Canada's perception of the MX-5 - late night rant time

"ChengaizK" (chengaizk) 03/29/2014 at 04:58 • Filed to: None

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Look at it, Oppo. Just look at it.

It's the very essence of quintessential roadster and for many of us a proper, proper driver's car. But just this very morning, this very bloody morning, my world and all that I perceive came shattering to a bloody halt.

Canada considers the MX-5 to be a "chick car".

Disclaimer: yes, I've had a few (its Friday night/Saturday morning, so sue me). I don't mean to be sexist/misogynistic or whatever. I have no problems with chick cars - I have a problem with proper driver's cars being wrongly identified as one. I've lived in Toronto for the last 3 years after living all over the world, with London and Dubai being my spiritual homes in terms of car education. I've got a lot to say.

Let's get one thing straight - in Ontario where I live the presence of a car culture is virtually non-existent. Yeah I've only lived here for a short time but no amount of Googling for car clubs, hunting down the founders of now-defunct MG owners clubs and the slow backing away of my colleagues when I start getting... erm... passionate... about cars has seemed to convince me otherwise. My girlfriend has been initiated with copious amounts of Top Gear, Chris Harris and Asif Kapadia ("Senna" creator for those who don't worship that amazing documentary... philistines ), but she's still not sure where it comes from or why I give so much of a shit.

It's a car, it's an appliance. Canadians want what gets from A to B in the worst weather imaginable, using the fewest amount of gas and preferably a small interest rate on the monthly payment cycles, not to mention exemplary safety. The ads reflect this, and do their best to be below half-assed in concept, execution and delivery. They know Canadians don't care, so they don't bother with their ads either.

I mean seriously. Look at this horseshit.

It took me awhile to accept that there just simply isn't a love for four wheeled mechanics here in Ontario. Quebec is different, it's the only place you can find a used Alfa in good nick that ISN'T a goddamn Spider (plus the small matter of the Villeneuves' legacies and the Canadian GP). No matter, I would continue to buy Octane and Evo and sit in my dorm alone and shun a night of drinking to read the latest from Metcalfe and co. The occasional Skype session with my father, halfway across the world, to talk about his M5 (E39, fuck yeah) and the other things happening in motoring was just part of the process.

That was fine and dandy. Until this morning.

So I was walking to work when I saw a gorgeous MX-5 sat at a red light in a similar colour to the picture above. As any self-respecting petrolhead would do, I began to raise my arm and signal a thumbs up, and contort my face into a well-practice look of solemn and dignified approval, couple with a slight nod. But then I stopped.

Then I heard it - Katy Perry. Unmistakably so. Sure enough, what followed suit was very, very predictable - young college girl with copious amounts of makeup, a blazer that matched the colour of the car, pink shagpile on the dashboard and the customary dice and CD combo just to be, like, SO 1990s.

The car was treated like an accessory. A status symbol. A convenient canvas for the tasteless 20-something who not only fails to understand the value of the sheer perfection that she possesses but flaunts it around in a manner that is properly unfitting of the car.

I bet she hasn't even heard of a country road, and boy do we have a LOT of those here.

Don't get me wrong - everyone has a right to make a fool of themselves and I applaud this young lady for having the courage to do so. It's her car, she can do what she wants with it. I'm not bashing her fashion sense, I'm bashing this horrible, horrible culture that treats cars like disposable cameras.

Sure enough, after I told the missus about the experience, she rolled her eyes. I then showed her a picture of it, to which she said "Yep, it's a total chickmobile. I want one!"

ARE. YOU. FUCKING. KIDDING. ME.

The MX5 is a chick car.

The MX5 is a chick car.

For a country blessed with the most gorgeous landscapes in North America, and hence some of the most beautiful roads, I cannot believe that it is not appreciated on an even REMOTELY small level by the local populace. Cars are not special, they're 20,30,40,000 dollar holes in wallets that do great jobs of getting us around when we don't want to use public transport. Not only that, but the MX5 is a chick car.

I know I'm being ridiculous, but I can't believe I can't enjoy this car in my adopted home without being judged for it. And it makes me so, so angry.

duurtlang > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 05:32

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The mx5/Miata is a proper drivers car. But let's face it, it does look like a chick car. Somewhat. Not that I wouldn't drive one, I'm not that insecure. But I get the sentiment.

JDIGGS > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 05:51

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JDIGGS > JDIGGS 03/29/2014 at 05:52

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JDIGGS > JDIGGS 03/29/2014 at 05:52

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JDIGGS > JDIGGS 03/29/2014 at 05:54

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go watch a spec miata race ya bums

RotaryLover > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 06:10

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I got my first NA a year ago. The "chicks car", "not a real car", "gay car", "not a serious car" comments got pourred on me each and everyday. It pissed me off, but since I wasn't ignorant like these guys, I didn't care. I had a lot of compliments at red lights and while driving. Then a few weeks ago, I bought a NC1. That's how much I like them. The ignorant people shut up. They saw how nice it was that they could not say shit. Only a few true haters made a comment about but who the hell cares about what they think? Buy what you like. Leave them in the ignorance, they are the ones missing on the fun. Most of them are haters because they think they can't afford it or say it's a chicks car because they can't fit and that it doesn't have any power apparently, which I think it's enough!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 06:17

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Everywhere thinks that, but who really cares?

If you're feeling insecure then just kit it out to be an absolute monster. Either handling-wise, power or both. Then you can be confident in the ability of your 'chick car' to destroy most other cars on the road :)

GhostZ > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 06:40

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Solution:

Coty > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 07:56

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If you like it, drive the damn thing.

The Compromiser > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 08:03

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So you are upset because a girl likes them, drives them, and has now been judged by you, based on a 10 second driveby?
And the butthurt continues because a country with an extremely low population count doesn't have 50 million car enthusiasts and 1 million clubs?
Did you notjce that it's the end of March and it's still snowing? That could be why we poor colonists of Canada want a vehicle that goes from point a to b in really shitty weather.
In short, please take your bullshit, jetsetting, super entitled attitude, and leave. We're ok with it. Really. Customs will even say thank you for visiting. We are really nice people.

I actually know a few people with Miatas ( sorry, does that name hurt you? Is it too woman like?)and they love them. They replace engines, supe them up and race them on weekends. I think its awesome. I would love to have one and do that but sadly my provincial existence prevents me from that luxury.

BTW, I still laugh at them and ask why their wives let them drive their cars. Its fun. You should try it once your butt feels better.

KamikazePigeon > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 08:11

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I've lived in Toronto all my life and unfortunately, it's surprising how unsupported car culture is here. You really have to know people and dig DEEP to find people who are as passionate about cars as we are. I'm sure car clubs and the like exist, but they're hard to come by.

The worst are the commercials. In the Highlander commercial, the part that makes me cringe most is when he references power. And I absolutely LOATHE the Corolla commercial with where the camera is on rails following the car.

I also strive to own an NA Miata as my first car. I really don't care what people think and no one else should care what other people think. If you truly love what you drive, I think that's awesome.

Long Live the Longdoor > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 08:18

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If there's one thing I've learned in my years as a jalop, other people are going to have an opinion about cars you like, sometimes its positive, sometimes is negative, but life is too short to let what out people think shape your car buying preferences. I say, if you buy the car that makes you happy then you're doing it right!

Slave2anMG > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 09:28

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Who gives a flying fuck what others think about a car YOU like? Screw 'em...politely invite them to....

note: the gif is for the critics, not you the OP.

Axel-Ripper > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 10:26

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This is the problem with convertibles in general. I was having this discussion with one of my buddies, who was looking to trade his POS Ranger and Rx7 for something a little more sensible, and since he was moving to Texas, a convertible. This pretty much narrowed it down to a Jeep Wrangler, because every convertible is seen as either a chick/gay guy car or a midlife crisismobile. Even like the Mustang and Camaro convertibles are primarily cheerleader specials (or if they do have a V8 and/or manual box, they still LOOK like cheerleader specials to 95% of the population).

It really is a shame to, because most of them are genuinely fun to drive.

Brian Silvestro > RotaryLover 03/29/2014 at 11:17

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GODDAMMIT WHY DID YOU HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR MIATA

Burrito de EJ25 > The Compromiser 03/29/2014 at 11:28

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SOME PEOPLE DON'T ABSOLUTELY WORSHIP CARS AND THIS MAKES ME ANGRY

thebigbossyboss > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 12:25

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Firstly, it's still winter. Secondly, Ontario has to have some of the least car friendly culture imaginable.

Thirdly, good for this girl for driving this car, and not some beige econobox.

Lastly, there is a lot of Opponauts here in Ontario. There's at least 4 of us in Ottawa, and more in the Toronto area. Stay tuned, we will do Oppo things this summer. Bring the miata.

ChengaizK > Axel-Ripper 03/29/2014 at 16:17

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Yeah, I would imagine that to be a problem. That's really unfortunate considering Texas has a lot of great sunshine. But then again, does it have the roads to be enjoyed in a small, nippy roadster, or are they all arrow straight with a side of the occasional bend?

ChengaizK > Slave2anMG 03/29/2014 at 16:20

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This gif made my day.

Trust me, I'm trying to look past the fact that someone close to me recently called a 22B a "lesbian's car". Jesus. Unless its bland, boring and economical, people want to judge you here.

Thank you sir for this. Let the ignorant drown in their moving buckets of wallpaper paste!

ChengaizK > Long Live the Longdoor 03/29/2014 at 16:23

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:)

Glad to read this, I hate that cars aren't appreciated by more. I know it's unreasonable for everyone to "get" it, but it's hard sometimes. (yea yea, first world problems etc) What car do you have?

ChengaizK > KamikazePigeon 03/29/2014 at 16:28

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Remember the Mini ad with the "who wants to be normal?" campaign from not too long ago? That stuff is great. That is the kind of ad that makes people care about cars. If you applied that kind of writing to any product, to really sell the product instead of just showing it, people would be more invested into it.

If the ad team behind that campaign did a similar ad for a washing machine, I'd go out and buy that damn washing machine. It wouldn't simply be ANOTHER thing to see in your daily periphery.

Axel-Ripper > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 16:43

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Depends on the area. Half is fun, half is desert.

N/A POWAAAHH > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 17:34

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It's hard to find enthusiasts here. Most are stancers/ricers.

RotaryLover > Brian Silvestro 03/29/2014 at 18:43

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It's my duty as a Miata owner!

Long Live the Longdoor > ChengaizK 03/29/2014 at 21:40

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I drive a tuned Chevy Cruze. Yes, yes, nobody is really all that likely to even have an opinion on my car, but meh, it gets the job done. Doesn't stop me from daydreaming about what I'll buy next 24/7.

I know what you mean, I too wish more people appreciated cars, nobody in my family or set of friends really cares about cars the way I do. Luckily, my best friend from college quite likes cars too, otherwise I might go nuts.

Sometimes I imagine buying a car like a GTI, for example, and having to explain to my family/friends why it's special and not just a regular Golf (because they wouldn't know any different). However if my car makes me happy (as a GTI very likely would), it doesn't really matter if it's just a Golf to everyone else, because it's driving pleasure to me :)

ChengaizK > Long Live the Longdoor 03/29/2014 at 22:54

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I like your taste, sir! I've a big soft spot for the Mk5, the 6 and 7 may be faster but the ride was ruined when they fitted firmer suspension. The king will always be Mk1 in my eyes :)

I'm in exactly the same boat - my best friend from college kept me sane. Going through engine parts and talking F1 till dawn was amazing. Now... it's just me alone in my house haha

RMudkips > ChengaizK 03/30/2014 at 01:55

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Toronto (well, my area at least) has SOME nice cars, but I haven't spotted any sort of culture like they have up in Montreal, or maybe even Vancouver (being close to Asia means imports, right?)

If you check Lawrence Ave. E on a clear sunny day there's some gems on that stretch for some reason. I've found S30s, R32s, Delta Integrales, and several more on that road. There's even a TVR dealership on that road.

I've spotted at least one dedicated Miata owner; some dude installed a roll cage and everything and you could really tell his passion.

Or a better solution: move to northern Ontario; bound to be gearheads there.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > ChengaizK 03/30/2014 at 02:03

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I had a similar experience yesterday, I saw a Green NB Miata with the hardtop on, decent condition, aaaand.. a chick was driving it.

bob and john > ChengaizK 03/30/2014 at 03:36

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well, i live in toronto. once i get back from university in thunder bay, id be down to come down and have a beer or 2 sometime

ChengaizK > RMudkips 03/30/2014 at 10:10

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There's a TVR dealership in Toronto???

Well, there goes my mortgage savings. Brb

RMudkips > ChengaizK 03/30/2014 at 13:11

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From what I recall it's the only TVR dealership at least in Toronto (Ive heard it's the only one in North America).

ilostmypants > thebigbossyboss 03/30/2014 at 20:27

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If it's reasonable count me in,

I live just west of Hamilton but am from Toronto so am there often and cottage country in the summer,

canada has an awesome car scene, it's just not huge, but it is passionate,