Any of you guys been to Istanbul?
#1
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 3,222
Total Cats: 1,701
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That's where I live..
Hello from Istanbul, Turkey..
I have a '98 red NB, my second one after a '99 silver (bone stock) I used to drive in the US.
Decided to make this one faster - even though the European version is decidedly faster than its US counterparts - and took the S/C road.
I do all the work on the car myself with the exception of oil changes. No labor charge for oil changes around here!
![](http://www.mazdaclubtr.com/forum/gallery/225_13_04_09_6_17_50_2.jpeg)
![](http://www.mazdaclubtr.com/forum/gallery/225_13_04_09_6_17_48_0.jpeg)
Hello from Istanbul, Turkey..
I have a '98 red NB, my second one after a '99 silver (bone stock) I used to drive in the US.
Decided to make this one faster - even though the European version is decidedly faster than its US counterparts - and took the S/C road.
I do all the work on the car myself with the exception of oil changes. No labor charge for oil changes around here!
![](http://www.mazdaclubtr.com/forum/gallery/225_13_04_09_6_17_50_2.jpeg)
![](http://www.mazdaclubtr.com/forum/gallery/225_13_04_09_6_17_48_0.jpeg)
![](http://www.mazdaclubtr.com/forum/gallery/225_08_09_09_2_06_51.jpeg)
#7
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
No, but I've been to Constantinople...
Can't read that without thinking of: YouTube - Tiny Toons - Istanbul
Can't read that without thinking of: YouTube - Tiny Toons - Istanbul
#8
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 3,222
Total Cats: 1,701
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks, and yes I made the headlight conversion.
I used a pair of E55 Mercedes Benz Bi-Xenon projectors, bought a D2S HID kit, took the headlights apart and started hacking..
Actually I had to plan everything in pretty fine detail because I did not want to screw the headlights up to the point of no return and pay what I consider to be a small fortune for replacement headlights.
I also prefer the much brighter light the projectors give off, too. The Bi-Xenons have hi and low beams.
I hooked them up using an entirely independent power circuit with relays and individual fuses. What had been powering the halogens are now just merely triggering that power circuit I built in. There is less load on the main circuit that way.
Parking lights are built into the main headlight housing around here, so I relocated them to where they are in the DOT spec setup, with the turn signals just inboard of the headlights.
I am using 6K bulbs now, that's because those came with the kit. I will buy the 4100s when they go. They are much brighter.
I used a pair of E55 Mercedes Benz Bi-Xenon projectors, bought a D2S HID kit, took the headlights apart and started hacking..
Actually I had to plan everything in pretty fine detail because I did not want to screw the headlights up to the point of no return and pay what I consider to be a small fortune for replacement headlights.
I also prefer the much brighter light the projectors give off, too. The Bi-Xenons have hi and low beams.
I hooked them up using an entirely independent power circuit with relays and individual fuses. What had been powering the halogens are now just merely triggering that power circuit I built in. There is less load on the main circuit that way.
Parking lights are built into the main headlight housing around here, so I relocated them to where they are in the DOT spec setup, with the turn signals just inboard of the headlights.
I am using 6K bulbs now, that's because those came with the kit. I will buy the 4100s when they go. They are much brighter.
#9
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 3,222
Total Cats: 1,701
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That was what I was called - as an insult - for being an atheist, and I liked it.
I live in a neighbohood that has been around, literally, since the late 14th century. Lots of interesting structures, some too fragile, like the one in the picture. I couldn't resist the contrast, and parked the car there to snap a few frames.
#14
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Welcome. Nice to see a newer person who isn't a useless slug.
Have to say I'd really love to visit where you live because sadly I've never been outside this country. Always heard there are some really beautiful places out there to see. Might visit one day when time and money present the opportunity. If memory serves you're not the only one from Turkey on this board, and I know there is also someone from Athens aswell. Pretty cool!!
Nice retro on those headlights, btw. You didn't happen to photo document that?
Have to say I'd really love to visit where you live because sadly I've never been outside this country. Always heard there are some really beautiful places out there to see. Might visit one day when time and money present the opportunity. If memory serves you're not the only one from Turkey on this board, and I know there is also someone from Athens aswell. Pretty cool!!
Nice retro on those headlights, btw. You didn't happen to photo document that?
#15
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 3,222
Total Cats: 1,701
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Welcome. Nice to see a newer person who isn't a useless slug.
Have to say I'd really love to visit where you live because sadly I've never been outside this country. Always heard there are some really beautiful places out there to see. Might visit one day when time and money present the opportunity. If memory serves you're not the only one from Turkey on this board, and I know there is also someone from Athens aswell. Pretty cool!!
Nice retro on those headlights, btw. You didn't happen to photo document that?
Have to say I'd really love to visit where you live because sadly I've never been outside this country. Always heard there are some really beautiful places out there to see. Might visit one day when time and money present the opportunity. If memory serves you're not the only one from Turkey on this board, and I know there is also someone from Athens aswell. Pretty cool!!
Nice retro on those headlights, btw. You didn't happen to photo document that?
You know, I did live in the US for a bit, and found it truly amazing that the vast majority of the American people vever travel. (Flying home on thanksgiving does not count as traveling in my book.) The whole world lives on fractions of the mighty dollar (with a few exceptions like Tokyo), nearly everyone on the planet either speak or at least are able to express themselves in English, The US passport is able to travel most anywhere with no questions asked, US embassies the world over bend over backwards to assist US citizens, and the dollar stretches waaay more outside the US.
I know all these, because those happen to be my experiences. I carry a US passport.
Anyway..
Should I post all the retrofit pics here, or should I start a new thread?
#16
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Not sure if its just part of American culture but you are correct. Not very many people I know personally have ever left US soil.. My grandparents on both sides of my family were born in different countries yet most of my family has yet to leave the states also with the exception of my Father, both his Sisters and one brother. They all took a trip in 1988 back to Germany while they were tearing the wall down.
It wouldn't be a big surprise to learn how many people completely take everything they're given, handed, and even things they're allowed to earn for granted, which is part of what pisses me off so much how some of these politicians want to change the country for what THEY consider is better. Like all these American hating celebrities we have over here (Rosey Odonnel, Sean Penn, etc..) who also hate Capitalism and basically everything the United States stand for... Yet they're more than happy to be ******* millionaires off the backs of hard working American citizens?? If they're so unhappy here why not just give the money back and get the **** out of my country? Thats another thing that really pisses me off they just want to give amnesty to everyone who is in the country 'illegally' and just let it happen. Thats not how laws of any place work! You can't just break the law and someone say, "oh, its okay.. You were just doing what you thought was best for your family." I'm COMPLETELY for people coming here to make better, but follow the rules and do it properly. My Grandparents did it, millions of others did it. Just GIVING People citizenship without any cost, sacrifice, or proper procedure is basically pissing on the graves of my past family members to me. Not only did my mothers Father immigrate here from Europe, he joined the USMC and returned to fight Japan during WWII. Took home a Purple Heart and facial disfigurement from that trip.
Great example of this is my best friend in College got tired of the Bush's and what the US turned into, so he packed his hit and moved to Seoul South Korea. This guys got a PhD in some sort of Education field (kind of useless but I digress..) and was making some fairly good money over there as an English teacher for younger school children. Really enjoyed what he did, met a Western Woman who was also teaching over there, got married... Recently they moved back to the States. Found it kind of funny, asked him why and his answer was pretty simple and very obvious. Western people in the area he was living were treated like complete garbage. Pretty sad, but considering the area and history I can't blame them too much.. The fellow is pretty lucky IMO taken the opportunity to live elsewhere for a while.
Didn't mean to make this about anything political that was not my point, only that I believe it would better people to see other places in more than one way. Different cultures, lifestyles, living conditions, etc. Personally can't wait to get my *** over to Europe soon! Thats my goal in the next 10 years to take a 2 week vacation over there.
More digression.. haha. Actually I think you should start a new thread for your writeup about the headlights. If I owned an NB that retrofit would be something of great interest!
It wouldn't be a big surprise to learn how many people completely take everything they're given, handed, and even things they're allowed to earn for granted, which is part of what pisses me off so much how some of these politicians want to change the country for what THEY consider is better. Like all these American hating celebrities we have over here (Rosey Odonnel, Sean Penn, etc..) who also hate Capitalism and basically everything the United States stand for... Yet they're more than happy to be ******* millionaires off the backs of hard working American citizens?? If they're so unhappy here why not just give the money back and get the **** out of my country? Thats another thing that really pisses me off they just want to give amnesty to everyone who is in the country 'illegally' and just let it happen. Thats not how laws of any place work! You can't just break the law and someone say, "oh, its okay.. You were just doing what you thought was best for your family." I'm COMPLETELY for people coming here to make better, but follow the rules and do it properly. My Grandparents did it, millions of others did it. Just GIVING People citizenship without any cost, sacrifice, or proper procedure is basically pissing on the graves of my past family members to me. Not only did my mothers Father immigrate here from Europe, he joined the USMC and returned to fight Japan during WWII. Took home a Purple Heart and facial disfigurement from that trip.
Great example of this is my best friend in College got tired of the Bush's and what the US turned into, so he packed his hit and moved to Seoul South Korea. This guys got a PhD in some sort of Education field (kind of useless but I digress..) and was making some fairly good money over there as an English teacher for younger school children. Really enjoyed what he did, met a Western Woman who was also teaching over there, got married... Recently they moved back to the States. Found it kind of funny, asked him why and his answer was pretty simple and very obvious. Western people in the area he was living were treated like complete garbage. Pretty sad, but considering the area and history I can't blame them too much.. The fellow is pretty lucky IMO taken the opportunity to live elsewhere for a while.
Didn't mean to make this about anything political that was not my point, only that I believe it would better people to see other places in more than one way. Different cultures, lifestyles, living conditions, etc. Personally can't wait to get my *** over to Europe soon! Thats my goal in the next 10 years to take a 2 week vacation over there.
More digression.. haha. Actually I think you should start a new thread for your writeup about the headlights. If I owned an NB that retrofit would be something of great interest!
![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#17
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 3,222
Total Cats: 1,701
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t39060/#post453077
I completely understand your point about those who enter the country illegally and suck the welfare system dry, btw.
While that issue needs to be addressed , there is also that bullshit cause called the DHS. They are turning an entire nation into a police state, and they are giving the term "scare tactics" a new name while doing that.
Anyway, the build thread is up. Enjoy
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wavey.gif)
Last edited by Godless Commie; 09-11-2009 at 10:00 PM. Reason: spelink
#19
I'm a terrible person
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
To be honest I think the US is kinda screwed when it comes to travel. We have Mexico and Canada. I'm not all that excited to travel to either one. To go else where it is a major PITA.
It's one thing to get in your car and take a 8 hour road trip through multiple countries. But to get in a plane, fly 14 hours through multiple time zones, is just not something many Americans consider vacation.
Plus the US is so big, you could spend a lifetime traveling and never see everything worth seeing here.
I still agree though, more people should take the opportunity to travel to another country if they have the chance, even if it is just once. I'm gonna count Afghanistan as my one travel outside the US though
Although I guess I have technically been to Germany, Ireland, Kuwait and Kurdistan as well.
It's one thing to get in your car and take a 8 hour road trip through multiple countries. But to get in a plane, fly 14 hours through multiple time zones, is just not something many Americans consider vacation.
Plus the US is so big, you could spend a lifetime traveling and never see everything worth seeing here.
I still agree though, more people should take the opportunity to travel to another country if they have the chance, even if it is just once. I'm gonna count Afghanistan as my one travel outside the US though
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#20
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've been around. Spent some time in Spain, the UK, France, and Italy.
Let me say this. Many of the places I have been are amazing, with no analogs anywhere else in the world. But many of them were also pretty generic.
If I lived in the UK, I could see travel being necessary. If I want to go to the mountains, I'm going to Switzerland. If I lived in the US, I go to Colorado or Tennessee. If I wanted a beach in the UK, I might travel down to Spain. In the US, I go to Florida.
The US is such a large territory, that we have an amazing amount of geographical diversity. We lack for cultural diversity, but I can see why people live their whole lives without ever feeling a need to leave "home".
Let me say this. Many of the places I have been are amazing, with no analogs anywhere else in the world. But many of them were also pretty generic.
If I lived in the UK, I could see travel being necessary. If I want to go to the mountains, I'm going to Switzerland. If I lived in the US, I go to Colorado or Tennessee. If I wanted a beach in the UK, I might travel down to Spain. In the US, I go to Florida.
The US is such a large territory, that we have an amazing amount of geographical diversity. We lack for cultural diversity, but I can see why people live their whole lives without ever feeling a need to leave "home".