Miata Mailing List: September 1993, Message #137
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   From: buck@petra.ma30.bull.com (Kenneth J. Buck)
Subject: Re: Power Steering
   Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1993 10:36:36 -0400

> From: "Stephen H. An" 
> Subject: Re: Power Steering 
>     
> I recalled that the article in the Summer 93 issue of the Miata Mag.
> really hated the PS, which is why they went through the hassle of
> replacing it, which involve different steering rack etc... due to
> different ratios.

the article was prompted by a number of requests by people that
wanted (or at least thought they wanted) to disable the power steering.

> Here's a different opinion, I really HATE (yes I am screaming!) the
> Miata PS, it ruins the car completely for me. This car is so light
> that I don't see why one needs it to begin with, and I live in
> downtown Boston, where creative parallel parking is a national sport,
> and yes I also have 15" wheels and fatter tires. I just felt that the
> PS destroys the road feel and I had trouble apexing the car, I am sure
> I would get used to it eventually but why bother?

without question, you are entitled to your opinion.

personally, i'm not crazy about it either, but it hardly ruins
the car for me.  i wish the variable ratio cut the boost radically
at anything above a low speed, since low speed is where it matters
the most.  however, i find steering feedback to be excellent at
any speed, i just wish it wasn't quite so light.

> If you want to know what a good PS system should feel like, go drive a
> Porsche, any of them (944, 964, 928).

i suppose so, but then, the cheapest of these cars costs 2-3 times
what a Miata does.  more money often gives you the leeway to do
many kinds of things.  given the Miata's goal of a reasonable price,
some systems were simplified with that interest in mind.

i think the compromise is okay, but i wish that PS was an option for
those that don't want it - that's not an engineering problem so
much as a Marketing decision :-(

--                                             
Ken Buck                                          /|
Internet: k.buck@ma30.bull.com                \'o.O'    ACK!
Mail:     Bull, MA30-833A                     =(___)= THPTPHH!
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