How to fix everything on your Miata [Archive] (2024)

Maui Miata

14th November 2005, 12:09

OK look... :D

Some of you guys post a question to a problem and want answers. Fine. There's a lot of us here who can help.
BUT You have to slow down and READ the replys!!

I've posted some answers in a few threads and several posts later the same guy asks the SAME QUESTION I ANSWERED!!!!!

Slow down, take some deep breaths and read. No you cannot simply download the fix for your car from Limewire or Bittorrent or whatever! You have to read and put to wrk the knowledge you've gained. Use the search feature on this forum! There's a ton of info here if you take the time to look!

Take the time to put the advice to use. Be patient and you just might save yourself a huge repair bill AND have the pride in knowing how to repair you car!

If you skipped down to hear already you're one of the people that this post is about. Now go start at the top. :cool:

Peace. Dino

Nice91

14th November 2005, 12:45

I sorry, what were you saying? I lost you somewhere in there.

Hey, anyone make a shortened intake for a 1.6? Or moved the AFM?

:D

GaryS

14th November 2005, 13:13

OK look... :D

Some of you guys post a question to a problem and want answers. Fine. There's a lot of us here who can help.
BUT You have to slow down and READ the replys!!

I've posted some answers in a few threads and several posts later the same guy asks the SAME QUESTION I ANSWERED!!!!!

While I agree with some of what you say you have to realize that advice coming from someone who has been on the Forum for less than a year and has a low post count is often ignored. That is maybe not the correct action but it happens.

passing you up

14th November 2005, 13:17

Loki047

14th November 2005, 13:24

Wowak

14th November 2005, 13:27

The other problem we n00bs face (besides the steep learning curve) is that the experienced members will often answer with less than sparkling detail, assuming that we know perhaps alot more than we do. The sorry truth is, no, I do not know where every part on this car is, and a vague description will sometimes leave me understanding what the fix is, but not sure that I'm going to adjust the right screw when I'm at the car! Alot of the instructions and how-tos are obviously from the previous iteration of the forums, where images were verboten, and they suffer miserably for it. In cases like this, a picture truly is worth a thousand words. If I had a nickel for every time I've gotten advice consisting of "check the grounds" or "sounds electrical" I could be rid of the 90 and buy an NC. It equally frustrating trying to search the forums, because the answers are often times in threads that "drifted topics" so the title of the thread doesn't really indicate that the answer I'm looking for can be found there. Bob has already saved my butt a couple times by saving links to pertinent threads that I could NOT find regardless of what search string I used. Its not the fault of anyone moderating the forum, merely the nature of a boolean search and the mass or words and semi-related posts that water down the search tools ability to locate what I need. If I had a nickel for every time I searched for something and the first ten results where someone else asking the same question, with there being either no response at all, or a response urging the poster to "search the forum" for the answer, I'd skip the NC and buy a Z8.

The only thing I could really fault anyone for is that alot of the most commonly asked questions have NOT been answered in the garage or the "saved threads" sections. If I could find the answers there, I'd never ask a stupid n00b question again! As I continue to work on this car, I'm seriously considering compliling an "idiots guide to maintaining your Miata," because while the info is here, its not EASILY accessible. I understand that it must be frustrating to see the same questions over and over again, but look at the sheer number of threads posted here every day and consider what a haystack this forum is before you unleash the "you need to search" dogs!

GaryS

14th November 2005, 13:28

A high post count is supposed to make you appear smarter?? Sometimes that simply means that person has no life or just asks a lot of questions themselves on here....

True, but it seems to be the perception.

What I love are the responses that start out:

"I don't have a Miata but..."

"I've heard..."

"Someone told me..."

Perhaps this thread should be in Car Talk.

Santa Rosa Steve

14th November 2005, 13:36

jambo101

14th November 2005, 13:40

GaryS

14th November 2005, 13:43

Do people really look at someone's post count to determine if they will read the post?

Correct or not they seem to use the post count to determine credibility.

Welcome to the internet!:D

Loki047

14th November 2005, 13:55

Well i think the post count goes both ways. If someone like lance shchall posts i am going to give it more weight than if someone who posts 1000000 times but they are always in the exterior/interior section.

Just like mama used to say "Its the quality of the posts, not the quantity"

freedomgli

14th November 2005, 14:14

The other problem we n00bs face (besides the steep learning curve) is that the experienced members will often answer with less than sparkling detail, assuming that we know perhaps alot more than we do. I guess I assume that everyone has at least a very basic understanding of automotive knowledge and a copy of a service manual, be it the Enthusiast's Handbook, the factory looseleaf, or (cringe) a Chilton or Haynes. If you don't have these two then get them. If you don't want to get them then take your car to a mechanic and stop asking stupid questions. There are enough Barnes&Nobles and Borders to supply a million Miata owners. Seek help from real, live, existing in the physical world people like your friends, family, co-workers, fellow club members, community college vocational training class teacher, etc. if you want to start learning basic automotive knowledge. If you've got these two then it is a lot easier for us to add guidance or clarification rather than having to start at the beginning to describe every detail step by step.
It equally frustrating trying to search the forums, because the answers are often times in threads that "drifted topics" so the title of the thread doesn't really indicate that the answer I'm looking for can be found there. Its not the fault of anyone moderating the forum, merely the nature of a boolean search and the mass or words and semi-related posts that water down the search tools ability to locate what I need. I agree, search function could be more useful.
The only thing I could really fault anyone for is that alot of the most commonly asked questions have NOT been answered in the garage or the "saved threads" sections.The Garage section is painfully out of date. I guess we all need to work together at better maintaining our knowledge base and contribute articles to the Miata.net webmaster.
I understand that it must be frustrating to see the same questions over and over again, but look at the sheer number of threads posted here every day and consider what a haystack this forum is before you unleash the "you need to search" dogs!This forum is like molasses in January compared to vwvortex.com (thecarlounge.net) or honda-tech.com. My biggest gripe with n00b questions is the way in which they're asked. People have terrible netiquitte and expect us to hand them a free lunch. If you're impatient and unwilling to at least do a minimal search and read some of the great threads that came before yours I won't be willing to lend you a hand. If you act like a 12 year old punk then I'm going to slap you down and then tell you to leave. On the other hand, if you're a n00b and love your car and act intelligently then I'll help steer you in the right direction before becoming a snob. Sometimes I wish I could be a moderator.

This thread reminds me of all those posts you see in the craigslist.com personals section where someone is frustrated and wants to tell the world how to properly date. Some people never "get it".

MrMiatagi

14th November 2005, 14:59

Fletcher

14th November 2005, 15:43

If I, or any other of the people here seem to be offering advice, but you dont understand what we're saying, either because we're being too technical, are assuming knowledge on your part... or are just having a bad day and not wording things clearly... PLEASE ask for clarification... we're not some secret society, we want to share our knowledge, most of us were noob's or mechanical novices at some time ourselves.... We wont know we're not getting through to you unless you tell us!

Fletch.

FadiTara

14th November 2005, 16:36

Cherry Bomb

14th November 2005, 18:40

Just like mama used to say "Its the quality of the posts, not the quantity"

MY Mama used to say "Stop touching that thing!" :rofl:

-Cheers,

Jim

Wowak

14th November 2005, 18:59

how to fix things on a Miada: tool # 1 (http://www.fortune3.com/~comp66570/44382228.jpg) and tool #2 (http://www.9thtee.com/images/images2/zipties.jpg)

I thought the top three were a 10, 12 and 14mm wrench, followed shortly by a sledgehammer? :D

Dave L

14th November 2005, 19:29

Spectre

14th November 2005, 19:43

Anthony

14th November 2005, 20:00

Post count does offer a lot of credibility on a forum like this where we don't have much to judge others by except previous on-line conversations or the occasional real-life exchange such as buying parts from somebody.

The truth is that little things do matter. Spelling matters, grammar matters, and thoroughness matters. If a post is severely lacking on one or more of these things, I'm less likely to pay attention to it.

We well tend to make our own combinations of what offers credibility to us while browsing the forums.

What really seals the deal for me is when somebody says "when I did it...I [insert tip/story/whatever here]

Also, naturally, most posts by moderators are always good to go on.

RawRats

14th November 2005, 21:12

Post count does offer a lot of credibility on a forum like this where we don't have much to judge others by ...

Wrong answer, but thanks for playing Anthony.

A high post count just means that someone has a lot to say. It doesn't mean that what they've said is relevant or useful. I would think that length of time on the forums would weigh more heavily, if one must use such indicators to determine a poster's worthiness.

As I read the forums, I come across names of posters that I essentially ignore as well as name of posters that I particularly want to see what they have to say. How many posts a person has is really irrelevant. When you've spent a longer time on the forums you come to learn who actually has something worthwhile to add to the conversation.

On topic: It's always a good idea to search the forums first. as best you can. After you've done that start you query post with "I have done a search, but...". That way you'll avoid the posts telling you to do a search.

Maui Miata

14th November 2005, 22:40

Holy Cow did I touch a nerve or what??? :eek:

Simple. Just slow down and read, and you might learn sumpin. I have plenty of patience to give the same amswer twice... this post is just a reminder to actually read the replies to a question.

Maui Miata

14th November 2005, 22:43

how to fix things on a Miada: tool # 1 (http://www.fortune3.com/~comp66570/44382228.jpg) and tool #2 (http://www.9thtee.com/images/images2/zipties.jpg)

Good advise!!!! Only to be followed by a BFH! :D

purewhite95

14th November 2005, 23:48

FstFrd00

15th November 2005, 00:08

rrspare

15th November 2005, 01:25

Sometimes I wish I could be a moderator.

More "I know the way and you don't" leadership from,(HA!) dc.

Mad Swede

15th November 2005, 01:38

Still haven't figured out the "NA" angle on this thread.... :confused: Or what technical knowledge this thread has dispensed....or how the title relates to the discussion. At least this wasn't a highjacked thread on something important.... :rolleyes:

Sorry, sometimes I can't resist being a smart-aleck. :D

Cienega32

15th November 2005, 02:25

OK - wait just cotton pickin' minute here.

I read the thread title and figured I would find a few tips for a few things I need done.

Guess what? Not one bit of help.

Thanks for nothin'! Nothing's fixed!

;)

Jim (Pop VII) C

15th November 2005, 02:32