Barbie car
Just this afternoon I can now say I am the proud owner of a 2007 electric blue Mazda Miata (or “MX” in the new branding) softtop convertible. Which is to say I am now tooling about Seattle in the grown man equivalent of a Barbie Car — sans straw blonde polyethylene hair, make-it-go wired controller and dangerous levels of lead paint. (At least I think that’s the case; jury’s still out on the wired controller.) Despite the obvious jokes to be made about a 6′2, 210 pound man shoehorning himself into a gokart with zoom-zoom, I couldn’t be happier.
This is the first convertible I have ever owned and the impulse to keep that top down is immense, despite all weather indications to the contrary. I am already looking forward to braving the elements topless. Hmmm, that didn’t sound right, but I think you get the picture. Apparently you can drive in the rain with the top down so long as you’re going at a decent clip and the droplets aren’t too large. By the magic of the Bernoulli Effect the drops flow up and over the passenger compartment (laughable to call it that, you could just say ‘the two itty-bitty seats’) passing you by. The sun will be the big issue for me. I have not been in the sun regularly since my brown-as-a-berry lifeguard days, half my lifetime ago. Already the back of my neck, my cheeks and forehead, and strangely enough my forearms have the sunkissed tingle.
The interior is sparse with zero bells and whistles. Compared to the wraparound command console of the 93 Saab I just returned (manufactured by jet engineers, y’know) it’s damn near spartan in fact. Radio/CD Player, Tachonomer? Check. Instantaneous fuel consumption, multiple mileage computers, proximity alarm while backing up, a bluetooth headset to cellphone proxy, integrated OnStar and somewhat ominous Borg green backlight? Not so much. My Saab was a data addict’s dream, this Miata certainly is not. I’ll have to keep a pocket calculator somewhere in the glove compartment as well as graph paper until I’m fully detoxed.
Update: When you have a convertible, always keep a bath towel in the trunk. The first time you leave the top down and a sunburst drenches your car seat, you’ll thank me.
Another Update: If there is the slightest chance you or a passenger might get motion sickness easily, pack the Dramamine. Low to the ground, somewhat inclined, rumbly ground feel can pack a wallop unexpectedly.
Last Update: If and when you have to shop at Costco, bring the Miata. Surprise! You can’t invest in a year’s worth of toilet paper or get 96 cans of Campbell’s Hearty Soups. Not unless you’re willing to drive with them on your lap. This also goes for trips to the mall and the grocery store.