Driving Instructor's Car Evolution: From $500 Skoda to Multiple Miatas
About this episode
Nigel Tonacliff, founder of Coastline Academy, shares his journey from a $500 Skoda to multiple Miatas, highlighting his evolution as a driving instructor. The conversation dives into the importance of modernizing driver education, using late-model cars with advanced safety features, and creating engaging online content. Nigel discusses his passion for cars, his experiences with various vehicles, including a mid-engine Suzuki and a turbocharged Miata, and the significance of shop class in shaping his automotive skills. The episode is filled with nostalgia and insights into the driving experience.
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
Three days before his 16th birthday—days before he could finally get his license—Nigel Tunnacliffe's brother totaled his first car. The Skoda 135 GLi he'd saved $500 to buy. Gone.
Most people would give up. Nigel bought a Mark 1 Toyota MR2 and proceeded to blow through FIVE engines. Yes, five. The first one ran out of oil. The engines from Japan had ticking valves. The Suzuki Forsa track car with the Subaru turbo? Blew two turbos—the compressor wheels snapped off and ended up in the muffler (he called it "twin turbine exhaust").
But somewhere between the MR2 disasters and owning all 4 generations of Miata, Nigel discovered something: he loved teaching people to drive.
Today, he runs Coastline Academy—a coast-to-coast driving school on a mission to eradicate car crashes by modernizing how teens learn to drive.
In this episode, Nigel reveals:
- The exact moment he realized his Skoda was gone (and his brother's role in it)
- Why he swapped a Chevy 2.4L Ecotec engine into his NB Miata—twice
- Building a 500 ft-lb turbo monster that he drove at Laguna Seca
- Working on cars in a San Francisco storage container (his workshop when living in the city)
- High school shop class memories: welding without guardrails
- Why modern teens are more nervous about driving than previous generations
- The hardware startup pivot that became a national driving school
- What it's like owning all 4 Miata generations (NA, NB, NC, ND)
There's one detail about that Suzuki Forsa that Nigel says he'd never let his driving students replicate. For good reason.
🚗 **Learn more:** coastlineacademy.com | YouTube: @CoastlineAcademy
🔗 **Related episodes:** https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17881474-the-father-son-mustang-ii-rebuild-at-age-14-from-ase-mechanic-to-tech-entrepreneur
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Mazda Rx7
"Love this shirt. Another Mazda shirt. Yeah, I'm running out of Mazda RX7 shirts,"
The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car that uses a special type of engine called a rotary engine. It's known for being light and fun to drive, making it popular among car fans.
The Mazda RX-7 is a lightweight sports car known for its rotary engine and agile handling. It has a cult following among car enthusiasts for its unique design and performance characteristics.
Porsche 914S
"I did put a couple pictures up of some track 914s from Dirk as well as Oh, yeah. Legend. Guys, a legend."
The Porsche 914 is a sports car made by Porsche that was produced in the 1970s. It's known for its distinctive look and good handling, which many car lovers appreciate.
The Porsche 914 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Porsche from 1969 to 1976. It was known for its unique design and handling characteristics, making it a popular choice among driving enthusiasts.
Toyota Corolla
"...e about to take on. And then showing up in a new Corolla with a super friendly instructor, all of these th..."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's dependable and doesn't use much gas. It's been around for a long time and is known for lasting a long time without needing a lot of repairs, which is why many people like it.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact car known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. It has been one of the best-selling cars globally for decades, making it a significant model in the automotive industry. Its reputation for longevity and low maintenance costs often makes it a popular choice for first-time car buyers and families.
Skoda 135GLI
"...my first car was a Skoda 135GLI. It was a short-lived model that it was made in Czechoslovakia where, you know..."
The Skoda 135GLI is a small car made in Czechoslovakia. It had a different engine layout than most cars, which made it interesting, even if it wasn't very powerful.
The Skoda 135GLI is a compact car produced in Czechoslovakia, known for its unique mid-engine layout and lightweight design. It was aimed at the mass market but had some quirky features that appealed to enthusiasts.
horsepower
"...less than 100 horsepower, but mid-engine and just like super weird. And it was..."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The more horsepower a car has, the faster it can go.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the output of engines. It indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, affecting a car's speed and acceleration.
mid-engine
"...but mid-engine and just like super weird. And it was..."
Mid-engine means the car's engine is placed in the middle, rather than at the front or back. This helps the car handle better when driving.
A mid-engine layout refers to a car design where the engine is located near the center of the vehicle, between the front and rear axles. This configuration often improves handling and balance.
Renault
"Drove around the whole country. They're Renault's, Peugeot's, a lot of Skodas. No American cars, obviously, but very sharp."
Renault is a car company from France that makes many types of cars, from small ones to electric vehicles.
Renault is a French automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including compact cars, sedans, and electric vehicles.
Peugeot
"Drove around the whole country. They're Renault's, Peugeot's, a lot of Skodas. No American cars, obviously, but very sharp."
Peugeot is a French car brand that makes various types of cars, including small and family vehicles.
Peugeot is another French automotive brand, known for its stylish and efficient cars, often competing in the compact and family car segments.
Skoda
"Drove around the whole country. They're Renault's, Peugeot's, a lot of Skodas. No American cars, obviously, but very sharp."
Skoda is a car brand from the Czech Republic that makes practical and affordable cars, and it's owned by Volkswagen now.
Skoda is a Czech automobile manufacturer that produces a range of vehicles, known for their practicality and value, and is now part of the Volkswagen Group.
K24
"...what if I could get one of these, you know, mid-engine, put like a, you know, K24 in there and like, wow, fun would that be..."
The K24 is a Honda engine that many car enthusiasts like to use because it provides good power and is reliable. People often swap it into other cars to make them faster.
The K24 is a 2.4-liter inline-four engine produced by Honda, known for its performance and reliability. It's often used in various Honda models and is popular for engine swaps due to its power potential and tuning capabilities.
Volkswagen Jetta
"...the immediate replacement was a Mark 1 Jetta GLI, which was a really cool car. I would love to get my hands on, on one of those or a first a Mark 1 GTI..."
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a sportier version of the Jetta, which is a compact car. The Mk1 is the first generation of this model, and it's known for being light and fun to drive.
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a performance-oriented version of the Jetta, known for its sporty handling and fun driving experience. The Mk1 generation is particularly beloved among enthusiasts for its lightweight and engaging dynamics.
Volkswagen GTI
"...or a first a Mark 1 GTI. It was just like, it had a lot of life to it, you know, not a crazy powerful..."
The Volkswagen GTI is a sportier version of the Golf, which is a compact car. The Mk1 is the first generation of this model, and it's famous for being fun to drive and very popular among car fans.
The Volkswagen GTI is a high-performance version of the Golf, known for its sporty characteristics and engaging driving experience. The Mk1 generation is iconic and has a strong following among car enthusiasts.
Toyota MR2
"...I also got a Mark 1 Toyota MR2. And that was like my enthusiast car. I was super into it."
The Toyota MR2 is a small sports car that has its engine located in the middle, which helps with handling. The Mk1 is the first version of this car, and it's loved for being fun and easy to drive.
The Toyota MR2 is a mid-engine sports car known for its agile handling and lightweight design. The Mk1 generation is particularly appreciated for its simplicity and driving enjoyment.
engine swap
"...to swap the engine, the easiest way to do it is to support the engine from the bottom and then lift the car over up just with like a, like it use an engine lift..."
An engine swap is when you take out the engine from a car and put in a different one. People do this to make their cars faster or to fix a broken engine.
An engine swap involves removing a car's original engine and replacing it with another engine, often from a different model or manufacturer. This process can enhance performance or replace a failing engine.
Honda Beat
"...that's what's kept me from buying a Honda Beat. Those are parts availability..."
The Honda Beat is a tiny sports car made by Honda that was sold in the early 1990s. It's known for being fun to drive, especially on twisty roads, but finding parts for it can be tough.
The Honda Beat is a small, lightweight sports car produced by Honda from 1991 to 1996. It features a mid-engine layout and is known for its fun driving experience, especially in tight corners.
Suzuki Forza
"So I got this Suzuki Forza. It was a mid-80s and it had been built as a full-track car. So"
The Suzuki Forza is a small car made by Suzuki in the 1980s. It was turned into a race car, which means it was changed to go faster and be used on a racetrack.
The Suzuki Forza is a compact car produced by Suzuki in the mid-1980s, known for its lightweight design and simplicity. In this context, it was modified into a full-track car, enhancing its performance capabilities.
full-track car
"...it had been built as a full-track car. So it was roll cage, Lexan windows."
A full-track car is a car that has been changed to be really good for racing on a track. It usually has special parts to make it lighter and safer.
A full-track car is a vehicle that has been modified specifically for racing on a track, often featuring enhancements like reduced weight, improved suspension, and safety features like roll cages.
roll cage
"So it was roll cage, Lexan windows. The three-cylinder engine had been bored out and just used Subaru"
A roll cage is a strong frame inside a car that helps keep people safe if the car flips over or crashes. It's especially important in race cars.
A roll cage is a framework built into a vehicle to protect occupants in the event of a rollover or crash. It adds structural integrity and safety, especially in race cars.
Lexan windows
"So it was roll cage, Lexan windows. The three-cylinder engine had been bored out and just used Subaru"
Lexan windows are made from a special type of plastic that is lighter and harder to break than regular glass. They are often used in race cars to make them faster.
Lexan is a brand of polycarbonate plastic used as a lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative to glass in automotive applications. It is commonly used in race cars to reduce weight.
bored out engine
"...the three-cylinder engine had been bored out and just used Subaru turbo slapped on there."
Boring out an engine means making the holes where the pistons go bigger. This can help the engine make more power.
Boring out an engine refers to increasing the diameter of the engine's cylinders to allow for larger pistons, which can enhance engine displacement and power output.
turbo
"...and just used Subaru turbo slapped on there. And it was this like, man, it was raw."
A turbo is a part that helps the engine get more air so it can go faster. It makes the car more powerful by allowing it to burn more fuel.
A turbo, or turbocharger, is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power. This enhances the engine's performance significantly.
Mazda Miata
"...Yeah, that was my first, no, my second Miata. I did an autocross..."
The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that is fun to drive and easy to handle. Many people love it for its sporty feel and light weight.
The Mazda Miata is a lightweight, two-seat roadster known for its excellent handling and fun driving experience. It's popular among car enthusiasts for its simplicity and performance.
foot pounds of torque
"...it was 500 foot pounds of torque. It was just a, just a monster. Yep. For the track, right? For the track..."
Foot pounds of torque is a way to measure how much power an engine has to turn things. More torque means the car can accelerate faster and pull heavier loads.
Foot pounds of torque is a measurement of rotational force. In automotive terms, it indicates how much twisting force the engine can produce, which is crucial for acceleration and towing capacity. Higher torque means better performance, especially at lower RPMs.
Laguna Seca
"...my home track at the time was Laguna Seca. And, you know, you've got this uphill..."
Laguna Seca is a well-known racetrack in California where cars race. It's famous for its tricky turns and hills, making it a favorite for drivers.
Laguna Seca is a famous racetrack located in California, known for its challenging layout and elevation changes. It hosts various racing events and is a popular venue for both professional and amateur motorsport enthusiasts.
Mazda USA
"...We had John Everett, who was a new product launch manager from Mazda USA. And he had a lot to do with the latest ND..."
Mazda USA is the part of Mazda that sells cars in the United States. They help bring new models to American drivers and make sure they are available in the country.
Mazda USA is the American division of the Japanese automaker Mazda, responsible for marketing, sales, and distribution of Mazda vehicles in the United States. They play a significant role in introducing new models to the American market.
Tesla Model
"...s the Miata your daily driver? I have, I've got a Tesla Model 3 and I've got a Ford Maverick and so. Okay. Bec..."
Tesla Model 3
"...Miata your daily driver? I have, I've got a Tesla Model 3 and I've got a Ford Maverick and so. Okay. Becau..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It's known for being fast and having cool technology, like the ability to drive itself a little bit. Many people are talking about it because it's helping to change how we think about cars and the environment.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan that has gained popularity for its impressive range, performance, and advanced technology features, including Autopilot. It represents a significant shift towards electric vehicles in the mainstream market, making it a topic of discussion for its impact on the automotive industry and environmental considerations. The Model 3 has also been praised for its minimalist interior and high safety ratings.
Ford Maverick
"...ave, I've got a Tesla Model 3 and I've got a Ford Maverick and so. Okay. Because I've got a kid and we've g..."
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