Miata Mailing List: May 1997, Message #93
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From: 	"Brian K. Dore'" <bkd@usl.edu>

Subject: Power steering (was Re: Purchasing Miata)

Date: 	Thu, 1 May 1997 13:23:27 -0500



John said:



>Personally, I prefer

 good PS over manual.

>IMHO a well designed PS system is the only way

 to go.



I beg to differ.  Miata power steering should be lumped in to the same pile

as Automatic transmissions, and be considered an accessability option (like

crutches, wheelchairs and artificial limbs) for people who couldn't enjoy

the Miata otherwise.  The added expense of a hydraulic pump, fluid, belt,

hoses,  fittings and steering rack is completely unneeded in a car as light

as the Miata.  Not to mention the extra weight, maintainance, parts to

fail, reduction of engine power, etc.  I've owned both, and I like the

manual rack WAY better.  (I also hate self propelled lawn mowers and

motorized can openers, so its probably a personality thing.)



The manual rack on the Miata can get heavy when you start changing to

bigger/heavier wheels and tires.  In fact, there is a noticable decrease in

steering effort when upgrading from the steel wheels to OEM alloys. 

(Another reason I wish Mazda had never shipped a Miata with those ugly

things.)  



Brian Dore'

Lafayette, LA