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Not necessarily the best, fanciest, most utilitarian or useful. Just your favorite, for whatever unexplainable or silly reasons.
In my case, it was a 1991 MX-5 Miata that I bought new on my return from the (1st) Gulf War. Initially a purely reactive purchase celebrating my survival, it turned into a fun & faithful companion for 25 years.
Not the most practical car, it could barely carry a weekendās worth of groceries, and an utter joke at Home Depot. It would unfailingly gather rain to itself whenever the top was down. No power anything. No A/C. Horrible in bumper to bumper traffic, youād suck fumes from everyone around you. You couldnāt see past anything in front that wasnāt another Miata. Truly a dumb choice for a one-car family, barely tolerable as a second car.
Butā¦
Itās hard to describe how insanely fun it was to drive to someone thatās never driven one themselves. It was a slot car on the asphalt, perfectly balanced, responded to the lightest touch, and had the most satisfying āsnickā shifting from gear to gear, never needing more that two fingers on the shifter. It always did exactly what you wanted and expected with nary a complaint or surprise. Basic, unassuming, and completely wrenchable, I did 99% of the mods, upgrades, and maintenance myself, like God intended.
It was the only car Iāve ever driven that you were always aware of it around you, like an extension of you, not just another numb, plodding drive whether around the block or across country. I never reached my destination without a smile on my face.
Already delegated to Garage Queen status for several years during my post-retirement career that had me traveling globally on a weekly basis, I ultimately had to sell it in 2017 when I went to Afghanistan on a permanent assignment. Luckily it went to someone who could bring it back up to snuff and enjoy several more years of stupid-grin-on-face.
If I find myself in a situation where I can have a third car, one purely for fine Spring days on the twisties, Iām going to find another one.
In my case, it was a 1991 MX-5 Miata that I bought new on my return from the (1st) Gulf War. Initially a purely reactive purchase celebrating my survival, it turned into a fun & faithful companion for 25 years.
Not the most practical car, it could barely carry a weekendās worth of groceries, and an utter joke at Home Depot. It would unfailingly gather rain to itself whenever the top was down. No power anything. No A/C. Horrible in bumper to bumper traffic, youād suck fumes from everyone around you. You couldnāt see past anything in front that wasnāt another Miata. Truly a dumb choice for a one-car family, barely tolerable as a second car.
Butā¦
Itās hard to describe how insanely fun it was to drive to someone thatās never driven one themselves. It was a slot car on the asphalt, perfectly balanced, responded to the lightest touch, and had the most satisfying āsnickā shifting from gear to gear, never needing more that two fingers on the shifter. It always did exactly what you wanted and expected with nary a complaint or surprise. Basic, unassuming, and completely wrenchable, I did 99% of the mods, upgrades, and maintenance myself, like God intended.
It was the only car Iāve ever driven that you were always aware of it around you, like an extension of you, not just another numb, plodding drive whether around the block or across country. I never reached my destination without a smile on my face.
Already delegated to Garage Queen status for several years during my post-retirement career that had me traveling globally on a weekly basis, I ultimately had to sell it in 2017 when I went to Afghanistan on a permanent assignment. Luckily it went to someone who could bring it back up to snuff and enjoy several more years of stupid-grin-on-face.
If I find myself in a situation where I can have a third car, one purely for fine Spring days on the twisties, Iām going to find another one.
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