Miata Mailing List: March 1998, Message #9

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My thoughts about the 99 after spending 20 mins on the road and the balance of
two hours poking around in a garage area and with no salesmen on my back.

1.   I find nothing I don't like about the exterior of the car.
2.   The new doorhandles are different but are easy to use and my wife says
they are "much better."
3.   The trunk is very nicely done.
5.   The colors, although not bold, are very nice.  The silver is elegant.   I
think it will be a favorite.
6.   I have no idea how to set the timing :)   the CAS is gone.
7.    The air filter intake has been routed forward to the left front and an
box wall reminescent of the Polar Air CAI isolates it from motor heat.   I  do
not recall that being posted before...I may have missed it.
8.    The cupholders are kinda funny... but Margie sat in the right seat and
said it was easy enuf to use.
9.    the ac/heater controls are like minatures from my mazda pickup... pretty
small and not as convenient as the M1 controls.
10.   Power window switches look like a dirt and spilled liquid trap to me.
11.   They could have just left the ashtray out.
12.   gauges looked smaller.. it may have been an illusion
13.   wind blocker worked.
14.   ***  the installed windblocker looked to provide some horizontal
reinforcement, it's fairly sturdy yet connects to the sides of the towers.  
15.    It looks like a style bar will still go in the same as on an M1.
16.   It really looks like the glass window is going to be a clearance problem
for style and roll bars.....especially those with any rearward support.
17.   Top is different .... did not feel particularly sturdy as compared to
the M1.
18.   Leather color is a big improvement.
19.   The use of the rear deck for travel bags, etc... could be a problem...
seems smaller somehow and theres the glasswindow down there...
20.   I did not notice a big HP gain....
21.   the shifter is shorter...nice and smooth.
22.   the muffler looks to be redesigned...it was getting dark, I may be
wrong.
23.   has the mazda underbody braces.
24    vanity lites down low are gone...one in center of windshield rail.
25.    mirror hooked to glass... i never really liked that for some personal
reason.
26.   the prices are definitely not as or lower than the 97's!    

that's about all that comes to mind.... I saw a green and a white sold while I
was there...

BTW.. Fairbank Mazda has had and has some fantastic deals on storm damaged
97's  and there are at least two M1 BRG's there that were traded in
yesterday... that's in longwood, fl....just north of Orlando.

Bob and the Rainbow Collection