Hey Gary, yes I read the column and I'm a big fan of Peter Egan. He's a
tremendous writer and enthusiast. Poking fun at the Miata (I was also
having a little fun with the misspelled MIADA) is all in good fun.
I respect the car, but I just don't want one. If it were not for the
Miata, note not Miada, then we might not have the roadster revival that
we've been experiencing for the past decade. The Miata is a tremendous
car in almost every way.
However, if I had bought a Miata instead of my TR6, I would be poorer in
several ways also. Yes, I would have a car that I could flip the top
down in one fell swoop, and yes, it would be tremendously reliable.
But, aside from missing the torque of my Six, which I love so much, I
would not have met many of the tremendously generous, fun, and
knowledgeable folks who are involved in the Triumph community. I
probably wouldn't be involved in such a great local car club. I also
probably wouldn't have learned nearly as much about basic automotive
machinery as I have.
I love my car. I'd wanted one for 25 years before I bought one.
However, I'm no car snob. I'd like a bunch more things too. I'd like a
early TR3, TR250, E-type, Shelby GT-350, 68 Cougar XR7 with the S-code
engine, and any number of other sedans, convertible, and fun things. If
someone gave me a Miata, I'd probably keep it too.
So I understand what Mr. Egan was writing about. But I never said that
owning cars like we have is for everyone either. It takes a different
breed to enjoy the sometimes painful things we endure. I just may be
one of those idiots to takes pleasure in such things.
R. Ashford Little II
www.geocities.com/ralittle2
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Fluke [mailto:res0s0t7@verizon.net]
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 3:48 PM
To: R. Ashford Little II
Subject: Re: Driving comfort
Do you read Road & Track? Peter Egan had a column about the Miata, and
how
he came to like them. He said that at first he thought everyone who
bought
one must have had a chip behind the ear, placed there by an alien. Did
you
read that column?
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "R. Ashford Little II" <ralittle2@mindspring.com>
To: "'Gary Fluke'" <res0s0t7@verizon.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 10:35 AM
Subject: RE: Driving comfort
> You know, I remember reading that also, and have to agree with you. I
> drove a Miata, note, note the highly modified MIADA version, before I
> bought my first TR6.
>
> I tried to like it, I really did. They are more practical, an early
> model version is cheaper, and they handle very well. But it had no
> soul. I just couldn't do it. And won't either.
>
> The song of the TR6 engine is one of the best attributes. It sounds
and
> feels like you are going much faster. That's enough for me. Well,
> until I start modifying my engine. I would like to be able to take
> these guys out with little effort. It should be easy at the launch,
> even with a stock engine, due to the torque of the Six and lack of it
in
> the Miata.
>
> R. Ashford Little II
> www.geocities.com/ralittle2
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Fluke [mailto:res0s0t7@verizon.net]
> Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 2:55 AM
> To: R. Ashford Little II
> Subject: Re: Driving comfort
>
> I remember when the Meeahdah was introduced and the story was that
Mazda
> engineers tried over 100 exhaust configurations in order to get the
> "right"
> sound. I keep listening to them when I get a chance, but I just don't
> hear
> anything that can compare with the TR 2.5 liter. To me, the best part
> of
> the TR5/6/250 is the engine. But then, I'm a bit obsessed with the
> sound of
> cars.
>
>
> Gary
> '73
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "R. Ashford Little II" <ralittle2@mindspring.com>
> To: "'Paula J. Graffam'" <pjgraffam@juno.com>; <6pack@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 9:58 AM
> Subject: RE: Driving comfort
>
>
> > Of course, the Miada has it all over us with its gearbox and power
> > plant.
> >
> > I'll go along with the tranny part, but the lack of torque down low,
> or
> > up high for that matter, doesn't do it for me. Unless of course the
> > Miada, is the improved version of the Miata with the 2.5l inline six
> and
> > gobs of torque.
> >
> > R. Ashford Little II
> > www.geocities.com/ralittle2
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net]
> On
> > Behalf Of Paula J. Graffam
> > Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 8:04 AM
> > To: 6pack@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Driving comfort
> >
> > Listers,
> >
> > A recent thread about TR6 driving comfort brought to mind a trip I
> took
> > in my son-in-law's 2000 Miada from CT. to the Cape in MA. this
summer
> > while my engine was being re-built. Comfort has not significantly
> > improved during the past 30 years. In fact, with the top and window
> down
> > in the 6 and elbow hanging out and left leg bend at the knee,
there's
> a
> > sense of oneness you get that the Miada could not touch. In
addition,
> > the Miada seats ,IMHO, are less comfortable than ours.
> >
> > Of course, the Miada has it all over us with its gearbox and power
> > plant.
> >
> >
> > Al Graffam 74TR6 ( all most finished with my van den Akker Toyota
> > tranny conversion . . . nobody will ever know I've got one at next
> > year's
> > shows)
> >
> > ________________________________________________________________
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> > Visit www.juno.com
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