*** MX-5 Miata Of the Month ***
November 2007Carlo Ablaza
Congratulations to Carlo Ablaza on the selection of his Miata as the MCP's Miata of the Month for November 2007. |
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November 2007Carlo Ablaza
Congratulations to Carlo Ablaza on the selection of his Miata as the MCP's Miata of the Month for November 2007. |
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I had a fascination for cars even before I could speak, this of course was then encouraged by my father through automotive magazines, radio controlled cars, die cast vehicles & scale models.
My Miata addiction started way back in 1989, I have been reading various Road & Track and Car & Driver magazines and one day a teaser advertisement from Mazda announcing the coming of a revolutionary sports car. They had pictures of it along a 356 Porsche Speedster (one of my hero cars) I told myself this is the car! When the Miata was launched in North America there were a lot of rave reviews, I think the Peso-Dollar conversion rate was Php27-1USD making the new Mazda Sports car $11,296. Unfortunately, Mazda was not available in the Philippines at that time, so I kept the dream on hold. Fast forward to 1997. My parents promised me a car after my graduation, after looking through various Honda Civics & Corollas, my mom -- yes, my mom -- blurted out, “why don’t you get a Miata instead!?” They were the same price as the Civics. It looked sporty. An old light bulb in my head suddenly came alive, the quest was on to find a Miata! After looking for a unit in Mazda showrooms and various used car advertisements, we eventually found a low mileage stock 2nd hand unit from a guy who had to leave for England to study, He told me that if he comes back permanently, he would have to buy his Miata back. I laughed at him and told myself, over my dead body! It was Silver and it was the perfect gift! The car never lasted 24 hours at home in the garage in it’s stock form, the wheels were upgraded to 15” five--spoke wheels and an installation of Mazdaspeed shock tower brace. This would be the start of a never ending obsession with the little sports car. I have gone through eight sets of wheels and tires ranging from five-spoke GAIA rims, seven-spoke OEMs, Bronze Circuit 8s, Rota Retro’s,Grid’s, 14” Black Racing eight-spokes,GT3s with Bridgestone intermediates to Gold RB’s with Neovas. Engine modifications like a JR CAI, HKS Headers, MS Catback & Ultra plug wires were also installed. Interior changes comprised of Kel Leather seats, MS Rollbar, MS shift knob, and a Momo protoripo wheel. Also, Koni adjustable shocks were installed to reduce bottoming out on humps. Exterior modifications were kept simple, an R-type chin spoiler was added to retain the classic lines of the Miata. The Miata Club Philippines has also fueled my enthusiasm for the Roadster. Here, I’ve met fellow gear heads with the same wave length that only car guys understand. We’d drool over Road&Ster & Hyper Rev Magazines even if we can’t understand the Japanese characters. Go to Tomas Mapua in Blumentritt to look for that coveted surplus JDM magwheel. Club track days and yearly hillclimbs at the BRC, SIR, and Subic. Out-of-town fun runs to Tagaytay , Baguio, and Pagudpud. Various food trips and camera activities for the food lovers and shutterbugs, to the no-fail monthly meetings at the Polo Club. We’re always coming up with reasons just to drive our cars and meet up with our fellow members. The Miata is a great sports car to drive and own, the experience that it brings will surely be a very enjoyable one! Carlo Ablaza |
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