Topic: Mister Mike?s New Toy

[W1RC]

I have only driven the 2001 Miata Special Edition roadster a few miles and already learned one important thing:

It is a ricebox!  A nice ricebox, but still a ricebox.  It isn?t a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, that is for sure.  And frankly I don?t think the Miata is anywhere near as safe. 

But for driving top down along a nice winding road on a beautiful sunny day it can?t be beat.  It also takes me back to the 1960s and 1970s when that is all I drove.  British Racing Green has always been my favourite car colour.  Also it is strictly a hobby-toy car and a beauty to behold.  It is what it is.

But it is a Boatanchor rice box of which I am very pleased.  It doesn?t have all the electronic stuff found in the newer rice boxes.  For a 1.8 litre sixteen-valve injected dual overhead cam engine it has a lot of pep and the steering is tight and positive.  And, it has rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential.  The four-wheel disc brakes are very responsive.  I have not driven it far enough or over rough roads to evaluate the suspension system.   The hard top is a very nice bonus that more than offsets the transportation costs from Arizona but I have yet to remove it and examine the condition of the soft top.

Another thing.......I haven?t driven standard for about twenty years and for driving around time constantly shifting the six speed gearbox becomes tiresome very quickly.   It uses mid grade gasoline which means the fuel costs will be about the same as the Crown Victoria.

Since its introduction in 1990 Mazda has definitely redefined the classic British two-seater sports car amd made it more reliable and durable than it ever was.  It has developed a cult following of loyal, passionate owners, many local and regional clubs, web-based forums like www.miata.net and several Facebook groups.  It is definitely a hackers car.

I am thrilled with it and the condition that it is in. The underside and engine compartments are amazing.  There is NO RUST OR CORROSION to be seen anywhere and the paint is original. The Southwestern states are a time capsule for cars.  The hot dry climate prevents the number one enemy of cars: rust.

The only thing it will need is a good cleaning/paint compounding, a bit of paint touch-up, fix the drivers side window that goes down a few inches, leather upholstery work and a thorough inspection to see what else.

The Mazda Miata is not, nor will it ever be my daily driver.  The Crown Vic remains my main set of wheels. 

Bottom line: the Mazda Miata is the best British sports car the Brits didn?t build.  No ?Prince of Darkness? electrical system that is for sure.  The Crown Vic is a KWM-2A and the Miata is an ICOM IC-7000.  It is a fun little toy and definitely a keeper.

73,

MrMike