Wholehearted agreement by me, I like 'em - just not as much "character" as
an LBC, and usually we define "character" as including all the little
foibles common to old, Lucas-electrified autos, aqnd the look that the Miata
just doesn't quite capture...I LOVE my B, I "like" all the other nifty
little cars.
My wife wanted a Miata, I bought her a Mazda MX-3 instead, only cuz I
couldn't find a Golf at the time with similar mileage/price, and I insisted
on a hatchback, since we were replacing a pick up truck! I'd prefer my old
'89 CRX, actually, helluva car, no "character". But those CRXSi's are
infinitely upgradeable and reaching "classic" status pretty quick along with
VW GTIs.
Now I have the B, which fulfills my needs (for a toy and object of
automotive enthusiasm -- read testosto-pride, hehe) and her wants (for a
cute little roadster).
To each his own, I say! At least Miata drivers are on the right track...it's
up to us to drive our cars around so they can be seen by the Miata folks and
lusted after as the "real thing" -- whatever that means.
Dan
'73 B
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Bates <jello@ida.net>
To: Jim Carlile <j_carlile@yahoo.com>
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Tuesday, May 05, 1998 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: Nostalgic Design
>>There's nothing really wrong with the Miata-- I'm just tired of its
>>owners (almost) always needing to defame the Brits. in comparison. I
>>guess the ride is a matter of taste, but I really admire the design
>>philosophy of those old Limeys!
>
>I beg to differ on this one. How many Miata owners do you know (or talk
>to). Most of them seem to have a great admiration for the MGs and Triumphs
>of the world. They just have relaiability fears, and are financially
>strapped to one consistently 100% reliable car instead of two 95% reliable
>cars. I see people on this list and the british-cars list say what a
>terrible thing the miata is. I rarely see people with miatas say "that
>thing is a dinosaur," or "Mazda came out and made a real sportscar."
Rather
>they are likely to say - there's my imitation MG. In reality it is more
>like a lotus than any other british car - looks like one, light like one,
>powerful as one. And a better rear suspension. I don't own a miata, nor
do
>I want to, but lets put away the petty "my old British car is a REAL
>sportscar" nonsense. Anyhow, the miata actually revived a lot of roadster
>fanaticism. We actually owe something to that.
>
>
>Phil Bates
>58 MGA
>66 Citroen DS21 Manual Pallas
>67 MGB
>75 Jaguar XJ12C
>66 Land Rover
>52 MG TD replicar (VW)
>86 Peugeot 505 Turbo Gle
>86 Honda Accord LX-i
>
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