Over at Tim Blair, a controversy has erupted over the virility of Wesley Clark's Mazda Miata. Intrigued, I decided to "borrow" my sister's Miata for a quick test spin.
Frankly, I just don't get the "chick car" label that some have stuck on this adorable little hot rod. With vintage styling cues borrowed from masculine greats like the AC Cobra, MGB and Nash Metropolitan - not to mention an obvious nod to the classic pink 1965 Mattel Ken Sportscar - brother, this sweet little roadster simply screams "I am man, hear me roar!"
As soon as you snuggle into its all-business feng shui cockpit and hear the 140 My Little Ponies of power pumping from its intense 1.8 Litre mill -- well, mister, best put on your tweed cap, matching scarf and Isotoners gloves, because you are in for some white knuckle he-man testosteracing action. Accelaration is neck-snapping, especially with the optional "stick shift" which, for some reason, comes with a confusing third foot pedal. Gymkhana-proven handling (with fully independent suspension, rack and pinion steering and four wheel disk brakes) means you'll never get outmanouvered in the Filene's Basement parking lot, even when checking yourself out in the handy driver-side visor mirror.
Whether you are running hot laps at Laguna Seca or just going out for Jazzercize and TCBY, take it from me -- the Miata is a man's machine, offering a driving experience that packs the emotional wallop of The English Patient.
True, Yehudit. But you can rent a '64 Coupe de Ville at Raoul's Body Shop on East 6th & 35.
Posted by: iowahawk | January 06, 2004 at 10:18 AM
actually, you would appreciate this: You can rent a fairly new 5-spd Miata from the Rent-A-Wreck at Manchaca and Lamar.
Posted by: Yehudit | January 06, 2004 at 04:32 AM
Well, I used to have one of those and it was fun to drive....
sniff.....
and I always drive stickshifts thankyouverymuch....
Posted by: Yehudit | January 06, 2004 at 04:26 AM