After meeting up with the owner in the morning we have been through heavy rains and gale force winds to have the title ownership transferred. Officially the MX5 (MK2, Year 2000, 6-speed and Silver) is Tiki's right now. However I was the one who had driven it for a few hours today, mainly to find out things needed to be repaired on the car. Believe me the car was so good and I was able to come up with a very 'short' list.
Here is my first impression.
With the hardtop on all day to protect us from the nature's elements the interior was quite cozy and stress-free. It felt like driving a small Japanese sedan without the back seat. The headroom with the hardtop on was surprisingly ample. Tiki and I never felt constricted and as a matter of fact did feel less stressful and less claustrophobic than being in the Mercedes SLK230. SLK230 was another strong consideration, which MX5 eventually won, over our heart by merely a hairline. The MX5's raking A-pillar did not eat into my personal space in the level of my head. I hate the fact that in some convertible that when I lean forward my head would hit the A-pillar (or have my eye poked).
It is a simple car with excellent engineering and design details. It impresses me not with the features and niceties it has, but with the lack of nuisances and list of faults of big and small, that would have me bothered and bewildered.
Because of its low stance, everything on the road seemed to be much bigger and taller. Even the red taxis we found everyday were two feet taller. All the Mercedes S-classes looked like minivans to us. However the MX5, seemed to be stable between 80-100kph with strong cross winds while traveling on the open highway, despite its light weight and the rear-wheel drive chassis. Not bad. It was the other motorists that I was worried since they could not keep their rides tracking true and straight.
In terms of ride and engine performance other than "acceptable" and "reasonable" I have not much to write home about, especially after the first day. Again it was the lack of nuisance and faults that really impress. Due to its 1,030kg weight the handling is nice and the pickup is reasonable quick. Turn-in was amazing even with the 6-year old Bridgestone ER30 in the front.
Let me continue with more update during or after the first weekend, after the hardtop can be removed and when the fun of open-top motoring begins.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Monday, July 31, 2006
Body Color and Rate of Depreciation
I read an interesting article in Car Magazine, Aug 2006 issue. You may clip the title above and access it on my pbase. I hope Car Magazine doesn't mind because it has so much good stuff worth buying every month for the past 18 years (at least for myself).
One of my favorite articles this month, which proves at least statistically my preference for body colors of cars. At least this time I can find some statistical support for my own taste for the Mercedes Benzs that I have owned. Still today I find silver and black are the best for most 4-door Mercedes. And Black or Metallic Dark Gray are also excellent. White or light colors do not show the complex curves and shape of the modern European cars. Silver and black tend not to make the Euro cars larger than they are. Silver has one advantage under the sun or summer temperature where it keeps the interior temperature more stable and relatively cool - perfect for nearly tropical weather of Hong Kong seven months a year. For Japanese cars silver is generally a big no no. White is my preference and that's the body color of my Honda DC2 Type R. There is an exception to it, and that's the Mazda MX-5 (or Miata), MK 1, 2 and 3.
One of my favorite articles this month, which proves at least statistically my preference for body colors of cars. At least this time I can find some statistical support for my own taste for the Mercedes Benzs that I have owned. Still today I find silver and black are the best for most 4-door Mercedes. And Black or Metallic Dark Gray are also excellent. White or light colors do not show the complex curves and shape of the modern European cars. Silver and black tend not to make the Euro cars larger than they are. Silver has one advantage under the sun or summer temperature where it keeps the interior temperature more stable and relatively cool - perfect for nearly tropical weather of Hong Kong seven months a year. For Japanese cars silver is generally a big no no. White is my preference and that's the body color of my Honda DC2 Type R. There is an exception to it, and that's the Mazda MX-5 (or Miata), MK 1, 2 and 3.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
C240 Update and Bye.....
As you can tell by the title, the lovely C240 that once belonged to Tiki, belongs to someone else now. It was last week (Thursday, July 27th, 2006). Before it was sold we sent it to the Pak Lok for its final service, removing the scratch marks on the left rear panel and putting new spark plugs in. I was not in Hong Kong so Tiki did all the ownership transfer. I gladly say that we find the right owner who deserves the car we have cared for the last 11 months.
Of course the reluctant sale was expected, in order to make space for Tiki's new dream ride.
Of course we feel a bit attached to the C240, after spending nearly 12,000 kms since mid August 2005. But we guess the arrival of the convertible will make us soon forget it. We are, after all, human being.
Of course the reluctant sale was expected, in order to make space for Tiki's new dream ride.
Of course we feel a bit attached to the C240, after spending nearly 12,000 kms since mid August 2005. But we guess the arrival of the convertible will make us soon forget it. We are, after all, human being.
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