Miata Mailing List: September 1993, Message #210
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   From: "Ronnie B. Kon" 
Subject: Re: DAILY digest of "miata" mailing list (part 1 of 1)
   Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1993 13:54:40 -0400

> > This months CR reviews "sporty cars" pitching the Camaro, Firebird, Miata
> > and DelSol against each other. They spent a lot of time in the Miata
> > section complaining about lack of comfort for tall or short drivers. They
> > did like the handling.
> 
> They also complained about the small door handles, just as they did when
> they first reviewed the Miata.  How many people buy sports cars based on
> the size of the door handles?

The door handles (which I admit to hating, but I would have to label
the barn door headlights as my major cosmetic bitch) tell a lot about
their criteria.  They really like comfortable sedans, which is not an
unreasonable standard for all cars other than sports cars.

They are dead on in their criticism of the discomfort for tall
drivers.  I'm only 5'11" and my head bangs against the soft top (and
the rib supporting it) with the top up.  Visibility also sucks, making
lane changes to the left a pain.  And the top of the headrest just
reaches the top of my neck.  And there is not enough lumbar support.
And the steering wheel is too far away.

The Miata is a difficult car to rate--how do you deal with people who
make comments like above, but love their car, and would buy another?


> > I was also surprised that they didn't wait a few months and test a '94,
> > surely they must have tested a 90 way back then?

More than a few months--remember that they buy their cars at
dealerships, and the '94s aren't due until November.  Also, there are
not enough changes to merit a complete new review, and they are
understandably hesitant to spend $20K just for a comparison article.

				Ronnie

PS.  Whatever happened to the FAQ?