!!! MX-5 Miata Of the Month !!!

October 2005

Dale Dominado

www.cardomain.com/id/dalesmx5

Congratulations to Dale Dominado on the selection of his 1997 Miata as the MCP's Miata of the Month for October!

The first time I saw a Miata here in the Philippines was in the Transport show of 1996.  It was a white, all stock Miata displayed by a Mazda dealer. The only thing that caught my eye on it, was that it was a convertible.  Otherwise, I thought that it’s exterior was too plain and the interior was drab… Then sometime in 1997, as I was driving along Julia Vargas Ave., a red Miata with the full MazdaSpeed body kit, 17 inch wheels with its top down caught my eye! I then realized the car’s potential and had wanted to own one since that time.

A year passed and I was about to take the medical board exams.  My dad promised to buy me a car when I pass it.  Luckily I did on the first try!!!  I probably got so inspired in studying because back in my mind lurks the thought of having a Miata.. he he he.   Even before I had the car, I was already window shopping for its accessories and saving money for it.  I remember going to Q Systems asking for the MS body kit just as if I already had a Miata.   Problem was that back in ’98, all the Miatas had already been sold so I didn’t have a choice but to look for a good second hand one.  I guess my luck on the boards extended in finding my very own Miata as I was able to find a black 97 model, with only 6 thousand km clocked on its odometer. 

Right after the acquisition of that car, modifications immediately started…  First to be replaced were the wheels, I didn’t have enough money back then so I just swapped the “original” 14s with the15 inchers from my previous car.  I also swapped that car’s in dash cd with the Miata’s cassette deck.  The money I saved from all the swaps I made went to a MazdaSpeed body kit and lowering springs which I thought really enhanced its looks! 

People noticed the car everywhere I went.  Sometimes I can’t even look straight at them because I was afraid they’d say I was showing off, when in fact, I was just trying to enjoy my convertible with its top down and the cool breeze of air on my face.  I’ve taken it to so many places. Tagaytay, Baguio, Subic, Zambales, Pagudpud among others. 

In 2000, I joined the Miata Club Philippines.  I was inactive for a while as I was busy with my residency program in surgery.  But right after that, I became an active member.  Attending monthly meetings, joining fun runs, meeting new friends and learning more about the car. 

For a while I was very happy with my miata.. Then I came across what they call the “miata porn” – HyperRev and Road&Ster magazines!  So many aftermarket parts, but not so much dough.. he he.  But one by one I was able to choose the right part for me.  Of course that’s after going thru 2 paint jobs, 6 sets of wheels and 3 sets of sound systems!  Anyway I’m all done with my Miata for now… Don’t you guys think it’s an unending modification process?  

To summarize it all, having a Miata is great!  It’s a car you can be proud to own now and in the future. A KEEPER if I may say.  It provides lots of fun and happy memories in all aspects; going to different places, joining the MCP, meeting new friends, modifying it or keeping it pristine as it is. 

 

 

Below is a list of the modifications I’ve done on it:

 

Exterior:
 
New paint job

MazdaSpeed body kit

Work Equip wheels in staggered width and offset

Craftsquare carbon fiber side mirrors

NACA carbon fiber headlight lid

Moss Dual Headlamp System

Roadster badge

Short aluminum antenna

Aluminum fuel lid

Black euro tail lamps

 

Engine:   

Sebring supercharger

JR rotomolded tubes for the SC

Silicone hose set for SC

MSD boost timing unit

JR headers and exhaust system

Polished cam cover and intake manifold

Chrome engine dress up kit

Dual chrome hood lifts

 

Suspension and brakes:

1.8 brake upgrade

Slotted/cross drilled rotors

Goodridge stainless steel braided brake lines

Powder coated calipers

Aragosta coil over shock suspension kit

JR sway bars

Racing beat end links

Powder coated crossmembers and suspension arms

 

Interior:

Recaro SR III seats

Sparco steering wheel and pedals

Sola chrome shift knob

Chrome interior trim

Pioneer DVD/Monitor sound system

JL audio amps and stealth subwoofer for Miata

Wurth sound deadening/insulation kit        

 

Will you be Next?

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