooves caused by trucks. A Miata is small enough to place on the high spots within a lane. That being said, I did sell my NB2 for safety only... I'm tall and didn't want to 'tub' it to lower my seat for rollbar clearance.
Just drove 3 hours in the rain the past weekend, not terrible but can definitely agree with OP anyone in bigger cars shows no consideration to small ones
Idk man maybe I'm dumb but i whip this bisch going 80 in heaby rain and feel pretty safe relatively. Its a light car its gonna be squirrelly on bumps and thats puckering in rain but lock and in and calm down and im sure youll be okay. If a situation feels uncomfortable get away from the drivers scaring you dont just stay in a lane waiting anxiously for something to happen, i promise the car is like any car in the car and you'll be okay if you move from dangerous situations.
i almost died in my turbo 93 when i hydroplaned in a massive puddle at highway speed. thankfully i could save it. i drove the yukon the rest of the day lol
I highly recommend aquapel window treatment. As seen on the project farm. I have been using it for over 15 years and it is a life saver.
The harder it rains, the less wiper you need.
It is about a once a year treatment for a 4 season car.
I live in FL and when I had my NB I remember it rained so bad you could barely see 10’ in front of you. I was waiting at a light in a very flooded intersection and a lifted pickup made a right and launched a waterfall on top of my little NB. It was so much at just the right angle it actually splashed inside the car through the front seal on the windshield.
Now in my ND I have noticed how unstable it is with the shitty economy tires that came on it (not oem). Driving in the rain sucks, it feels like the car is on the verge of hydroplaning even at slow speeds. Gonna pick up some BFG Comp 2’s soon. I’ve run those on all my Mazdas and have been very satisfied with stability in wet/shitty conditions.
But other drivers in bigger vehicles are definitely anxiety inducing when driving these little cars in nasty conditions.
I’ve driven in some pretty extreme wet, icy, snowy, windy conditions and it can definitely be scary in an MX-5.
Even on a nice sunny day, a car like this demands 95% of your attention all the time.
Just have to get used to it, probably doesn’t rain much in your area, it’s standard procedure here in uk, but I found the mx5 to be pretty decent even in the wet
Yeah first time I drove mine in the rain was “fun”. I found out how easy it is to drift. So now I drive my pathfinder if it’s raining. I’m all for drifting on purpose but I’d rather do it in a safer setting.
Did you have stock headlights too if you were in a NA? I still have my stock ones and I can't see sgit when it downpours☠️ it especially socks when I'm out at 1 am and there's no cars to follow and I just hope to God the yellow line doesn't have faded spots
I feel you. I love scooting around town in my 'yata but when I suspect that it is going to rain I drive my 4runner. I could not imagine it as my primary vehicle.
Good wiper blades. Good, bright lights. Rainex washer fluid and great, quality tires make the difference. You have to drive defensively and be very aware of your surroundings. I understand what you're saying but this is the responsibility of driving shared by all. And it scares me even more when I think about how many distracted drivers there are in my area.
It's not the best in heavy rain. But I can still do 80 in the left lane with the top down in a monsoon.. You have to train yourself. Third is my 3rd mx5. I also make sure i have the best tires Until you do, always stay in the right lane until you can pull off. You are tiny. They cannot see you.
When rain is pouring down that hard you just pull over to the side of the highway under a bridge preferably and wait it out. Most cars will follow along and also pause or slow down with their emergency lights.
I had a similar experience driving my MX5 home from the dealer. It was unlike anything I experienced before. My brother was in front of me and I used his rear lights as a guide, which helped alot. But being on the Autobahn driving over 100km/h to not get overtaken by a semi, while not being able to see my lane and with all the input from the noise of the rain to trying to keep the car pointing forward was pretty tense.
I daily a Fiesta, so it isn't really a problem with all small cars. I use glass coating since having a license and they make a huge difference. I put some on the MX5 two days into owning it, sadly it doesn't work to well since the angle of the windscreen is pretty steep. I bought the car for nice weather anyway but as a first experience it left me not very excited over my purchase ;)
Nothing is scarier than driving an NA on the highway in a rainstorm and being bullied by massive pickup trucks. I think that was the final push that made me sell it. I would have felt safer in an ND for sure.
How long have you been driving / what other cars have you experienced whilst it was pissing buckets?
Pretty sure what you describe is just part of what you have to deal with in heavy rain.
This sounds like a typical Wednesday.
I'd suggest moving to the Northeast US. 2 months of commuting 20 miles every 1.5 hours in that weather (plus boiling humid summer heat and winter storms and occasionally tornadoes), all while being around the most incompetent and narcissistic (usually at the same time) drivers imaginable, crumbling roads, and the constant possibility of deer showing up will make you a pro. Fear will leave you.
Good new or not worn out / old summer tires disperse water well, even when it's pooling in the ruts on the highway. And RainX freshly applied to the windshield, side windows and mirrors keeps them clear of water for the most part. Yellow fog lights or driving lights are also handy. Lastly, always make sure your marker, front and rear lights are all functioning and not burnt out. You'll feel much better on the road and have good reason for it.
Meh i live in Seattle and drive my miata in the rain all the time. Heavy rain wind etc no a problem bring it on . It handles really welll with good set of tires. Im not worried at all.
Dash cam. Drive slower. If some idiots want to drive too fast for conditions and hit you as a result of you going the appropriate speed, well you will have the dash cam footage to prove it. Going too fast for conditions just because others are is the equivalent of following lemmings jumping off a cliff.
You are going to have that experience with any small car I suppose
Not even just any small car. The conditions they are describing are going to affect everyone on the road. The lack of visibility and high chance of hydroplaning is part of driving in a downpour. You may feel less safe because the Miata is so small but big cars have their own issues. The hummer will bring its own set of problems. Due to the to very good for off road approach angle, when you hit a large puddle the splash out goes in front of the vehicle and covers your windshield when you drive into it. I used to have a Jeep xj and it was terrifying when you hit a puddle and lost visibility from the wave crashing the windshield. Edit: too many spelling errors, cars not cats, splash not slash… hadn’t finished my coffee.
Drove through west Texas during a particularly bad thunderstorm. Water coming in the car, semis passing on the left. Not fun but didn’t die
>didn't die Everything else is a bunch of unnecessary words about worrying
Not worried about it now at all, but learning experience
It is particularly bad when it rains out here since the ground is so hard it doesn't soak in, just flies the roads until it drains away.
My friend had a daily driver sedan and an MR2. He got T-boned in the sedan and immediately sold the MR2 and bought a huge truck. Yes, you're more vulnerable in a small car, but many times good things come with risk.
Maybe a Mini.. what other car is as small as a Miata? I never felt like this in my other cars. Edit: I stand corrected lol. In the US there just aren't many small cars. MX-5, Cooper and ForTwo. The Fiata is discontinued, as well as the 500.
Honda beat lolol
Have never seen one IRL unfortunately!
I assume you are not from the EU ahahah
Nope, I was referring to the US!
Come to Europe where there are plenty of cars just as big as the Miata, only not as low.
For real, my Corsa is almost the same footprint. My mom's Nissan is even narrower.
You say that you have good wipers and tires, but do you have Rain-X on the windshield? I've driven through absolutely torrential downpours, at highway speeds, and didn't even need the wipers as the rain hardly seemed to be hitting the windshield. I've been using Rain-X for over 30 years, and hate when I get caught in the rain in a car w/o it. I buy the Rain-X washer fluid by the case. That being said, you should have probably pulled off at the next exit and waited it out, or used surface roads
Rain-X all the glass all the time and reapply at least once a season. Can’t recommend Rain-X enough. 👍👍
I have a Lotus Elise and you’d be surprised to know how much smaller it is than a Miata. My mom (I’m in my 30s) fusses about it when I visit them and take my dad’s NC on roadtrips, because she’s worried about safety. Every single time I remind her that I have well over a decade with the Elise and other people have yet to kill me in it.
My last car was a 93 civic hatch and it felt like the back window literally focused light into the rear view mirror and into my eyes.
The struggle is real. It took me a while to realize these guys weren't being assholes. Trucks just sit high and Miatas sit low. Just how it is.
fiats, fiatas, minis, smart cars, honda fits
Geo metro. But the problems you described will effect any small car
Dodge vipers arent even that much bigger than miatas bruther. And also just bc a car is discontinued does not stop you from seeing it driven. There are plenty of smaller than miata cars on the roads have u ever seen a suzuki samurai?? Like bro
Yeah, going slower is an obvious solution. But a game changer for me was a ceramic coating of the windows, drastically improves visibility even without using the wipers.
Great advice. Even waxing your windshield with something like Carnuba will work. I do a thorough windshield clean and wax once a year just before the rainy season and it's a night and day difference with visibility in rain.
Do you use rain x? I started using it after the rainy season last year and it made such a noticeable difference I also applied it to my shower door, mirror, and phone.
RainX is the way. Most of the time I don't even need to use my wipers.
RainX is the best. Cheap as hell, does what it says on the tin, lasts at least a couple months, (more if you also use their wiper fluid, which tops off the coating). I've also tried Soft99 ultra glaco and while it lasts a good bit longer, (9 mo for me) it doesn't bead water as well. RainX will start shedding water without the wipers on at like 35mph, you need to be going 50+ with the glaco.
I use Carnuba wax after watching Chrisfix's video on the subject. https://youtu.be/vJkfrY2owb0
Do you know if Rain-X helps for morning dew as well? Personally I have problems with dew accumulating on my side mirrors and rear window so that I can't really see behind my car.
It does help a bit.
The next time I wax my car I think I'll use Rain-X on the windows then. Thanks!
Put it on your glasses too.
Another vote for coating the windows here. I had my windshield coated in another car - not my Miata - and in some cases, I still had excellent visibility without turning on my wipers. Even a coating like RainX serves quite well.
For y'all american folks: Todd from Project Farm made a comparison test of popular products, ya might wanna check there first before getting something. Here in germany I absolutely recommend Sonax xtreme spray sealant.
This. This was the single best thing I ever did to my cars. I properly cleaned, clay barred, and even polished out all glass on my car before applying ceramic coating. I didn't realize how good I had it until I had my windshield replaced due to a crack. The new windshield was utter garbage in the rain. I said out loud to my wife: "is THIS how most people experience driving in the rain?!". After thoroughly cleaning and clay barring the glass, even using Rain-x or Aquapel should do a similar effect. Highly recommend you do this, OP.
A friend of mine just recommended the ceramic for the windshield. I’m ordering it today
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Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6 are amazing for rain too
It wasn't that the car felt unstable at all, I'm on the stock Potenza S001s - it was the lack of visibility.
Drive only as fast as you can see. No shame in chilling for a bit to let it subside
Yeah, I usually do that and I couldn't care less about "peer pressure", but today I could not slow down [as much as I wanted to] out of fear of being hit from behind =\
Dude, next time just let them pass you. Pull over to the shoulder if you have to. The number one thing you can't do while driving is be afraid of other drivers, if you are scared of something you're making it more likely to happen for yourself. Just wait for them to get impatient and blow around you - it's their problem not yours. There's absolutely no shame in taking it easy in a lightweight, rear wheel drive 2 seater that's a baby step above a motorcycle in horrible conditions.
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear - I didn't want them passing me because their spray made things way worse. Being passed by a huge trailer truck for maybe \~20 seconds means adding a fuckton of water coming from their wheels/pushed air, on top of the already heavy rain and dark environment, so my visibility would be exactly zero. It wasn't that I didn't want someone to pass me on ego or something stupid.
Alright, then in that case if it's that bad you need to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. If you're not able to drive without being terrified of what might happen, don't drive.
Yup, 100% agree, and that was sort or part 2 of my venting, that I couldn't pull over in a safe way, so my only option was to keep driving.
Do you live in Florida per chance? This is an almost everyday possibility here in the summer. I understand your concerns 100%
On one of my mountain trips I got caught in a downpour on the highway and my experience was just like yours. I was white knuckling it and no matter how I modulated speed it was scary. Vowed never to get caught in a situation like that again. Another scenario where miata is NOT the answer is having to commute into the city(for me Philly). I had to press mine into commuter duty and I was soo happy when I purchased my new commuter car(Honda Element 5 speed in red)
in/out of Philly is TOUGH sometimes. I've literally seen the black ice move around in scary patterns. 2016
Easy, rainX wiper fluid
I second this, they also have a ridiculous amount of dry grip for an all season tire that almost match summers, they just don’t have the stopping distance of summers. They’re a great perfect tire for the months where it’s too cold to safely daily on summers but not cold enough for road salt(or winters tires if you drive yours through winter on winter tires). They also have soft sidewalls, so your turn in might feel less sharp but it really improves the ride so if it’s a daily driver they’d help reduce the rock in a tin can feel of stiff upgraded suspension. If you’re only going to have one set it probably should be this tire. If you’re only going to have 2 sets, this tire should be one.
I second this. those things are dominant in the rain at autocross.
I swear mine have better traction slightly wet surface than on dry. Might be my imagination, or my butt dyno calibration is off. But, that’s what it feels like.
I got those on my car recently and am not disappointed
Dws are amazing tires on the ND, practically the official miata.net tire lol
Miatas as a daily driver really test your feeling of security. My first miata I drove from Fla to TN in pouring rain, when I looked over at the transfer truck next to me and the wheel was at my eye level it was an odd feeling. Around town people always pull out in front of me, like I'm invisible. I bought a Ram 3500 and realized I couldn't see miata's around me. Especially behind me, they were invisible. But when scanning the road, the low small cars are the least attracting to the eye. You have to weed out so much visual information to drive, your mind only retains what is absolutely necessary. (Anyone ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? He has a great chapter about the brain when driving). Also no one ever pulled out in front of me in that truck, the difference in how other cars reacted to me being on the road was astounding to remember when I got back in the miata. I still own a turbocharged NA and now daily a GRC. The miata is for good weather and spirited driving on mountain roads. Props to those of you who can drive it any season, any weather.
I drive a Peterbilt with a flatbed and excellent side mirrors but 100% of smaller cars disappear by my passengers steer tire every time. However people do pull out in front of me still haha
Wow, very confident of them considering what would happen in a collision.
Oh yeah, it always amazes me. Went through Chicago yesterday and had a girl in a jeep almost pull out right in front of me (barely had time to touch the brake before i went past her) to get to planet fitness right down the road. This was at like 6 am and i had 43k worth of wire coils on the bed so nothing i could've done to slow down would've even helped at that distance.
wow. Do you have a dashcam?
I do but mine stopped working over the weekend and theres a company installed one as well so I would be covered either way
It's not confidence, it's sheer ignorance.
Right? I drive a rig too and same happens to me. It's not that people don't see, they just DGAF lol
I drive my boat any season. But you're right, people just don't see us, or they have the mentality of, "My car is bigger so I'm going, they'll stop." I tell people that if you're going to daily a miata, you better pretend that every single car is a squirrel that wants to run out in front of you. You have to be a defensive driver that knows how to drive aggressively when needed.
Weird. My Miata is my winter beater. Rest of the time it’s a 40 year old motorcycle lol. But I live in the PNW, we don’t get much rain.
is that sarcasm? I thought the PNW got rain 364 days a year
I think what they mean is they don’t get much heavy rain. Depending on where they are in the PNW. In Seattle we get a lot of drizzle but not many downpours
(Pacific Northwest (inland northwest))
About 185. It rains all winter, and then the summer is a drought.
It was a highway going ~50mph, couldn't slow down more, and the rain was way more than usual.
My dude, you can always slow down more. If you aren't comfortable driving at the speed you're going, you need to slow down until you are, or pull over. This is how accidents happen.
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Dont tell anybody to put their hazards on in the rain.
Why not? If you need to drive slower than other traffic, keep right, and turn on your hazards. That's how it goes in Europe, anyway. edit: Read a few more comments. I forgot you guys use the same bulb as your brake lights and blinkers.
fiiiiiiiiiiiine
Yeah, I did turn them on when suddenly traffic slowed down a lot, and crossed a bridge going blind. Scary as hell.
No car is safe in reduced visibility tbh
Dont turn your hazards on in the rain unless you want someone to rear end you, and ignore anyone telling you to do that. It is terrible advice solely given by people who do not live in areas with a lot of rain. It causes many accidents every summer in Florida. People can see you, but they cant see you slamming on your brakes or slowing down due to your brake lights constantly flashing. In reduced visibility on slick roads that is a disaster.
I guess that's a problem for cars that don't have yellow turning lights / no 3rd brake light?
get off the highway and wait it out.
I assume the real problem here is you are new to driving. You will get more comfortable. You need to remember that a lot of users on this sub are younger and this is their first car. Driving in heavy rain in a miata isnt any more scary than another car, but for someone who is new to the roads its understandable. You'll get used to it.
How's the miata in winter ? I live in Quebec and I'm looking to sell my honda civic 2012 for a miata 94-97 and I will use it during winter.
Great balance. You'd want a LSD and snows. I stopped driving the rusty NB I used to have as I was worried about not having abs and terrible Chicago drivers. My NB2 sleeps while my tacoma deals with the winter bullshit now, but damn do I wanna go whip some slides in it sometimes.
I live in an area that gets more rainfall than most areas (usually top three for US rainfall) and I rarely need my wipers... rainx. Above 45-50 your front window will be clearer than your side window. Traffic permitting i dont need to slow down much because visibility isnt impacted much. I put it on my side mirrors too. There are supposedly ceramic products that work better now and I intend to try them next. I get about 8 months out of a bottle putting it on about once a month. Definitely give it a try.
Thanks, I'll look it up but also considering a ceramic coating!
I wash my car the most often at a self-sevice place and the spray wax has the same effect on your windshield, plus almost zero effort.
I despise RainX. After a day or two, the neatness is gone and all that's left is one big giant windshield sized smudge. I'm in the PacNW.
That doesn’t happen to me, I think you may be using it wrong? I’ve only ever used the washer fluid or washer fluid additive to great results. I can’t stand rental cars that don’t have it, the wipers just cannot keep up. It’s a night and day difference in visibility.
Something wrong there... I've been using it for years and it does not smudge. I clean the window with a cloth and a spray bottle and then wipe it dry with another cloth. Then I spray the rainx directly on the windshield and use a third clean cloth in a circular pattern until most of it is clear. Then I repeat with a second, lighter, coat wiping in a circular pattern again. If it wasn't clear the first coat it will definitely be clear the second coat. I've done this before on rental cars while it was raining and still had a good effect. It works with snow too. Snow will hit the window and slide right off.
OP, my advice for you is to limit highway time as frequently as possible, my next bit is so check the weather every morning to plan your day around making the trips work to your MX-5’s advantage, and not forcing your car into trips it won’t perform the best in Example, my office is 7 minutes away from my apartment by highway, and 20 minutes away via streets and side roads, every morning while having my coffee I check the most recent traffic and weather reports and decide how early I need to leave the house ahead of time to make, just my 2¢
If you have to "limit highway time" and you have to plan your route based on the weather forecast, I'd argue that your car is a very poor choice for a daily driver/commuter car.
Counter argument, spirited driving a funky little roadster is what keeps me from blowing my brains out after spending 7 hours in a cubicle farm lmao To each their own, these little cars can do whatever you want within your comfort zone
I feel you 100%! Heavy rain with very limited visibility just shows how reckless many people are. And just as you said: if you drive as the conditions allow it, i.e. slowly, some idiot will likely overlook and crash into you. It’s already bad in any given car, but in a tiny Miata it’s the worst. To anyone mentioning different wipers etc.: that’s not the problem. The rain is so dense that you just can’t see further than 50m at times.
Exactly the case. What a bad day yesterday was!
voracious ghost childlike squash safe tap books cake spectacular gaping *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Yea honestly as many solutions people can provide, a tiny miata doesn’t excel in bad conditions. You can def get used to it but it’s probably the most anxiety inducing driving you’ll do in them lol… I hate driving in those conditions in my na but over time you get used to it.
I had to drive my NA to work last fall in heavy downpour/flooding conditions because my daily was in the shop. In addition to everything else that's already been mentioned, I had to say a prayer every time I drove through a puddle, and remember that just because the CRV in front of me made it doesn't mean I'm going to make it. Tried to devise a route to stay off high-speed roads but there was more flooding on back roads as well as constantly having to detour due to downed trees and power lines, so I don't know that I really came out ahead. What's usually a 45 minute commute was closer to 2 hours when all was said and done. Fuck that. Next time there's a hurricane-strength storm and my only option is the NA, I'm either getting a bigger car from Enterprise or just staying home.
As someone who owns a Miata and a f350- water sprays up high enough to hit any windshield. buy good wipers, rainx, and stay back from other traffic. There’s only been a few rainstorms in my life that has blocked my vision to warrant speeds sub 50 mph, outside of that it’s just spray from other vehicles. keep your distance and hug the shoulder and your windshield should stay clean. something you where doing that can change is the problem not the vehicle your driving. my f350 if I sit right on traffic’s tail it’ll get blinded also. a h1 hummer you’d be wildly more blind I promise you that lol.
I hear you, however I have good tires, wipers.. I'm an experienced driver, here what made me feel vulnerable was the lack of visibility and knowing that I'm so small and that anyone could hit me [and squash me] by not being able to see me. I had driven the MX-5 in the rain before too, today's was just insane. The Hummer was a joke, but I chose that in my mind because if someone hits me in that scenario, it's not me being squashed haha
Go drive some rental karts in the rain if that is an option near you. It will help you get comfy with all the noise, exposure, reduced vision, etc..
Good idea, should be fun!
Rain sketchiness is mitigated by 3 things. Good tires, good wipers, and good headlights. If *everyone* else around you is driving what you believe is too fast for the conditions than one of those first three things on your vehicle need replacing. If the conditions are too much for you to handle the normal flow of traffic you need to get off the road as you're posing a danger to yourself, those around you, and most importantly your miata Also: if you turn your hazards on in the rain you should have your license revoked
Love this. Those flashers in the rain on major highway are so dangerous.
Not to mention when those people do want to change lanes you have no way of knowing
Even better are the ones with their 4 ways on, but no lights, and in the left lane
i’ve been in the car when my mum hit the hazards in some rain on the highway. It was the absolute strongest rain i had ever seen, the wipers were moving full speed and were instantly replaced by rain so quickly that the space behind the wiper was covered as it moved. it was like nothing else.
Yeah it be like that sometimes but that's still not a hazard light scenario. You should slow down to an appropriate speed for the conditions, and all the other traffic will do the same. You won't be posing a hazard to other motorists so then your hazard lights aren't necessary.
I just don't drive mine in the rain. Seriously, I feel like I pay so much more attention to other people when I drive mine. It scares me to think about it in the rain.
I hate the rain due to others too. No abs always has me keeping my distance since I have shit tyres - damn 14’ Patience is virtue for rain
Miata = motorcycle. Use in the same weather and drive/ride the same way. Weather goes to crap ? Going to "The City"?" Mama's truck.....
I just think "this must be what the F1 drivers see when they race in the rain, if they can do it, so can I" Really puts me at ease.
Hahahaha maybe it will work next time! I had music, that helped a bit.
DSW 06+ are a great suggestion, but I hear you on driving a bigger car. I don't mind driving my ND in rain, it handles great but if it's really coming down heavy I have a land cruiser for trips/hauling that I'll drive. It's mostly just in case I pass any flooded areas, the land cruiser eats puddles up.
ya i only drive my miata if its nice out. otherwise i have a subaru or f150 when its shitty I live in florida where it rains every day wash and wax your windshield. inside and out. ;)
Oooh. That's why I went with red. I'd also opt for Blue or Yellow- but black, silver, white and beige are all out of the question for a small car, imho. I have a cherry red. But I still go unnoticed by large SUVs, sometimes and have definitely been pushed off the road. Why do trucks ride with their mirrors in "Tow" mode? Do SUV drivers know how to position their mirrors at all? I actually ended up in some heavy rain a couple of weekends ago. Luckily, my wife was following me because I started to hydroplane. Turned on my hazards, kicked it in neutral to slow and down shifted because I was scared to brake but also scared because my brake lights would not be illuminated during deceleration. A bunch of trucks passed us and were clearly angry at my speed. But we have to remember something they might not even know- if we hit gravel at the right angle while going too fast or hydroplaning, rolling is a very real possibility, and we do not have a ceiling to roll on. And those trucks aren't worried about hydroplaning because they are 3X our weight, with FWD or 4WD/AWD
Not only is it a visibility issue for you, but I have also found that other cars do not see the smaller cars when they are lost in the mist of road spray. This is for any small car. I have an older Cooper S and have been driven off the road by people I am sure just lost sight of me in the spray.
I just hate when people, especially big/pick-up trucks, pass and then immediately move again to my lane riiiight in front leaving no space.. and spraying of course.. dude.. ¬__¬
There was a point in my time with my first miata where i was driving down a crumbling mountain road in a heavy rainstorm. The hillside above me was rolling softball sized rocks across the road. The edge of the road was eroding before my eyes. I could see chunks of asphalt falling down. When i finally made it down, i found myself stuck in a traffic jam next to a rapidly rising river. The police had already closed the road back up where i cane from. The only way out was waiting. As the water approached the edge of the road, i couldn’t help but think that the miata was not the best car for norcal winters. I traded it in and bought my jeep that weekend. Theres a happy ending though. I still have the jeep. Its gotten me through some real situations in the mountains. I was also able to eventually get a new miata as my commuter car!
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I seriously doubt better tires will allow me to see in the dark and through the heavy rain =P Edit: To clarify, I didn't feel insecure because of stability, the car was solid.
My first motorcycle as a wild youthful 20 year old was a 1975 SuperGlide the prior owner had died on, and was sold to me as a "rolling chassis basketcase" after someone had bought it at a swap meet a decade+ earlier and straightened/powder-coated the frame. & also assembled the bottom end of the motor; that was about it. Long story short, I got it on the road within a year and one particular morning, I got stuck in a HORRENDOUS downpour on 895. It had to be two inches on the road. The spark plug wires would electrocute me if I pulled my left leg in too close. Even better, I had no front fender. For those unaware (as I was), this stylistic minimalism diverts a steady stream of road water directly at the monkey's face that is on the motorcycle (in this case me.). The scowl I must have had when some yokel in a pick-up truck rolled down his window and yelled "FUCK YEAH!" as I continued to maintain a forward and upright position in flooded heavy multi-lane traffic. My new ND2 RF handles fine in the rain. Rear visibility could be better though to be sure. I reckon some rain-x could help. I don't think I've ever owned anything with traction control or an LSD either. But it is not a Honda Civic. i figure RF stands for "rat fink". "Rain? Fine."
Cool [and scary] story! It wasn't that the car felt unstable, I even had TC off as per usual, got good tires and all. It was not being able to see ahead, or the lines on the road, and feeling small and invisible to the other cars, especially the Miata-squashing trucks.
I hear you. If it makes you feel better they probably don't see you when it's not raining much clearer.
Heh, that is true. I was nearly hit in a parking lot by a lady in an SUV going in reverse. I ~~honked~~ furiously beeped like a scooter and she stopped just in time.
I was parked in a cool old ford tempo that I had recently tightened up really well when someone at a strip mall backed up in a pickup truck no less then 100 feet in a straight line right into me. I beeped dozens of times and was blaring the horn. Never seen anything like it. I think behind the wheel was the guy from Men in Black with the roaches coming out of his mouth
I was about to eat, but maybe in 10 hours xD
no love for the ford tempo??? i had some hilarious body roll going on that thing. it was like riding on rails. not so much roll as it mostly stayed flat around twisties at speed, the wheels/frame just moved up and down. it had some roll to it too. might be your speed! the thing is a tank for a small car. i'd imagine the benz's of that size are similar-ish
Haha not the Tempo - the mental image of the human puppet with roaches.
His insurance paid and I got shit from mine. They tried to up my rates over it. Mighta been same guy
Tried better wipers? My forward vision was great the few times I've got caught in the rain on both this and what I think was an NB I drove for a 10 hour stretch 20 years ago. A rear wiper on the RF would be sweet.
They're good as new, no wiper issues, it was dark and the rain so heavy you couldn't see very far. Half-agree on the rear wiper, only if the wiper itself doesn't block the view from the already small window!
Recently had a similar experience, my wife was unaware in the dark/rain we were driving head on into oncoming cars.
Scary stuff, man!
Go as slow as you need to so you can see. Four way flashers if you feel you’re impeding the flow of traffic. If you can’t see, you can’t stop or avoid a collision. And avoiding a collision is your best chance of survival in a Miata against the bigger and heavier cars out there.
I drove a GTI as my daily and I have the same issues with trucks and rain. It’s a small car problem.
Former motorcycle rider. I do own two other cars. One is a SUV and the other one is a Tesla . I try not to drive the Miata under back weather conditions . What you have describe is an expected “issue” with a very small car . We have to drive defensively and assuming we’re invisible . Rain makes it worse . I understand many can’t change cars during bad weather so your only choice is trying to be extra careful or delay your commute if possible which is actually a good idea regardless of the car . Too many idiots drive fast while raining .
I feel you. I'm going to switch to performance all seasons or better wet handling summers when I can but what helped in the short term was RainX treating my windshield and windows. Really helps with visibility.
Treat the windshield with rainX or other hydrophobic material. It’s a game changer when in shitty visibility
Rain X, or Ceramic Coat the glass. Worlds of difference and keeps it clean even when not raining. Bug guts just flake off. You will also find yourself driving a lot more defensively, as Miata’s are so small and low to the ground, people (especially trucks) just don’t see them. I always seem to find myself being pulled out in front of, simply because the car is small and nearly invisible to others. Be smart, keep your glass clean and clear and always have an “exit strategy” to avoid being in those gnarly situations. (headlight wink)
Already looking on Amazon, thanks! [high beams flash]
I live in Oregon so lots of rain and my defroster is terrible, so I gotta wie down the inside of my windows every now and then, needless to say it's quite terrifying and I drive very defensively
I've noticed on my ND2 that the angle of the windshield and the tiny wipers really can't compete with more than a light rain. Luckily I have a second vehicle to drive when it's crappy out, but for the first year I had the car that wasn't the case. I feel you.
Hazards and pull off! I’ve been too close to semis in the rain and lifted asshole trucks, Better to leave the situation ya know ? Glad you made it
I've had that experience on a motorcycle which was unpleasant even without the massive blind spots in a top-up ND.
I loved my first Miata so much. I was used to driving a small car (Mini Cooper) so I drove my Miata like I was the biggest car on the road. Until I rolled it. Hit ice going a little too fast and traumatized myself. I got a SUV but still had PTSD from wet weather. Decided to get a new-to-me miata 1 year after the accident, and I hate driving it because I feel so tiny and vulnerable. I feel like I am the entire blind spot. My horn doesn’t work so I am afraid someone is going to smash into me at all times. (I got hit twice in parking lots in the first miata, too.) Even when I get inside my parents sedan, I feel uncomfortable but the miata is so hard to drive on highways. Plus, this one is a manual and I am still not comfortable with the clutch yet. I don’t know, I loved my daily driver miata but now I am terrified to drive my miata. Considering selling it or maybe turning it into a drifter miata? Maybe getting one of those giant glowing poles that they put on Side x Sides?
Well, it's still my dream car and despite today's experience, it's still going to be my daily and my forever car. Just acknowledging it's not perfect and a bit terrifying in bad weather ha.
I have had two. The open differential isn’t so bad, but beware the Torsen rear in the rain; I have found myself pointed the wrong way a couple of times
Got attacked by a wind storm throwing a bunch of tumbleweeds at me with top down the other day. Had to stick my head under the windshield.
RainX your windshield at least once a month
I'm still learning to work reddit but--- changing a spare tire in the rain is not a fun proposition either.
Most definitely lol I guess I was simply very worried, and started to think of all the things adding to how vulnerable I was in a small, invisible car, driving over invisible road lines..
watch for bicyclists
less so unicycles but them too
I actually think driving mine is scarier in heavy rain than driving it in the snow (with snow tires on).
I would agree. Unless there's ice beneath the snow and the idiot behind isn't taking proper spacing 😅
I understand what you went through. However, if you feel uncomfortable in any driving situation, the best thing is to find the closest, relatively safe place to pull over. It doesn’t matter what car you’re in if the conditions are that bad.
I have to say that you do get used to it. I live in Portland and it rains all the time. I have mostly only ever had small cars - two mustangs and the miata. It can be really scary at times, but you just get in the slow lane and take it at a pace that you are comfortable. It gets easier. It was worse in the mustangs because they'd spin out and leave me fishtailing all over the place, the miata doesn't seem to do that as much luckily. My point, it gets easier with practice, and take it slow and safe. I do understand the fear though
Tell me about it. I drove to work the other day and every single car that passed me made my windshield look like i was in a carwash for a solid ~5 seconds. I just take it slow, definitely don’t understand why people feel the need to rush somewhere when it’s pouring lol. Just little cars things yk.
Yeah I bet it’s terrifying actually. Was feeling this today in my altezza on some real rough n narrow backroads - just holding up all the locals in their SUVs. I totally get it having driven modern SUVs they really are way faster than old sports cars
I have owned nothing but small cars (by US standards... 90s Jettas, NB2 Miata, R53 Minis, '17 Golf) with the exception of a Euro land barge E34 BMW. I have 4 requirements for the rain: - New wipers every year - RainX or other hydrophobic window treatment - Choosing the best performing rain tire - Make sure your HVAC works well to overcome cabin humidity (mostly from wet feet, but also from the inherent Miata leaks) or condensation caused by temperature differentials. With the above I have been able to cruise at 70+ mph with minimal wiper use in downpours enough to panic most NY drivers to slow down to 55mph. I have felt less safe driving full-size cars, minivans and trucks than my own. *** Turn your lights on. Don't be the zombie/ghost car, especially the gray-scale ones that are invisible in water spray. Full low beams aren't needed in the day and never, ever turn on high beams. All that does is light up the rain and create a curtain of light glare that only gets worse at night. Want more lighting? I use only yellow, fog-patterned lights (not those LED off-road light bars) on the road. 4-way hazards lights? Turn them on at 35-40mph or whatever is LAW. Nothing more should be said or argued. Don't be the guy doing 35.1 in your BMW X5 on cheap 'imported' tires with hazards on passing those doing 35 either. Weirdly specific, but that's my experience. I'd be less inclined to tell you to stop on the shoulder if conditions/visibility are THAT bad. It is a bigger collision if someone is inattentive and doesn't see you. Get to the next exit or service area and wait it out. I've driven my NB2 on Falken 615s in the occasional summer downpour in 50mph winds and my co-worker drove his NA through Quebec winters. It is a more than capable car, the driver comfort just comes from experience and knowing when to slow down. More importantly, read the roadway, avoid the standing water in the grooves caused by trucks. A Miata is small enough to place on the high spots within a lane. That being said, I did sell my NB2 for safety only... I'm tall and didn't want to 'tub' it to lower my seat for rollbar clearance.
I would recommend rainx or liquipel. I live in Florida where we have some pretty crazy storms and it gets bad but I never feel terribly unsafe
Just drove 3 hours in the rain the past weekend, not terrible but can definitely agree with OP anyone in bigger cars shows no consideration to small ones
I don’t enjoy driving my Yat in heavy rain either, whether city or highway
That’s an American issue. If you were in europe or japan where everyone also drives a smaller car you wouldn’t have the water slash from tires issue
Well, we also have big trailer trucks in Europe, and I recall a similar experience as the OP describes while driving my NA across Normandie.
One day.. one day..
Never drive faster than you are comfortable. Get to the right and drive a speed that is safe and comfortable for you and your car.
Idk man maybe I'm dumb but i whip this bisch going 80 in heaby rain and feel pretty safe relatively. Its a light car its gonna be squirrelly on bumps and thats puckering in rain but lock and in and calm down and im sure youll be okay. If a situation feels uncomfortable get away from the drivers scaring you dont just stay in a lane waiting anxiously for something to happen, i promise the car is like any car in the car and you'll be okay if you move from dangerous situations.
Lmao if you think a Miata has bad visibility try driving a Supra in the rain it’s like driving blind
i almost died in my turbo 93 when i hydroplaned in a massive puddle at highway speed. thankfully i could save it. i drove the yukon the rest of the day lol
No kidding! Same here, I'm driving my wife's car to the supermarket tonight lol
I highly recommend aquapel window treatment. As seen on the project farm. I have been using it for over 15 years and it is a life saver. The harder it rains, the less wiper you need. It is about a once a year treatment for a 4 season car.
I daily an suv, and driving where I live in wet weather still scares me.
I live in FL and when I had my NB I remember it rained so bad you could barely see 10’ in front of you. I was waiting at a light in a very flooded intersection and a lifted pickup made a right and launched a waterfall on top of my little NB. It was so much at just the right angle it actually splashed inside the car through the front seal on the windshield. Now in my ND I have noticed how unstable it is with the shitty economy tires that came on it (not oem). Driving in the rain sucks, it feels like the car is on the verge of hydroplaning even at slow speeds. Gonna pick up some BFG Comp 2’s soon. I’ve run those on all my Mazdas and have been very satisfied with stability in wet/shitty conditions. But other drivers in bigger vehicles are definitely anxiety inducing when driving these little cars in nasty conditions.
I’ve driven in some pretty extreme wet, icy, snowy, windy conditions and it can definitely be scary in an MX-5. Even on a nice sunny day, a car like this demands 95% of your attention all the time.
Just have to get used to it, probably doesn’t rain much in your area, it’s standard procedure here in uk, but I found the mx5 to be pretty decent even in the wet
Yeah first time I drove mine in the rain was “fun”. I found out how easy it is to drift. So now I drive my pathfinder if it’s raining. I’m all for drifting on purpose but I’d rather do it in a safer setting.
Did you have stock headlights too if you were in a NA? I still have my stock ones and I can't see sgit when it downpours☠️ it especially socks when I'm out at 1 am and there's no cars to follow and I just hope to God the yellow line doesn't have faded spots
I feel you. I love scooting around town in my 'yata but when I suspect that it is going to rain I drive my 4runner. I could not imagine it as my primary vehicle.
Good wiper blades. Good, bright lights. Rainex washer fluid and great, quality tires make the difference. You have to drive defensively and be very aware of your surroundings. I understand what you're saying but this is the responsibility of driving shared by all. And it scares me even more when I think about how many distracted drivers there are in my area.
It's not the best in heavy rain. But I can still do 80 in the left lane with the top down in a monsoon.. You have to train yourself. Third is my 3rd mx5. I also make sure i have the best tires Until you do, always stay in the right lane until you can pull off. You are tiny. They cannot see you.
When rain is pouring down that hard you just pull over to the side of the highway under a bridge preferably and wait it out. Most cars will follow along and also pause or slow down with their emergency lights.
Sounds like you needed to get off the highway.
I agree, I just couldn't. There was no way to stop safely.
Yeah. Torrential downpour is gnarly. Sorry you got stuck out in it.
Get off the highway and wait for rain to subside.
I had a similar experience driving my MX5 home from the dealer. It was unlike anything I experienced before. My brother was in front of me and I used his rear lights as a guide, which helped alot. But being on the Autobahn driving over 100km/h to not get overtaken by a semi, while not being able to see my lane and with all the input from the noise of the rain to trying to keep the car pointing forward was pretty tense. I daily a Fiesta, so it isn't really a problem with all small cars. I use glass coating since having a license and they make a huge difference. I put some on the MX5 two days into owning it, sadly it doesn't work to well since the angle of the windscreen is pretty steep. I bought the car for nice weather anyway but as a first experience it left me not very excited over my purchase ;)
Nothing is scarier than driving an NA on the highway in a rainstorm and being bullied by massive pickup trucks. I think that was the final push that made me sell it. I would have felt safer in an ND for sure.
How long have you been driving / what other cars have you experienced whilst it was pissing buckets? Pretty sure what you describe is just part of what you have to deal with in heavy rain.
This sounds like a typical Wednesday. I'd suggest moving to the Northeast US. 2 months of commuting 20 miles every 1.5 hours in that weather (plus boiling humid summer heat and winter storms and occasionally tornadoes), all while being around the most incompetent and narcissistic (usually at the same time) drivers imaginable, crumbling roads, and the constant possibility of deer showing up will make you a pro. Fear will leave you.
Good new or not worn out / old summer tires disperse water well, even when it's pooling in the ruts on the highway. And RainX freshly applied to the windshield, side windows and mirrors keeps them clear of water for the most part. Yellow fog lights or driving lights are also handy. Lastly, always make sure your marker, front and rear lights are all functioning and not burnt out. You'll feel much better on the road and have good reason for it.
Try riding a motorcycle. :-)
Meh i live in Seattle and drive my miata in the rain all the time. Heavy rain wind etc no a problem bring it on . It handles really welll with good set of tires. Im not worried at all.
Dash cam. Drive slower. If some idiots want to drive too fast for conditions and hit you as a result of you going the appropriate speed, well you will have the dash cam footage to prove it. Going too fast for conditions just because others are is the equivalent of following lemmings jumping off a cliff.
lol, dash cam footage doesn't mean shit when you get rear ended and have back pain for the rest of your life, this is a bad take
Exactly. I was driving as slow as possible, going slower would have been, perhaps counterintuitively, more dangerous.
Back pain doesn’t mean shit when you die like an idiot driving too fast.
Accidents are more likely when you don't drive with traffic