in doing more sanding on my car i removed these guys. curious what the intentions of these are

Keeps water from flying through the cracks.

and air.


you're acutally missing a piece there, there should be another that comes down the side of the lid as well.

anybody actually use them?

ya already taken off. just figued i would quickly snap a pic before i took all them off

the millions of people that own a miata and didnt remove them for no apparenty reason at all?

You don't have an air Intake at you headlights or anything that brings in air so why remove them?

i'm a supporter of keeping factory stuff in use (there is not weight reduction from these guys. they just look silly. (i'll paint them to look nice and match)
was just curious if there was any disadvantages

more air entering under the hood from areas other than the radiator, thus increasing the underhood pressures and lowering the effectivness of the radiator itself.

well theoretically, if headlights were adjusted properly (some concept as doors) that would quite things wind wise and would potentially allow a bit more air movement (vac via venturi effect) to aid in the battle of keeping underhood temps down. (i doubt that would actually do anything noticeable)