Oh yeah I remember my first Miata drive.
... late 2000, i'm at an autocross school in Seattle. My friend Jason and I are whoring my Neon as I recall. Jason drove an automatic at the time, and was having fun with this "both feet in" thing... it just wasn't quite clicking.
He goes out for a run, blows a corner, and HAMMERS the brakes. I see a big-ass cloud of smoke and just think "oh no".
He comes back in with six inches of cord flapping off the front tires, we mock him mercilessly and then realize that my day (and pretty much my season, since that was my only set of race rubber) was over.
One of the NWAX people volunteered me her 1.6l Miata for the afternoon. One run. It was all over. It was everything I ever figured a Miata to be, and as much as I loved (and still do) my Neon, I knew I'd own a Miata... and soon. I started doing research. Came to the conclusion that I wanted a 94 A package, as it seemed to be the way to get the best bracing, real oilpressure gauge, good engine, OBD1, light weight, and inexpensive cost.
I went and test drove a 99 Sport at one point though, and it was entertaining in it's own way... but not enough to sway me into an (at the time) 17,000 dollar car payment. That was my first long-term Miata experience though. Three hours, a tank of gas, and 100+MPH later, i brought it back, further convinced that although I would definately have one, it wasn't going to be one with 17" wheels, either.
Within 6 mo, I had my first Miata. Thirty days and a totalled Bronco II later, I had my current one. Never looked back.
... late 2000, i'm at an autocross school in Seattle. My friend Jason and I are whoring my Neon as I recall. Jason drove an automatic at the time, and was having fun with this "both feet in" thing... it just wasn't quite clicking.
He goes out for a run, blows a corner, and HAMMERS the brakes. I see a big-ass cloud of smoke and just think "oh no".
He comes back in with six inches of cord flapping off the front tires, we mock him mercilessly and then realize that my day (and pretty much my season, since that was my only set of race rubber) was over.
One of the NWAX people volunteered me her 1.6l Miata for the afternoon. One run. It was all over. It was everything I ever figured a Miata to be, and as much as I loved (and still do) my Neon, I knew I'd own a Miata... and soon. I started doing research. Came to the conclusion that I wanted a 94 A package, as it seemed to be the way to get the best bracing, real oilpressure gauge, good engine, OBD1, light weight, and inexpensive cost.
I went and test drove a 99 Sport at one point though, and it was entertaining in it's own way... but not enough to sway me into an (at the time) 17,000 dollar car payment. That was my first long-term Miata experience though. Three hours, a tank of gas, and 100+MPH later, i brought it back, further convinced that although I would definately have one, it wasn't going to be one with 17" wheels, either.
Within 6 mo, I had my first Miata. Thirty days and a totalled Bronco II later, I had my current one. Never looked back.