*** MX-5 Miata Of the Month ***
July/August/September 2009Raymond Figuerres with Satoru
Congratulations to Raymond Figuerres on the selection of his Miata as the MCP's Featured Miata for the 3rd Quarter of 2009. |
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July/August/September 2009Raymond Figuerres with Satoru
Congratulations to Raymond Figuerres on the selection of his Miata as the MCP's Featured Miata for the 3rd Quarter of 2009. |
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Prior to owning my Miata, my seat time in the agile roadster was limited to say the least. When I first test-drove my car it was around the Subic race track. It immediately made a flattering first impression. It didn't take much driving talent to make it go around corners very well at speed! Even a mediocre driver like me was able to take the first corner confidently. Clipping the apex perfectly inspired aggression on the throttle coming off the corner, only to find out that the grip was not sufficient because it was shod in well-worn tires. You could say it was a 911 moment for me, I'm sure everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on September 11, 2001. Driving a car would never be the same again.
When you first acquire a car, it's natural to be driving it around at the first occurrence of an opportunity. It's slightly different for a Miata, you go out and drive not because its new and you want to get to know the car, but because it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time. Your driving talent just doesn't get flattered the first instance; there is a steady proddingto push it to the edge whenever the occasion calls for it. That could mean every time you drive it. And every single time, you learn something new about the car's limits and your own. Which brings me to another 911 moment with the car: I can distinctly remember U2's “Rejoice” sonorously encouraging me to coerce the car through Tanay's tortuous roads. And Satoru, by now it had a moniker, gladly obliged. Not only did it go along with my asinine pretentions of being a distinguished driver, Satoru obsequiously and subtly reminded me I wasn't one. I am not a proper sporty driver, by any stretch of the imagination, but this sports car made me believe I was one! By driving it, it was obvious that the car was special. Initially I couldn't pinpoint reasons that made it so. But it all inevitably came to me as I drove other sporty cars or modern sports cars. First, it was the pure unadulterated motoring sensation. There was none of those inane technological acronyms getting between the driver and the driving. There is no obtrusive throttle-by-wire, no confusing computer controlled differential settings, no complicated high-tech gearbox, no needless automatic rev-matching during downshifts, no videogame-inspired instrument console, no EBD, no ABS, no VDC. Just your foot interacting as directly with the pedals as it supposed to. Your hands shouldn't be bothered with infinitely adjustable computer knobs and toggling superfluous switches. Next were the instinctive nature of the car to corner so well and the direct feel of the steering. Satoru has had a number of suspension and handling modifications but I'm pretty sure it only augments its natural abilities. As a result, it's less comfortable to ride but it wasn't bought because of its supple ride. It is not suited as a long distance high-speede xpressway cruiser, as it wasn't built to be one. What it's meant to provide the driver and a passenger is the shared emotion of open top cruising along scenic meandering roads. It's almost close to the delight of motorcycling, but that's another story that might possibly initiate a debate. Being the best selling sports car of all time, the breadth and depth of knowledge regarding modifying, improving, maintaining and repairing it is vast and ubiquitous. This is often the subject of its fans' fascination and obsession. The car's attraction isn't limited to owners; kids and adults alike are enthralled with the car's appearance. It seems it doesn't have a bad angle in the flesh, err metal, or on camera. The Miata charmed me the first time I saw it in an American magazine in the early 90's. The fact that it was reliable and relatively inexpensive added to its timeless allure. Its enduring influence is a testament to its designers and engineers who persisted going against conventional automotive insight prevailing at the time. They revived the previously British dominated roadster genre, made it practical, and brought I to the masses. Otherwise, my ownership of Satoru wouldn't be possible. Raymond Figuerres |
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