A
few short weeks ago, I posted a Mazda mx-5 review on this blog. I gave it a
pretty significant amount of praise, and said I would buy the little roadster
once I had the money. And well, now I have the money, actually I don’t anymore
because I bought an mx-5 yesterday.
Yep,
I found a mint condition 2002 NB series 3 painted silver which was just in my
price bracket. Well actually I found a couple.
Last
weekend, I went car shopping, and what an exciting task it is. The whiff of
new car smell - which I had bypass since I wasn’t buying brand new, the
haggling with dealers, and the rather entertaining test drives which I’m sure
were much appreciated by the cars trustworthy owners.
The
first stop was at a Porsche dealer, this was exciting. Walk into the showroom,
there’s a 930 911 turbo – a seriously hairy car, a mint condition 911 from the
seventies, and of course a smattering of new Boxsters, 911’s, and Panameras, oh
and there was also a 612hp V10 powered carbon fibre masterpiece in the form of
the Porsche Carerra GT, and this was build number one. It looked absolutely
incredible, I instantly begun frothing at the mouth, I couldn’t believe my
eyes. But we weren’t there to buy a Porsche, unfortunately. We were there to
look at a slightly more humble mx-5.
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| Unbelievable! Porsche Carerra GT |
Walk
out the back to find the used cars, and there it was, parked between an
enormous Range Rover and a mean looking 911 Turbo. Hop inside and well, it was
a little disappointing. The car clearly hadn’t been cleaned, and there was rust
on the roof mechanism, and a couple of small holes in the roof, we should’ve
walked away then. But then a man offered me the keys. How could you refuse a
test drive? Turn the key and the mx-5 fires into life, but refuses to settle,
it feels like an old Ferrari I once had a ride in, it just sounded and felt
rough. Maybe it was just cold? We took off down the road, the clutch was
slipping and even after a fairly lengthy drive it still felt like something
wasn’t right. Handed the keys back to the Porsche man, and told him that something
wasn’t right. He didn’t like that. He then refused to negotiate anyway because
apparently I wasn’t ready to buy so he didn’t want to know me. This was fine
because, if I’m honest, his car was crap, and we had arranged to look at
another car at a nearby Volkswagen dealer, after taking a few shots with the
Carerra GT of course.
We
arrived at the Volkswagen dealer with little time to spare – mum would soon be
wondering what we were up to.. – I quickly found the little mx-5 hidden away in
the corner surrounded by some rather conservative looking Golfs and Passats.
Opened the door, and inside was immaculate, everything was clean there was not
a spot of rust, it had just had a major service, and four new tyres fitted as
well – how convenient. Lift the bonnet and I would have no problems eating my
dinner off the engine, it was ridiculously clean. This was the one.
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| My Mazda mx-5 |
I Rung
the dealer a 9am yesterday morning,
put in an offer, half an hour later it was mine. I’m looking forward to that
first drive on Saturday when I pick it up.
Ah
yes, the importance of the first drive with you’re new beloved companion, those
first few miles of driving are crucial! There are so many variables which need
to be addressed in order to ensure a healthy relationship with you’re new car,
and it takes hours of agonising decision making, procrastination and of course
the sleepless nights. These are the things which differentiate a car nut from
someone who simply likes cars.
Ok,
so number one thing you need to get right is footwear. Now obviously driving
with flippers or gumboots is a bit difficult, but what do you wear during that
important first drive? Well something light, with a bit of flex, and a decent
contact patch. I like Vans – the shoe, not a horrible white thing made for carrying
stuff around. Racing shoes are not acceptable, because you WILL look like an
idiot and people WILL laugh. Avoid work boots, thongs (flip flops?), leather
work shoes and joggers.
Next
up, music. I’m not exactly sure about this one, so feel free to make some
suggestions in the comments section bellow, but bare in mind I’m 17 years old
and hence not interested in something from before I was born. Unless it’s
really good. For example, the Top Gun soundtrack.
You
might also have to wait while you’re car is prepared for you, so might I
suggest bringing along a magazine, evo is brilliant, of course.
Once
you have all of these things sorted you’re all set to drive you’re new baby for
the first time.
Saturday
couldn’t come soon enough!
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