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About the Car and Driver
Why a Miata?

What's Up With the License Plate?

Miata Mods

Hobbies

Drives/Photos
Miata Photos 

Peak to Peak Miata Club 2002 Spring Drive

Peak to Peak Miata Club 2002 Trail Ridge Drive

Favorite Drives


WHY A MIATA?
Background Influences
Hot Wheels - Brian's interest in cars began on his 6th birthday, with his first Hot Wheels car purchase in 1968. The Hot Wheels collection continues to grow at a slow pace today. It seems that Brian's mom was correct when she told him that they might be worth something someday.
Stock Car Racing Neighbor - At 8, Brian began helping a neighbor down the street who raced a stock car at the old Englewood Speedway (long gone), located at the northeast corner of Federal Blvd. and Oxford, near Englewood, CO, (actually was in Sheridan, CO). Brian started to learn ton's about cars, and even learned to weld by age 9. As a youngster who helped in the pits on a few occasions, Brian learned the proper use of the "colorful metaphors" spoken so eloquently by mechanics and pit crews.
Model Kits, Slot Cars, & RC Cars - Brian built well over 150 plastic model car kits by the time he was 16, a few of which won some awards. (Maybe it was the glue fumes that brought him back to build "just one more":) Of equal importance were the Aurora/AFX HO Scale slot cars, and the local slot-racing club. He was always trying to enhance the car's performance and therefore applied tons of mods like silicone tires, aluminum wheels, more powerful magnets, etc. Later on, a slight dip into RC Cars was fun, and it drove the dog nuts. Even today Brian likes to play the racing games available for the PC and Playstation 2.
Family - Not to be left out, of course, are Brian's two older brothers, who between them have owned Porsches, a Fiat, an Alfa Romeo, a Z28, a TransAm, Celicas, Mustangs, and a Honda S2000.

The Rest of the Story
Since age 6 Brian has always pointed out the sports cars when on the road. But why did Brian seem to only buy practical cars, mainly Subaru's, except maybe for the 1992 F150 Flareside 4x4 Pickup that was hard to commute in to Downtown Denver? The sports car attention was always a "someday" type of thing, with no other serious consideration. And, Brian has paid attention to two roadsters for a few years now, the Mazda Miata, and the Porsche Boxster.

On the way back from a family gathering in late March, 2002, Brian pointed out a custom painted Boxster. It was then that Lynda, Brian's wife, uttered the now famous words that paralleled Dr. Frankenstein's famous words; "He's Alive". Yes, Lynda said, "You know, it would be fun, and your 40th birthday is coming up." A monster was created.

After a couple of weeks of research, and establishment of a budget, it was narrowed it to 3 cars - A 2002 Miata, a 2001 Honda S2000 and a 2000 Porsche Boxster. (Nix to the Z3 ­ not interested in BMW, and nix to the TT since Brian bruised his knee on the one at the auto show, and "Gag" on the MR2). Brian had Friday, April 5, 2002 off, but attended a free work-related two hour seminar in Boulder that morning. After leaving the seminar, Brian set out to test drive all 3 that day. Brian drove the S2000 first, a 2001 white with black/red interior and only 1100 miles, on the used lot at Boulder Toyota. The real power in this car was only evident above 6000 RPM (redlines at 9000 RPM) where it was extremely noisy, and the 6.2 second 0-60 MPH time required launching/loading the clutch at about 6500 RPM. It seemed a little sluggish below 4000 rpm, at least not what was expected, and it felt weird revving the engine so darn high all the time. It rode extremely rough and harsh which brought out some in-dash rattles and squeaks, and it felt like it was on the verge of understeer frequently. Also, the high transmission/driveshaft "tunnel" through the cockpit seemed really confining and annoying - it felt isolating from your passenger. And, the steering wheel is mounted waaay to low (and like the Miata's without any adjustment) and finally, the digital speedometer is too 1980's-ish. The car was probably a steal at the asking price and the dealer was motivated, but it just didn't do anything for Brian. The next test drive was a Silver 2000 Porsche Boxster. It had low mileage, the sports package, awesome chrome wheels, and was at the low end of the used 2000 price range. It accelerated, cornered, rode, and sounded great. The Boxster seemed slightly junky in a hard to describe way, probably based on the quality Brian expected when comparing to the Porsche's his brother had owned. The 2000 Boxster doesn't have a glove box, and the mid-engine (with no hood) makes even an oil change a high dollar labor item. And good luck changing the spark plugs and wires. But, it was a Porsche, and the senses were certainly tingled. Slightly puzzled, and with red eyes due to the spring pollen, Brian moved on to the Mazda dealer to test drive the Miata. The sunglasses were kept on to cover the red eyes so it didn't look like Brian had a hangover to the polite salesman at the Mazda dealership. Brian was immediately impressed by the Miata's feel of the road, the shifter, and the overall fun. Lynda and Brian went back to drive the Boxster and Miata that evening, but the Porsche dealer closed before 7:00pm, so we just drove the Miata, and never looked back! Lynda liked the Miata, as did Brian as a passenger this time. By the end of that evening, thoughts of the Boxster were history, and the only decision was the Miata color and model. We both liked the Titanium Gray Special Edition in the showroom, but it had an automatic transmission, which we did not want. So, after sleeping on it, Brian checked dealer inventories on the web and called the Denver area Mazda dealers first thing Saturday morning and found a Titanium Gray SE with minimal add-ons (light bezels and alarm). It was in our driveway by 11:00am, and we've been having fun, with absolutely no regrets, ever since. (Gasp!! how could Brian have even considered those other cars?) BACK TO THE TOP

 

WHAT'S UP WITH THE LICENSE PLATE?: The photo at top of this page is inspired by a favorite album from the college days, Zenyatta Mondatta, by The Police. No, the plate isn't real, just 5 minutes of playing in Adobe Photoshop. BACK TO THE TOP

 

MODS:
Purchases/Mods/Tweaks to date:

 

FAVORITE DRIVES IN COLORADO:

FAVORITE DRIVES OUTSIDE COLORADO: From Chama to Santa Fe in New Mexico....beautiful on a crisp September day. Also, the Cascade Scenic Loop in Washington state. BACK TO THE TOP

 

HOBBIES BESIDES MIATA: Brian - Colorado Railroad History, Model Railroads, Computers, Computer Games, and anything mechanical. Lynda - Gardening (specifically Irises ­ she's the Newsletter editor and handles membership for the American Iris Society, Brian maintains the club web page). BACK TO THE TOP