The Adventure That Became A Bonding Experience Between My Miata And I

"colorfulyawn" (colorfulyawn) 02/11/2014 at 03:00 • Filed to: None

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See how tiny my car looks in that picture? I drove half-way across the country in that thing. It was the time of my life.

In October of 2011, I applied for, and got, a job in my original hometown of Westlake Village, California. After three decades of living in Texas, I was finally moving back to the place I'd always considered home. I would be driving out there from Dallas on my own. Most of my belongings were boxed up and in storage, to be sent for once I found an apartment in California. It was just me, a couple bags of clothes, a box of books, and my Miata.

The Miata had some big tires to fill. It was the replacement for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a car that had been my vehicular soulmate for 12 years. The Integra had won my heart by doing everything I wanted from a car extremely well, and being almost flawlessly reliable. For the first couple of years of Miata ownership, I was caught between the near-unmatched pleasure of its driving dynamics, and the wallet-draining hell of catching up with all the deferred maintenance that had stacked up on an almost 20-year-old car.

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We were off to a difficult start, but I knew there was something special about the car, and committed to a restoration, with some modifications along the way. I won't bore you with the list of changes, other than to mention the Maruha chromoly flywheel, and Bilstein/FM/FCM suspension upgrades, since those significantly alter the driving character of the car. The flywheel was the first mod made to the car, installed along with a fresh OEM clutch. The suspension, on the other hand, was installed less than a week before I left Dallas.

Other than the fresh suspension components (read: everything but the control arms!), the car didn't offer much to worry about. Yeah, by now it was more than old enough to buy its own beer, but it had also been gone over for the past three years to eliminate potential problems. The car was ready.

I, on the other hand, wasn't so sure.

I'd been on long road trips before, but I'd never taken one alone that lasted more than four hours or so. Not only that, but I'd be taking a route I hadn't taken before. I'd planned to take the northern route via I-40, since I was familiar with that drive, but snow and ice on parts of that route convinced me to take the more southern I-10. What I did know was that regardless of the route taken, I'd be driving through a whole lot of empty-ass nothing between Dallas and the coast. Alone.

The Miata and I left the suburbs of North Dallas on a clear, cool Saturday morning in the beginning of November. It was my favorite kind of day in North Texas, and I considered it an appropriate send-off. The new suspension was stiff, and the car was even lower than it had been stock. I'd have to be careful. But it cornered like ... well, I'd just think what I wanted it to do, the rational part of my brain would scream, "That's not possible, you crazy fuck!" and the car would just do it like it was nothing, like it was no more difficult than pulling into a parking spot.

Although the car had been largely restored, the stereo was not among the refreshed parts. I was going to get beaten up aurally between the wind noise and the engine buzzing away at a more-or-less constant 4,500 rpm. I had to find ways to keep myself entertained. First lesson learned: Even a car as fun to drive as a Miata has a hard time shining on perfectly straight, flat roads through the middle of nowhere. Even triple-digit speeds couldn't make that stretch less boring. Uh, not that I would know, of course. But really, they couldn't.

Near as I can remember it, there's about six hours or so worth of pure boring in that drive out of Dallas. Somewhere around the intersection of I-20 and I-10 things got geographically interesting. For me, they also got intensely scary. The Miata has a gas tank smaller than some sodas, and I hadn't seen a real gas station, like one that was still in business and actually open, since sometime before Odessa. The needle was edging ever closer to E, and I was driving through BFE without a gas pump in sight.

I finally found a gas station and pulled in for a fill-up. I took a moment to enjoy the view, and it felt like a scene out of Easy Rider, or Two Lane Blacktop. The station was built in the '60s, or early '70s, and the desert landscape beyond was melting into the shadows as the sun edged closer to the horizon. I took a deep breath, and for the first time felt as if I could relax and enjoy the dream I was currently living out. I added a bit of oil to the crankcase before rehanging the fuel nozzle and getting back on the road. El Paso can't be far.

I drove all damn day and just barely made it out of Texas. I got a hotel room in Las Cruces, NM. Distance-wise, I was already pretty damn close to half-way. Not too bad. I ordered a pizza and, while I waited for that, walked over to the gas station nextdoor and bought a sixer of Stella, and a Bic lighter to open the beers with. There was a race in town that weekend, and the hotel parking lots around me were filled with rigs and trailers full of race cars. I felt like I was in good company. For the next couple of hours, I'd unwind with pizza, beer, and basic cable TV. Then dreamless sleep for as long as I could manage.

To my great relief, my car was still in the parking lot when I woke up the next morning. I loaded it back up, checked out of my room, and drove over to the gas station nextdoor to fill up and get a candy bar for breakfast. It was another clear, sunny fall day. The car started right up, and ran like a puppy tugging on its leash. It was a little scary around the big trucks sometimes, but it was quick and nimble enough to inspire confidence in one's ability to get away. No, my biggest fear wasn't mechanical failure, or being crushed by a bigger vehicle. It was potholes. Huge, vicious, oilpan-shattering, potholes. I wasn't used to driving my car at its current ride height, and what scared me most was the idea of ripping the bottom off the damn thing.

But the roads were pretty smooth, and so was the driving. I made it all the way across Arizona and into California well before sunset. I'd like to say it felt like a victory, crossing the border into California, but I knew I still had almost four hours left to go if I wanted to make my destination tonight. It was doable, I thought.

Mother Nature thought otherwise. Shortly after driving through Coachella and Palm Springs, I encountered a hail storm. All of a sudden, marble-sized pebbles of ice were everywhere. At first, I thought it was just heavy rain, but as I slid to a stop on the off-ramp, I realized it was something trickier. Accelerating around the next corner without spinning out was a challenge. I pulled over in the parking lot of a coin-op DIY car wash to wait it out.

It's not stopping. And even if it does stop, this shit isn't melting away anytime soon. Time for a Plan B. I used my phone to look up hotels nearby, and there was one just around the corner with a vacancy. Getting around that corner in my almost-weightless, summer-tired, RWD car was going to be a bear, but there really wasn't another choice. We'd have to do this together. I took a deep breath and got back in the car. With a very gentle touch, I was able to coax the Miata back onto the road, around the corner, and into the parking lot of the hotel without spinning or hitting anything. We did it. We were safe for the night.

The hotel was one of those old-school setups, where each room is its own cabin. Pretty cool, actually. I ordered another pizza, walked to the liquor store nextdoor for a half-pint of Jameson, and enjoyed the icy, cold, still night I seemed to have all to myself. My first night living in California again. I looked at the little car that got me here, and couldn't help but be impressed by it.

The next morning it looked like the roads are mostly clear again. I swung by the lobby for a donut and some coffee, payed my bill, and reloaded my car. Gassed up again on the way out. I was less than three hours from my destination, and shouldn't have to stop again until I get there. It was a Monday morning. The Miata was running like a top. Eager to get up to speed on the open road. Many will extol the virtues of the big, cushy cruiser for long freeway trips, but I'm not so sure. There's something about driving a car that's hard-wired to your senses over a long distance that changes your perspective. You start to think of the guys who had to fly P-51s into Germany: They didn't have autopilot, but I doubt very many of them hated the job.

The way was clear for the duration of the trip, aside from taking the wrong ramp and having to turn around in Burbank. Now that the hail was gone, it looked like a typically beautiful Southern California day. If my car weren't full of clothes, I'd put the top down. I hit the In-N-Out in Moorpark for lunch, then drove the last 15 minutes or so to my aunt's avocado farm in Ventura County, where I'll be staying until I find a place. The air was scented with citrus and pepper trees, a smell I've always associated with home. It was a good day. The first full day of the rest of my life.

I pulled slowly up the long gravel driveway to the house and parked. After saying my hellos and bringing my stuff in, I cracked open a beer and walked back outside to the Miata. I opened the trunk and removed a bottle of spray detailer and a few fresh microfiber cloths. It's been a long drive, and I don't want the bugs to mar the finish.

lonestranger > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 03:29

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This was a great read. Thanks for bringing us along the journey.

colorfulyawn > lonestranger 02/11/2014 at 03:34

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You're welcome. Thanks for reading it.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 03:46

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If it makes you feel any better, some asshole nearly got away with stealing my uncle's Datsun 510, that was somehow burnt orange. A couple of months later, the car was found without chrome trims and the thief... Well... It was a bad ending for the thief when someone decided to have an intervention with him. He was found in the bathroom with severe head injuries (Note: he's dead.)

But yeah, great read on your Miata!

Milky > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 03:52

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Lovely car and a good read.

The longest I've ever driven by myself is 7 hours, and it was along Lake Michigan's coast. I don't envy your insanely long straight stints in the slightest (I would of tried to speed to fix the dullness too).

colorfulyawn > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 02/11/2014 at 03:56

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Thanks!

And another reminder that crime doesn't pay. Well, sometimes it does. Sometimes, it just gets you beaten to death in a shitter, though. Which would probably suck pretty bad.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 02/11/2014 at 04:28

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Dead? Aww man, that means he didn't get the joy of recovering from the beating.

Abject_Penitent > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 05:03

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Great story and well written. Thanks for sharing.

Money Hustard > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 05:51

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XJDano > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 06:49

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Don't have time to read this now, responding so I can find it easily later.

STREPITUS > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 08:43

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Silly truck, you can't hide behind that tree.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > XJDano 02/11/2014 at 08:48

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Oh Kinja... Do you see what you make people resort to?

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 09:36

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Awesome read, thanks for sharing! I haven't ever driven that far by myself, but I've taken my MR2 on a couple 7 hour each way weekend trips before, but I had a passenger. Definitely keeps you aware of your surroundings, driving a small old car.

Frank Grimes > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 09:55

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I enjoyed this.

colorfulyawn > Money Hustard 02/11/2014 at 11:24

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There are also some nasty tense-shifts in the article.

colorfulyawn > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 02/11/2014 at 11:26

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I'd like to do a drive like that again sometime with a passenger. Going alone was fun in its own way, but it would be cool to have someone along for the drive.

colorfulyawn > Frank Grimes 02/11/2014 at 11:27

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Thanks.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 11:27

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Great read, thanks for posting! Sometimes long trips in small cars are just special somehow—even more so in a well-loved little car like yours.

NaturallyAspirated > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 13:25

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Heh, the Moorpark In-N-Out is basically across the street from my office.

Welcome to CA, neighbor.

colorfulyawn > NaturallyAspirated 02/11/2014 at 14:17

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Thanks!

I wish I had an In-N-Out across the street from my office.

colorfulyawn > STREPITUS 02/11/2014 at 14:20

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That was, I think, one of the racer's rigs left in the parking lot in the morning. They got an earlier start than I did, heh.

Horkin' Up Dangle Hams > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 14:56

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Great work, man. I would love to have the chance to drive across the country in some form or fashion. Doing it in a fun car like that would only be icing on the cake.

colorfulyawn > Horkin' Up Dangle Hams 02/11/2014 at 16:05

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It was a really cool experience, but I want to do it again sometime without a deadline. Just drive until it seems like a good place to stop, check out whatever is around.

BeaterGT > Money Hustard 02/11/2014 at 17:21

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I thought it was My Miata and Me?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:39

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How do you open beers with a lighter?

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:41

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Welcome to California! Lots of great driving all year round out here.

The longest solo drive I've done was much shorter (at least one way) - San Diego and back from San Francisco over Christmas in my then-new (to me) S2000, not long after I had broken up with a girlfriend of 2+ years (fun fact, I bought the car the day after we broke up lol).

The drive wasn't as eventful as yours, but had a few variations of weather, temperature, and rainfall and was certainly a great way to bond with what was a very awesome car.

Admiral Asskicker > XJDano 02/11/2014 at 17:41

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I think I am going to have to politely disagree with this point of view. Can you tell me what makes you think that?

jalop1991 > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:41

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"...between my Miata and me." NOT "and I".

Contrary to what you think you heard your mother or grandmother say, it's not always "Tom and I" under every circumstance. Active voice (you're doing it): "Tom and I are taking the Miata." Passive voice (it's happening to you): "The Miata fell off the ramps onto Tom and me."

skippytheduck2 > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:42

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You stayed in Las Cruces along 10 and ordered a pizza? You missed out on the epitome of NM cuisine! Aside from, oh, anything green chile (since Hatch is 40miles away it's all good) you should have hit the Blake's Lottaburger for a green chile cheeseburger. They beat In-n-Out any day.

seoultrain > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:43

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A man. A man and his Miata. A man and his Miata and a journey. And a hailstorm. And a bunch of pizza and beer. And a bit of OCD afterwards.

Great read.

zerogspacecow > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:50

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I would have much preferred the 1,500 mile drive from Atlanta to Denver in my Miata. Instead I was alone in a 27 foot moving truck, limited to 65mph.

zerogspacecow > Horkin' Up Dangle Hams 02/11/2014 at 17:51

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It doesn't take a lot of money, especially if your car is good on gas and the weather is good enough to camp.

Poundingsand > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:53

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A very entertaining, well written read that brings back many memories of my solo road trips from my place in Woodland hills to visit my folks when they were living in Taos, NM.

I have to say, to this day the solo long distance journeys (especially in the very late night/early morning when it feels like the world is yours alone) are by far my favorites. You summed up some of the magic of those trips very well in your tale. Thanks for sharing!

ED9man2 > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:53

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Having driven long distances in that part of the country, there is no way to not go insane unless you are driving 100+, and even then you feel almost like you are parked. Everything out there should be unlimited, but fortunately enforcement is very thin.

lolwaffles69rofl > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 17:55

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That is correct. Make sure you know what you're talking about before correcting someone's grammar.

One_Leaf_Short > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 17:58

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"You start to think of the guys who had to fly P-51s into Germany: They didn't have autopilot, but I doubt very many of them hated the job."

I've had really similar thoughts while driving my Miata. Leaving the top down in less-than-ideal weather serves to remind one of an even earlier era of flight...

Maxaxle > STREPITUS 02/11/2014 at 18:18

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Shh, it's trying to be stealthy.

MPA > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 18:21

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Great read!

I've done numerous trips in my Miata, and it is a great car to be behind the wheel of for many hours at a time.

And for reference - here's a scary reality of how small a Miata is compared to other vehicles on the road :D I bought this one in Dallas and drove it back to St. Louis that day (10 hours) in the rain.

CharlieM76 > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 18:29

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I've done several long distance 1 day drives in the Miata, but I've never done a multi-day drive in it. Orange County to Phoenix and back same day, OC to Monterey/SF and back, Colorado Springs to OC and back.

Despite the nothing that is eastern Utah and the section of Nevada between Mesquite and Vegas, I do always enjoy these drives.

My moment of brilliance was one trip that I managed to get into Vegas right around noon in July. The temp gauge was climbing above normal, but that was alleviated by running the cabin heater. To combat that, when I stopped for gas, I picked up a 3 lb bag of ice and drove with it on my lap and the heater blowing until it melted...

N@tedog > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 18:29

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I used this ad to remember it:

I had a my buddy. His life ended in the drive train of our mini bike.

dogisbadob > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 18:40

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nice G6

ninjagin > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 02/11/2014 at 18:46

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like this:

T off the New > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 02/11/2014 at 18:48

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XJDano > Admiral Asskicker 02/11/2014 at 18:51

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Skimming over oppo early morning before work, long post , and had to walk out the door. I read it at lunch. Not much computer time when working in construction.
Not sure if trolling......

Admiral Asskicker > XJDano 02/11/2014 at 18:55

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Ohh no, just screwing around, never seen someone comment on an article to find it later though (probably indicative of a deeper problem with the website/kinja). Figured I would try to follow it up with the most generic discussion response possible, to a post that was, in no means, meant to start a discussion (a rarity around here)

Schmitty > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 18:56

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i did the opposite direction drive from the Victorville, CA area taking I-40 all the way to Memphis and then south a bit to pick up I-20 into SC to stop at my parents house before ending up in the PA / MD area. I had picked up a C5 Corvette a week earlier in Vegas and had a blast over the 2.5 days of driving. It was a little lonely at times, but the drive itself was amazing. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

XJDano > Admiral Asskicker 02/11/2014 at 19:04

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Mostly I'll click on the recommend star,then go through my username or whatever to read up. Mostly read through on mobile device during the day, which is a challenge in itself.

emanresu > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 19:08

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I just did that drive both ways. I had an internship in LA, and drove from Dallas last October and back last month. 2010 Civic coupe, automatic transmission, EX model with iPod hookup (most important part). While I love my E46 M3 ('vert!) to death, I'm very glad that everyone talked me out of taking it. I am now one of the many that will suggest a cushy cruiser on a long trip.

Of course, my Civic is far from as comfortable as you can get now days, but it was plenty for me. Without the great stock speaker system, I would have gone mental on that drive. Also, leather seats are the stupidest things in the world. My cloth seats were so much more comfortable in the hot and cold.

I took the northern route that you were planning to take. Mainly because I was too scared of being so close to the border. I did want to try out the southern route on the way back though. No matter, many fond memories from those trips.

Struts MacPherson > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 19:08

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It's interchangeable.

Der Sportwagoner > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 19:12

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Thanks for not making me be that guy to the guy being that guy. :)

colorfulyawn > CharlieM76 02/11/2014 at 19:13

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Oh, man. That sounds like the kind of trip you don't forget.

colorfulyawn > skippytheduck2 02/11/2014 at 19:14

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I wish I had known that then, because yeah, it sounds a hell of a lot better than a delivery-chain pizza.

colorfulyawn > One_Leaf_Short 02/11/2014 at 19:16

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I'd be lying if I said I'd never considered getting a leather flying helmet, complete with goggles, for driving my car. I'd die with embarrassment if anyone saw me, though.

colorfulyawn > Abject_Penitent 02/11/2014 at 19:16

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Thanks for reading.

colorfulyawn > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 02/11/2014 at 19:20

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Like this.

emanresu > MPA 02/11/2014 at 19:23

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Wow that is a huge size difference!

Out of curiosity, why did you go all the way to Dallas to get a Miata? They're commonplace almost everywhere. I ask because I may consider one in the future.

Tarukai > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 19:28

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Me, Myself, and My Miata

colorfulyawn > emanresu 02/11/2014 at 19:42

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Of the two, I prefer I-40, weather permitting. It's prettier, and has less border ... weirdness. Plus, I love Flagstaff, AZ.

MPA > emanresu 02/11/2014 at 19:44

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There weren't many decent ones locally (I'm in St. Louis), and the ones that were had the same asking price but a ton of miles.

colorfulyawn > dogisbadob 02/11/2014 at 19:45

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Fly like a G6?

colorfulyawn > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/11/2014 at 19:49

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Thanks!

I've been back here for a little over two years now, and it still feels great to be home.

San Diego to San Francisco sounds like a freakin' gorgeous drive. Especially in an S2000.

BiggsHoson > emanresu 02/11/2014 at 19:56

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Uhm... Why wouldn't you go all the way across the country to get a car and drive it home?

Money Hustard > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 19:58

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Either way is correct.

Slo-Z > BeaterGT 02/11/2014 at 20:00

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As one raised on proper English, [well in, (another) country colonized by them] I maintain the title's correct, thank you very much.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 20:28

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This technique also works with a whiteboard marker. You know, for office emergencies.

atl_mb > Money Hustard 02/11/2014 at 20:37

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Thank you. I came here just to say that!

lolwaffles69rofl > Slo-Z 02/11/2014 at 21:03

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Take out "My Miata". Does it make sense? If so, go ahead, use it. If not, well you done screwed up.

fourvalleys > XJDano 02/11/2014 at 21:44

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You see that little box at the top right of the screen with the arrow coming out of it? That's the "Share to..." button. It's the second one from the left:

(It might be in different places on different Kinja layouts).

You can share a link to your personal blog and it will show up in-line with your comments on that page. Pretty useful.

XJDano > fourvalleys 02/11/2014 at 22:04

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Thanks, Will start doing this instead.

emanresu > MPA 02/11/2014 at 22:39

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I see. So how did you find this one? Forums? Autotrader?

emanresu > BiggsHoson 02/11/2014 at 22:41

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Oh I totally would. It's just that Miatas are very common, so I was wondering what makes this one special enough to drive so far. Believe me, if I found a decent, low-mileage E34 M5 anywhere on this continent, I'd drive it home.

Cheesewhiz > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 22:48

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I'm actually contemplating that exact kind of aimless trip from SoCal to the Grand Canyon with mine right now. I have much more appropriately cushy cruiser as a daily but there's something tugging at me to use the jiggly, loud, harness-equipped Miata. It seems kinda like flying there in a 737 vs. piloting a Cessna: It won't be comfortable or "safe" for sure, but I've a feeling it'll be a lot more memorable.

Zaronius > Slo-Z 02/11/2014 at 23:11

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You didn't pay attention.

Zaronius > Money Hustard 02/11/2014 at 23:12

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Me.

colorfulyawn > Cheesewhiz 02/11/2014 at 23:21

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That's a great way to put it.

Y'know, the only time I ever felt safe flying was in a J-3 Cub with the door open. It was probably the least "safe" flight I'd ever taken statistically, but being in that small-ass plane that weighed less than half a Volkswagen was the only time I really enjoyed being in an airplane instead of clenching my butthole and waiting for it to land.

MPA > emanresu 02/11/2014 at 23:21

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I found that one through Autotrader

Hanzr > colorfulyawn 02/11/2014 at 23:35

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After reading this journal, a question is aroused in my mind. Since Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata are all considered fun and responsive cars, and they share so many features, including FR layout, and convertible, as an owner of a Miata how will you compare S2000 and Miata? Thank you.

DerEin314 > MPA 02/11/2014 at 23:49

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Damnit, now I want some Mom's Deli..

colorfulyawn > Hanzr 02/11/2014 at 23:51

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Being a massive Honda fan, I considered the S2000 a lot before buying my Miata. Here's what it came down to: The Miata is just plain more fun.

The S2000 is more capable. It's faster in every measurable way, and by a lot. It has an amazing engine. But it weighs about 650 lbs. more than my Miata, and after you've driven a 1.6L Miata, you feel every last one of those pounds. It's hard to explain, but when I compared an AP1 to an NA6, what immediately jumped out at me was the fact that more horsepower never feels as good as less weight. At least, not to me, anyway.

Don't get me wrong: I still freakin' LOVE S2000s. Love them. Someday, I still want to have one. But the Miata is the kind of car that can put an uneraseable grin on my face at 30 mph, and there just aren't any other cars out there that do that for me. The S2K is a blast when you can wind it out, but when you can't it feels more like a normal car. Or even worse, like a hi-po car that's being hobbled by slow conditions.

BeaterGT > Der Sportwagoner 02/12/2014 at 00:14

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Oh you're gonna be that guy.

pieceofSchmitt > MPA 02/12/2014 at 00:23

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miatas and crxs are the only vehicles that don't eclipse my 95 saturn sc2 in a parking lot

colorfulyawn > emanresu 02/12/2014 at 00:37

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Heh. About a month ago I was drooling over an E34 M5 that was for sale out here for like $12k.

MartiniMartin > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 02:59

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A Miata is a perfect car for long road trips aslong as you pack light.

My girlfriend and me have done 1-2 week long road trips leaving from the Netherlands to the south of Portugal, to Italy and to the Ukraine all in a Miata with a rack on the trunk for a tent. It's very doable and especially very pretty and nice driving through the Alps and through Tuscany. The Ukraine is also very interesting only the quality of the roads is not very Miata suited.

Looking forward to the next trip to the south of Italy.

Fezzasus > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 06:05

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TL;DR. Man surprised at car that works.

Patrick Shea Laking > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 07:01

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Great adventure. Sounds like a carload of fun!

Of course, between all the 25th anniversary stuff and now this story... I now NEED a Miata! Am not in a financial place to be able to afford a second car right now. :(

Anyway, thanks for sharing your story! Enjoyed immensely. :)

Mercwri > Hanzr 02/12/2014 at 08:24

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The S2000 is more of a drivers car, its harder, stiffer, the weight shifts easier almost too easy.

A Miata can be driven at it limits with a modicum of saftey, the S2000 not so much.

The Miata is less of compromise in terms of living with it every day as your only car.

Dest > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 08:27

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You're 30+ and you've never taken a road trip longer than 4 hours? This blows my mind.

SpontaneouslyCombustible > STREPITUS 02/12/2014 at 08:46

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YOU SEE NOTHING.

Standard_Deviation > Hanzr 02/12/2014 at 08:49

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Personally, I went shopping for a Miata, and came back with an S2000.

Specifically, I was looking for a 2006 MX-5 Sport - with the Blistein shocks, 6-speed & LSD. My intent was to own a reliable roadster & fun track day car. I found the car I was looking for at a huge used car dealer in Toronto. On my test drive, I was amazed at the road feel, and the easy, accurate handling. Returned to the dealership intent on buying, but the salesman added a $500 fee to the advertised price of the car, so I walked out.

While shopping, I took an S2000 for a spin. The 'S felt sooooo much faster, but admittedly, it didn't quite have the same light & nippy feel of the Miata. As impressed as I was with the Miata, I was more impressed with the 'S.

So I bought a Sebring Silver 2005 S2000. I've had it for 5 years now & I love it! It's been super-reliable, lots of fun & it can hold its own on the track.

If I were looking for a roadster for street use only, I would definitely go for a Miata, but the extra horsepower does wonders on the track!

Wes Mantooth > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 02/12/2014 at 08:49

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You can open a beer bottle with almost anything if you can get leverage on the cap. I have a buddy with a very odd talent for doing it. Last time he was over my house I went to the kitchen to get him an opener and when I came back he had already popped it with a dog bone that was sitting on the floor.

Wes Mantooth > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 08:55

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Great story. I've always wanted to drive across the country, or at least do a multi day trip to somewhere with better scenery than the Philly burbs. You are right though; I would want something big, cushy and powerful for a drive like that, like a Challenger R/T.

BlythBros. > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 09:15

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Many will extol the virtues of the big, cushy cruiser for long freeway trips, but I'm not so sure. There's something about driving a car that's hard-wired to your senses over a long distance that changes your perspective. You start to think of the guys who had to fly P-51s into Germany: They didn't have autopilot, but I doubt very many of them hated the job.

Yes.

fredbassett > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 09:32

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I am always amazed at how small my miata appears. One day at a stop light it was dwarfed by a corolla new to it. Even more shocking though is how much smaller an MG is!

Pa77on > emanresu 02/12/2014 at 09:42

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Funny you mention this because the guy who bought my Miata actually flew down to Florida and drove it back to Oregon. If the car is what they're looking for, people will travel for it.

gla2yyz > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 09:48

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The best road trip I took with my Miata was to Lake Placid four years ago. It was a hairy experience coming back down the Veterans Memorial Parkway (the top of which is at the mountain to the left of the background) with dodgy brakes and engine braking only helping so much. There were a few turns where nimble handling alone felt like it saved me! Not long afterward the clutch pedal snapped in two due to a seized spring. Could've happened on that trip easily but fortunately it went mere miles from home. A great time and still my favourite road trip.

pflpflpfl > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 10:03

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I might be a bit strange fellow but I have really grown to like my girlfriend's 1275cc Mini on long trips. Longest legs I've driven it have been roughly four hours. I have no problem finding comfortable driving position, it drives straight really nicely once you adjust yourself to that fast steering (because of 8 feet wheelbase), it just feels superbly planted. If it had fifth ratio, it would be pretty much perfect for doing long trips. I have no doubts that Miata would work nicely too.

colorfulyawn > Dest 02/12/2014 at 10:11

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Not alone. I'd taken several long road trips with other people, though.

colorfulyawn > Wes Mantooth 02/12/2014 at 10:13

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Thanks. I wouldn't mind taking a similar trip in a Challenger R/T. Preferably a white 1970 with a 440 ...

colorfulyawn > BlythBros. 02/12/2014 at 10:19

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It also reminded me of Phil Hill's story about driving a Jaguar C-Type from Wisconsin to Los Angeles. Phil Hill was a lucky guy.

colorfulyawn > jalop1991 02/12/2014 at 10:51

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Yeah, I'm an editor, and should've caught that. But it's always easier when it's someone else's work. I still maintain that the tense shifts in the story are more embarrassing than the headline, though.

Dest > colorfulyawn 02/12/2014 at 11:11

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I guess that's different. I've driven almost completely across the US alone. Lots of time to think, lots of time to develop a completely reasonable hate for Nebraska.