Hello all,
If you can't guess by the title, I've been shopping for a second car.
I wanted something reminiscent of my lovely 'B, who is awaiting a full
resto. I looked at several cars before falling in love with a white '91
Miata.
Ok, stop throwing stuff at me! The Miata and the MGB share a lot in
common. both cars have similar interiors and drive very much alike.
They cruise at about the same RPM, just slightly below their peak
torque. Not only that, they share the same language - freedom and the
open road.
I'm quite thrilled by the new car, and I am going to step out on a limb
and say that the Miata is what the MGB would have been if it was still
being produced. Folks talk about new cars not having any soul. That's
not true for this car. It's predictable, but in a fun way - it's as
predictable as my 'B was when it was running at full steam. And the
soul is very impressive. Trust me, I wouldn't have bought it if the
car was a bland clone of everything else out there on the road. There's
something attractive about it's simple design - it almost smacks of an
old Lotus from various angles.
It's pretty unfair to compare the Miata and the MGB directly - one must
realize that there are years of developments in between the production
of the two cars. I won't get rid of my MG just because I have a Miata;
as a matter of fact, I feel that my stable is well-rounded now. The
Miata is a dependable, fun everyday car, and the MG is the spirited, raw
piece of history.
I saw my options like this: I could spend my $8k on a Saturn or have
fun with what i bought. I'm enjoying the car immensely, and everytime I
drive it I think about the 'B. I hope no one takes offense to the
Miata, as it's a way of enjoying the open road in a new decade. Just
remember, all roadters speak the same language. I just hope you guys
wave at me when we pass on a country road. You'll recognize me; I'll
have the same windburned, tossled hair, top-down smile I wore when
driving my MGB.
humbly yours, mike lishego
p.s. - At least three of the guys on the Miata mailing list e-mailed me
with memories of MGB's owned in days gone by.
--
Mike Lishego
Media Coordinator
1991 Mazda Miata
1986 Plymouth Turismo T1
1974 MGB
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