Guidance - Daily driver Seattle RAIN

woods1966 · 04-10-2008, 01:10 PM

Guys -

I'm within 2 weeks of pulling the trigger on either a SKY or (gasp) MIATA (wife's vote...yes, she's THAT good looking that it's worth it).

Here's the question, particularly a call out to NorthWest drivers.

This will be my daily drive and I'm really really concerned over the postings I've read on water leaks.

Question is...are any of you using your sky in regularly wet weather (think months on end) and if so are you experiencing any leak issues with the car either in motion or parked all day.

Thanks!

**Celt03** · 04-10-2008, 04:49 PM

My Saffy stays in her garage if at all possible - but she has been out in some real gully washers & no leaks yet
& I have a friend whose Miata gets driven daily and she is constantly taking hers in for leak repairs.

So who knows what you will end up experiencing with either car.

KentuckySky · 04-10-2008, 05:07 PM

Mine is a daily driver and it is left outside. No leaks at all. The only time water came inside the cabin was when I went through the automatic car wash and then it was only the water that was shot up from below that went into the window seal.

Now everybody don't "flame" me but...if you are going for the 2.4 Sky, you must get a stick. I test drove the 2.4 automatic Sky and as I was getting on the expressway I thought I was going to get killed trying to get up the speed to merge into traffic.

Compared to my Miata 6-speed, well, let's just say that I elected to put down a deposit and wait 4-5 months for an automatic Red Line. I was just sick of shifting gears all the time but I couldn't live with the lack of power at take off with the auto 2.4. Now compare the Auto Miata to the Auto 2.4 Sky, well that's another story. Automatic Miata felt like a "bumper car" at an amusement park. Just my

compdoc777 · 04-10-2008, 06:18 PM

I drove the old Miata 97 version. Much too small and under powered for me.

Mazda is like Ford or Cheverolet here. More like Cheverolet for Japan.

So in the quality department you have about the same quality.

The Saturn is much sexier than the Miata, plus the insurance is a lot cheaper because of Onstar. And you have a bunch more features than the Miata has.

The Miata probably handles better from the factory, but I bet the Sky will handle much better with few upgrades.

**G8TR** · 04-10-2008, 06:19 PM

I live in Florida and mine is an outside car and a daily driver. We get heavy rains all the time, have had 6 inches of rain in the last week, I have not had a single leak anywhere. Just like anything else, some are better then others right out of the factory. Try and talk her into the sky, you'll be happier.

Showtyme5 · 04-10-2008, 06:24 PM

no leaks whatsoever.....

**lorennerol** · 04-10-2008, 06:32 PM

I live is Issaquah and haven't noticed any leaks, but my Redline tends to sit in the garage when it's raining out, mostly because I can't stand when it's dirty. But no leaks at all to report through our drippy winter.

sky in pdx · 04-10-2008, 06:33 PM

no leaks for me....

rufusmacblorf · 04-10-2008, 06:51 PM

Plenty of Northwest (Portland) rain, but no leaks so far.

jel · 04-10-2008, 07:02 PM

Rain? It rains up here? I'd call it "spitting" or "misting".

Seattle, Washington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seattle's mild climate is usually classified as Marine west coast (Cfb).[55] However, its wet-winter/dry-summer pattern shows some characteristics of a Mediterranean climate (Csb), and it is sometimes classified this way.[56] Temperature extremes are moderated by adjacent Puget Sound, the greater Pacific Ocean, and Lake Washington. The region is partially protected from Pacific storms by the Olympic Mountains and from Arctic air by the Cascade Range. Despite being on the margin of the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the city has a reputation for frequent rain.[57] Despite its relatively frequent rainfall, the so-called "rainy city" receives a smaller quantity of actual precipitation annually, at 37.1 inches (94 cm)[58], than New York City, Atlanta, Houston, and most cities of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.

Bogie · 04-10-2008, 07:23 PM

Leaks are the exception. Few people post to say "No leaks". But if they have a leak, they post. A leak is an indication that something is not manufactured or aligned properly. A SKY does not leak as designed, and will not leak if manufactured/parted properly. Considering how few leak stories we have here, I would say a very high percentage are manufactured properly.

If you're concerned if your particular SKY is one of the few exceptions, take it out back of dealer before you buy it. Ask to use their water. And douse it for five minutes. Check for leaks.

coopcj7 · 04-10-2008, 08:15 PM

51000+ miles definitely a daily driver no leaks ever

jus2shy · 04-10-2008, 08:46 PM

I bought stormy during a storm. I made sure it was pouring crazy for a few days before I popped by the dealership to purchase my car. It was bone dry in the interior. It still is, it's my daily driver.

willis · 04-10-2008, 10:15 PM

MIATA

Not even close to a Sky.

RMFNSKY · 04-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Daily driver except when the forecast is hail or snow. I've been thru a fair amount of rain and have no leaks.

Except when I open the window to flick out my ashes from my cigarette when it's raining.

Bruce · 04-10-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woods1966

Guys -

I'm within 2 weeks of pulling the trigger on either a SKY or (gasp) MIATA (wife's vote...yes, she's THAT good looking that it's worth it).

Here's the question, particularly a call out to NorthWest drivers.

This will be my daily drive and I'm really really concerned over the postings I've read on water leaks.

Question is...are any of you using your sky in regularly wet weather (think months on end) and if so are you experiencing any leak issues with the car either in motion or parked all day.

Thanks!

I've been told that it almost rains twice as much in Snoqualmie as Seattle. No leaks in any event.

Buy the Sky and drive Rainier in the Summer........nothing but smiles.

nomead · 04-11-2008, 10:20 AM

I use mine as a daily driver in Boston - no problems whatsoever.
1year old at just shy of 18,000 to date.
I also looked at a Miata (had a friend who swore by them) IMHO no contest.

JRinKY · 04-11-2008, 06:34 PM

I will add my Sky to the "no leaks" group at 29000 miles, and quite a few rain storms.

The Miata has far more usable luggage space, and it has narrower tires, so it will probably handle wet roads better.

The Sky is far more unique, and on dry pavement, handles significantly better out of the box.

Blue Sky Redline · 04-11-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woods1966

Guys -

I'm within 2 weeks of pulling the trigger on either a SKY or (gasp) MIATA (wife's vote...yes, she's THAT good looking that it's worth it).

Here's the question, particularly a call out to NorthWest drivers.

This will be my daily drive and I'm really really concerned over the postings I've read on water leaks.

Question is...are any of you using your sky in regularly wet weather (think months on end) and if so are you experiencing any leak issues with the car either in motion or parked all day.

Thanks!

Dump the old lady, especially if it's YOUR daily driver

ILVMYGT · 04-12-2008, 11:12 AM

I live in Puget Sound area. I have one of the few cars that does leak. I had it in once to fix it and they thought it was fixed. They thought the windshield seal was leaking and replaced it. It did not solve the problem. I need to take it in again. When it started leaking again I pulled the trim down behind the sun visor and found water coming from between the layers of metal that make up the windshield frame. Some how its getting in side of the frame. The dealers need to work on it again. I would agree the gaskets and seals are design not to leak. The dealer needs to do more work on mine.

Carelitan · 04-12-2008, 11:49 AM

I live in Portland and drive my Sky everyday to work. The only time it leaked was when I tried to take it through a car wash (I know dumb! First time convertible owner). I have had no leaks and she even handles pretty good in the snow!

jel · 04-13-2008, 12:13 PM

I take mine to Brown Bear and it has never leaked, even going through that. I must have one of the really well sealed ones.

JackB · 04-16-2008, 06:00 PM

The only time my Sky has leaked is when I took it to the car wash at the end of 520. Passenger's side leaked. Oh well. Hand washing it is.

Mine parks outside during the day and under a carport at night.

(Can you believe they're saying SNOW this weekend after last weekend's 86 (according to my Sky) Saturday?)<

04-10-2008, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
woods1966 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 My Photos: (0)	Guidance - Daily driver Seattle RAIN Guys - I'm within 2 weeks of pulling the trigger on either a SKY or (gasp) MIATA (wife's vote...yes, she's THAT good looking that it's worth it). Here's the question, particularly a call out to NorthWest drivers. This will be my daily drive and I'm really really concerned over the postings I've read on water leaks. Question is...are any of you using your sky in regularly wet weather (think months on end) and if so are you experiencing any leak issues with the car either in motion or parked all day. Thanks!

04-10-2008, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Celt03 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,574 My Photos: (6)	My Saffy stays in her garage if at all possible - but she has been out in some real gully washers & no leaks yet & I have a friend whose Miata gets driven daily and she is constantly taking hers in for leak repairs. So who knows what you will end up experiencing with either car. __________________ "Saffyre" 2008 Midnight Blue RL/Black/Black Leather / 5-spd w/Spoiler Magnaflow 3" Quad tip / Chrome Wheels / On Star / 6 CD XM Monsoon / Splash Guards / GT Antenna / WindRestrictor V2 www.imsaturn.com/profile/Celt

04-10-2008, 05:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
KentuckySky Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 280 My Photos: (0)	Mine is a daily driver and it is left outside. No leaks at all. The only time water came inside the cabin was when I went through the automatic car wash and then it was only the water that was shot up from below that went into the window seal. Now everybody don't "flame" me but...if you are going for the 2.4 Sky, you must get a stick. I test drove the 2.4 automatic Sky and as I was getting on the expressway I thought I was going to get killed trying to get up the speed to merge into traffic. Compared to my Miata 6-speed, well, let's just say that I elected to put down a deposit and wait 4-5 months for an automatic Red Line. I was just sick of shifting gears all the time but I couldn't live with the lack of power at take off with the auto 2.4. Now compare the Auto Miata to the Auto 2.4 Sky, well that's another story. Automatic Miata felt like a "bumper car" at an amusement park. Just my __________________ Judi 2008 Red Line Midnight Blue Automatic

04-10-2008, 06:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
compdoc777 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 611 My Photos: (6)	I drove the old Miata 97 version. Much too small and under powered for me. Mazda is like Ford or Cheverolet here. More like Cheverolet for Japan. So in the quality department you have about the same quality. The Saturn is much sexier than the Miata, plus the insurance is a lot cheaper because of Onstar. And you have a bunch more features than the Miata has. The Miata probably handles better from the factory, but I bet the Sky will handle much better with few upgrades. __________________ 07 SKY Redline Silver Red/Black Leather, JPM Dash Red leather, WDE Carbon Fiber Dash Kit, BSR Tune, Fujita Intake, Dejon IC pipes, Hahn IC, 3" Magnaflow Quad Exhaust, DDM BBK (RED), BlackCatCustom Gauges. http://www.compdoc777.com/Carstuff/sky1.jpg

04-10-2008, 06:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
G8TR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 808 My Photos: (3)	I live in Florida and mine is an outside car and a daily driver. We get heavy rains all the time, have had 6 inches of rain in the last week, I have not had a single leak anywhere. Just like anything else, some are better then others right out of the factory. Try and talk her into the sky, you'll be happier. __________________ Life is happenstance, coincidence and what you do to make a difference. Make the best of what you have, work for more and hope for health.

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04-10-2008, 06:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Showtyme5 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 111 My Photos: (0)	no leaks whatsoever..... __________________ 2008 Silver RL Red/Black Leather Spoiler Monsoon/6 disk/Personal Audio Link Manual Chrome Wheels Opel GT Antenna

04-10-2008, 06:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
lorennerol Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle area Posts: 455 My Photos: (0)	I live is Issaquah and haven't noticed any leaks, but my Redline tends to sit in the garage when it's raining out, mostly because I can't stand when it's dirty. But no leaks at all to report through our drippy winter.

04-10-2008, 06:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
sky in pdx Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: PORTLAND,OR. Posts: 84 My Photos: (0)	no leaks for me....

04-10-2008, 06:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
rufusmacblorf Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 90 My Photos: (0)	Plenty of Northwest (Portland) rain, but no leaks so far. __________________ 07 silver graphite RL Magnaflow exhaust Stubby antenna Upgraded JL/Alpine sound system Windscreen

04-10-2008, 07:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 393 My Photos: (8)	Rain? It rains up here? I'd call it "spitting" or "misting". Seattle, Washington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Seattle's mild climate is usually classified as Marine west coast (Cfb).[55] However, its wet-winter/dry-summer pattern shows some characteristics of a Mediterranean climate (Csb), and it is sometimes classified this way.[56] Temperature extremes are moderated by adjacent Puget Sound, the greater Pacific Ocean, and Lake Washington. The region is partially protected from Pacific storms by the Olympic Mountains and from Arctic air by the Cascade Range. Despite being on the margin of the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the city has a reputation for frequent rain.[57] Despite its relatively frequent rainfall, the so-called "rainy city" receives a smaller quantity of actual precipitation annually, at 37.1 inches (94 cm)[58], than New York City, Atlanta, Houston, and most cities of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.

04-10-2008, 07:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 2,484 My Photos: (0)	Leaks are the exception. Few people post to say "No leaks". But if they have a leak, they post. A leak is an indication that something is not manufactured or aligned properly. A SKY does not leak as designed, and will not leak if manufactured/parted properly. Considering how few leak stories we have here, I would say a very high percentage are manufactured properly. If you're concerned if your particular SKY is one of the few exceptions, take it out back of dealer before you buy it. Ask to use their water. And douse it for five minutes. Check for leaks. __________________ 2008 Redline Black Onyx Black/Red Leather Monsoon 6 Disc Spoiler French Transmission Born July 2007 Snagged 8/31/07 Belle? That's my car Alizée? That's my avatar Me? Forty something male skydriver

04-10-2008, 08:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 910 My Photos: (0)	51000+ miles definitely a daily driver no leaks ever __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"

04-10-2008, 08:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
jus2shy First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 55 My Photos: (0)	I bought stormy during a storm. I made sure it was pouring crazy for a few days before I popped by the dealership to purchase my car. It was bone dry in the interior. It still is, it's my daily driver.

04-10-2008, 10:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
willis Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern IL Posts: 155 My Photos: (1)	MIATA Not even close to a Sky.

04-10-2008, 10:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
RMFNSKY First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: St Louis Posts: 1,757 My Photos: (23)	Daily driver except when the forecast is hail or snow. I've been thru a fair amount of rain and have no leaks. Except when I open the window to flick out my ashes from my cigarette when it's raining. __________________ Sunburst Yellow Ordered 4/5/06 Born 7/6/06 In my Driveway 8/16/06 VIN 6510

04-11-2008, 10:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
nomead Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Mass Posts: 209 My Photos: (0)	I use mine as a daily driver in Boston - no problems whatsoever. 1year old at just shy of 18,000 to date. I also looked at a Miata (had a friend who swore by them) IMHO no contest. __________________ nomead____________ 2007 Graphite *Redline* Manual, Black Leather & Top, Polished, XM/6CD+PAL, Opel GT Antenna; builtin V1;Ordered: 3/10/07 Delivered: 4/25/07

04-11-2008, 06:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
JRinKY Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,509 My Photos: (0)	I will add my Sky to the "no leaks" group at 29000 miles, and quite a few rain storms. The Miata has far more usable luggage space, and it has narrower tires, so it will probably handle wet roads better. The Sky is far more unique, and on dry pavement, handles significantly better out of the box. __________________ John Lexington, KY VIN 00252 2.4 Manual Midnight Blue

04-12-2008, 11:12 AM	#20 (permalink)
ILVMYGT First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Port Orchard, Washington Posts: 112 My Photos: (0)	I live in Puget Sound area. I have one of the few cars that does leak. I had it in once to fix it and they thought it was fixed. They thought the windshield seal was leaking and replaced it. It did not solve the problem. I need to take it in again. When it started leaking again I pulled the trim down behind the sun visor and found water coming from between the layers of metal that make up the windshield frame. Some how its getting in side of the frame. The dealers need to work on it again. I would agree the gaskets and seals are design not to leak. The dealer needs to do more work on mine. __________________ My SKY CHILI PEPPER RED with Black Top, Spoiler and Black Leather interior Premium Trim Package, with AM/FM/CD MP3 playback 5-speed and LSD VIN 1G8MB35BX7Y110700

04-12-2008, 11:49 AM	#21 (permalink)
Carelitan Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2 My Photos: (0)	I live in Portland and drive my Sky everyday to work. The only time it leaked was when I tried to take it through a car wash (I know dumb! First time convertible owner). I have had no leaks and she even handles pretty good in the snow!

04-13-2008, 12:13 PM	#22 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 393 My Photos: (8)	I take mine to Brown Bear and it has never leaked, even going through that. I must have one of the really well sealed ones.

04-16-2008, 06:00 PM	#23 (permalink)
JackB Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 My Photos: (0)	The only time my Sky has leaked is when I took it to the car wash at the end of 520. Passenger's side leaked. Oh well. Hand washing it is. Mine parks outside during the day and under a carport at night. (Can you believe they're saying SNOW this weekend after last weekend's 86 (according to my Sky) Saturday?)<